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I've posted somewhat off-topic in another thread, which I'm correcting now by starting a dedicated thread.
I've just toyed around with a few cleric concepts for the Age of Worms campaign that we're likely to start after our Legacy of Fire concludes (one way or another). Although I'd like to try out something new, such as an Archer or a Summoner, as I know my co-players no-one will want to play a healing-capable character, so I might bite the bullet and play another cleric. We started out with a no-healer party in LoF and let me tell you, those were the longest three levels I've ever played before my Paladin got to 4th...
Anyway, I came up with three concepts for clerics with a distinctly different feel from my cleric of Desna two games back. I'd like to bounce them off you to see whether I'm gimping myself in any obvious way. I'm very interested in low-level playability, but since AoW theoretically runs up to 20th level, I don't want to build myself into any culs-de-sac either. In all cases, I'd like to be able to contribute meaningfully in combat, at least until my spells become useful and numerous enough.
1) Dwarf cleric of Gorum
Alignment: N
Domains: Ferocity and Rage
Stats: S 16 D 12 C 14 I 07 W 16 X 12
Starting feats: Power Attack, Heavy Armor Proficiency, Ferocious Focus, Steel Soul, Toughness...
The dwarven rager is quite a departure from my usual conscientious hey-do-we-really-wanna-do-that characters. I'm not sure I like the aesthetics much though.
2) Elven cleric of Calistria
Alignment: CN
Domains: Trickery, Curse
Stats: S 12 D 18 C 12 I 09 W 14 X 12
Starting feats: Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Manyshot, Quicken Spell...
This one sound like lots and lots of fun to play, and should be a decent shot with the longbow. Am I going too far with D 18 W 14 though? I figure I won't be using too many DC-heavy spells. Hold Person, probably, but does that +1 DC matter that much in the end...?
Very aesthetic character, no doubt. Might pick the Calistrian Temple Prostitute trait. ;)
I realize Human would be better for feats and stats, but I'd have to buy longbow proficiency, and it would just be less stylish...
3) Human cleric of Erastil
Alignment: NG
Domains: Plant, Feather
Stats: S 14 D 18 C 12 I 07 W 14 X 12
Starting feats: Point-Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, WF: Longbow, Deadly Aim, Manyshot, Quicken Spell...
Great combination of abilities and spells in those domains -- Entangle, Barkskin, FLY! --, and free longbow proficiency. What's not to love for an archer?
Too bad all my ideas are going to be horrible at skills, but hey, can't have everything.
Opinions?
It sounds like you'd like to use a bow, so for that I would have to say that the cleric of Erastil looks strongest to me. Archery is really powerful in Pathfinder, moreso at low levels. Make no mistake, you will never be doing as much damage as a fighter or even a ranger, but you'll likely be a solid support character.
Take spells with a bonus to your attack, and take Blessing of Fervor!
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Um, just to remind you, the topic of this thread is "are these specific builds solid?", not "post a random cleric build" or "what is teh most optomized cleric build". ;)
@Kryptik: What's Blessing of Fervor? And yes, I was thinking of using Divine Favor a lot.
@Kingbreaker: I don't like having to rely on Bull's Strength to be able to use my primary bow... or did you mean I should forsake Strength bonuses in general and just use things like Divine Favor?
I realize the Wis of 14 is a bit audacious and certainly not "optimized". To raise it to 16, I'd need to drop Strength to 10 (might as well make it 7 then) or drop Dex down to 16. What do you think is less of a sacrifice?
As for an Int of 7, well, I'm playing an Int 8 paladin now and it hasn't been too bad so far... ;)
Blessing of Fervor is a 4th level buff spell from the APG. While the spell is up, the recipients (one person per level within 30 feet of each other) can choose each round between...
- Increased speed (by 30 feet)
- Standing up a swift action that does not provoke
- Making an extra attack when full attacking, using your BAB
- +2 on attack rolls, dodge bonus to AC, and Reflex saves
- Cast a 2nd level or lower spell as if it were enlarged/extended/silent/still spell
It is really, really nice. You can get another shot with it, or use the +2 to take the bite off of all the penalties you get from archery if you're having trouble hitting. Or, you can book it if you're in trouble.
Alternatively, if you're not married to playing a cleric, I would take a look at the Oracle from the APG, specifically the Battle Mystery. I would say it's more useful to a melee character, but it's got some neat Revelations that would help with mobility, initiative, and there's one that gives you Weapon Focus->Imp. Critical->Greater Weapon Focus to help out with archery penalties.
Spontaneous casting + free cure line on top of your spells known ain't too shabby.
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That spell looks really nice, I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!
As for the Oracle, well... as I lamented in another thread recently, I really like the Oracle conceptually, but I find its mechanical execution rather lame. Spontaneous casting in divine is not nearly as useful as in arcane, since there is usually exactly 1 spell that can cure your ally from his horrible affliction, which the cleric can prepare regardless of his build while you can't. Also, clerics get channeling for free, which is a big thing, both to free up spell slots that would otherwise go into healing, and against undead (which will quite often be resistant to piercing arrows). Finally, the domain abilities and spells are just head and shoulders above a +1 to hit. Entangle and Fly are incredibly useful for an archer. Revelations are generally a big disappointment IMHO.
So about that Wisdom of 14... can I get away with it, or is it a crime? Is it just "suboptimal" or "hurting myself"?