BretI |
I recently leveled my reach / buff cleric, Omar Senay, to 7th level in PFS. His profile has been updated with his current stat block.
I still have to pick a feat and spend one more skill point. I also have enough money that I should buy or upgrade something.
Right now I'm considering the Heighten Spell meta-magic feat, as a prerequisite to Preferred Spell. Then at 9th level I could take Preferred Spell with Breath of Life. It would also allow me to do a Heightened Continual Flame so that Deeper Darkness should never again trouble his human senses.
What have people's experiences with Preferred Spell on a cleric been? Other than the Continual Flame, are there any other spells I'm likely to be using Heighten with?
Just a Mort |
Besides continual flame, I did use heighten, but that was on burning gaze and snapdragon fireworks. Mainly so I could get longer duration of dazing from daze rod on them. At the end of your PFS career, you'll only be able to cast it 2-3 times, so just prepare one instance of it and call it a day? There's the spring loaded wrist sheathe trick if you need another scroll anyway.
BretI |
I'll admit that Heighten is mostly about the Continual Flame and an artifact of PFS rules. In a home campaign, I would search for someone to provide the meta-magicked Continual Flame instead of becoming a producer of them.
Taking Breath of Life at 9th level as a Preferred Spell means I can use that 5th level spell slot for something else rather than always feeling like I have to fill it with that spell.
BretI |
Yes, Breath of Life can work as a scroll for many. Unfortunately, Omar uses a glaive so the shield really doesn't work for him. He could get the familiar for the same two feats, so that could be a consideration. I know that there are GMs (myself included) that would not allow a scroll case in a spring loaded wrist sheath.
I'm inclined to think choosing a 5th level spell to cast spontaneously is probably better.
Just a Mort |
I wouldn't be basing a feat just to help others. They have to help themselves as well, or at least not get into situations that a breath of life is needed. I'd still go take any feat you want, but prepare BOL only once for an emergency. Get some other feat, maybe improved init. If you go into deeper levels of emerald spire, you'll probably want that heighten. Gloves of storing let you retrieve scrolls, no question about it, if you're the for no spring loaded wrist sheathe school.
A cleric is not your healbot.
I still don't see the point of taking a feat just to cast a certain spell once of twice per day >< Less say to cpver for another's screw up.
Paulicus |
Ah, a weapon would be tricky.
I've seen PCs keep their own breath of Life scrolls available on their bodies for emergencies - glued on armor, inside the cover of a book (improvised weapon monk). It does leave them more vulnerable, though.
There's a glove item that let's you cast breath of Life twice. First Aid Gloves, I think.
Valet familiar archetype is useful for having a speedy familiar delivering touch spells in a "pseudo-spring attack."
BretI |
Alright, if I don't go that way what do you suggest?
Other options I had looked at include:
- Lookout (I'm paired with a Sylvan Sorceress and Tiger who already have this)
- Toughness
- Pushing Assault
- Weapon Focus (Glaive)
I feel it is time to start transitioning the character to be more focused on casting. There are a lot of possibilities, but I'm having trouble finding one that seems right for this character.
BretI |
Summon Monster has a casting time of 1 round. That would defeat the benefits of a reach weapon.
I can see the usefulness of Improved Initiative. It would give me a better chance of not acting last like I often do now. That could help a lot with things like Prayer.