Two questions about clerics

[vhailor]

Cleric
1. I noticed that in the implements paragraph for the cleric it says:
"A cleric wearing or holding a magic holy symbol can add ..."
Are there holy symbols you can wear, so you can have your off-hand free?

2. Does anyone else think that the cleric sould be able to use light shield without having to spend a feat? If you choose a battle cleric, he will almost always be in the front line with AC 16. I believe that is the reason most clerics I've seen are humans. That extra feat(Scale armor) is so sweet.

 

[AngryPurpleCyclops]

Cleric
1. I noticed that in the implements paragraph for the cleric it says:
"A cleric wearing or holding a magic holy symbol can add ..."
Are there holy symbols you can wear, so you can have your off-hand free?

2. Does anyone else think that the cleric sould be able to use light shield without having to spend a feat? If you choose a battle cleric, he will almost always be in the front line with AC 16. I believe that is the reason most clerics I've seen are humans. That extra feat(Scale armor) is so sweet.

Yes I believe there are a lot of ways a cleric could have an implement worn (it could be his shield even) it really depends on your dm and flavor considerations. A lot of holy symbols can be hanging from your neck on a chain as well, though some dm's might call this your neck slot item (neck slot is pretty valuable in 4e as it pumps NADS.

I think clerics are pretty powerful as is. Needing to use a feat to take shield isn't crippling them, and it differentiates various builds. Feat selection is part of building pc's and everyone wants more choices. Does every cleric wield a shield? Probably not so giving away the feat is just getting a head start on certain builds. Certainly every wizard probably thinks leather armor should be free too

 

[Caliban]

Cleric
1. I noticed that in the implements paragraph for the cleric it says:
"A cleric wearing or holding a magic holy symbol can add ..."
Are there holy symbols you can wear, so you can have your off-hand free?

By default, you wear a holy symbol.

Unlike other implements, you need only to wear a holy symbol for its property or power to function.
If you are wearing or holding more than one holy symbol, none of your symbols function.​

The ones you wield are weapons that act as holy symbols (such as the Holy Avenger).​

Special:

A holy avenger can be used as a holy symbol. It adds its enhancement bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls and the extra damage granted by its property (if applicable) when used in this manner. You do not gain your weapon proficiency bonus to an attack roll when using a holy avengeras an implement.

There are lower level weapons and shields that can act as holy symbols as well, I believe.​

2. Does anyone else think that the cleric sould be able to use light shield without having to spend a feat? If you choose a battle cleric, he will almost always be in the front line with AC 16. I believe that is the reason most clerics I've seen are humans. That extra feat(Scale armor) is so sweet.

I don't really have a problem with it. Just use a 2-handed weapon. ​

 

[vhailor]

By default, you wear a holy symbol.

I'm asking because in the character builder ( shop - holy symbols section ) says off-hand to all symbols.

 

[Caliban]

I'm asking because in the character builder ( shop - holy symbols section ) says off-hand to all symbols.

The character builder also requires you to wield a staff implement in 2 hands, and that is a confirmed bug. The character builder still has a several small bugs.

The bit you originally quoted is pretty clear, and the bit I quoted backs it up.

If you still aren't sure, send a question to customer service.

 

[vhailor]

Thanks for you reply.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Yeah, you can wear a holy symbol, and note that it would appear that since holy symbols do not take up a specific slot, that in effect holy symbol implement users have a sort of 'holy symbol slot' that other characters don't have. As of now I believe there are only symbols which buff attack powers, so effectively it is just a 'third hand', but it is conceivable that in the future there could be symbols that buff defenses etc (doubtful but possible) in which case it would be pretty nice since it could stack with neck slot items.

 

[MrBeens]

I'm asking because in the character builder ( shop - holy symbols section ) says off-hand to all symbols.

There is also a special holy symbol equip slot at the bottom of the section.
You can dangle the thing in your hand, or wear it around your neck