What about the non-melee clerics?

[jasin]

Actually, Cloistered Claric (or, as I'd rather call it, "Priest") is superior cleric without the crusader baggage.

For my tastes, I wouldn't call cloistered cleric superior. It's a cool class, and I've used it to good effect, but I wouldn't want it as the default cleric because it suffers from a different flavour of the same problem as the PHB cleric: he's too knowledgeable, just like the PHB cleric is too martial. Works fine for Boccob, but why would Olidammara's priests be crappy at hiding, crappy at bluffing, crappy at singing, but very knowledgeable?

Ideally, I'd like to see some neutral base along the lines of (considering this in 3E terms) d6 HD, good Will, light and medium armor, weak BAB and 2 skill points, with more customization via domains or other abilities: take War and get medium BAB and heavy armor, take Trickery and get extra class skills and extra skill points...

Interestingly enough, the skills part would be easier to achieve with Saga-like skills: instead of extra skill points (which feels weird, since it's outside the usual framework), you just get an extra trained skill, as appropriate for the deity/domain.

 

[TerraDave]

Actually, Cloistered Claric (or, as I'd rather call it, "Priest") is superior cleric without the crusader baggage.

Yes, I know (the PC is the templar, the cohort just "brother"). We call it a studious cleric, to distinguish from the "martial" cleric.

Agree not superior, but the one in UA is a viable option. Also makes a good bard replacement .

 

[Klaus]

For my tastes, I wouldn't call cloistered cleric superior. It's a cool class, and I've used it to good effect, but I wouldn't want it as the default cleric because it suffers from a different flavour of the same problem as the PHB cleric: he's too knowledgeable, just like the PHB cleric is too martial. Works fine for Boccob, but why would Olidammara's priests be crappy at hiding, crappy at bluffing, crappy at singing, but very knowledgeable?

Ideally, I'd like to see some neutral base along the lines of (considering this in 3E terms) d6 HD, good Will, light and medium armor, weak BAB and 2 skill points, with more customization via domains or other abilities: take War and get medium BAB and heavy armor, take Trickery and get extra class skills and extra skill points...

Interestingly enough, the skills part would be easier to achieve with Saga-like skills: instead of extra skill points (which feels weird, since it's outside the usual framework), you just get an extra trained skill, as appropriate for the deity/domain.

Then the Olidammara priest takes three levels of Rogue, and doesn't get saddled with Medium and Heavy Armor Proficiency.

The Cloistered Cleric is a divine Wizard, much like the Battle Sorcerer is an arcane Cleric.