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When it comes to healing (ignoring the boos and hisses) and buffing, I always end up thinking more of a divine version of the wizard, so, that's what I'm going to try and do.
I'm going to be using one of the following: the third party Priest class (why wasn't this just written as a archetype? Probably the increased spellcasting), the Lazio Ecclesitheurge archetype, or the third party Theosiphist archetype.
The idea is a more booky support type, that's not really good at hacky stabby combat.
Thing is, aside from diplomancers, archers, and characters whom I never got to use their classes fully, I've never played support.
Or, really, a caster for that matter.
So, any tips, tricks, or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Well, as long as it's not "do something else noob", though, if someone makes a good case for it, I'll certainly listen. I'm mainly just tired of combat, and want to find something else to do.
(Typed via tablet, links coming, hopefully autocorrect doesn't screw me too much.)
I have played before yes, but, I learned a lot less than I should have when it comes to this, that advice is greatly appreciated. :D
Umm, maybe buffing will cause my group to stop starting combat early. XD
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For the reference, you could simply take Core Cleric class and not use medium or heavier armor, grab a staff and put several ranks in Diplomacy or Perform (oratory) which is enough to play a typical priest who walks around propagating his religion and supporting his allies. If you however wish to specialize more, check the Cloistered Cleric, Evangelist or Merciful Healer archetypes. These archetypes are closest to what you want I believe.
Playing a support class is fairly easy as long as you know right spells. Take a good look at your party and see what they are playing and then choose spells that complement them most. Some of the level 1 spells that are good picks for example are (if you are starting at such level): Bless, Cure Light Wounds, Protection from Evil/Chaos, Shield of Faith. You can likewise use wands of these spells later around level 5 or more and they might still prove useful at the task.
Take a good look at domains also. There is a lot of great domains out there but it depends on your deity and how you plan to play your character. Feats are likewise dependent on how you plan to play your character, but one of the standard support cleric feats would be Selective Channeling.
That's all I could come up with currently,
Adam
My recommendation would be to play stealthy... I don't know this priest class you speak of, since we do paizo-only campaigns, so don't know how advisable this is, but if you want to stay out of combat, which you seem to want, the Highlands trait lets stealth be a class skill, and you could aford to go with a wis/dex character. Just make it a point to take only buff spells, or summon spells. I find that channel energy is the only healing most clerics need anyhows, and once you can make a wand, that's one of the best spells you can put to wand in my experience
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I might recommend picking up the pdf of Clerics of the Cloth and paging through it for a good unarmored archetype.
From experience, you need to know your party and what they need to do your best work in support. Your martials need attack boosts, damage boosts, protection. Casters need their share of protection too. Wands can help you out in this role, if you choose spells carefully (no SR, caster level not important, etc.).
It takes a certain kind of personality to enjoy this role. You're not there to get the glory. You're there to make sure other people are more glorious. The evangelist is definitely good for that, as it gets some bardic performance abilities.
Finally, page through your resources and get well-acquainted with all the spells you'll want. Maybe even make a point of putting them on spell cards. Bonus types for the most part don't stack, so you'll need to know what spells work for what. Oh, and divinations are a form of support too; they help you know what spells you need by knowing what you'll face.
I'm not sold on Cloth Cleric.
If you want to go Knowledge way because of the Skill Points Cloistered, just leave it to the wizard.
He has way more Skill Points and INT modifier.
Also, Speed is overrated. Once you get a Druid (or even a wand of Longstrider) you get +10 Speed.
Not having Medium/Heavy Armor as a Cleric can be dangerous considering most of your buffs are touch range spells which force you to go melee.
If you really want to be full support, I'd go Summoning way.
Max WIS, early game cast Sanctuary for protection on yourself and go around the battlefield buffing your allies and avoiding being attacked.
Also pick up a Domain with invisibility. Invisible+Summons is hard to beat early game, and not many can See Invisible or have the spells.
If you're not set on Alignment check Reach Cleric Build, it has a really nice section on Sacred Summons (Summons as Standard Action). Only drawback of this feat is that depending on your Alignment you get access to certain good/crap summons.
If really sold on Cloth type cleric, I believe this is the best way, otherwise going Full Heavy Armor, Light Shield for flanking bonuses and front line is best way.
For those wondering, the Cloistered Cleric in Paizo has reduced spellcasting, while in 3.5 and 3rd Party it does not. Which in all honestly is a heavy penalty for 4 Skill Points, all Knowledge, Scribe Scroll (level 4) and + 1/2 level on Knowledge checks in my opinion, because nothing beats more spells.
A cloistered cleric chooses only one domain from her deity’s list of domains, and her number of non-domain spells per day for each spell level is one less than normal
Thanks all, some good advice all around. :D
Link dead!
I've read the archetype, honestly you give up way too much to get Craft Limited Amulet, because you can't even craft a ring, and access yes to every domain spell, but remember it's just 1 cast per day.
Surely, on a long term campaign might give you access to cool spells for Scribe Scrolls and such, but the things you give up are huge.
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I want to group daze. Please do not dump stat, I've had a headache playing 7 int.
Current template:
Aasimar cleric (Theologian of Ra) after racial
Str: 10
Dex: 14
Con: 12
Int: 10
Wis: 15
Cha: 18
Domains: Fire
- Would like sun, but means no fireballs :(
Traits: Reactionary, Sacred conduit
Should I take negative energy channel to begin? Means I'll never be able to spontaneous CLW which is more helpful.
Feats:
Lv 1 : Selective Channeling
Lv 3 : Versatile Channeling
Lv 5: Burning hands (Intensified permanently), Spell penetration
Lv 7: Improved initiative
Lv 9: Greater spell penetration
As you can see, lack of feats, can't even get my spell focus evocation up :(
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Spell specialization requires 13 int. Which your stat lineup doesn't have. The job of a hangover cleric is to battlefield control, with a dex bonus of +0, how are you going to lay the lockdown? Frankly I could care less about the damage fireballs do, more to be able to lock down badies using reflex and will saves. I want to do 2 things, dazing fireball lockdown, and dazing channel lockdown.
If I wanted to combine buff + channel, then an evangelist would be better. Channel ray requires range touch attack to hit. Without precise shot, on 10 dex, its going to be rough. The build seems to eat too many feats :(
I suppose starting as negative channeler makes sense, but people keep expecting clerics to be healbots, and I'd like to break that expectation. Against undead = burning hands, I suppose?
Problem is balancing blasting and channel feats ><