So, I need some think-tank help. I am finding myself a little overwhelmed with options, and could use some varying opinions. I am currently a 5th Lvl Forge cleric Hill Dwarf. Stats are, in order: 13, 7, 19, 12, 18, and 3, and I took the Warcaster feat at 4th Lvl. I can't decide whether to plow on through the cleric levels, or to dip into fighter 1 (for the fighting style) or 2 (for Second Wind) or 3 (for an archetype) levels. I am also trying to determine which feats to potentially take. I figure that at 8th lvl I will most likely max out my wisdom. Any help that is offered is welcome, and thank you.
If you multiclass now, you won't be able to max Wisdom until 9th level (as a Cleric 5/Fighter 4). I'd personally max Wisdom before considering multiclassing.
What fighting style are you looking at? with +1 Str, -2 Dex and =4 Wis I expect your attacks are mostly spells so the choices would be Protection or defence and defence is functionally the same as your 6th level Cleric feature
Action surge would allow you to get an extra cantrip in once per short rest but 2 levels of cleric gives you an extra 3rd and a 4th level spell per long rest instead.
If you do take a fighter splash or even want to be more or a martial Cleric I would consider the option of taking Str and Con at your next ASI improving both your secondary and tertiary stat with a single ASI. (as a casting cleric I would probably got 20 Wis as level 8 and resilient Con at level 12)
the only help I can offer is to think early on about whether you want a character that is ultra optimized and min/maxed for combat or one that you can roleplay with for a long time without getting stuck in repetitive mechanics (aka combos/chains).
In my case I was also getting lost in the overwhelming options before a hill dwarf forge cleric but the more I polished my backstory the more the whole concept of half race and multi classing felt out of place. Or maybe it's just because in my current party my role is more of a support and less of a melee
By the way, would you happen to know how can I get the forge domain on my character builder here? I bought the bundle a while back but was disappointed to find out that it's not included
I agree with Jegpeg. If you have +1 strength and +4 wisdom, just focus on being a spellcaster and don't worry about doing martial stuff and being a fighter. Getting War Caster + Resilient Con with your huge Con bonus will be fantastic for Spirit Guardians. You will probably be concentrating on a spell and you won't need to be in melee range for your attacks, so you'll be tanky enough as a Forge Cleric, there's no need to go Fighter to become even more tanky. Clerics get really great spells to concentrate on, so don't try to make yourself a melee fighter when your wisdom is so much higher than your strength. Try to stay out of melee range, and use the movement speed debuff of Spirit Guardians to help stay out of melee range.
That makes a ton of sense. The reason that I was considering dipping fighter is because, while our barbarian can handle his own, I don't want to leave him high-and-dry. The rest of the party is super squishy (and I am the only player that has played D&D before), so I built the cleric with the idea of him being a bit of a catch-all. I know it isn't ideal, but the intent is to be healer/off-tank. I know the AC + high HP will help tank, but the low STR means that I may come up short in melee more often than not later down the line.
Jfbarone, you make an excellent point. The gamer in me wants to make sure I can get maximum output from the character. However, the player in me is fighting with what would thematically fit. Lol
Does the bundle pack include Xanathar's Guide to Everything? If not, that is why you can't see it. My DM got the whole kit-and-caboodle, and shared it for our campaign which is how I can use it.
That makes a ton of sense. The reason that I was considering dipping fighter is because, while our barbarian can handle his own, I don't want to leave him high-and-dry. The rest of the party is super squishy (and I am the only player that has played D&D before), so I built the cleric with the idea of him being a bit of a catch-all. I know it isn't ideal, but the intent is to be healer/off-tank. I know the AC + high HP will help tank, but the low STR means that I may come up short in melee more often than not later down the line.
Did you choose an attack cantrip for one of your Cleric cantrips, or are you stuck using a melee weapon? If you did choose an attack cantrip, which one?
The cantrips I have taken are Toll the Dead (for single targets), Word of Radiance (for crowds), and Mending and Guidance (for utility). The only issue I have with the cantrips are that too much of that is out of my hands, as in a saving throw by the target(s) rather than an attack roll by me.
What fighting style are you looking at? with +1 Str, -2 Dex and =4 Wis I expect your attacks are mostly spells so the choices would be Protection or defence and defence is functionally the same as your 6th level Cleric feature
Action surge would allow you to get an extra cantrip in once per short rest but 2 levels of cleric gives you an extra 3rd and a 4th level spell per long rest instead.
If you do take a fighter splash or even want to be more or a martial Cleric I would consider the option of taking Str and Con at your next ASI improving both your secondary and tertiary stat with a single ASI. (as a casting cleric I would probably got 20 Wis as level 8 and resilient Con at level 12)
Technically if you don't cast a spell as a bonus action then you aren't locked into cantrips and you can cast two leveled spells if action surging.
I think fighter can add a lot. I dipped fighter on my forge domain cleric and took the defense fighting style so if using chain mail and shield you can get up to 20 AC at low levels. If you can find plate you can bump it up to 22.
Action surge can be used to cast an additional spell as long as you did not cast a spell as a bonus action. So you can use action to cast guiding bolt, use action surge to cast a second guiding bolt or maybe inflict wounds. If you cast spiritual weapon on a turn before then you can still command it as a bonus action in addition to casting two new spells.
Fighter Archetype can add versatility to your martial prowess. Battle master is a good fit.
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So, I need some think-tank help. I am finding myself a little overwhelmed with options, and could use some varying opinions. I am currently a 5th Lvl Forge cleric Hill Dwarf. Stats are, in order: 13, 7, 19, 12, 18, and 3, and I took the Warcaster feat at 4th Lvl. I can't decide whether to plow on through the cleric levels, or to dip into fighter 1 (for the fighting style) or 2 (for Second Wind) or 3 (for an archetype) levels. I am also trying to determine which feats to potentially take. I figure that at 8th lvl I will most likely max out my wisdom. Any help that is offered is welcome, and thank you.
If you multiclass now, you won't be able to max Wisdom until 9th level (as a Cleric 5/Fighter 4). I'd personally max Wisdom before considering multiclassing.
Partway through the quest for absolute truth.
I was thinking along those lines, as well. I am trying to determine whether it is worth it to dip into fighter, and, if so, how far.
What fighting style are you looking at? with +1 Str, -2 Dex and =4 Wis I expect your attacks are mostly spells so the choices would be Protection or defence and defence is functionally the same as your 6th level Cleric feature
Action surge would allow you to get an extra cantrip in once per short rest but 2 levels of cleric gives you an extra 3rd and a 4th level spell per long rest instead.
If you do take a fighter splash or even want to be more or a martial Cleric I would consider the option of taking Str and Con at your next ASI improving both your secondary and tertiary stat with a single ASI. (as a casting cleric I would probably got 20 Wis as level 8 and resilient Con at level 12)
the only help I can offer is to think early on about whether you want a character that is ultra optimized and min/maxed for combat or one that you can roleplay with for a long time without getting stuck in repetitive mechanics (aka combos/chains).
In my case I was also getting lost in the overwhelming options before a hill dwarf forge cleric but the more I polished my backstory the more the whole concept of half race and multi classing felt out of place. Or maybe it's just because in my current party my role is more of a support and less of a melee
By the way, would you happen to know how can I get the forge domain on my character builder here? I bought the bundle a while back but was disappointed to find out that it's not included
I agree with Jegpeg. If you have +1 strength and +4 wisdom, just focus on being a spellcaster and don't worry about doing martial stuff and being a fighter. Getting War Caster + Resilient Con with your huge Con bonus will be fantastic for Spirit Guardians. You will probably be concentrating on a spell and you won't need to be in melee range for your attacks, so you'll be tanky enough as a Forge Cleric, there's no need to go Fighter to become even more tanky. Clerics get really great spells to concentrate on, so don't try to make yourself a melee fighter when your wisdom is so much higher than your strength. Try to stay out of melee range, and use the movement speed debuff of Spirit Guardians to help stay out of melee range.
That makes a ton of sense. The reason that I was considering dipping fighter is because, while our barbarian can handle his own, I don't want to leave him high-and-dry. The rest of the party is super squishy (and I am the only player that has played D&D before), so I built the cleric with the idea of him being a bit of a catch-all. I know it isn't ideal, but the intent is to be healer/off-tank. I know the AC + high HP will help tank, but the low STR means that I may come up short in melee more often than not later down the line.
Jfbarone, you make an excellent point. The gamer in me wants to make sure I can get maximum output from the character. However, the player in me is fighting with what would thematically fit. Lol
Does the bundle pack include Xanathar's Guide to Everything? If not, that is why you can't see it. My DM got the whole kit-and-caboodle, and shared it for our campaign which is how I can use it.
Did you choose an attack cantrip for one of your Cleric cantrips, or are you stuck using a melee weapon? If you did choose an attack cantrip, which one?
The cantrips I have taken are Toll the Dead (for single targets), Word of Radiance (for crowds), and Mending and Guidance (for utility). The only issue I have with the cantrips are that too much of that is out of my hands, as in a saving throw by the target(s) rather than an attack roll by me.
Technically if you don't cast a spell as a bonus action then you aren't locked into cantrips and you can cast two leveled spells if action surging.
Your secret is safe with my indifference - Percy
I think fighter can add a lot. I dipped fighter on my forge domain cleric and took the defense fighting style so if using chain mail and shield you can get up to 20 AC at low levels. If you can find plate you can bump it up to 22.
Action surge can be used to cast an additional spell as long as you did not cast a spell as a bonus action. So you can use action to cast guiding bolt, use action surge to cast a second guiding bolt or maybe inflict wounds. If you cast spiritual weapon on a turn before then you can still command it as a bonus action in addition to casting two new spells.
Fighter Archetype can add versatility to your martial prowess. Battle master is a good fit.
Your secret is safe with my indifference - Percy