Have to say, the Trickery Cleric has me pretty excited.
At first glance, you might disregard the subclass as somewhat weak when compared to the other domains...Life Clerics can heal...Light Clerics can blow stuff up...Tempests have power...even Knowledge Clerics have out-of-combat strength.
But I realized that Trickery Clerics are remarkably versitile with their Channel Divinity, Invoke Duplicity.
This ability essentially removes the risk that close-range spells have...meaning that spells like "Inflict Wounds", "Cure Wounds", and "Contagian" are suddenly made less risky to use.
The Trickery Cleric can now heal allies at close range without moving themselves into danger with Cure Wounds...likewise, they can Inflict Wounds for considerable damage from a safer distance, or gain advantage on the roll by being adjacent to their clone.
Substantial debuffing spells that can turn the tide of an encounter also become easier to land..."Bestow Curse" and "Contagian" can critically hobble a major boss, and the Trickery Cleric delivers those spells better than any cleric subclass.
Combine that with the fact that Trickery Clerics are harder to hit...with "Blink", "Mirror Image" and their subclass Invisibility...then these elusive clerics can strut their stuff on the battlefield quite well. The lack of concentration on those spells are a major advantages, as well.
But what do you all think? Is the true strength of the Trickery Cleric in how it's used, rather than the mechanics?
Tell me about your own Trickery Clerics! What are some stories of mischief and shenanigans you've pulled off?
Most of the trickery's Invoke Duplicity can be accomplished with a familiar. I don't think it is a bad thing but i feel like it should be buffed slightly by not being a concentration requirement. Also poison damage at lvl 8 is weak, a quick search revealed 20 pages of monsters that are flat out immune to it. Why doesn't the spell list add any damage touch spells so you can better use your new ability? Strong no, i feel like a lore bard with a familiar is a better trickery cleric.
If you cast a hostile touch spell through your familiar, wouldn't the DM have an enemy attack the familiar? I would say this is very DM dependent for how much you can use your familiar before the DM makes an enemy attack it.
My initial feeling is that Trickery Clerics are probably stronger when multi-classed with a Rogue, Monk or a brainy Fighter. Rogue for obvious stabby stabby stealth reasons. Monk because they are sort of the secondar scout-ish class next to the Rogue and Ranger as well as the benefit of a high WIS to both the Monk and Cleric classes. Also, combining de-buff spells like Bane and Spirit Guardians with Monk agility and Stunning Strike can be quite potent. For some reason, I find the idea of a Battle Master or Cavalier pretty amusing. You would have soooo many ways to out-maneuver your opponent - both magical and non-magical.
Have to say, the Trickery Cleric has me pretty excited.
At first glance, you might disregard the subclass as somewhat weak when compared to the other domains...Life Clerics can heal...Light Clerics can blow stuff up...Tempests have power...even Knowledge Clerics have out-of-combat strength.
But I realized that Trickery Clerics are remarkably versitile with their Channel Divinity, Invoke Duplicity.
This ability essentially removes the risk that close-range spells have...meaning that spells like "Inflict Wounds", "Cure Wounds", and "Contagian" are suddenly made less risky to use.
The Trickery Cleric can now heal allies at close range without moving themselves into danger with Cure Wounds...likewise, they can Inflict Wounds for considerable damage from a safer distance, or gain advantage on the roll by being adjacent to their clone.
Substantial debuffing spells that can turn the tide of an encounter also become easier to land..."Bestow Curse" and "Contagian" can critically hobble a major boss, and the Trickery Cleric delivers those spells better than any cleric subclass.
Combine that with the fact that Trickery Clerics are harder to hit...with "Blink", "Mirror Image" and their subclass Invisibility...then these elusive clerics can strut their stuff on the battlefield quite well. The lack of concentration on those spells are a major advantages, as well.
But what do you all think? Is the true strength of the Trickery Cleric in how it's used, rather than the mechanics?
Tell me about your own Trickery Clerics! What are some stories of mischief and shenanigans you've pulled off?
Most of the trickery's Invoke Duplicity can be accomplished with a familiar. I don't think it is a bad thing but i feel like it should be buffed slightly by not being a concentration requirement. Also poison damage at lvl 8 is weak, a quick search revealed 20 pages of monsters that are flat out immune to it. Why doesn't the spell list add any damage touch spells so you can better use your new ability? Strong no, i feel like a lore bard with a familiar is a better trickery cleric.
If you cast a hostile touch spell through your familiar, wouldn't the DM have an enemy attack the familiar? I would say this is very DM dependent for how much you can use your familiar before the DM makes an enemy attack it.
My initial feeling is that Trickery Clerics are probably stronger when multi-classed with a Rogue, Monk or a brainy Fighter. Rogue for obvious stabby stabby stealth reasons. Monk because they are sort of the secondar scout-ish class next to the Rogue and Ranger as well as the benefit of a high WIS to both the Monk and Cleric classes. Also, combining de-buff spells like Bane and Spirit Guardians with Monk agility and Stunning Strike can be quite potent. For some reason, I find the idea of a Battle Master or Cavalier pretty amusing. You would have soooo many ways to out-maneuver your opponent - both magical and non-magical.