Seeking Reach Cleric build advice


Advice

Grand Lodge

Rodinia, a PFS reach-style cleric of Erastil, is considering retraining into a weaker build approach. Her player seeks advice about which is the better choice. Rodinia is a martial combatant who sometimes casts spells on the side.

Rodinia, currently 4th level. Classes are Fighter 1 / Cleric 3
STR16 DEX14 CON14 INT10 WIS14 CHA12

Domains: Growth & Feather
Feats include Combat Reflexes & Power Attack

Rodinia's schtick: She generally whacks things with a polearm for massive damage. Her combat schtick is to position herself 15-20' from several foes then swift action Enlarge Person (Growth domain), thus threatening these foes from reach. On their turn these foes must usually provoke an AoO if they wish to act at all. Her standard action might be an attack, a spell, or channeling, but most damage comes from AoOs. This has worked great in nearly a dozen PFS scenarios. Even foes who would never provoke an AoO to normal reach usually do provoke against this tactic.

The Choice: Current build soon becomes very powerful. Player is considering retraining to a less optimal build that seems like it might play better. Seeking advice.

A. Current 'optimized' build: Feather Domain & Boon Companion give a full animal companion at 5th level. The companion will be both a steed & a martial ally. With the addition of Paired Opportunists the Animal Companion will roughly double Rodinia's overall damage output.

Pros: Very effective. Massive damage & excellent zone control. Extra meat shield. At 5th level the combined pair gets up to 9 attacks per round for average 20-30 HP per attack, with excellent chances to hit.

Cons: A bit too effective. Even without the Animal Companion, Rodinia inflicts most of the HP damage in every group she's in. In a recent Tier 3-4 scenario she inflicted 160 HP in 2 combat rounds, instantly ending both fights, and finished off the BBEG. Better to let others share the glory. Also, even with the Narrow Frame feat, there are some situations where a large beast just gets in the way. Also, ACs can slow down PFS play.

B. Alternate mechanically-less-optimal build: Retrain the Feather domain to the Luck domain and become an Erastil Separatist. Eloquent RP fluff to explain the reason.

Pros: Bit of Luck works exceptionally well when combined with the Headband of Fortune's Favor and an AoO-based fighting style. No animal companion to slow down PFS play. Better survivability. Still easily strong enough for PFS play.

Cons: Slightly gimmicky two-trick-pony. Mechanically weaker than the Feather domain. Will inflict a lot less damage than the Feather domain variant.

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So, would anyone care to state an opinion?


Pathfinder Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

You shouldn't have an animal companion yet, it shouldn't come in until 4th level.

Animal Companion (Ex): At 4th level, you gain the service of an animal companion. Your effective druid level for this animal companion is equal to your cleric level – 3. (Druids who take this ability through their nature bond class feature use their druid level – 3 to determine the abilities of their animal companions).

Separatist of Erastil? The god of community that doesn't have a huge religious heirarchy? That would give me cause to pause, especially when picking Luck for a LG god. There are no lawful gods that provide luck domain.

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