Hey all! My gaming group is talking about giving Strixhaven a go when we finish the current campaign, so I've been thinking about potential character concepts. Probably the strongest concept I've got, thematically anyway, is a dhampir twilight cleric. Lean into the witchy goth student tropes, maybe play them a little like Adventure Time's Marceline, wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness. Presumably wind up joining Witherbloom, who seem to have similar interests.
I'm not too worried about optimising hard, but I'm still pretty new to the game. So it can be hard to spot the line between flavorful but functional, and a build that's either deadweight or no fun to play. I can see how to build a fairly standard twilight cleric, in full plate with a shield and all that, but it doesn't quite mesh with the image of a hippy vampire student. I was thinking about prioritising Con over Dex/Str and just biting everyone or using cantrips, but that doesn't help with the AC. I'd hoped to have a bit of Cha left over just to play up the Vampires Are Cool trope but that feels like wishful thinking...
Anyone got any advice, or ideas on how they'd go about all this?
Apologies if this was in the wrong area, it seemed the best place to solicit build advice.
Likewise, sorry if I've phrased this badly and nobody has a clue what I'm asking! It's been a long week... Essentially I'm wondering how others would build a twilight cleric that isn't a full plate combat, particularly one that primarily used the bite attack as their weapon option. I've been looking at point buy attributes of STR 8, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 17 and Cha 10.
The easy way to avoid trotting around in armor would be some kind of multiclass. One level of monk would get you Unarmored Defense, which meshes well with cleric since it's WIS-based, and if you're going to "wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness", monk can fit thematically as well
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
The easy way to avoid trotting around in armor would be some kind of multiclass. One level of monk would get you Unarmored Defense, which meshes well with cleric since it's WIS-based, and if you're going to "wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness", monk can fit thematically as well
I was wondering about that! Monk would definitely be on theme for the character, and not using weapons or armour feels really appropriate too.
I've seen people talk about how a monk dip isn't great for a cleric, but I'm fine with something being suboptimal so long as it's not dreadful
The easy way to avoid trotting around in armor would be some kind of multiclass. One level of monk would get you Unarmored Defense, which meshes well with cleric since it's WIS-based, and if you're going to "wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness", monk can fit thematically as well
I was wondering about that! Monk would definitely be on theme for the character, and not using weapons or armour feels really appropriate too.
I've seen people talk about how a monk dip isn't great for a cleric, but I'm fine with something being suboptimal so long as it's not dreadful
Monk can be a tough class to MC with, because usually you want as many ki points as possible, and every non-monk level costs you ki. If you're not planning to advance seriously in it, though, one level will get you what you want to fit the character you have in mind
Barbarian's an option too for its version of Unarmored Defense (plus resistance when you're raging), but it's based on CON rather than WIS and might not fit the concept as well
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
The easy way to avoid trotting around in armor would be some kind of multiclass. One level of monk would get you Unarmored Defense, which meshes well with cleric since it's WIS-based, and if you're going to "wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness", monk can fit thematically as well
I was wondering about that! Monk would definitely be on theme for the character, and not using weapons or armour feels really appropriate too.
I've seen people talk about how a monk dip isn't great for a cleric, but I'm fine with something being suboptimal so long as it's not dreadful
Monk can be a tough class to MC with, because usually you want as many ki points as possible, and every non-monk level costs you ki. If you're not planning to advance seriously in it, though, one level will get you what you want to fit the character you have in mind
Barbarian's an option too for its version of Unarmored Defense (plus resistance when you're raging), but it's based on CON rather than WIS and might not fit the concept as well
Ah, that makes sense! Thank you, I'm enjoying starting to get my head around it all.
Barbarian could work, in fairness. Rage could make sense in a vampiric frenzy kind of way, and Con is one of the better abilities. But yeah, Monk definitely seems a better fit overall (and mechanically a bit better too)
Rage also hinges a bit more on strength since the bonus damage is tied to it. In addition to having constitution instead of wisdom as a differentiator between the monk and barbarian unarmored defenses, barbarian's can also wield a shield whereas monks cannot. In either case, leaving your dex at 14 would be akin to using medium armor. Using your constitution as your main attack stat with the bite would mean that constitution would increase your HP, your AC, and your to hit with your main attack if you went barbarian, plus the resistance to basic weapon damage while raging that seems pretty en pointe with vampire themes. The monk version would play better if you wanted to use other unarmed strikes along with the bite and/or be more of a caster. It would also give you the ability to make a bonus action unarmed strike as long as you made an unarmed strike with the action. Both options have interesting merits for a 1 level dip for your concept.
Yeah, I think they've both got strong thematic points! I do actually really like the contrast the barbarian adds - with Twilight Cleric one minute you're projecting an aura of lo-fi beats to study and chill to, the next you're tearing out throats. Even without the strength damage the defence boost is nice, but it's a lot harder to figure out how to build and play that one!
Twilight Cleric and Barbarian are a great combo... I'd suggest you look into that more closely. Channel Divinity isn't shut down by rage, so you're good to go there.
Do your spell casting out of combat for the most part, and it's not like you're going to rage every time you fight.
And the rage can definitely be a re-skinned vampiric blood lust type thing...
Yeah, I'm definitely considering it. Almost tempting to take three levels and grab the subclass with claws, go from cleric of relaxation one minute to a frenzy of tooth and claw the next!
Though I'm also considering Twilight Cleric 2/Bard X. The aura seems like it'd still be strong even without increasing, and at that point you'd be an absolute avatar of lo-fi beats and relaxation...
Totem Warrior (bear) 3, Twilight Cleric 1, and you're an unstoppable buff machine, kicking out temp HP to everyone (including yourself). That 1d6 + cleric level temp HP gets effectively doubled for you when you're raging, and with bearbarian, you're resistant to everything but psychic damage...
Out of combat you're a survival master with spell utility and heals.
In combat, you drop Twilight Sanctuary in round 1, Rage in Round 2 (if the opponent merits it).
There are pros and cons as to which class you take for first level, so I'd look at skill selection and saves, and go with what you like better...
There's also story to consider - are you a barbarian who got dhampired and found the god/goddess? Or a cleric with a dark side after a brush with undeath...?
Ah, I don't think I'd go totem warrior. Its really cool and great mechanically, but if I was gonna drop that many levels on it it'd be for claws or something similarly on-brand I reckon.
Story-wise... I mean I've got something ridiculously convoluted growing in my head, with hags and vampires and teenage dhampir gangs roaming the streets of Sigil like a fantasy take on Lost Boys. Far more OTT than I'd normally go, but with the young adult stylings of Strixhaven it just feels daft not to role with the tropes and have a laugh with it!
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Hey all! My gaming group is talking about giving Strixhaven a go when we finish the current campaign, so I've been thinking about potential character concepts. Probably the strongest concept I've got, thematically anyway, is a dhampir twilight cleric. Lean into the witchy goth student tropes, maybe play them a little like Adventure Time's Marceline, wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness. Presumably wind up joining Witherbloom, who seem to have similar interests.
I'm not too worried about optimising hard, but I'm still pretty new to the game. So it can be hard to spot the line between flavorful but functional, and a build that's either deadweight or no fun to play. I can see how to build a fairly standard twilight cleric, in full plate with a shield and all that, but it doesn't quite mesh with the image of a hippy vampire student. I was thinking about prioritising Con over Dex/Str and just biting everyone or using cantrips, but that doesn't help with the AC. I'd hoped to have a bit of Cha left over just to play up the Vampires Are Cool trope but that feels like wishful thinking...
Anyone got any advice, or ideas on how they'd go about all this?
Apologies if this was in the wrong area, it seemed the best place to solicit build advice.
Likewise, sorry if I've phrased this badly and nobody has a clue what I'm asking! It's been a long week... Essentially I'm wondering how others would build a twilight cleric that isn't a full plate combat, particularly one that primarily used the bite attack as their weapon option. I've been looking at point buy attributes of STR 8, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 17 and Cha 10.
Hope that clarifies a little!
The easy way to avoid trotting around in armor would be some kind of multiclass. One level of monk would get you Unarmored Defense, which meshes well with cleric since it's WIS-based, and if you're going to "wax lyrical about spiritual balance between light and darkness", monk can fit thematically as well
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
I was wondering about that! Monk would definitely be on theme for the character, and not using weapons or armour feels really appropriate too.
I've seen people talk about how a monk dip isn't great for a cleric, but I'm fine with something being suboptimal so long as it's not dreadful
Monk can be a tough class to MC with, because usually you want as many ki points as possible, and every non-monk level costs you ki. If you're not planning to advance seriously in it, though, one level will get you what you want to fit the character you have in mind
Barbarian's an option too for its version of Unarmored Defense (plus resistance when you're raging), but it's based on CON rather than WIS and might not fit the concept as well
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Ah, that makes sense! Thank you, I'm enjoying starting to get my head around it all.
Barbarian could work, in fairness. Rage could make sense in a vampiric frenzy kind of way, and Con is one of the better abilities. But yeah, Monk definitely seems a better fit overall (and mechanically a bit better too)
But be warned as a Barbarian in rage, you cannot cast or concentrate on your spells. That's most of what clerics do.
gaming
Yeah, I keep forgetting that they can't concentrate either. Monk definitely seems the better option thematically though
Rage also hinges a bit more on strength since the bonus damage is tied to it. In addition to having constitution instead of wisdom as a differentiator between the monk and barbarian unarmored defenses, barbarian's can also wield a shield whereas monks cannot. In either case, leaving your dex at 14 would be akin to using medium armor. Using your constitution as your main attack stat with the bite would mean that constitution would increase your HP, your AC, and your to hit with your main attack if you went barbarian, plus the resistance to basic weapon damage while raging that seems pretty en pointe with vampire themes. The monk version would play better if you wanted to use other unarmed strikes along with the bite and/or be more of a caster. It would also give you the ability to make a bonus action unarmed strike as long as you made an unarmed strike with the action. Both options have interesting merits for a 1 level dip for your concept.
Yeah, I think they've both got strong thematic points! I do actually really like the contrast the barbarian adds - with Twilight Cleric one minute you're projecting an aura of lo-fi beats to study and chill to, the next you're tearing out throats. Even without the strength damage the defence boost is nice, but it's a lot harder to figure out how to build and play that one!
Twilight Cleric and Barbarian are a great combo... I'd suggest you look into that more closely. Channel Divinity isn't shut down by rage, so you're good to go there.
Do your spell casting out of combat for the most part, and it's not like you're going to rage every time you fight.
And the rage can definitely be a re-skinned vampiric blood lust type thing...
I like it...
Yeah, I'm definitely considering it. Almost tempting to take three levels and grab the subclass with claws, go from cleric of relaxation one minute to a frenzy of tooth and claw the next!
Though I'm also considering Twilight Cleric 2/Bard X. The aura seems like it'd still be strong even without increasing, and at that point you'd be an absolute avatar of lo-fi beats and relaxation...
Totem Warrior (bear) 3, Twilight Cleric 1, and you're an unstoppable buff machine, kicking out temp HP to everyone (including yourself). That 1d6 + cleric level temp HP gets effectively doubled for you when you're raging, and with bearbarian, you're resistant to everything but psychic damage...
Out of combat you're a survival master with spell utility and heals.
In combat, you drop Twilight Sanctuary in round 1, Rage in Round 2 (if the opponent merits it).
There are pros and cons as to which class you take for first level, so I'd look at skill selection and saves, and go with what you like better...
There's also story to consider - are you a barbarian who got dhampired and found the god/goddess? Or a cleric with a dark side after a brush with undeath...?
Ah, I don't think I'd go totem warrior. Its really cool and great mechanically, but if I was gonna drop that many levels on it it'd be for claws or something similarly on-brand I reckon.
Story-wise... I mean I've got something ridiculously convoluted growing in my head, with hags and vampires and teenage dhampir gangs roaming the streets of Sigil like a fantasy take on Lost Boys. Far more OTT than I'd normally go, but with the young adult stylings of Strixhaven it just feels daft not to role with the tropes and have a laugh with it!