help with with cleric build pls.


Advice


so im in a campaign that just started up we are level one with characters 20 point buy my guy is done just need a stepping stone into optimizing channeling since im focusing on a melee channel build for my cleric. our setting is in the hellgate world and heres the stats as of right now

str 16 dex 7 int 9 at lvl 4 will bump that up to 10 con 14 wis 14 up to 15 at lvl 8 cha 18 up to 20 with items later on. currently im going crusader cleric for greatsword profiency sarenrae with the sun domain

feats extra channeling
greatsword profiency

traits we've been given some homebrew traits also

Campaign Boon - Knowledge Unbound - Magi faction. Spells from all schools, factions, races and classes(any and all classes capable of spell casting expect bardic specific) are accessible so long as you have the proper stat and deity requirements

exalted of the society
and seeker. im basically looking for more ways to increase channels per day or the amount i heal and 3rd party stuff isnt allowed in this game. race is only humans.


bump


What are your other stats? What other classes will you be adventuring with?

Just two initial thoughts. A Dex of 7 is pretty brutal. Initiative, AC, and reflex penalty, when you already have weak reflex saves? Ouch.

Also, crusader gives up a huge amount (entire domain AND 1 spell of each spell level) for fairly modest returns. Depending on how you play your character, you might be much better off picking a deity like gorum and domains like strength or war or destruction. Also consider a dip in a martial class like barbarian or ranger if you are willing to give up casting for fighting power.

If you are dead-set on fighting and channeling, there may be options like rage prophet that will let you do it without having to spread your ability scores so thin. That seems to be the biggest trouble - you need all your physical stats for fighting, your wisdom for casting and your charisma for channeling... that is very painful on a 20 any pt buy.


Wow. That's not a campaign trait, that's iddqd, jon. I'd really like to understand better how Knowledge Unbound works mechanically. As it stands, it seems that your character has the potential to cast up to 4th-level cleric spells, 8th-level bard spells, 8th-level sorcerer spells, 4th-level paladin spells, and 4th-level ranger spells, all at the same time! Granted, you're likely still having to contend with spell slots per day, but a trait like that means you never need to use Use Magic Device, essentially, because every spell (with those few bardic exceptions) is on your spell list.

Once I have a better understanding of the purpose that trait serves, I may be able to contribute something more meaningful; at the moment, I'm so boggled by the possibilities I see there that I'm not yet sure what I'd do.

And, if you're going crusader cleric to get the greatsword proficiency, why aren't you listing a third feat for your character? One feat for 1st level, one for human, one bonus for crusader . . . . I ask because it seems to me that you stand to gain more by just using Sarenrae's chosen weapon and going crit-fishing, rather than burning a feat for a weapon proficiency that you could gain by choosing Gorum as your deity. And, if you still want to two-hand your weapon, see about getting a Large scimitar crafted for you -- Strength-and-a-half with a better crit range is cool, and a bit *different*, which is even cooler.

More information about the party makeup and the mechanical constraints of that trait (and likely other homebrew elements) will help a great deal in making a good evaluation.


Have you considered going Life Oracle instead of cleric if you're wanting to channel a lot? This means you're far less multi-attribute dependent and get a lot of other useful caster tools. Your current stat array is spread thinly, trying to cover a lot of bases at once - physical stats, casting stat, channel stat. Trying to be okay at every thing will leave you good at nothing.

My alternative suggestion would be dumping charisma and channels entirely to focus on other aspects of the character. That campaign trait could make you a godly caster, and could be worth building around.

If you definitely want to channel as a cleric then look at Fateful Channel, Beacon of Hope and Variant channel rules. If facing demons then Alignment Channel can be useful.

Grand Lodge

Here is a good Start. Zenithgames' guides

I highly recommend you read:
The Forge of Combat
Tark's Big Holy Book of Clerical Optimization
The Hangover Cleric

The forge of Combat teaches you more about Combat and group roles In pathfinder. It will actually make you a better all around player.

Tark's Big holy book is an older guide but it has the commandments of being a cleric as well as strong options. There have been a lot of books added but you will get the understanding of how an optimized cleric should be running.

The hangover cleric is the pentacle of offensive channeling. The route your going is extremely disappointing and not worth it. In pathfinder Damage will always outweigh healing. It is better to prevent damage then try to heal through it and to make them dead so they can do no further harm to anyone. Pathfinder actually is an offensive game. The Hangover cleric is the type of channel cleric that takes that into consideration and uses his channel energy to Daze targets. A dazed creature basically skips their turn. Very effective build.


Fruian Thistlefoot wrote:
... more... In pathfinder Damage will always outweigh healing. It is better to prevent damage then try to heal through it and to make them dead so they can do no further harm to anyone. Pathfinder actually is an offensive game. ... more...

I should just point out that there is varying opinion about such statements and the advice given in guides. Most of the guides clearly state that they are generic advice for default games facing default encounters. Play style, table variation, party composition, encounter variables, etc. can drastically alter the balance of the game. Guides and any advice really is just one persons opinion, and there are very few areas of the game where there is anything close to a consensus of opinion.

For example, I think it is totally possible for healing to mitigate the effects of incoming damage and do many other things very well as a cleric, and that it will be a powerful and effective strategy. YMMV.

Also, if you want to kick ass with a sword and channel and heal, how about playing a paladin? If you don't want to be lawful good, I understand, but for what you seem to want, paladins are REALLY powerful!


thanks for the input we are doing a campaign in the realm of hellgate full of demons and undead which is why i went cleric and ill be able to increase my scores more easily with craft wonderous items since i have access to everything basically

i just liked the idea of a cleric with a greatsword. and the knowledge unbound trait lets you add any spell to your list basically as long as you have the stat for it. i think for endgame if we get to lvl 20 ill focus putting points into int str and wis


Syrus Terrigan wrote:

Wow. That's not a campaign trait, that's iddqd, jon. I'd really like to understand better how Knowledge Unbound works mechanically. As it stands, it seems that your character has the potential to cast up to 4th-level cleric spells, 8th-level bard spells, 8th-level sorcerer spells, 4th-level paladin spells, and 4th-level ranger spells, all at the same time! Granted, you're likely still having to contend with spell slots per day, but a trait like that means you never need to use Use Magic Device, essentially, because every spell (with those few bardic exceptions) is on your spell list.

Once I have a better understanding of the purpose that trait serves, I may be able to contribute something more meaningful; at the moment, I'm so boggled by the possibilities I see there that I'm not yet sure what I'd do.

And, if you're going crusader cleric to get the greatsword proficiency, why aren't you listing a third feat for your character? One feat for 1st level, one for human, one bonus for crusader . . . . I ask because it seems to me that you stand to gain more by just using Sarenrae's chosen weapon and going crit-fishing, rather than burning a feat for a weapon proficiency that you could gain by choosing Gorum as your deity. And, if you still want to two-hand your weapon, see about getting a Large scimitar crafted for you -- Strength-and-a-half with a better crit range is cool, and a bit *different*, which is even cooler.

More information about the party makeup and the mechanical constraints of that trait (and likely other homebrew elements) will help a great deal in making a good evaluation.

no 3rd feat because i went dual talented human


for the party we currently have

slayer
inquisitor
gunslinger
fighter thats based on using ranged weapons and an open spot that might have someoneelse might join in.


Pathfinder Lost Omens Subscriber

mmmmmmm.... go paladin


If you're the only full caster then screw dabbling in melee. You can provide battlefield control and buff highly effectively as a cleric. Consider the Evangelist archetype for Inspire Courage & Heroism subdomain (available to Irori & Sarenrae clerics) to add to your buffing potential. Add in summoning feats and you have a very effective character. Channels will be nowhere near as effective.

With a party full of martials you need a solid arm/anvil, as in the linked Forge of Combat article. Read it, learn, and your party will love you.

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