What lvl3 Encounter power for Laser Cleric

[olshanski]

I have an elven laser cleric that is attaining level 3.
What is a good encounter power?

This cleric will end his career before reaching level 4, so don't suggest any long-term builds. I don't own the PHB and the char builder doesn't work on my PC. I just took a "test drive" of 4E.

This is what he currently has:

At Will Powers:
Lance of Faith
Sacred Flame

Encounter Powers:
Second Wind
Elven Accuracy
Divine Fortune OR Turn Unded
Healing Word
Divine Glow
Hunter's Quarry

Daily Powers:
Beacon of Hope
Return from Death's Door

Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[keterys]

Hymn of Resurgence or Command, probably.

 

[teachamath]

I love astral flare due to its burst 3 enemy only daze effect. It doesn't do any damage but only a single action makes it exceptional.

 

[Shin Okada]

As your elf is a laser cleric, you should pick up a Wisdom-based power which you can use from behind the rank, obviously.

But the choice will depend largely on the composition of your party. And your ability scores, as some power gains bonus from your charisma.

And please let us know with source your play group is adapting. Some play group allow to use powers only appear in the published books, while others allow all the powers in the compendium, and such.

 

[Bold or Stupid]

My laser cleric got some good use from Command, including an instagib on a wyvern, using Drop Prone. So I'd recommend that one.

 

[olshanski]

The party is warlock, druid, fighter, cleric (myself). The druid is about 50% ranged and 50% up close. I have no charisma modifier, but a Wisdom of 20. I am a cleric of Pelor. I end up in close combat about 25% of the time, and both of my at-wills are ranged, so I am sometimes pinched for not having enough melee power.

We can use anything in the character builder, I don't have it on my computer, as I mentioned, but the DM updates my character and PDFs me the sheet.

Saying "pick up a wisdom based power" is not very useful, because as I said in the OP I have neither the books nor the character builder.

What I intend to do is get about 3-4 likely options from suggestions here, then I'll call my DM to discuss them, he'll explain the mechanics of each, and I'll pick one.

It looks like I'll talk to him about Command, Astral Flare, and Hymn of Resurgence.

 

[Shin Okada]

Ok, so your 4-men party has only (basically), one and a half melee combatants. I can easily imagine that you will be easily ending up in close combat.

Then my first recommendation is Astral Flare That is a Close burst 3 power which targets only enemies. And enemies hit are dazed. As dazed enemy cannot make OA, it will gives you good chance to disengage safely. Hymn of Resurgence is another good option, too.

If you take one of those 3rd level encounter powers, you may consider retraining your 1st-level encounter Divine Glow into some ranged power. Elven Accuracy works best when combined with a single target power. Exacting Utterance is great for an elven wizard who maxes out one's wisdom.

Alternatively, you can retrain one of your feat and take Melee Training (Wisdom) feat. Then you can wield your mace (or whatever melee weapon you have) with Wisdom modifier instead of Strength modifier, when making a basic attack. At level 3, a basic melee attack with wisdom +5 is an effective attack (remember you can add another +1 bonus to damage by using a versatile weapon in two-hand).

In this case, it can be better choose a 3rd-level ranged power instead. Destined Duel or Daunting Light will be great.

 

[olshanski]

Thank you everyone for your help.