Warlord vs. Str. Cleric

[Baumi]

The difference between a laser Cleric and the Warlord is clear, but what are the biggest differences (ignoring flair) between a Warlord versus a Str. based Cleric?

On the first look it seems to me that the Warlord has the clear Advantage since he has better Weapon proficiencies, can use a shield and give out some nice bonuses as class feature. While the str-cleric are missing out his most important class feature, the wis bonus to healing since Wis is only a tertiary stat for him (after Cha).

So has anyone a deeper insight to this comparison? I have seen Clerics in play, but only Laser-Clerics so it's hard to make a good comparison to the already melee focused Warlord.

 

[Hammerhead]

Umm, not quite. A Strength cleric should focus on Strength first, but Wisdom is definitely a secondary stat. Any actual reading of the cleric's powers (instead of whatever dubious advice WotC gives you) would reveal that the Battle Cleric powers don't really key off of Charisma. Also, some Wis powers are so good that even a Str cleric is going to want one...level 29 dailies, anyone?

Also, the Battle Cleric has the single best At-Will power in the game.

 

[Victim]

The need for Wisdom in battle priests is apparent if you look at paragon paths. Even the more melee focused paths have at least one attack power that runs off Wisdom. Warpriest has both attack powers use Wisdom despite its melee focus.

So the melee cleric almost certainly wants Wisdom as a strong secondary stat - it's significantly more important than CHA. One of my current characters is a melee cleric with equal STR and WIS - although the WIS does have a racial boost.

Clerics are significantly better at healing and seem to usually have the advantage in providing power bonuses to stuff with their powers. Warlords on the other hand can provide a lot more in terms of movement and extra actions. Inspiring Warlords are really good at providing saves. Tactical Warlords tend provide some nice bonuses without requiring any set up. My cleric's Righteous Brand provides a huge bonus, but it requires making a melee hit on the designated target first while the buff target is nearby. Tactical Presence/Assault just require the warlord to be nearby and Battle Captain provides an easy, if limited, supply for power bonuses.

Laser clerics tend to run with a lot of AE stuff at higher levels.

 

[Eccles]

My 2 pence - the warlord's going to be frustrated at the fact that none of his powers (especially at lower levels) actually have any effect on him. Which is jolly annoying!

 

[Baumi]

Oh I didn't realize that Wis is still so important to him, so the healing advantage of the cleric is still there which should be more than enough to balance the advantages of the Warlord (only one primary attribute, better equipment).

 

[Ander00]

My 2 pence - the warlord's going to be frustrated at the fact that none of his powers (especially at lower levels) actually have any effect on him. Which is jolly annoying!

Quite possible. I wish the warlord felt just a little more like the captain of a team, rather than a cheerleader or coach standing by the sidelines. Maybe the bravura warlord will lend itself more towards that kind of character, or perhaps even a thaneborn barbarian multiclassed to warlord.


cheers

 

[HighTemplar]

I adore your cheerleader analogy

 

[cmbarona]

Quite possible. I wish the warlord felt just a little more like the captain of a team, rather than a cheerleader or coach standing by the sidelines. Maybe the bravura warlord will lend itself more towards that kind of character, or perhaps even a thaneborn barbarian multiclassed to warlord.


cheers

Well, as only one of two melee characters, the other of which being a Rogue, I can tell you that my place is hardly by the sidelines. I'm needed for flanking a lot, plus a lot of my powers require some sort of proximity between me and either the Rogue or the enemy we're trying to take down. Your observation might be the case in other games, but I certainly feel like a captain whenever my group is in battle.

 

[Victim]

Seeing as how pretty much all Warlord powers require melee, I don't really see how they stand on the sidelines.

 

[Lacyon]

Seeing as how pretty much all Warlord powers require melee, I don't really see how they stand on the sidelines.

They don't. But it feels really awkward that all of their at-will powers are essentially "you get to make a basic attack, and your buddy gets a bonus." Except the one where "your buddy gets to make a basic attack, and he gets a bonus." And the one where "you get to do less damage than a basic attack, and your buddy gets a bonus."

Kinda gives the feel that this character's not really good at fighting, so much as cheerleading.