Evil summoning 'bad touch' Cleric for Way of the Wicked


Advice


Afternoon, all.

I'm working on a Cleric for a buddy of mine who's going to be running through Way of the Wicked and I'm torn about all kinds of things. We've established that he wants to work towards Planeshift as a 'perfected' spell. We know he wants to be a Cleric of Asmodeus - a fanatical one at that - and that his GM will allow him to use pretty much any Domains he wishes. And we know that at lower levels he'd rather build as a Summoning-type Cleric rather than a martial one. We agree that the synergy is good with Planeshift, both mechanically (Spell Focus: Conjuration) and thematically (he doesn't just summon from the hells but he can banish creatures there too).

My first thought would be to play up the buffer angle, to have him go Evangelist with the Glory domain - being able to drop a Mass Heroism, Communal Protection vs. Good AND pop Inspire Courage all in the opening round of combat would probably do far more for the group than any creature summoned or strike of a weapon. If I went that route he'd probably be Human.

Then I thought about the Madness Domain and its ability to floor saves at higher levels via Visions of Madness (awesome buff/debuff) - the perfect compliment to a Quickened Planeshift, right? Besides, the group looks like it will be a little light on healing and giving up the ability to spontaneously heal as an Evangelist would hurt. If I went this route he'd be a Dwarf, in large part due to the FCB becoming very useful.

So now I'm in a quandary, going back and forth - Human or Dwarf (he's fine with either), Evangelist or standard Cleric, and then there's the feat selection... ugh.

I'll post two versions of the character I've come up with, neither being etched in stone and I'd appreciate any and all advice to nudge me one way or the other, as well as any fine-tuning tweaks regarding what I take and when.

Human Evangelist:

Human 20th level Evangelist (Glory-Heroism)

Attributes: (25 point buy)
STR - 10
DEX - 14
CON - 14
INT - 12
WIS - 18 (+2 racial modifier, +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th & 20th)
CHA - 7

Traits:
Community Minded (Morale bonuses granted by spells or abilities last 2 rounds longer than normal)
Heresy (campaign trait, +1 saves vs. Divine spells)

Feats:
1st - Spell Focus: Conjuration
1st - Augment Summoning
3rd - Sacred Summons
5th - Superior Summoning
7th - Bouncing Spell
9th - Heighten Spell
11th - Quicken Spell
13th - Preferred Spell: Planeshift
15th - Spell Perfection: Planeshift
17th - Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
19th - Divine Interference

Dwarven Cleric:

Dwarven 20th level Cleric (Glory-Heroism, Madness)
Favored class bonus

Attributes: (25 point buy)
STR - 10
DEX - 14
CON - 12 (+2 racial modifier)
INT - 14
WIS - 18 (+2 racial modifier, +1 at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th & 20th)
CHA - 7 (-2 racial modifier)

Traits:
Community Minded (Morale bonuses granted by spells or abilities last 2 rounds longer than normal)
Heresy (campaign trait, +1 saves vs. Divine spells)

Feats:
1st - Spell Focus: Conjuration
1st - Augment Summoning
3rd - Sacred Summons
5th - Reach Spell
7th - Heighten Spell
9th - Persistent Spell
11th - Quicken Spell
13th - Preferred Spell: Planeshift
15th - Spell Perfection: Planeshift
17th - Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
19th - Divine Interference

Both characters would have the same number of skill points and probably end up selecting the same skills. Both characters were made using the AP-recommended 25 point buy.

One of the things I was really torn over was whether to take Bouncing Spell or Reach Spell. Both would benefit Planeshift, but Reach would help with healing at range if I took the latter character which is why I'm leaning on it - I have to get within touch range to use Visions of Madness anyway.

Any advice is welcome, and thanks in advance.


And just in case it matters to anyone, the rest of the party as shown (pertinent house rules listed under each):

Tiefling 1st level Oracle (Life, Lore) / 19th level Paladin (Oath of Vengeance)
Exactly as a Lawful Good Paladin but Lawful Evil instead. Detect Good replaces Detect Evil, Smite Good replaces Smite Evil and Unholy replaces Holy with regards to Divine Bond. Smite does not deal double damage against any specified foes.

Half-Elven 1st level Dragoon / 19th level Wild Caller
Summoners who get Eidolons (including Wild Callers) do not gain the Summon Monster class feature.

Half-Elven 20th level Master Summoner
Summoners (specifically Master Summoners) who have the Summon Monster class feature do not get Eidolons.

With the Paladin's ability to self-heal for massive amounts and the other characters using Eidolons or summoned creatures as meat shields, healing might be less necessary than with most groups - FWIW.


The ability to floor saves would be good if the others int he party target saves a lot. However, it looks very melee-heavy, the rest of the party...

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