Neonchameleon
Legend
The cleric has three fundamental problems as a class. The first is that there are basically no fictional clerics outside near-explicit D&D fiction that match D&D clerics. The second is that their holy spellcaster schtick is pressed on from all sides by people who do it better. And the third is that thanks to the nature of prepared casting that their magic is very cookie cutter with, other than domain spells, all clerics being able to prepare the same spells.
There are between two and five archetypes for fictional divine casters, all of which are better filled by non-clerics because the cleric-exclusive combination of strong armour (at least medium + shield), divine magical healing, and turn undead is so rare.
I'm not saying the cleric can't do any of these roles - but they are squeezed by classes that do it better.
There are between two and five archetypes for fictional divine casters, all of which are better filled by non-clerics because the cleric-exclusive combination of strong armour (at least medium + shield), divine magical healing, and turn undead is so rare.
- The Final Fantasy White Mage - wears robes or cloth armour not solid armour, and is almost all about the magic. Possibly lives in a cloister. Far more a Divine Soul Sorcerer than a cleric.
- The Holy Warrior with some magic. This is where the cleric started but hasn't really been the cleric since divine magic got jacked up by 3.0. And at least since 4e Essentials the Paladin has felt like a better fit here.
- The Agent of the Divine. Generally low key magic and knowledge until they absolutely bring it. Frequently looks either like a humble priest or not a follower of the divine at all. The Celestial Warlock is both thematically and mechanically a better fit here.
- The hermity wise man who lives in the middle of nowhere. This always feels more druidic (or even rangery) than clerical to me.
I'm not saying the cleric can't do any of these roles - but they are squeezed by classes that do it better.