Help building a Cleric for Council of Theives


Council of Thieves

Liberty's Edge

We are going to be starting the Council of Thieves campaign this Sunday. While I got the majority of my character figured out, I figured I might as well ask for some advice and wisdom from people more experienced with this AP and Pathfinder in general. This is only my second AP and my first time playing a cleric, so I know there are going to be some flaws in this design.

Race: Aasimar

Alignment: CG

Class: Cleric (Healing and Fire domains.)

STR: 10

Dex: 10

Con: 12

Int: 14

Wis: 18

Cha: 14

HP: 10

AC: 16 (+6 From Chain mail.)

Fort: 3

Ref: 0

Will: 6

Base Attack: 0

Weapon: Battle Aspergillum 1d6 dam. (From Ultimate Equipment.)

Diplomacy: 8

Knowledge (Planes and Religion): 6

Perception: 10

Sense Motive: 8

Feat: Selective channeling

Traits: Birthmark & Westcrown Firebrand

I know this setup is going to make for some... interesting RP'ing, being a CG celestial in a city of devil lovers, but that's the point. And before anyone asks, I did get GM permission.

My main concern with this build is in the skills selection. I know that acting is seemingly made out to be a large part of this AP, but if it's only for one mission I don't want to invest points and then never use the skill again. The other skill I was thinking about switching out would be Religion with Nobility, as it seems like we are going to be dealing with them on a regular basis.

Also, will my fire domain be useful later on? I know Devils are mostly resistant to fire attacks, but the fire resistance I gain should compliment the other resistances I get. Hopefully I won't need them, but with my luck, I will. I was thinking about taking the Theologian class option in fire to boost my fire attacks, but if we keep running into foes that are fire resistant then it becomes pointless.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32

As you know from the player's guide, you will be dealing with the shadowbeasts. So your two knowledge skill options are spot on (Outsiders and Undead). Both your Diplomacy and Sense Motive skills are excellent buys - you will use them frequently in this very urban campaign.

Devils are resistant to fire, but undead are not. You will encounter both types of foes throughout the AP.

What deity? From your domains, it looks like Sarenrae (And excellent choice by-the-way), but if so you may want to invest in a Scimitar also.

However, how did you get a Perception of 10? It is not a cleric class skill, and neither of your traits change that.

With a Strength of 10 and Chainmail, you will need to watch encumbrance.
Did you roll these stats? If you bought them, check your numbers, they seem to be off (After subtracting Aasimar, I am getting 19).

So, aside from checking your math, I like your build. You should do well in the campaign.

Liberty's Edge

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I think I took the conspiracy hunter trait and selected perception as the class skill. That was a big help in getting my perception to such a large number early on.

Now, I didn't see a point cost with the Aasimar in the Advanced Race guide. I'll have to go dig it up in the book. Thanks for pointing it out.

As for my equipment, I'll definitely be on the lookout for a scimitar as my deity is Sarenrae, and thankfully we don't count encumbrance, but I'll still be upgrading to mythrill as soon as I can. I figured the battle aspergillum with it's ability to finflict extra holy water damage would cause more damage than using a scimitar with a o str bonus.

RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32

Lock-Os wrote:
I think I took the conspiracy hunter trait and selected perception as the class skill. That was a big help in getting my perception to such a large number early on.

Ah! But you were listing Westcrown Firebrand as your campaign trait, hence the problem.

Lock-Os wrote:
Now, I didn't see a point cost with the Aasimar in the Advanced Race guide. I'll have to go dig it up in the book. Thanks for pointing it out.

There isn't one.

What I meant was, take off +2 Wisdom and +2 Charisma leaves

  • 10 Str - 0 Points
  • 10 Dex - 0 Points
  • 12 Con - 2 Points
  • 14 Int - 5 Points
  • 16 Wis - 10 Points
  • 12 Chr - 2 Points
    Or, 0+0+2+5+10+2 = 19

    Now, if you rolled these stats, no problem.
    But, if you used points (per PF Core p. 16), then there is a math error.

    Lock-Os wrote:
    As for my equipment, I'll definitely be on the lookout for a scimitar as my deity is Sarenrae, and thankfully we don't count encumbrance, but I'll still be upgrading to mythrill as soon as I can. I figured the battle aspergillum with it's ability to finflict extra holy water damage would cause more damage than using a scimitar with a o str bonus.

    True, but some foes are annoyingly resistant to Blunt Weapons.

    However, with your stats, you want to stay away from Melee if at all possible.


  • Glory/Heroism is an awesome combo for domains once you get up to 8th level.

    Undead? Nimbus of Light. 8+ points damage per round in a 30' radius. Sure it won't kill them, but it will scratch away at them and maybe be the tipping point in a fight.
    No Undead? Aura of Heroism. Heroism spell for your buddies in a 30' radius.

    Liberty's Edge

    1 person marked this as a favorite.

    Okay, I see what you mean with the point buy then. Wasn't quite sure why I was convinced I got to keep that 1 extra point for use later. Well, I guess one more point into Dex would help, as then at Lvl 4 I could add a one more point to dex to increase my AC and to hit for touch attacks on spells as well as the Fire domain ability.

    Okay, for the revised cha sheet:

    Race: Aasimar

    Alignment: CG

    Class: Cleric of Sarenrae (Healing and Fire domains.)

    STR: 10

    Dex: 11

    Con: 12

    Int: 14

    Wis: 18

    Cha: 14

    HP: 10

    AC: 16 (+6 From Chain mail.)

    Fort: 3

    Ref: 0

    Will: 6

    Base Attack: 0

    Weapon: Battle Aspergillum 1d6 dam. (From Ultimate Equipment.)

    Diplomacy: 8

    Knowledge (Planes and Religion): 6

    Perception: 10

    Sense Motive: 8

    Feat: Selective channeling

    Traits: Birthmark & Conspiracy Hunter (Perception Bonus)

    RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32

    You should do well. :)


    Well, I imagine that character would be pretty bad in combat (outside of casting and healing, of course, though I find cleric casting a bit boring at first), and pretty decent in social roles. If that is what you want, go for it :)

    RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32

    The Shaman wrote:
    Well, I imagine that character would be pretty bad in combat (outside of casting and healing, of course, though I find cleric casting a bit boring at first), and pretty decent in social roles. If that is what you want, go for it :)

    One cannot be good at everything, and in the very urban campaign that is Council of Thieves, social skills matter.


    I can think of a couple pretty big spots for social skills, yes.

    Liberty's Edge

    The Shaman wrote:
    Well, I imagine that character would be pretty bad in combat (outside of casting and healing, of course, though I find cleric casting a bit boring at first), and pretty decent in social roles. If that is what you want, go for it :)

    This is the first time playing as a true spell caster, so I wanted to boost spell casting power and number of spells to be able to try out different spells. That's the main attraction to spell casting to me, having a selection of spells that provide vastly different effects and then trying to find different and unexpected ways to use them.

    RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32

    How did it go?

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