Author Topic: Ultimate Cleric Build  (Read 12477 times)

Offline adanger2u

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Ultimate Cleric Build
« on: December 02, 2013, 02:42:48 AM »
I'm trying to build a really good cleric to go into the World's Largest Dungeon with. I've read the 3.5 cleric handbook but am wondering if there's better races and among other things to consider. The DM isn't taking LA into consideration. I've been considering the Zenythri, Aarami, and Lumi for a race. We're starting at level 1.

Offline Maat Mons

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2013, 04:25:23 AM »
Are you sure he's ignoring LA completely?  It might be that he'll let you start with a higher ECL than everyone else, but then have you stay level 1 until everyone else catches up. 

Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2013, 04:34:43 AM »
He said not to worry about LA. He might do something like that if I go overboard though.

Offline Jackinthegreen

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2013, 10:35:34 AM »
Could you be more specific about what you actually want the cleric to do?  There's no such thing as "the ultimate build" for anything (besides Pun Pun, which definitely won't be allowed) because there's so much that's possible.

What exactly is the role you want this cleric to fulfill?

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2013, 11:01:57 AM »
Could you be more specific about what you actually want the cleric to do?  There's no such thing as "the ultimate build" for anything (besides Pun Pun, which definitely won't be allowed) because there's so much that's possible.

What exactly is the role you want this cleric to fulfill?
We could certainly use more information here, but World's Largest Dungeon, starting at level 1, is enough to start tossing out some advice.

I've heard WLD gives you almost no opportunities to buy magic items. So being able to craft your own might be worthwhile. Being able to survive without them is also pretty much a necessity, but luckily clerics excel at that. I'd suggest worshiping Boccob, being true neutral, and planning to use Animate Dead on every worthwhile enemy you encounter (plus just some low HD "Mooks" to use for trap springing, drawing out ambushes, etc).

Take Magic as one of your domains, so you can use any "wizard" magic items you happen to get (especially if the party doesn't have a sorcerer or wizard). The Spell domain might also be useful, so you can use spellbooks (and also craft items requiring specific arcane spells, perhaps, by using Anyspell). I'd go Cloistered Cleric as well for the skill points, and perhaps trade in the Knowledge domain for Knowledge Devotion if you actually plan to fight yourself. Alternatively, if you would rather just summon things, you might see about trading that in for something else, like the Divine Magician ACF.
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Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2013, 11:49:24 AM »
My choice of race for this cleric will help determine my role in the party but being able to heal was the biggest benefit we discussed since the regular treasure you find in regular dungeons won't be in the World's largest dungeon since it was built by the celestials as a prison. If my hit die are good enough I'll be the front liner of the group, at first at least.

We will have a sorcerer, barbarian, and the last character is still deciding between a spell thief and a beguiler.  Our plan is to start at level 1 and go to 20+.  The sorcerer is a dragonwrought-white dragonspawn-loredrake, the barbarian is still deciding his race as well.

The DM has said that he wants use to have fun with making our characters and that as long as we don't go wild with LA he'll let it slide. What else do you guys want/need to know?

Offline SorO_Lost

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2013, 03:16:41 PM »
The sorcerer is a dragonwrought-white dragonspawn-loredrake, the barbarian is still deciding his race as well.
Holy bajesus if that's on the table then we can go insane.

Like Godsblooded Sage Variant Savage Progression sextuple Evolved Spell-Stitched Phenric Ghost Magister or something.

Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2013, 03:29:28 PM »
The sorcerer is a dragonwrought-white dragonspawn-loredrake, the barbarian is still deciding his race as well.

I know that all of that gives him +3 caster levels but beyond that I'm not sure if all of that has that much LA. How far did he go? I've also looked at Godblooded and it seemed to me that once you used the damage reduction to absorb 40 points that it basically goes away.
« Last Edit: December 02, 2013, 03:35:52 PM by adanger2u »

Offline Gazzien

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2013, 03:40:13 PM »
The sorcerer is a dragonwrought-white dragonspawn-loredrake, the barbarian is still deciding his race as well.

I know that all of that gives him +3 caster levels but beyond that I'm not sure if all of that has that much LA. How far did he go? I've also looked at Godblooded and it seemed to me that once you used the damage reduction to absorb 40 points that it basically goes away.
The best part of Godblooded (in my opinion) is Vecna-Blooded's immunity to divination / etc... which doesn't go away.

Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2013, 04:04:27 PM »
The best part of Godblooded (in my opinion) is Vecna-Blooded's immunity to divination / etc... which doesn't go away.
I'm not sure if there's going to be an enemy that can use divination on use but considering we're going to go up to 20+ it's a possibility. I'll keep vecna blooded in mind when I'm looking for templates to add onto my cleric. Thanks.

Now, we have one kobold sorcerer, a barbarian whose race is yet to be determined and a skill monkey whose still choosing a class and a race.  I'm looking at Aasmir, Zenythri, and Lumi for my race. Any other suggestions for a really good race for a cleric?

I'm really glad that I'm getting all the other things to look up and check out though.

Offline Maat Mons

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #10 on: December 02, 2013, 04:30:23 PM »
dragonwrought-white dragonspawn-loredrake

If you want to out-cheese him, you could go with monster of legend (Monster Manual II, p213).  It was given +7 LA in the 3.5 update booklet, which would normally make it terrible, but if you don't have to pay the cost, the +5 levels of cleric casting become ridiculous. 

… if you would rather just summon things …

I don't think World's Largest Dungeon allows summoning. 

Offline PsyBomb

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #11 on: December 02, 2013, 04:45:33 PM »
You could always go for the "Better- than-Paladin" build of Clr5/Ordained Champion 5/Fist of Raziel 10. Can fill Melee striker, tank, and healer roles... And if you do it right you can nab DMM(Persist). As if you can alter Champion to allow worship of a different diety, though, since Heironeus uses a suboptimal favored weapon for damage.

Half-Celestial template is full of win if you can get it, which should be easy

Offline awaken_D_M_golem

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #12 on: December 02, 2013, 05:33:52 PM »

... Like Godsblooded Sage Variant Savage Progression sextuple Evolved Spell-Stitched supercalafragilisticexpealadocious Phenric Ghost Magister ...

 :)
I ran out of breath just reading that.
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Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #13 on: December 02, 2013, 06:13:22 PM »
I don't think World's Largest Dungeon allows summoning.
Well, I'm not sure about summoning monsters but extradimensional stuff is out. I asked the DM for a copy of the intro of the book. It says that extradimensional travel is limited to line of signt or 100ft, whichever is shorter. The same goes for teleporting.

Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #14 on: December 02, 2013, 07:57:33 PM »
Okay, so I'm basically our group band-aid. We have two squishy characters already so I'd prefer to not be the third. So, a race with good racial HD, pluses for strength or con or charisma. I'm trying to be a fighting healer type, I guess.  Just looking for the best race & template(s) for something like that.

Offline PsyBomb

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #15 on: December 02, 2013, 08:33:59 PM »
You pretty much selected my build and template, there. In-combat healing is overrated for the most part, other than status effects, but persisted Lesser Vigor negates all downtime and stabilization needs. If someone takes Craft Wonderous, you can seguay into Nightsticks for persistent party buffs.

Offline sirpercival

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #16 on: December 02, 2013, 09:22:41 PM »
If Dragon Magazine material is allowed, Invigorating Spell from Dragon 311 is your best friend. Alternatively, you can DMM Persist Healing Lorecall, but it's not as good and can be dispelled.
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Offline adanger2u

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #17 on: December 02, 2013, 09:33:48 PM »
okay, the DM just put a cap on race LA. Max LA for race of +3. Any suggestions? Also he limited us to three templates per character.

Offline phaedrusxy

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #18 on: December 02, 2013, 09:37:02 PM »
okay, the DM just put a cap on race LA. Max LA for race of +3. Any suggestions? Also he limited us to three templates per character.
Feral stony goliath.  :D Half-dragon is nice for free, also.
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Offline sirpercival

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Re: Ultimate Cleric Build
« Reply #19 on: December 02, 2013, 09:44:38 PM »
Anthropomorphic Hawk. +6 Dex, +4 Wis, fly speed, small size, Weapon Finesse bonus feat, +8 racial to Spot, low-light vision, +2 natural armor. All for LA +2.
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