Cloistered cleric reaction options

[Fenris Wolfe]

I am playing a kobold dragon disciple in our weekly 2e game and I am still getting used to the action economy of the new edition. I normally have competing options for my actions except for the reaction. Do clerics have any decent reaction options that I should be building towards? I feel that they are wasted on my character right now.

[cavernshark]

I don't know your level, but since you've you've already indicated you're a Dragon Disciple, I assume you probably need at least your 2, 4, and maybe 6 feats to grab stuff so it might be a bit tight. You could pick up Shield Block from a General Feat if you are using a shield at all and plan to raise it. The shield spell also has that as an option. Other non-feat options are to try and find ways to use readied actions, trading 2 actions on your turn to react with a single action, or using the aid action on your turn to use your reaction to aid someone else on theirs.

There are also two low level reactions from cleric feats, but both are somewhat situational. Premonition of Avoidance only works on hazards and Rapid Response only triggers when someone drops to 0.

[Ventnor]

Fenris Wolfe wrote:

I am playing a kobold dragon disciple in our weekly 2e game and I am still getting used to the action economy of the new edition. I normally have competing options for my actions except for the reaction. Do clerics have any decent reaction options that I should be building towards? I feel that they are wasted on my character right now.

There are some cleric feats like Premonition of Avoidance and Rapid Response that will give you reactions, though those tend to be fairly limited.

One pretty useful reaction to have could be Shield Block. All you need to get it working is one general feat at level 3, and you'll have a handy source of damage reduction. Considering cloistered clerics tend to have not-so-great AC due to their limited armor and low proficiency, it wouldn't be a bad trick to have in your back pocket.

And of course, there's also the Shield Cantrip. While the AC bonus it gives isn't as good as the bonus a physical shield gives, you can get one shield block reaction per combat. And best of all, you should be able to get it the next time you make your daily preparations, since clerics can swap out what cantrips they have prepared.

[Fenris Wolfe]

Great advice. We are currently level six so feats have been a little tight so far. I have the Shield cantrip which is useful. I'll take a look at the other options too.

[Ventnor]

Fenris Wolfe wrote:

Great advice. We are currently level six so feats have been a little tight so far. I have the Shield cantrip which is useful. I'll take a look at the other options too.

You can use retraining to replace your level 3 general feat with Shield Block if you decide that's what you want to do.

[Fenris Wolfe]

Here's my feat selection thus far:

1) Ancestry Feat: Kobold Breath
1) Heritage: Spellscale Kobold

2) Dragon Disciple Dedication
2) Skill Feat: Battle Medicine

3) General Feat: Fleet

4) Skill Feat: Continual Recovery
4) Class Feat: Scales of the Dragon

5) Ancestry Feat: Cringe

6) Class Feat: Dragon Arcana
6) Skill Feat: Ward Medic

[cavernshark]

Oh. I forgot... Blood Vendetta is a great level 2 spell because it's cast as a reaction. I've been using it on my Kobold Bard and it's on the Divine list too. You could use that instead of shield block if you're not really using a shield, and then cringe when you're crit instead.

[Fenris Wolfe]

cavernshark wrote:

Oh. I forgot... Blood Vendetta is a great level 2 spell because it's cast as a reaction. I've been using it on my Kobold Bard and it's on the Divine list too. You could use that instead of shield block if you're not really using a shield, and then cringe when you're crit instead.

That's a great idea and fitting for a Disciple of Apsu. "Nobody makes me bleed my own blood."

[Castilliano]

Breath of Life
Air Bubble (especially in certain environments)

Also some skill feats have options, like when you ID a spell you get a save bonus vs. it.

Though I'd say Shield's the most used, meaning Shield Block would be pretty nice too when you've burned your use for 10 minutes. No reason not to have layers of defense.

[Dubious Scholar]

cavernshark wrote:

Oh. I forgot... Blood Vendetta is a great level 2 spell because it's cast as a reaction. I've been using it on my Kobold Bard and it's on the Divine list too. You could use that instead of shield block if you're not really using a shield, and then cringe when you're crit instead.

Well, you can also choose whether to use the block or bleed as your reaction when something hits you.

It should be noted that due to the timing, Blood Vendetta is going to tick its first damage almost right away too, since you're inflicting a bleed on the enemy's turn.