Current party: fighter, paladin, sorcerer, ranger or sorcerer (hasn't decided yet), dealer, and myself cleric.
Rolled stats: 16, 14, 13, 13, 11, 11
Starting at level 1 and it looks like most likely ends around level 13, so only 3 ASI. Playing in Avernus, which I don't know much about, but speculate there are lots of devils and demons. Very new player, read a lot of cleric guides. Wondering best way to build a cleric and how to effectively play.
Light domain is out because devils and demons are immune or resistance to fire, but with tempest I can use thunder damage instead of lightning. Life domain is also an option. I only have PHB.
Races: so far thinking about hill dwarf of course, or mountain dwarf, but also maybe half-orc.....
Hill dwarf: Str: 13 Dex: 13 Con: 14+2=16 Int: 11 Wis: 16+1=17 Cha: 11 -I understand increasing wisdom is important, but also want to look out for constitution to help with concentration spells (bless, shield of faith, spirit guardian etc). It will take at least 2 ASI's to get wisdom to 20. I'm thinking lvl 4 give 1 to wisdom (18) and 1 to constitution (17). But at lvl 8, would you A) give the 2 to wisdom to bring it to 20 or B) take a feat like Resilient Constitution to bump up constitution to (18) to help increase HP and assist concentration for my spells? Regardless, at level 12, nearing the end of the campaign, I will want max wisdom, just don't know if I want to do it right away, or if I have time to wait (read a couple cleric posts about how they wished they had more help with their concentration, so just thinking ahead about what to do).
Other build ideas: if its going to take at least 2 ASI's to get wisdom to max, what about a mountain dwarf? Mountain Dwarf: Str: 13+2=15, or 14+2=16 Dex: 13 Con: 14+2=16, or 13+2=15 Int: 11 Wis: 16 Cha: 11 In this situation, its obvious I would take wisdom at lvl 4 and 8. And then resilient con at 12. One benefit I see from this is I would get extra melee attack and dmg rolls for my warhammer, which may be useful at lower levels, and then as we get to 5, back off and start using spells more, idk. Whats more useful, using my warhammer or something like sacred flame for distance to help preserve spell slots in those limiting lower levels?
Lastly as a fun idea, thought about using a half-orc, for its relentless endurance just in case, especially at lower levels, as well as its savage attacks: Half-orc: Str: 14+2=16 Dex: 13 Con: 13+1=14 Int: 11 Wis: 16 Cha: 11 -Wisdom ASI at lvl 4 and lvl 8, but maybe take warcaster at 12 for this build?
So overall arching question, since I've never played a cleric, I know "should" is a strong word, but should or is it more helpful to the party for me to be in the back blasting sacred flame or other ranged spells/attacks, and healing when needed. Or is it more helpful being in the front dealing potential more damage, and also being able to use Wrath of Storm more often, which can help kill baddies faster, because as I read and understand it, you can't out heal the damage coming in, so thinking about a more direct approach, with some slots for Healing Word just in case.
Thoughts please, and thank you so much, excited to get this started! :)
Mechanically, I think all of the options you present are worthwhile.
As for when/if to take Resilient CON or Warcaster, wait until level 8. You should have a good feeling by then if you're having difficulties with concentration saves.
As for bring a front line character, I see no reason not to. Tempest clerics get heavy armor, shield, and a boost to melee damage at level 8, so it's perfectly viable.
Now as for role playing, do consider how a half-orc will be potentially treated in a large city. Are you ok with role playing this?
Yeah I think stats work great just make sure to take some ASI's for STR and WIS. You want a decent STR for heavy armor if you get the proficiency from cleric IE Tempest Domain as well as to hit with a weapon. You want Really high WIS since you are a fullcaster still and spells key of WIS. I would take Warcaster at maybe 8th or 12th level.
Tempest or Life clerics are both perfectly at home being front liners. Do YOU want to deal more damage or support the team? that's the major question. I like being up front as a Life Cleric, use my spiritual weapon to deal more damage, and keep my party buffed and enemies de-buffed. (Fun fact: Blindness/Deafness is NOT a concentration spell, and blindness shuts down a lot of a spell caster's options)
Thanks for all the awesome replies and reassurance being up front! Yeah, I want to be in the front smacking things with my hammer, with that additional spiritual weapon by my side. Will probably take WIS at 4th, then consider my options at 8th, if I need more help with concentration then will take warcaster/resilient(con), if not i'll just max WIS right away.
I've never role-played a half-orc, but could give it a try, my background is a sailor due to naturally being strong and finding a crew that didn't mind his orc background, however during a nasty storm that was going to sink their ship, he prayed to the tempest gods for their help. After surviving the storm, he has left the sailor life and joined the clergy, spreading the ways of the tempest domain etc. The DM will work the rest into why we are entering Avernus.
Arcana domain might be an interesting choice for you with the channel divinity working on fiends. Plus, a hill dwarf can use greenflame blade or booming blade to help augment it's melee.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
I played a tempest cleric, and I was always up in the fight. It’s a lot easier to heal the tanks if you are next to them, and with a good AC and solid hp, you will be pretty tanky yourself. If you are going that route, take war caster ASAP. You’ll need the advantage on concentration checks, and you’ll need the free hand it gives you. You can’t cast spells with a somatic component if you have a weapon and shield equipped, unless you have war caster. Honestly, once I took it, I almost never used my weapon, since sacred flaming as an opportunity attack was as good or better than a weapon attack.
Oh, and in your first option, the hill dwarf, taking your CON to 17 is kind of pointless as it’s no better than a 16, mechanically. Better to use it on one of your other odd numbers.
I'm currently playing a tortle grave cleric and with the combination of a shield and natural armor, having 19 ac at level 4 is nice. for now, i've been using the tortle claws and inflict wounds when I need to be in close combat but I also have the option of casting at a distance with sacred flame, toll the dead, spiritual weapon, and guiding bolt.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Current party: fighter, paladin, sorcerer, ranger or sorcerer (hasn't decided yet), dealer, and myself cleric.
Rolled stats: 16, 14, 13, 13, 11, 11
Starting at level 1 and it looks like most likely ends around level 13, so only 3 ASI. Playing in Avernus, which I don't know much about, but speculate there are lots of devils and demons. Very new player, read a lot of cleric guides. Wondering best way to build a cleric and how to effectively play.
Light domain is out because devils and demons are immune or resistance to fire, but with tempest I can use thunder damage instead of lightning. Life domain is also an option. I only have PHB.
Races: so far thinking about hill dwarf of course, or mountain dwarf, but also maybe half-orc.....
Hill dwarf:
Str: 13
Dex: 13
Con: 14+2=16
Int: 11
Wis: 16+1=17
Cha: 11
-I understand increasing wisdom is important, but also want to look out for constitution to help with concentration spells (bless, shield of faith, spirit guardian etc). It will take at least 2 ASI's to get wisdom to 20. I'm thinking lvl 4 give 1 to wisdom (18) and 1 to constitution (17).
But at lvl 8, would you
A) give the 2 to wisdom to bring it to 20
or
B) take a feat like Resilient Constitution to bump up constitution to (18) to help increase HP and assist concentration for my spells?
Regardless, at level 12, nearing the end of the campaign, I will want max wisdom, just don't know if I want to do it right away, or if I have time to wait (read a couple cleric posts about how they wished they had more help with their concentration, so just thinking ahead about what to do).
Other build ideas: if its going to take at least 2 ASI's to get wisdom to max, what about a mountain dwarf?
Mountain Dwarf:
Str: 13+2=15, or 14+2=16
Dex: 13
Con: 14+2=16, or 13+2=15
Int: 11
Wis: 16
Cha: 11
In this situation, its obvious I would take wisdom at lvl 4 and 8. And then resilient con at 12. One benefit I see from this is I would get extra melee attack and dmg rolls for my warhammer, which may be useful at lower levels, and then as we get to 5, back off and start using spells more, idk. Whats more useful, using my warhammer or something like sacred flame for distance to help preserve spell slots in those limiting lower levels?
Lastly as a fun idea, thought about using a half-orc, for its relentless endurance just in case, especially at lower levels, as well as its savage attacks:
Half-orc:
Str: 14+2=16
Dex: 13
Con: 13+1=14
Int: 11
Wis: 16
Cha: 11
-Wisdom ASI at lvl 4 and lvl 8, but maybe take warcaster at 12 for this build?
So overall arching question, since I've never played a cleric, I know "should" is a strong word, but should or is it more helpful to the party for me to be in the back blasting sacred flame or other ranged spells/attacks, and healing when needed. Or is it more helpful being in the front dealing potential more damage, and also being able to use Wrath of Storm more often, which can help kill baddies faster, because as I read and understand it, you can't out heal the damage coming in, so thinking about a more direct approach, with some slots for Healing Word just in case.
Thoughts please, and thank you so much, excited to get this started! :)
Mechanically, I think all of the options you present are worthwhile.
Now as for role playing, do consider how a half-orc will be potentially treated in a large city. Are you ok with role playing this?
Yeah I think stats work great just make sure to take some ASI's for STR and WIS. You want a decent STR for heavy armor if you get the proficiency from cleric IE Tempest Domain as well as to hit with a weapon. You want Really high WIS since you are a fullcaster still and spells key of WIS. I would take Warcaster at maybe 8th or 12th level.
Your secret is safe with my indifference - Percy
Tempest or Life clerics are both perfectly at home being front liners. Do YOU want to deal more damage or support the team? that's the major question. I like being up front as a Life Cleric, use my spiritual weapon to deal more damage, and keep my party buffed and enemies de-buffed. (Fun fact: Blindness/Deafness is NOT a concentration spell, and blindness shuts down a lot of a spell caster's options)
Thanks for all the awesome replies and reassurance being up front! Yeah, I want to be in the front smacking things with my hammer, with that additional spiritual weapon by my side. Will probably take WIS at 4th, then consider my options at 8th, if I need more help with concentration then will take warcaster/resilient(con), if not i'll just max WIS right away.
I've never role-played a half-orc, but could give it a try, my background is a sailor due to naturally being strong and finding a crew that didn't mind his orc background, however during a nasty storm that was going to sink their ship, he prayed to the tempest gods for their help. After surviving the storm, he has left the sailor life and joined the clergy, spreading the ways of the tempest domain etc. The DM will work the rest into why we are entering Avernus.
Arcana domain might be an interesting choice for you with the channel divinity working on fiends. Plus, a hill dwarf can use greenflame blade or booming blade to help augment it's melee.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
I played a tempest cleric, and I was always up in the fight. It’s a lot easier to heal the tanks if you are next to them, and with a good AC and solid hp, you will be pretty tanky yourself. If you are going that route, take war caster ASAP. You’ll need the advantage on concentration checks, and you’ll need the free hand it gives you. You can’t cast spells with a somatic component if you have a weapon and shield equipped, unless you have war caster. Honestly, once I took it, I almost never used my weapon, since sacred flaming as an opportunity attack was as good or better than a weapon attack.
Oh, and in your first option, the hill dwarf, taking your CON to 17 is kind of pointless as it’s no better than a 16, mechanically. Better to use it on one of your other odd numbers.
I'm currently playing a tortle grave cleric and with the combination of a shield and natural armor, having 19 ac at level 4 is nice. for now, i've been using the tortle claws and inflict wounds when I need to be in close combat but I also have the option of casting at a distance with sacred flame, toll the dead, spiritual weapon, and guiding bolt.