First off, thanks for looking at my post. I'm just starting to play Pathfinder and have never played d20 games before, so this is my first character. What I want to build is a Dwarf Cleric that is a Separatist. His Deity is Torag and the Protection(Defense) Domain and Sun Domain. We're starting at 1st level and my available stats are 18,16,16,14,12,11 (pretty good rolls). We have a Barbarian, but I want to be in the fray, and I will be using a Warhammer and Heavy Shield. If you could help me decide what Feats to use and where to put my abilities I would really appreciate it. Oh, and please don't use too complicated of abbreviations as I probably won't know what you're referring to.
I might consider Combat Casting for a first level feat.
Selective Channel is something else to consider.
Wisdom needs to be you primary stat follow by Constitution the strength.
Two options I'm thinking of going with:
STR-16/18
DEX-16/14
CON-12/16 (+2)
INT-11/11
WIS-18/16 (+2)
CHA-14/12 (-2)
Power Attack as soon as you can get it =)
I recommend this stat placement. (You have really nice rolls.)
Str 18
Dex 14
Con 12+2
Int 11
Wis 16+2
Cha 16-2
A nicely balanced array right here.
Considerations to make.
Reach Clerics are really good and the Sun Domain is rather lackluster for anything other than fighting Undead. I really like to recommend the Heroism Domain as it is QUITE good.
Appreciate the help Scavion but I can't change the Domains, I'm going with those as part of his background. So while the Sun domain might not be as good, it's for flavor.
Appreciate the help Scavion but I can't change the Domains, I'm going with those as part of his background. So while the Sun domain might not be as good, it's for flavor.
I'm not familiar with the Shield Domain where is that from?
Sorry, meant Protection(Defense)Domain. Will edit that.
I wonder if your DM would let you convert the Hammer of Moradin Prestige Class from 3.5 Forgotten Realms to this game. It might be neat to build up to. Moradin is the Forgotten Realms version of Torag.
I recommend taking Steel Soul feat to let you auto save vs spells/spell like abilities. Its quite good.
Consider taking Fate's Favored as Divine Favor is a stable spell of Battle Clerics and lets you start with a +2 to attacks and damage.
Just as a note unless your GM is allowing it, you need a free hand to cast spells, even though you are not subject to spell failure chance. This does not mean you cannot have a shield, it just means if you want to cast easily without having to sheath or drop your weapon, you will need to switch to the light shield.
And think about getting the improved initiative at some point. That way you can likely throw a buff on yourself or your barbarian before you enter the fray.
Welcome to Pathfinder!
Are the ability scores you posted before or after racial adjustments? If what you posted includes them, I'd suggest the 18 in Wisdom because it is your primary ability and monsters resisting your spells are never fun. I'd put the 16's into Strength and Constitution as you will want to be able to hit and take a hit. I'd put the 14 into charisma for your channeling abilities. I'd put the 12 into dexterity as it will provide a +1 bonus to AC which is perfect for heavy armor. Now starting out, you only get medium armor, but if you are wanting to go into melee it's probably worth the feat for heavy armor proficiency. That leaves the 11 in intelligence so you'll be hurting for skills a bit, but not crippled. Hopefully your party will have a skill focused person to fill in the gap.
One of the pitfalls for first-time combat clerics is that they plan to buff themselves too much. Figure that you will have 1 round to buff, if that. If you spend more time than that buffing, I think you'll find your buffs will be mostly wasted as the barbarian will have started raging as a free action and be well on his way severing all enemy heads from bodies. Look for long duration buffs (or "breakfast buffs") that you can case at the start of the day or when first entering a dungeon and have them in effect throughout all the combat encounters. Then fill out your spell list with a few short duration, very powerful buffs that you can during the first
Your channeling is very good for healing, especially with the selective channeling feat. You'll want to get a wand of cure light wounds as soon as you can (750g fully charged) as it is by far more efficient to heal out of combat with that and use your limited spells per day to greater effect.
Try to convince your party to split the loot with an extra share for party needs. For instance, if there are four people in your party, split the money you gain from adventuring five ways, with the extra share going to wands (like Cure Light Wounds), potions, resurrections, etc. You don’t want to waste your gold on curing wands the rest of the party will be benefiting from more than you, and don’t let the party try to convince you otherwise!
There is tons more to say about battle clerics, but I don't want to overwhelm you. Have fun and good luck!
Keep in mind as you level that Channel Energy isn't a great combat healing method. At 10th level it averages to 17.5 hp per use. You also don't get more uses as you level. Damage wise it targets an Undead creature's best save for rather paltry damage.(17.5 and save for half at 10th level)
Might I ask why you want to go with the separatist archetype? What about it appeals to you? And why do you want the sun domain? I'll gladly offer advice but I'm interested to know why you want to include these things so I know what I'm working with here.
Part of my back story is that I was betrayed by my church, and had found a Priest of the Sun Domain that taught me his ways. While I no longer follow with religious ways of my fellow dwarves I still have a connection to Torag. (still deciding exactly what the events were that led to this, but that's basically why I'm a Separatist)
Ok, so seeing as Separatist seems to be strictly worse than just not being devoted to a particular deity I'm thinking about going that route. While it would eliminate that Firebelly spell you mentioned it makes my second domain stronger.