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I'm planning on playing my first society game soon, and I wanted a really interesting character to submit. I think I've got one.
I was intrigued by the Evangelist archetype of clerics, because I love bards, but I also like the power that a cleric's spell list brings along. For race, I went with gnome, because who doesn't love gnomes?
I would mostly like advice with feats and spell selection, but let me know if my stats and anything else could be optimized as well. Without further ado:
Tongtokl "Tox" Pictnibbly
Gnome cleric (evangelist) 1
NG Small humanoid
Init +3; Senses Perception +9, Low-light Vision
Defense
AC 14, touch 13, flat-footed 12 (+1 armor, +2 Dex, +1 size)
hp 11 (1d8+3)
Fort +5, Ref +3, Will +5
Offense
Speed 20 ft.
Melee dagger -2 (1d3-2/19-20)
Ranged crossbow +2 (1d6/19-20)
Special Attacks bardic performance 6 rounds/day (countersong, facsinate [DC 13], inspire courage +1)
Domain SLAs (CL 1st; concentration +4)
6/day-surge (CMB +4, bull rush or drag)
Cleric Spells Prepared (CL 1st; concentration +4)
1st-cure light wounds, obscuring mist D, protection from evil
0 (at will)-create water, detect magic, light
Spontaneous Casting (in place of prepared spells)
1st-command
D domain spell; Domain Water (Ocean)
Stats
Str 6, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14
Base Atk +0; CMB -3; CMD 9
Feats Lingering Performance
Traits Deft Dodger, Observant
Skills Knowledge (Religion) +4, Perception +9, Perform (Oratory) +6
Languages Common, Gnome, Sylvan
Combat Gear scroll of summon monster I; Other Gear padded armor, wooden holy symbol (Gozreh), dagger, light crossbow with 10 bolts
Mundane Gear backpack, belt pouch, hat, peasant's outfit, scroll case, scroll of ant haul, signal whistle, waterskin, 8g 4s 7c
So my first question is, is there anything I'm missing? Other than a back-story, which I have but didn't put here because this post is long enough as is.
Second question: Is there any way I could improve this character at level 1? I'm planning on picking up spell focus conjuration and augment summoning at levels 3 and 5 so I can further contribute.
Third question: Will I be able to use a pack animal from level 1, or do I need to re-think my encumbrance and gear?
This gear is allowing for my being able to use a non-combat pack animal from level 1:
Pertinklers (Pony)
-Animal Feed (2 days)
-Bedroll
-Clay Mug
-Fishhooks (2)
-Hemp Rope (50ft)
-Iron Pot
-Pack Saddle
-Sewing Needle
-Trail Rations (7 days)
-Twine (50ft)
I appreciate any help that's offered!
Sadly about all of Gozreh's domains are essentially crap so there's not much help I cna give. the only thing I could suggest si taking animal over oceans if you don't mind a super crappy speak with animals spell. by level 4 you get an animal companion that can take advantage of your inspire courage.
Honestly I would ahve made this guy with Erastil.
IS there a reason you picked Gozreh? He doesn't seem very evanglist-ie. Cayden would be a nice one, sermons about how drinking and fighting are good, travel domain for extra move, rapier if you decide to grab weapon finesse.
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It's silly, but I was reading the Inner Sea Guide, and the descriptions of Gogpodda in the Steaming Sea got me to want to play an old gnome who worships the sea and tells everyone he knows about the wonders of Gogpodda.
I feel Gozreh could be evangelistic, but it may be in a more passive "keep things simple" way. Perhaps I'd be better off with a druid, but I prefer the evangelist, so I was hoping to make the concept work.
Gozie's best domain is growth, which is pretty good, unless you start out small. With your strength your almost always going to be under a meadium load, so you will only move 15ft. So if you are set on Gozreh, are you also set on a gnome?
As a true neutral god, your choice's for planar ally are pretty bad. The domain's aren't great, and the weapon isn't either. However as far a non-evil water gods go, Gozie is pretty solid.
There is Pharsma, on a technicality. She's god some cool domains though.
Hanspur is a river god, so not so good.
And Besmara, who is from a blog post I think, is the pirate god, who's pretty solid. Rapier, cool domains, and as a chaos god decent divine allies.
Otherwise there is Nivi or Brigh, the two gnomish dieties. They have pretty solid domains. Weapons aren't great, and they are both true neutral.
Lingering Performance will extend you rounds of preform, but you can't have two songs going at the same time. Bards get some spells that end a preformance to do cool things, I don't think you get those spells as a cleric though.
I would pick up SF: Conj over lightning reflexes.
If you wanna summon, sacred summons and a god with an alignment might be good as well. I was tossing around the idea of a LG cleric Evangelist with swarms of lantern archarons who he sang to buff up.
Sacred summons allow you to summon as a standard if there alignment subtype excatly matches yours. You gnome listed above can summon lantern archons as a full round action no problem. If you are digging the summoning, animal domain gives you a few summon nature's ally spells, which would allow you to take moonlight/starlight/sunlight summons, which are kind of fun.
You're original character is good, and gives you what you are looking for, I'm just vomiting idea's at you.
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Got it, and I'm not offended by your 'discharges'. ;)
I have taken some advice about his low strength, so I've shifted his stats around a bit:
Str 8, Dex 14, Con 16, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 12
I'm a little disappointed at how low the charisma turned out, but I figure if it goes any higher I might as well have made a bard instead. This gives me a light load of 20lbs, which is more than adequate, considering ant haul is a first level spell that works for 2hrs/caster level. By the time I can afford enchanted armour, I'll be able to afford a first level spell slot to have it up full time, in combat situations at least.
I was also considering taking Extra Performance as a feat, instead of Lingering Performance. I know it won't be as optimal in later levels, but it will give me 9 rounds as opposed to 5, and I was worried Lingering may have been awkward to use effectively.
If you think 5 rounds/day is fine for first level, then I'll just go straight with Spell Focus: Conjuration. Although, summoning is just my first idea of how to be more useful at later levels. If there's another way I could contribute, please share, as I'm not very experienced with clerics.
Dropping Con by two would allow you to raise Charisma by two and Strength by one.
Lingering would give you more rounds then extra performance, as long as you are willing to burn a few standard actions to restart a performance.
The bardic songs bring a lot to the table during fights, so as long as you perform and cast a few heals, people will love you.
Another way to contribute instead of summoning would be to grab a light crossbow and put a few feats into it. Your performance adds some damage, and you have a few spells that up damage as well.
Otherwise you could grab SF: enchantment and try be a bit of a controller with your spontaneous spells.
Summoning is good, but it can slow things down a lot.
Evagelists do make rather amazing cleric archers. Andy does give me a good idea on how to make a rather good cleric archer of Abadar.
Gozreh is a rather terrible god for clerics, sorry. He's definitely geared more towards druids. The feat choices as suggested by andy work well.
I say focus on straight support and dont worry about being a stright damage dealer. You can pick up a heavy shield some good armor and wander about giving evangelical speeches while being this little ball of metal and hit points using the aid another action. Throw out spells when needed or desired.
One thing to keep in mind is that an evangelist does not spontaneously cast cures so remember that when writing out your spells memorized list.
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Okay, anything actually constructive? I don't really want this to turn into a troll feeding-frenzy.
Good feats to take:
-Lingering Performance
-Spell Focus: Conjuration
-Augment Summoning
Are there any good metamagic feats worth taking? What about other feats to improve performance?
As for the crossbow, I'd have to change around my stats a bit to take feats for it effectively, and I think it would probably be too feat intensive for a cleric. I'm going to stick with casting and support, and just keep a crossbow loaded for a shot here and there in early levels.
Also, gnomes are cool.
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Feats:
Lingering Performance : This is a realy good feat
Spell Focus: Conjuration & Augment Summoning : This is nice at low level past level 4 the HD of what you summon dose not keap up with what your fighting. Summon Monster I-II are good spells. Summon Monster III-IX are not.
Spell Penatration & Greater : This will go along way at higher level 8+
Discordant Voice: This is a must have for any one playing a bard IMO.
But it's high level.
Metamagic Feats: For clerics how have few damage spells. they are not realy as useful.
Intensified Spell : With the one level incress vs. the damage incress makes this one worth taking.
Domains
Water(Ocean) : This is a very good domain power. Not the best choice.
Animal : Geting a animal companion can make up for your lack of combat abilitys. Picking up the Boon Companion feat at level 5 gives you alot of advantage over the other domains. The draw back is you have to tough it out at lower levels.
My suggestion:
Gnome
Stats
Str 6, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 17,Cha 14
All level points to Wis.
Domain: Animal
Feats Lingering Performance
Traits: Sprint, Etymologist(Gnomes of Golarion)
Skills Linguistics +4, Perception +9, Perform (Oratory) +6
Languages: Common, Gnome, and Sylvan + 2 other
Feats:
3: Intensified Spell
5: Boon Companion
7: Spell Penatration
9: Greater Spell Penatration
11: Discordant Voice
Animal Companion: Cat, Big
Okay, anything actually constructive? I don't really want this to turn into a troll feeding-frenzy.
Good feats to take:
-Lingering Performance
-Spell Focus: Conjuration
-Augment SummoningAre there any good metamagic feats worth taking? What about other feats to improve performance?
As for the crossbow, I'd have to change around my stats a bit to take feats for it effectively, and I think it would probably be too feat intensive for a cleric. I'm going to stick with casting and support, and just keep a crossbow loaded for a shot here and there in early levels.
Also, gnomes are cool.
You're right they're cool for their statistical benefits. However more often then not they're the joke character of the game and/or very few people can take them seriously. Hurting games that are supposed to be serious. You wouldn't be asking for optimization advice if you weren't trying to make a character for a serious campaign. Why is it that they only have a -2 to strength when they're toddler size? It should be something like -4 like the kobold.
And green hair should give a charisma penalty as well. And being short should cause people to become enraged and beat them about the head and shoulders.
And green hair should give a charisma penalty as well. And being short should cause people to become enraged and beat them about the head and shoulders.
And since they're supposedly primitive short former fey they need to be squat and ugly like Mites.
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Oh no I was just here to say that they are a horrible race to include in the game. Who says that you can't enjoy a race because of its statistical benefits after all that's why people play gnomes and halflings.Gnomes are retarded. They're basically an adult mentally but trapped in a ugly child's body. Halflings and Gnomes are rarely ever played as a serious character and are usually just taken for statistical benefits.Thank you for your useful and productive opinion surely the OP will be encouraged by your intelligent dissertation on his choice of race and change his ways. How the OP choose a race purely for statistical benefit rather than because he enjoys them.
Look, some people enjoy roleplaying halflings and gnomes; for example, I have played a halfling paladin in 3.0, and as you can guess, I probably didn't do it for "statistical benefits" (whatever those are; I thought the races are balanced pretty well). I just wanted to play a halfling "knight", something akin to Merry and Pippin at the end of LoTR. A horrible choice from a purely mechanical POV, but a really great character to roleplay (and he wasn't just a comical sidekick, you know).
If you ask me, gnomes and halflings fit the game better (as a PC race) than tieflings, wilden, shardminds or dragonborn. YMMV, of course.
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Once again, please stop responding to you-know-who. I'd prefer to let this thread just die than for it to turn into a spectacle.
Discordant Voice looks really good, so that's in the plan.
What is everyone's opinion of Extend Spell? Superior Summoning?
On the other hand, I don't want to slow down the table with like 5+ dire rats, even if I am buffing them all up.
Also, for alternate traits, I'm going with Eternal Hope.
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What is everyone's opinion of Extend Spell? Will never get used enough to make the feat worth taking.
Superior Summoning? Wast of time just like all summon monster spells after summon monster II. Summoning do not stay effective as you level there is noting you can do to make it work with out wasting spells and feats. IE: Compare Summon Monster III(level 3 spell) VS. Spitural Weapon(Level 2 spell). Then tell me what you think will get cast more.
On the other hand, I don't want to slow down the table with like 5+ dire rats, even if I am buffing them all up.
And thats what will hapen.
Alternate traits, Magical Linguist along with Eternal Hope is not a bad idea becous divine casters don't get alot of illusion spells. And your performance is languige dependent.
If you want a companion for combat just go with the animal domain. Animal companions are effective at all levels. Summons are not.
Etymologist(Trait) and Linguistice(skill) will be important. With all your performance and alot of divine spells being language dependent. You will get alot of use out of this combination of abilitys.
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Alright, so I've taken the biggest bit of advice from the posters here, and changed my deity. I realized when I was writing some backstory that Gozreh didn't really fit his personality, and that he was more chaotic than neutral. Cayden Cailean and the Travel domain were both sure picks.
Here is the result. If anyone has any more suggestions are welcome. I know that Gift of Tongues is probably not as good as Eternal Hope, but it just fit so well with his character that I'm reluctant to part with it.
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I'm thinking Spell Focus: Enchantment for third level, seeing as I can spontaneously cast several good ones, and I certainly won't ever have a great melee attack.
1 Lingering Performance
3 Spell Focus: Enchantment
5 Improved Initiative
7 Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment
9 Persistent Spell
11 Discordant Voice
How's that?
Interesting choices. Hmmmmm, I'm thinking you should skip the greater spell focus and get Scribe Scroll. It's a clerics best friend and since you'll be mroe focused on casting then shooting or hitting things it'll be very useful to you. Discordant voice is amazing and lingering performance will serve you well.
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Well, I could either get rid of Greater Spell Focus, or I could drop Improved Initiative. Discordant Voice seems good, but maybe Greater Spell Penetration is more important?
EDIT: Another possibility is Piercing Spell. +1 adjustment, but takes out 5 spell resistance, and I can put it on spontaneously to a Suggestion or Greater Command.
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Alot of monsters above CR 10 have over a SR 20.
Cleric 10 + 6 (Wis 22) + 4 Greater Spell Penatration = 20
This gose along way to get your spells to work on high CR monsters.
1Lingering Performance
3Spell Focus Enchantment
5Persistant Spell
7Spell Penatration
9Greater Spell Penatration
11Discordant Voice
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Okay so:
1 Spell Focus: Enchantment
3 Greater Spell Focus: Enchantment (DC 17 Hold Person, Spontaneous DC 17 Command!)
5 Persistent Spell
7 Spell Penetration
9 Greater Spell Penetration
11 Discordant Voice
With a 22 Wisdom, Persistent Hold Person would have a DC 20, and they'd have to save twice. Spontaneous Greater Command DC 23. How's this?
It works. I'm wary of of the spell penetration feats so early I'd still want improved initiative to drop buffs and things at the top of the round.
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Clerics don't get a lot of breathing room on their feats, unfortunately. It seems my choices are get rid of one of my Spell Focuses for Improved Initiative, or get rid of one of the Spell Penetrations, or just do without Improved Initiative. Discordant Voice seems too good to drop: 3.5 average extra damage per person per hit is ridiculous.
Discordant Voice seems too good to drop: 3.5 average extra damage per person per hit is ridiculous.
Oh yeah no doubt in my mind about that.
I'd strongly consider getting rid of Greater Spell Penetration and possibly even Spell Penetration from your feat list. Since this is a PFS character, you know from day one your level will cap at 12th. So for a few levels you'll be in the "zone" where you start seeing a lot more SR in foes, but You could consider slotting in Spell Penetration as your 11th level feat.
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I removed a post and the replies to it. Do not use 'retarded' in that way.