[PFS] Low-level caster cleric combat viability

[Ulam, Cleric of Sivanah]

Seeking some advice.
This profile is my 2nd-level PFS cleric. The concept is a bit of a cerebral type, interested in knowledge and learning and secrets and such. Likes to find stuff out.

He's more of a reader/learner than a fighter. But of course, combat is inevitable. The plan is to focus on spellcasting rather than weapons, which will be fine later, but right now I get 3 non-domain spells per day.

With a wizard or sorcerer, I could be spamming ray of frost or daze or something. But I get no such cantrips as a cleric. I could have taken one of the domains that gives you a laserbeam 3+WIS/day, but I didn't.

So that leaves me with a crossbow. :/

Here's a rundown of the character at the moment:

STR 09 (11-2)
DEX 14 (12+2)
CON 12
INT 14
WIS 18 (16+2)
CHA 10

Domains: Knowledge (Memory), Trickery
Traits: Seeker, Birthmark
Feats: Toughness

My ultimate issue here is figuring out what to spend my actions on in combat at low levels. Later I'll be casting SoS spells (hold person, sound burst, plane shift, etc) all day, but what about for right now?

Obviously, I'm not hitting anything with my crossbow. I could stand behind people and spam guidance, but that's gonna get boring a couple levels in. I could get a wand/some scrolls of bless, but that really only gives me something to do on round 1. Maybe run around buffing people with a wand of shield of faith? By the time people have their rings, I won't be needing a fallback plan as much, so maybe that would work? Or are there some interesting (perhaps alchemical?) items I could be using? Not counting situational stuff like anti-invisibility measures or whatever, I'm looking for bread-and-butter actions.

Ideas?

[Imbicatus]

Two-World magic trait will let you take a non-cleric cantrip as one of your cleric spells know. You can use that for Acid Splash or Ray of Frost.

Using a net is also good. It's ranged, targets touch AC, and entangled is a nasty debuff.

Carry a few vials of Acid, they are cheap and more effective than a crossbow.

[Cap. Darling]

Get a longspear. You have some 4 spells 3 channnels and no offensive domain powers. So a longspear is a good plan.

[Rory]

Ulam, Cleric of Sivanah wrote:

Ideas?

Spend some cash/prestige to enable some fun actions.

2PP Wand of Bless (and never have to memorize the spell again)
2PP Wand of Cure Light Wounds

25gp Scroll of Cause Fear (assume this will debuff only, on occasion tho ... BOOYAH!)
25gp Scroll of Murderous Command (not good odds on working, but wow when it does)
25gp Scroll of Shield of Faith (+2 AC is good)
25gp Scroll of Magic Weapon (+1 damage buff at low levels)

10gp Vial of Acid
20gp Vial of Alchemist Fire (great for swarms)

You won't be spending money on a magic weapon, so just go ahead and drop 500gp on lots of scrolls of level 1 spells. Cast spells in combat and out of combat even at level 2. Go for a good variety to be prepared for any little thing (Remove Sickness, Protection From Evil, Comprehend Languages, Endure Elements, Obscuring Mist, Remove Fear, Ant Haul, Dancing Lantern, etc.)

As far as your 3 prepared spells, go with Summon Monster I. That spell will last you ~3 rounds in combat (1 round to cast and 2 rounds of attack).

1 round buff (Wand of Bless) and then cast a Summon Monster I (celestial smiting eagle). That'll fill most of your combats right there. You won't have many actions to worry about.

[Ulam, Cleric of Sivanah]

Rory wrote:

25gp Scroll of Cause Fear (assume this will debuff only, on occasion tho ... BOOYAH!)

Aha! I forgot about that spell still having an effect when saved against. That's perfect!

[Calagnar Ironfist]

As a casting cleric. I can tell you the low levels hurt really bad. There are a few choice spells to look at.
1st level
Command, Murderous Command (One of the best spells ever!)
2nd level
Burst of Radiance, Hold Person, Sound Burst, Spear of Purity, Spiritual Weapon

I will suggest spending gold on a few items.
1: Rod of Lesser Metamagic Extend : Spiritual Weapon, or Murderous Command + Extend= Happy Cleric.
2: Pearls of Power : Recalling extra Murderous Commands per adventuring day is very nice. The proper amount you should have one or two Murderous commands per fight.

Far fights are for amateurs. Real fighters take every advantage they can get. Death is counter productive to your health.

[Edit]
For actions. Get use to delaying, or moving your self to the right place. Playing a full caster is not about casting spells every round. It is about casting the right spells each time. You can play a more effective caster if you cast one, or two of the right spells each encounter. Over just casting spells because you want something to do.