My party has all of one character capable of casting bless, a life cleric. At level five he's going to stop casting Bless and start casting Spirit Guardians as his concentration spell. I really like bless and don't want to be without it. I am strongly considering taking a single level dip into cleric so as to get just enough spell casting to cast Bless myself.
I am playing a weapon and shield dwarf, intending to go all the way (aside from this) as a fighter (brute, with duelist). Given that Clerics choose their divine domain at level one, I am wondering which such domain would synergize best with a character whose combat utility is primarily high AC tanking and consistent damage output. At the moment I am leaning towards Forge Domain. Does anyone have any better advice?
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Bookworm, martial artist, repentant psychic, dried out drug addict, paramedic, pseudo-apostate libertarian, debater, knife maker, SCA basher, professional gamer, speculator, pornographer, and nascent social commentator. ...and I want an uncomplicated life.
My advice is to not multiclass at all in this scenario, because level 5 gives you Extra Attack which is the single most important feature at low levels.
Also, if you're in the front line, you will be rolling Concentration checks pretty much all the time, so the expected duration of Bless is going to be close to a single round, maybe two or three if we're feeling generous with your (presumably) high Con save. Even at the generous three rounds, casting Bless is an Action, costing you (all) your attacks for that first round.
Arcana domain gets you an extra skill, 2 extra wizard cantrips (green-flame blade or booming blade might be good), and magic missile domain spell which can't miss. 5 cantrips in 1 level is a good dip.
Forge domain gets you Smith tools, the ability to turn one non-magic weapon or armor into +1 weapon or armor, and searing smite (you will probably never use) and identify (ritual, you will use constantly) as domain spells.
Grave domain gives a few useful options. Spare the dying for free with range and as bonus action, makes it almost as good as healing word (which is maxed out when healing downed allies) for when allies get downed. Domain spell False life gives you temporary hp to help you tank or stay alive. And eyes of the grave let's you know if there is an undead close enough to see (not helpful unless it is disguised or invisible).
Light domain has domain spells burning hands and faerie fire which are a decent level 1 aoe spell and a support spell that rivals bless respectively. It also has light for free and can impose disadvantage on attacks.
Order domain can force one of your allies to attack when you cast bless in them. It also has a bonus proficiency and heroism which grants refilling temp hp to tank forever (takes concentration though *forever=1 minute).
War domain. Have you ever wanted to use 2 weapon fighting with a 2 handed weapon? This is as close as it gets. It also has divine favor which will stack nicely with fighter's extra attacks and war domain's bonus action attack.
Look at magic initiate as your lvl 6 feat, then you're not sacrificing class progression, 1 cast of bless instead of 2 but it's there and so are all your attacks.
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My party has all of one character capable of casting bless, a life cleric. At level five he's going to stop casting Bless and start casting Spirit Guardians as his concentration spell. I really like bless and don't want to be without it. I am strongly considering taking a single level dip into cleric so as to get just enough spell casting to cast Bless myself.
I am playing a weapon and shield dwarf, intending to go all the way (aside from this) as a fighter (brute, with duelist). Given that Clerics choose their divine domain at level one, I am wondering which such domain would synergize best with a character whose combat utility is primarily high AC tanking and consistent damage output. At the moment I am leaning towards Forge Domain. Does anyone have any better advice?
Bookworm, martial artist, repentant psychic, dried out drug addict, paramedic, pseudo-apostate libertarian, debater, knife maker, SCA basher, professional gamer, speculator, pornographer, and nascent social commentator. ...and I want an uncomplicated life.
My advice is to not multiclass at all in this scenario, because level 5 gives you Extra Attack which is the single most important feature at low levels.
Also, if you're in the front line, you will be rolling Concentration checks pretty much all the time, so the expected duration of Bless is going to be close to a single round, maybe two or three if we're feeling generous with your (presumably) high Con save. Even at the generous three rounds, casting Bless is an Action, costing you (all) your attacks for that first round.
I am one with the Force. The Force is with me.
Arcana domain gets you an extra skill, 2 extra wizard cantrips (green-flame blade or booming blade might be good), and magic missile domain spell which can't miss. 5 cantrips in 1 level is a good dip.
Forge domain gets you Smith tools, the ability to turn one non-magic weapon or armor into +1 weapon or armor, and searing smite (you will probably never use) and identify (ritual, you will use constantly) as domain spells.
Grave domain gives a few useful options. Spare the dying for free with range and as bonus action, makes it almost as good as healing word (which is maxed out when healing downed allies) for when allies get downed. Domain spell False life gives you temporary hp to help you tank or stay alive. And eyes of the grave let's you know if there is an undead close enough to see (not helpful unless it is disguised or invisible).
Light domain has domain spells burning hands and faerie fire which are a decent level 1 aoe spell and a support spell that rivals bless respectively. It also has light for free and can impose disadvantage on attacks.
Order domain can force one of your allies to attack when you cast bless in them. It also has a bonus proficiency and heroism which grants refilling temp hp to tank forever (takes concentration though *forever=1 minute).
War domain. Have you ever wanted to use 2 weapon fighting with a 2 handed weapon? This is as close as it gets. It also has divine favor which will stack nicely with fighter's extra attacks and war domain's bonus action attack.
Look at magic initiate as your lvl 6 feat, then you're not sacrificing class progression, 1 cast of bless instead of 2 but it's there and so are all your attacks.