I'm having trouble building my support cleric. The options are overwhelming. I rolled 17, 17, 15, 15, 12, 12 for stats. The other classes in the group are:
Human Draconic Sorceror, planning on Dragon Disciple
Dwarf fighter
Rogue (can't remember race)
Half-elf ranger archetype (can't remember which) looking to multiclass into rogue.
Dwarf SkirmisherI will be the main source of buffs and healing for the group. Any thoughts on domains, race, and feats are appreciated.
The stat order that I used for my support cleric (who is either right behind melee or midway between melee and ranged) is:
Wis > Dex > Con > Cha > Str > IntHe channels Positive Energy.
I chose the Protection and Glory domains. Protection will add to your saves and give you a possible Deflection aura (good or bad depending on how easy it is to get magical items in your campaign), Glory will give you heroism (which will be amazing with all of your melee).
For feats, Selective Channel is massively important. Follow-up possibilities are Extra Channel, Reach Spell (Metamagic), Quick Channel (new UM feat, channel as a move action), Versatile Channel (another UM feat, only useful if your cleric is Neutral...can't be good/evil or this one is pointless). Additional Traits with "Focused Mind" and "Desperate Focus" will increase your concentration checks by +4. Dodge also might be alright as a defensive feat.
As far as race...human will net you the most feats and skill points (skill points will be useful if you'll be the group's "face", which given your group makeup, it will either be you or the sorc). Aasimar is another option (if your DM allows it).
If you're interested in mainly buffing and healing, try out a Songhealer Bard instead. Clerics have good single person buffs, but bards have amazing party wide buffs. For example, at level 7,you'll be able to use a rod of quickening lesser to cast haste, start Inspire Courage, and cast good hope. You have a lot of physicals in your party, so they'll appreciate the +4 to hit and damage, the extra attack, the +1 AC and the +30 movement speed, all in the first round of comvat.
Aeryn Tahlro: Since he's gonna be the only healer, I would prioritized Charisma higher. Those extra channels will be really appreciated. Perhaps Wis>Dex>Cha>Con>Str>Int. Protection is a great domain though.
Other good ones are Good, Community, Law, Liberation, Luck (REALLY good one), Sun (if you REALLY hate undead), Trickery, and War. You might be tempted to take the Healing domain, but the abilities are pretty superfluous.
Also, seeing as you're going to be a support/buffer, you might want to consider medium armor. You've got a lot of good runners and jumpers in your party, so I wouldn't be afraid of the Dex penalty.
If you're interested in mainly buffing and healing, try out a Songhealer Bard instead. Clerics have good single person buffs, but bards have amazing party wide buffs. For example, at level 7,you'll be able to use a rod of quickening lesser to cast haste, start Inspire Courage, and cast good hope. You have a lot of physicals in your party, so they'll appreciate the +4 to hit and damage, the extra attack, the +1 AC and the +30 movement speed, all in the first round of comvat.I hadn't thought of going with a different class. Which book is the Songhealer Bard in? I should've posted I only have the Core book and the APG to work with at the moment.
It's in Ultimate Magic, which comes out tomorrow. Subscribers got the PDF already, that's why people know what's in it.
Assuming you're below level 14, the only real difference between Songhealer bards and regular bards is that instead of versatile performance, songhealers get an ability they can use 3+mCha times per day to use their class level as their caster level for spell completion or spell trigger items that heal. So you can use Wands/Scrolls of Cure X Wounds more effectively.
Bards won't make great in combat healers, so you won't be forced into healing people during combat. I've heard that running between people healing them during combat makes people tired of their class real fast.
Bards are the buffing pros in Pathfinder, and they can heal out of combat effectively with wands of CLW. I'd seriously consider it if you want to buff mostly.
Aeryn Tahlro: Since he's gonna be the only healer, I would prioritized Charisma higher. Those extra channels will be really appreciated. Perhaps Wis>Dex>Cha>Con>Str>Int. Protection is a great domain though.
I suppose that is a good point... I prioritized the stats as listed to try to increase personal survival. If your cleric gets disintegrated or knocked unconscious, it doesn't matter how many channels you have. Also, in my play experience, I've only ever managed to drain every last channel 1% of the time. So to me, it wasn't as important.
However, I do agree with your point, so it's really a matter of personal preference and what you plan to do. The hope with buffs is that you can prevent damage by either avoiding it or allowing your damage dealers to increase their output high enough to prevent damage by removing combatants. In this game system, it's much harder to heal damage than it is to prevent it.
Also, seeing as you're going to be a support/buffer, you might want to consider medium armor. You've got a lot of good runners and jumpers in your party, so I wouldn't be afraid of the Dex penalty.
I absolutely agree with medium armor. There's no reason not to take it since there's no spell failure chance on divine spells.
With such a melee heavy group you're going to want to make yourself as inhumanly tough as possible. That way you can take the inevitable hits that are going to come your way.
My thoughts?
Dwarven or Human Cleric of Iomedae with Heroism(Glory) and Archon (Law) domains. Become the melee buffing king.
Stats?
Con>Wis>Dex>Cha>Str>Int
Or in your case
Str: 12
Dex: 15
Con: 17
Wis: 17
Int: 12
Cha: 15
Feats at 1st?
Touhgness and Improved Initiative(if human) work on getting Extend Spell
If you have
Equipment? Best armor and shield available. Be nigh impossible to kill quickly through standard methods. Carry your diety's or your dwarven weapon around so you can be an effective mop up once the bruisers have the fight in hand.
Tactics: Drop some buffs, sanctuary, follow your biggest nastiest dealer of pain and Touch him with the gift of the law to ensure no critical misses.
Heal after combat, repeat.
If you have any furtherquestions well there isthis.