The Contemplative PrC for Clerics

[JacktheRabbit]

What does everyone think of this PrC? Is it overpowered or underpowered? Has anyone run one of them and what was their conclusion?

I am thinking about having my cleric head towards this class as he approaches 10th level.

 

[Cyraneth]

It is an excellent prestige class, without being decidedly overpowered even. Although the prestige class is obviously designed with clerics in mind (being in the Defenders of the Faith smackbook, having a Knowledge [religion] 13 requirement, etc.), it is wizards who truly benefit from it. Although their arcane spellcasting is halted, they gain divine spellcasting levels (including domains) as they progress in the contemplative class. And what wizard wouldn't give his right arm for being able to cast curative magicks? Besides, upon reaching 10th (or is it 9th) level, the contemplative gains the neat benefit of damage reduction; also a treasured quality among wizards and other physically frail individuals.

Anyway, depending on your concept and the role you play in your adventuring party, you might consider other prestige classes for your cleric. Contemplative is an excellent option, though.

- Cyraneth

 

[mikebr99]

I have just started into the class with my current character... I was deciding between it and the Divine Disciple. Similar classes really.

The Contemplative will get 2 more domains, Damage reduction, Spell resistance, lay on hands, Immunity to poisons and diseases, etc.

The 2 new domains are the real power of this class IMHO... Mysticism and Celerity!

 

[RogueJK]

Although the prestige class is obviously designed with clerics in mind (being in the Defenders of the Faith smackbook, having a Knowledge [religion] 13 requirement, etc.), it is wizards who truly benefit from it. Although their arcane spellcasting is halted, they gain divine spellcasting levels (including domains) as they progress in the contemplative class. And what wizard wouldn't give his right arm for being able to cast curative magicks?

Sorry, no. That isn't the way it works. If a wizard (with no other spellcasting class levels) starts taking levels in the Contemplative PrC, the "+1 to spellcasting level" that they gain adds on to their wizard levels. They don't get access to cleric spells. You must have prior levels of cleric or druid in order to advance as a divine spellcaster.

They do, however, get access to the domain spells. Per page 77 of DotF, an arcane spellcaster that gains access to a prestige domain has the domain spells added to their spells known - scribed in a wizard's spellbook, or added to a sorcerer or bard's list of known spells. So the only way that a wizard could get access to healing magic is if they chose the Community prestige domain, which has Mass Heal as its 8th level domain spell.

 

[mikebr99]

I have to disagree with you on a few points RogueJK...

Sorry, no. That isn't the way it works. If a wizard (with no other spellcasting class levels) starts taking levels in the Contemplative PrC, the "+1 to spellcasting level" that they gain adds on to their wizard levels. They don't get access to cleric spells. You must have prior levels of cleric or druid in order to advance as a divine spellcaster.

See page 55 (spells per day) in DOTF.

If the contemplative did not previously belong to a divine spellcasting class, she gains the ability to cast divine spells exactly as a cleric of her patron deity. Her spell progression is the same as that of a cleric.

They do, however, get access to the domain spells. Per page 77 of DotF, an arcane spellcaster that gains access to a prestige domain has the domain spells added to their spells known - scribed in a wizard's spellbook, or added to a sorcerer or bard's list of known spells. So the only way that a wizard could get access to healing magic is if they chose the Community prestige domain, which has Mass Heal as its 8th level domain spell.

Upon adopting the contemplative class, and again at 6th level, a character gains access to a prestige domain of her choice, as described in Chapter 4: Divine Magic. The character can choose any domain made available by her deity or alignment— either a new prestige domain or a standard domain listed in the player's Handbook. The character gains the granted power associated with the domain she chooses, and can select the spells in that domain as her daily domain spells.

 

[Crothian]

It seems to be a good class. I was always drown to the role playing potential it brings to the table, but have yet to play it. My current cleric almost went that route, but eventually in the end Oozemaster won out.

 

[mikebr99]

It seems to be a good class. I was always drown to the role playing potential it brings to the table, but have yet to play it. My current cleric almost went that route, but eventually in the end Oozemaster won out.

Is your Oozemaster a good character or Evil? The PrC has always seemed on the Evil side to me...

 

[RogueJK]

If the contemplative did not previously belong to a divine spellcasting class, she gains the ability to cast divine spells exactly as a cleric of her patron deity. Her spell progression is the same as that of a cleric.

Hmm.

Well, that's what I get for making assumptions without rereading the class description. I guess the Contemplative is the exception to the rule.

Upon adopting the contemplative class, and again at 6th level, a character gains access to a prestige domain of her choice, as described in Chapter 4: Divine Magic. The character can choose any domain made available by her deity or alignment— either a new prestige domain or a standard domain listed in the player's Handbook. The character gains the granted power associated with the domain she chooses, and can select the spells in that domain as her daily domain spells.

*smack*
I really should learn to check my books before posting.

 

[mikebr99]

It seems to be a good class. I was always drown to the role playing potential it brings to the table, but have yet to play it... <snip>

I have actually used this class to simulate one of Mystra's Chosen for a PC... the real Chosen abilities were not balanced with the rest of the party.

There are still the REAL chosen... Elminster etc. but this guy is now becoming a Lesser Chosen of Mystra.

 

[0-hr]

I spent a fair amount of time as a Contemplative and it seemed fairly balanced. The immunities were nice, but were not any better than what the rest of the part had at similar levels. Like others have said, the real power lies in the extra domains. So it depends on what is available (and allowed) in your campaign.

Anything that lets a cleric take the Celerity domain is powerful (maybe to the point of being unbalancing). But the fault is with the domain, not the PrC.

For myself, I took the Madness domain and it worked out really well. Using caster level to determine the "madness score" provided a very large boost to DCs and bonus spells. By the end of my carreer I had the Air, Luck, Travel, Madness, and Celerity domains. The extra spell choices, and powers, was nice (not that clerics really need a power boost).