Howdy yall, I could use some advice or insight concerning cleric builds for an adventure. In my experience, I started out as a Cleric of Pelor back in 3.5, but since having switched to Pathfinder several odd years ago, I haven't touched Cleric since then.
My GM is currently running the "Master of the Fallen Fortress" module with a Barbarian and Blasty Sorcerer. While I'm not opposed to being the healboat, I want to RP a cleric that can do more things than just bandaid my teammates poor decisions. (I should mention my teammates are first timers to DnD / Pathfinder, they're thinking the adventure is going to be like a dungeon raid from WoW. =______=)
I've dug around with different dieties, and I can't settle down on one theme. Like heres the different ideas that I had concerning Cleric Builds.
Sarenrae (Fire / Sun): Flame spitting, close combat.
Shelyn (Air / Luck): Distant, objective.
Desna (Travel / Luck): Whimsical, party buffer
Torag (Earth / Protection): Warhammer, plus chain shirt. WC 3 Paladin inspired.
Like I have all these different ideas, but I'm having a hard time finalizing what I want. Also, it might help if I post my ability scores.
15 , 14 , 14, 18, 12, 13,
Well it really depends on what kind of character you want to play and how you want them to work in the party. All of these would be good ideas mechanically (especially with those ability scores at lvl. 1), so its really just an issue of taste.
I am curious though, how a cleric of Shelyn can be distant. That seems to go against Shelyn's loving and caring nature. It'd make for some cool role playing to see how your Shelynite deals with their goddess trying to set them up on dates, etc.
been wanting to do a death based battle cleric myself, Pharasma death and healing, neutral, negative energy channeling with selective channel, channel smite and versatile channeler(positive energy at cleric level -2). spread killing waves among the living and heal your allies with kiss of undeath and negative energy or you can heal normally(albeit slightly less effectively) with positive energy.Throw in command undead, and animate dead and you could wield a small army of skeletons and zombies while spreading death among your enemies and adding them to your flock and watch the horror or awe on your fellow players faces.
Yea, it really boils down to the taste. Like, each of the deities in Pathfinder are equally awesome.
For me, its not a matter of power gaming as a Cleric, its just who I want to be. Ugh its so fustrating...=______=.
Also, whoops on Shelyn.
So I'm leaning towards a Cleric who's older, possibly an advisor and beacon of knowledge. I'm from there I'll figure it out.
I'll post my build if you guys are interest later.
I've always liked the idea that two clerics from the same god could be VERY different.
Example:
Pharasma Cleric 1 - A sickly healer in white. She has a mean streak and is nasty with a knotted wooden mallet - hates complainers, loves alchemists fire
Party healer and secondary melee
Pharasma Cleric 2 - A slender scarecrow of man, carries a needle thin dagger, likes to watch the moths at night, looks into the eyes of his enemies and shows them their darkest fear: mortality
Uses fear effects and poison daggers
Pharasma Cleric 3 - An kindly old man who loves to tell stories, rather than killing monsters, he thinks of it as lulling them down into the quiet space, where they can't hurt anyone anymore
De-buffer and charmer
Alright guys, through some help with my GM and scouring the boards, I was able to finally settle on a cleric theme.
Farajhi, The Morning Star
Sarenite Crusader (Cleric Archetype)
Human Level 1 LG
STR 14
DEX 15
CON 14
INT 13
WIS 18 (16 +2)
CHA 12
Domain: Fire
I plan on using him as a sword + board cleric. Whats nice about this build is that I had a hard time selecting domains to fit my character's style. So, by switching out the 2nd domain for feats, I was able to stick to one domain and still provide my teammates somewhat limited magic.
I wanted this character to be an advisor and first line of defense against those who threaten his friends as well as faith. I was thinking how cool would it be to walk around with a Giant Sarenrae icon emblazon on your shield!
As for personality, he's caring, warm and compassionate. In his past, he was a rogue that had accidently killed an innocent during a heist gone bad. Through guilt, he sought the guidance of a Sarenrite Priest and confessed his transgressions. Instead of turning him over to the local authorities, The Priest had offered Farahji a different route: one of redemption. It was through this experience that he found a new calling.
Instead of taking from others, he now offers his arms to protect what he cares about, as compassion is his greatest reward.
Have you looked into achetypes at all (asasuming they are allowed)?
Also you could take the channel smite and guided hand feats allowing you to use your wisdom to hit with a scimitar.
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Something I would highly suggest for that specific adventure, (only). Do not worry at all about buffs or debuffs. You will just waste them.
Honestly, while I love the Crusader Archtype (what a Cleric should have been all along, or the Mendevian Priest Archtype in Inner Sea Magic), you might really like the Evangalist from Ultimate Monk, I mean Magic. You trade ina Domain for acting as 2 levels higher for Domain Powers in one Domain (Fire) and can prep Domain Spells as normal Spells (Fire!!!).
In the Faiths of Purity, there is a Feat (5th level Divine caster) that lets you heal yourself or an ally any time you cast a fire spell. Additionally, I want to say in APG there is a Metamagic feat that lets you swap out energy types of spells, so you can make like Sound Burst deal fire damage.
In either Seeker of Secrets or PFS Field Guide is the Agile weapon quality (dex to attack and damage rather than Str), but as you are LG, i might actually suggest a sngle level in Monk, and then Crusders Strike (Ultimate Monk 2, I mean Comabt), which allows you to Flurry with your Deities Favored Weapon (scimitar) and also Domain Strike for a little extra damage on a hit. With Monk, you also will get Wis to AC, and wth Guided Hand above, that means you add your Wisdom to Attack and to AC, get the extra speed, and can punch MFers in the face if you need. . .
Honestly, while I love the Crusader Archtype (what a Cleric should have been all along, or the Mendevian Priest Archtype in Inner Sea Magic), you might really like the Evangalist from Ultimate Monk, I mean Magic. You trade ina Domain for acting as 2 levels higher for Domain Powers in one Domain (Fire) and can prep Domain Spells as normal Spells (Fire!!!).
There is so much wrong with this one paragraph I don't know where to start.
The Theologian is in Ultimate magic which is what I think you are referring to.
The evangelist is in ultimate combat which is sometimes referred to as ultimate monk.
Its fine really.
For the most part, I'm satisfied with my choice. Its a blend of cleric, shield fighter and a little bit of magic.
On a side note, I know that I could easily go the route of a Paladin (Saving Shield Archetype) to lend a more combat role...but I wanna cleric.
I could easily pick a more favorable build that lends itself well to being stronger in either combat / magic / utility, but its just the flavor of it that sticks out the most to me.
For my friends that play League of Legends, part of Leona the Radiant Dawn's character art came into play when creating this character.