Mechanically or thematically? Mechanically, I'd need to analyze the domains and see if there are any good combos, but it surely isn't unplayable. Thematically, I don't see any conflict with Iomadae. She has priesty types like almost every deity. As long as you are behaving honorably, you should be good.
I had some time, so I looked at the domain options. The sun domain is a pretty good primary domain, giving you access to some decent non-cleric spells for your spell list.
For secondary domain, I think the Glory domain's Touch of Glory is a good thematic fit for the ecclesitheurge's Blessing of the Faithful. What you use for your secondary domain spells will be up the situation you expect to find yourself in.
I like the birthmark or holy tattoo traits for an Ecclesitheurge... it really goes well with the Bonded Holy Symbol. You can grant yourself "magic abilities appropriate for a holy symbol or a neck slot item".
Also, a level of UnMonk gets you Wisdom to AC... Perfect Scholar gets you all the Knowledge skills... Sage Counselor gets you Combat Expertise... there's some fun options to explore if you're willing to delay/lose that level of spellcasting.
Either way, pump up Diplomacy and grab some Authorative Vestments... and possibly the Conciliator story feat (it's better than Call Truce). Remember, having access to the Rulership variant channel means you have "Dazing Channel"... the Sacred Conduit trait will boost the DC of your Channel Energy.
What are you planning for your primary Domain?
Personally, I don’t think this archetype fits Iomedae that well. Iomedae is a warrior goddess and is almost always pictured in armor and using a sword. The longsword is more than just her favored weapon it seems to be a central part of her identity. Since the archetype gives up proficiency in the deities favored weapon it just does not seem to fit. Giving up using armor also seems like it runs counter to her ideals. If armor is good enough for Iomedae, why would the cleric think it is beneath them to wear it. Part of the duties of a cleric is to teach the faithful. How can a character who does not know how to wear armor, use a shield and wield a sword instruct a warrior? It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
Mechanically there is no problem, and she does have a couple of good domains to make it work. This archetype seems to me to be better suited to deities that are less martially inclined. A cleric is supposed to try and emulate their deity. I just don’t see how someone who refuses to wear armor or wield a sword can emulate Iomedae. It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
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I like the birthmark or holy tattoo traits for an Ecclesitheurge... it really goes well with the Bonded Holy Symbol. You can grant yourself "magic abilities appropriate for a holy symbol or a neck slot item".
Also, a level of UnMonk gets you Wisdom to AC... Perfect Scholar gets you all the Knowledge skills... Sage Counselor gets you Combat Expertise... there's some fun options to explore if you're willing to delay/lose that level of spellcasting.
Either way, pump up Diplomacy and grab some Authorative Vestments... and possibly the Conciliator story feat (it's better than Call Truce). Remember, having access to the Rulership variant channel means you have "Dazing Channel"... the Sacred Conduit trait will boost the DC of your Channel Energy.
What are you planning for your primary Domain?
Likely glory i already got sun and war set up for something else
Personally, I don’t think this archetype fits Iomedae that well. Iomedae is a warrior goddess and is almost always pictured in armor and using a sword. The longsword is more than just her favored weapon it seems to be a central part of her identity. Since the archetype gives up proficiency in the deities favored weapon it just does not seem to fit. Giving up using armor also seems like it runs counter to her ideals. If armor is good enough for Iomedae, why would the cleric think it is beneath them to wear it. Part of the duties of a cleric is to teach the faithful. How can a character who does not know how to wear armor, use a shield and wield a sword instruct a warrior? It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
Mechanically there is no problem, and she does have a couple of good domains to make it work. This archetype seems to me to be better suited to deities that are less martially inclined. A cleric is supposed to try and emulate their deity. I just don’t see how someone who refuses to wear armor or wield a sword can emulate Iomedae. It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
If we look at her Paladin Code... your strength is not found in your sword, but in your heart. The sword be but a tool. We also find a supreme faith in the power of the Inheritor, channeling her strength through our body... this could easily parallel the Ecclesitheurge’s Vow to be "protected solely by his faith, not by armor or shields". There is also a line in her Paladin Code about forcing enemies to surrender... thus why we might pump Diplomacy, take Conciliator, and use Authorative Vestments.
Plus, if we really must have proficiency in the Longsword, be an Elf. Problem solved.
There are many ways to be proficient in a long sword. But you’re a cleric. In 7 levels you’d never get around wanting to swing the thing anyway. Iomedae doesn’t care about such petty things. She only wants you to be honorable.
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Personally, I don’t think this archetype fits Iomedae that well. Iomedae is a warrior goddess and is almost always pictured in armor and using a sword. The longsword is more than just her favored weapon it seems to be a central part of her identity. Since the archetype gives up proficiency in the deities favored weapon it just does not seem to fit. Giving up using armor also seems like it runs counter to her ideals. If armor is good enough for Iomedae, why would the cleric think it is beneath them to wear it. Part of the duties of a cleric is to teach the faithful. How can a character who does not know how to wear armor, use a shield and wield a sword instruct a warrior? It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
Mechanically there is no problem, and she does have a couple of good domains to make it work. This archetype seems to me to be better suited to deities that are less martially inclined. A cleric is supposed to try and emulate their deity. I just don’t see how someone who refuses to wear armor or wield a sword can emulate Iomedae. It does not make sense that Iomedae would strip her cleric of their abilities for wearing armor like she does.
If we look at her Paladin Code... your strength is not found in your sword, but in your heart. The sword be but a tool. We also find a supreme faith in the power of the Inheritor, channeling her strength through our body... this could easily parallel the Ecclesitheurge’s Vow to be "protected solely by his faith, not by armor or shields". There is also a line in her Paladin Code about forcing enemies to surrender... thus why we might pump Diplomacy, take Conciliator, and use Authorative Vestments.
Plus, if we really must have proficiency in the Longsword, be an Elf. Problem solved.
Or take the arodenite sword training trait. Real easy way to get longsword proficiency real quickly AND its thematic since she was once a servant to aroden anyway.
Besides if you're a cleric and REALLY need a weapon, holy ice weapon would arguably be more practical anyway. For the most part you wanna focus on your casting, cast holy ice weapon when you wanna scrap and throw power attack in just so your attacks got some weight to em.
To me a cleric is supposed to set an example of how a follower of the deity is supposed to live their lives. They are a walking advertisement of the ideals of the deity. They should act like the deity would act, and dress like the deity would dress. From what I have found most if not all the depictions of Iomedae show her as a woman dressed in armor. Her temples tend to be very military in appearance and often act as barracks for her holy knights.
When a cleric encounters a situation they are not sure how to handle, they should be asking what would <insert deities name> do? In a war I see Iomedea strapping on her armor, taking up her sword and defending the people. If an Ecclesitheurge does this, they lose their divine powers.
This is all just my opinion.
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To me a cleric is supposed to set an example of how a follower of the deity is supposed to live their lives. They are a walking advertisement of the ideals of the deity. They should act like the deity would act, and dress like the deity would dress. From what I have found most if not all the depictions of Iomedae show her as a woman dressed in armor. Her temples tend to be very military in appearance and often act as barracks for her holy knights.
When a cleric encounters a situation they are not sure how to handle, they should be asking what would <insert deities name> do? In a war I see Iomedea strapping on her armor, taking up her sword and defending the people. If an Ecclesitheurge does this, they lose their divine powers.
This is all just my opinion.
Isn't Iomadae like the only god that had to add an extra line to the code because her followers were prone to falling into the lawful stupid catagory?
All the major good gods have additions to the paladin’s code in Faiths of Purity.
The way I see it a cleric’s archetype should be something that fits the deity. Not all archetypes will be available for every deity. For example, I don’t think that Nethys would have crusaders, but Iomedae most certainly would. This allows the different faiths to actually be different.
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All the major good gods have additions to the paladin’s code in Faiths of Purity.
The way I see it a cleric’s archetype should be something that fits the deity. Not all archetypes will be available for every deity. For example, I don’t think that Nethys would have crusaders, but Iomedae most certainly would. This allows the different faiths to actually be different.
This is probably why herald caller is by and large the best cleric archetype because it can fit pretty much any god.
There are some archetypes that will fit every god, but not all will. Archetypes are the main way to make clerics unique. Outside of alignment and domain they all have pretty much the same spells. Domains are the only thing that really makes them different from other clerics. Wizard and prepared arcane casters have limited access to spells based on what spells they know. You can have two different wizards with very different tactics. While clerics can memorize different spells, they get access to all their spells. This in one of the strengths of the class, but does mean that given the same information, most clerics will end up with similar tactics.