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Working on constructing a Cleric build that utilizes at least one level of Cavalier (Order of the Star, natch) to gain access to heavy armor and most other weapons, and I'm debating the merits of a two-handed weapon vs a one-handed weapon and a shield. I've been told neither are good options because a cleric needs to have a hand free to cast spells, and when I replied that that's arcane spells, the person who told me that retorted "gotta hold the holy symbol somewhere."
So do I need to restrict myself to one-handed weapons without a shield? Or is it possible for me to occupy both hands, whether with a shield or with both hands on a greatsword.
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My understanding is that a light shield allows you to still grasp another object in that hand. The +1 to AC isn't much, though and you might be better off with a bigger weapon. You can still hold it in one hand while casting, I believe, but you would need two hands free to wield it.
It seems like if you have your holy symbol around your neck, reaching to grab it should be a free action. Not sure, though.
Sanctified light shield. You now have a hand that can use somatic components and your holy symbol is your shield.
Alternatively, just use a free action to take your hand off your two handed weapon and another free action to put it back on.
+1 to AC isn't much, but magic shields make it worthwhile.
The rules say you can cast spells with your buckler hand. They don't say this for light shields.
If you want to be able to shield bash as well, you can hold objects in your light shield hand, so you can use a free action to pass your weapon to your shield hand, cast your spell with the free hand, then use another free action to pass it back.
Rules about holy symbols are pretty unclear. Does presenting your symbol require you to hold it in your hand, or just wear it visibly? Is accessing it something you do automatically with your free hand, like getting material components for a spell?
Just use a two hand weapon. Seriously it's a free action to let go with one hand and grab it back.
As for what flavor that depends entirely upon what sort of cleric you are. In my case I've tended to favor reach weapons and combat reflexes for a more offensive defensive approach.
Speaking of tattoo's, another option for holy symbols is the holy symbol tattoo. Doesn't fix somatic components, but it does help your divine focus and it can be pretty cool depending on your deity and what you think of tattoos.
I'm going to second using the Birthmark Trait as well as a two handed weapon. Removing your hold on a two handed weapon and re-gripping it are both free actions. You can hold, but not wield a two handed weapon in one hand, so you're good for any spell casting with a somatic component.
Why take the birthmark trait when for 100 gold you can have the exact same effect?
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As someone alluded to, officially it is perfectly ok to use either a Two Handed Weapon or a One Handed Weapon + Light Shield or Buckler.
You can release the grip on the 2HW, cast, and then regrab the weapon. During the actual casting you do not threaten, but that's it. Alternatively you could also use a Weapon Cord.
For the Light Shield, it was clarified that it is perfectly fine to move your weapon to the shield hand (Free Action), cast, and then retrieve your weapon (Free Action), much like with a 2HW. Light Shields allow you to hold things, but not attack, and that includes your weapon. Alternatively, again, Weapon Cord.
You are not required to literally "hold" your Holy Symbol. It just needs to be out, in contact with you, and (sometimes) able to be visible. It doesn't actually have to be visible, so you can still Channel Energy in pitch black when no one can see, but it does have to be out so that if it where not dark, it could otherwise be seen. In general, wearing it as a necklace or sort of like a rosary around the palm, if not covered works just fine. Not unless the spell specifies that or you are attempting to repel a vampire with your Holy Symbol.
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I'm interested in making what I like to call a "Berserker Paladin," which involves worshiping Ragathiel or Vildeis, as they're both Lawful Good Empyreal Lords with access to the Destruction domain and its Rage subdomain. This allows for the creation of a "righteous fury" kind of character who can be Lawful Good, since Barbarians have to be non-lawful. Someone who can rage like a barbarian but still have the civilized and genteel trappings of a knight.
Ragathiel's favored weapon is the bastard sword, so it technically could be switched between one and two hands quite easily. Worshipping Vildeis needs the level or two of Cavalier to use an effective weapon like a longsword or greatsword, as her own favored weapon is the dagger, obviously not something a sort of tanky character like this would find too useful.
If you can wait for it, Holy Vindicator gives you heavy armor and full weapon proficiency and works very well with a shield.
If you go with a Cavalier, you'd need 2 or 4 levels to make it worth your while. Order of the Star only gets the level stacking Channel ability at 2nd level. You need the Horse Master feat if you want to keep your mount, and that requires the 4th level Cavalier ability.
If you still only want a single level, take the Standard Bearer archetype so you don't have to worry about a level-one mount always hanging on to you and if it dies you get nerfed.
I have made, but have not yet played, a Holy Vindicator/Cleric/Cavalier of Order of the Star as a kind of build-your-own-paladin of any alignment. (I'm waiting for a more roleplay friendly campaign than the one I'm in to bring it forth.)
I'm fairly sure your spellcasting question has been answered so I'll leave it at that.
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Why Cavalier? Because of the level-stacking Channel ability Pharmalade mentions.
And why not paladin or fighter? Because I wanna rage and be Lawful Good. Only a Destruction/Rage cleric has that capability without taking levels of barbarian, and barbarians can't be Lawful Good.
And because I was interested in a different prestige class, namely the new Mystery Cultist one.
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And why not paladin or fighter? Because I wanna rage and be Lawful Good. Only a Destruction/Rage cleric has that capability without taking levels of barbarian, and barbarians can't be Lawful Good.
Destruction/Rage is also available to a Sacred Servant Paladin...just FYI. That's what I'd probably do for this concept if I were you.
For channel, you must be able to *present* your holy symbol. Around my neck or on a clasp for my cloak works for my DM, or painted on my shield. I'm not sure if spells say otherwise.
My cleric uses a bastard sword (Kelemvor in Faerun/Forgotten Realms) and he's a beast, going to get a glove of storing for my shield so I can summon it at the end of my turn and dismiss it at the start to two hand my sword.
My gm was like "Pft, bastard sword?" before I started tearing up his NPCs.
If your game uses traits, take the Birthmark feat. It gives you a tattoo that functions as a divine focus. Put it on your forehead, and voila! Presented holy symbol.
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Clerics can enjoy a lot of use out of a light shield as you'll after not too terribly long have access to Magic Vestment so it won't be only +1 to AC for most of your career, especially if you can fish up a Meta-magic Rod of Extend and a third level Pearl of Power from some old tomb.
Why not just carry a solid one-hander and then you can two hand it if need be? A longsword or a heavy mace, etc.
Also don't waste a trait on birthmark anymore, it's better to just buy a tattoo as a backup and still use a regular holy symbol.
with a 2hander you can do the following
free action to take 1 hand off your weapon
standard action to cast
free action to put your hand back on the 2handed weapon
can be done with any 2hander really.
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Also don't waste a trait on birthmark anymore, it's better to just buy a tattoo as a backup and still use a regular holy symbol.
Because some men show their faith at arms length with holy symbols.
Others carve it into their flesh.
But only a select few are born walking in the Lord in Iron's footsteps.
Also don't waste a trait on birthmark anymore, it's better to just buy a tattoo as a backup and still use a regular holy symbol.Because some men show their faith at arms length with holy symbols.
Others carve it into their flesh.
But only a select few are born walking in the Lord in Iron's footsteps.
the clanging of steel and the spilling of blood, is plenty a sufficient presentation for the Iron Lord.
I'm more interested in Sarenrae...and not having to use a curved sword. Curved swords aren't knightly. Changed my mind about the whole Ragathiel thing after I found the new Revelation subdomain in Champions of Purity. Perception as a class skill?! Yes, bloody please!
Feather Domain has that beat if your going for perception imo. 1/2 your level in perception checks, and you get a pet(2nd perception!).
I'm more interested in Sarenrae...and not having to use a curved sword. Curved swords aren't knightly.
Depends on the knight.
Being knightly alot of the times meant using a morning star or heavy mace from horseback if not a lance. Swords were okay against unarmored/lightly armored foes. Knights used whatever was best to use at the time they were not honor bound to use only straight swords. Heck even vikings had curved single edged blades. So be wary of your preconcieved notions like that. Better to make your own opinions as what constitutes as knightly and work from that.
And you can just describe your sword as not-curvy.
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I'm more interested in Sarenrae...and not having to use a curved sword. Curved swords aren't knightly.Depends on the knight.
Being knightly alot of the times meant using a morning star or heavy mace from horseback if not a lance. Swords were okay against unarmored/lightly armored foes. Knights used whatever was best to use at the time they were not honor bound to use only straight swords. Heck even vikings had curved single edged blades. So be wary of your preconcieved notions like that. Better to make your own opinions as what constitutes as knightly and work from that.
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I just wanna be more like this, rather than this.I'm more interested in Sarenrae...and not having to use a curved sword. Curved swords aren't knightly.Depends on the knight.
Being knightly alot of the times meant using a morning star or heavy mace from horseback if not a lance. Swords were okay against unarmored/lightly armored foes. Knights used whatever was best to use at the time they were not honor bound to use only straight swords. Heck even vikings had curved single edged blades. So be wary of your preconcieved notions like that. Better to make your own opinions as what constitutes as knightly and work from that.
So, you can't go a bit like this this, and add a bit of this?
That sounds cool to me.