I'm helping a PC build their character for my skull and shackles game.
(We both played extensively in the D&D 2-3.5 days. May not be as aware of finer points of Pathfinder)
I'm giving a 25 point build.
She wants to play a "battle cleric."
Mondo damage dealing and decent healing ability.
She prefers elves or half-elves and
neutral good or chaotic good alignmet.
She doesn't mind dipping into fighter or ranger.
I'm thinking since we're on board a ship, perhaps normal tanking in full plate is not such a good idea. There are some good "martial cleric" threads, but none that I've seen have accounted for being at sea.
I'm thinking of a more nimble fighting style, especially since she wants to play an elf. Unfortunately we can't just put her in the back with a bow because a)its not really what she wants and b)the party needs a decent up-front fighter. The rest of the party is a sea witch, a magus, and a rogue type (undecided).
Do you guys have suggested deities/domains/archetypes/feats/fighting classes to dip into?
First of all clerics in PF are no longer proficient with heavy armor.
The Wind subdomain is not only appropriate, it's also quite useful aboard a ship (as you'd imagine). Bull-rushing people overboard ftw!
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If she's willing to level dip, the best option would be Monk. You WILL be swimming on more than one occassion in this AP, so goins sans armor would be a good thing. Since your going for Cleric anyway, take advantage of your high Wis score for defense and get swim and acrobatics as class skills. If you really want to capitalize on a High Wisdom, take a 2 level dip into Monk with the sensei archtype and carry a Temple Sword.
Truthfully though, if you're looking for a divine caster for this adventure the Druid really is your best bet. Shapeshifting = Martial prowess and diversity in effectiveness in aquatic environments. Spell casting, Healer on level with Witch, unique offensive spells and spontaneous summoning which I fear will be another major advantage given terrain issues.
A Final thought, though this won't edge you toward the world best melee fighter, you could consider a Waves Oracle with the Elf-Only Archetype Ancient Lorekeeper. This Combination allows for incredible utility as you get to choose your bonus spells from the Wizard list and you gain access to several increadible revelations that Fluid Travel, Water Sight & Water Form are all awesome abilities to have in this particular AP.
Oh, one more Combo. This would require her to be LG, but Paladin 2 Oracle of Lore w/Ancient LoreKeeper Archetype. - Awesome Saves, Charisma bonuses to AC, Saves & and Smite Evil, Full weapon & Armor Proficiencies, Lots of ability to heal & Fight and Sling spells no one would expect you to.
Traits: Armor Expert and Focused Mind.
Feats: The usual (Cleave, Combat Casting, Power Attack, etc.). For non-druid non-dippers, maybe Cosmopolitan at some point for Perception, Survival, and a couple of languages. Extra Revelation can be good for oracles.
Race: Are you using the Advanced Race Guide? There are several other races that could be interesting to play as pirates, with sylphs and undines just to start. And there are lots of great options for the standard races.
Cleric: I think it's a bit cheesy, but adding Dervish Dance on top of Weapon Finesse would enable a cleric of Sarenrae to blow off Str (handy for an elf). However, she doesn't have any of the domains recommended in the player's guide. With a more appropriate diety like Gozreh, it would take so many feats to get good at doing damage with Dex that I'd just focus on Str like normal (possible half-elf attributes: 16 + 2 Str, 14 Dex, 14 Con, 10 Int, 14 Wis, 10 Cha).
Druid: Never underestimate the animal companion. More actions per round, more hit points to soak... I just don't know what would be best for that AP. Maybe something that can fly or swim, just in case? I'm not sure how you'd get a snapping turtle back in the boat if it fell over, but it would be quite the tank; whereas a constrictor might be able to climb back aboard by itself, I don't know. See the full list. I understand if she isn't interested, but I've gained a lot of respect for the class from seeing what they can do.
Oracle: I think that the lame curse is a bit tired (heh), but it's really the safest, since it's so purely mechanical. Haunted would only be more interesting until she dropped a treasured item off the boat. Others that hinder perception and/or communication could get really annoying, really fast. She probably wouldn't want to dip, since oracle has a slow spell progression as is. If she goes half-elf for higher minimum damage, then a morningstar is probably the best bet: decent damage, she can use a light shield with it and still cast spells, and it's effective underwater with a swim speed or Swim check. (Just swap Wis for Cha with the proposed Cleric attribute scores.)
Are you allowing dervish dance?
If so Have her play an Evangelist of Sarenrae or some other god that has scimitar as a favored weapon.
Have her use a scimitar with the Glory (Heroism) domain.
Lastly see if she is interested in the Evangelist archetype. Kind of funny to have a high preaching lady aboard a pirate boat and might not entirely work but that's one of the easiest ways to go about making a nasty battle cleric.
Great ideas everybody, thanks! And... all so different from each other. Much to think about.