Cleric of Mystra Build Advice (Asking for a friend :P)

[Babuguuscooties]

I was hoping some of you build gurus could help me work out a melee cleric build using domains appropriate for Mystra. From what I've gathered thus far the Spell Domain is not currently functioning, but is still worth selecting simply bc it will be working at some point (soon?). So with that in mind, would you recommend Magic & Spell for domains?

I just don't know what feats or prestige classes are viable for a melee cleric (of Mystra). Is there anything that works with both functionality and the RP of being a Mystran cleric?

[Tsidkenu]

Probably Cler 10/Hospitaler 10/Hierophant 10.

7 levels cleric. 4 levels hospitaler. 3 levels cleric. 6 levels Hierophant. 6 levels Hospitaler. 4 levels hierophant at the end.

As for feats, stats & things it's been a while since I build a melee cleric as I usually play casting types, but the build order above it pretty ideal for both. Someone more adept at playing a melee cleric could give some hints for feats besides Luck of Heroes & Extend Spell.

[Babuguuscooties]

Probably Cler 10/Hospitaler 10/Hierophant 10.

7 levels cleric. 4 levels hospitaler. 3 levels cleric. 6 levels Hierophant. 6 levels Hospitaler. 4 levels hierophant at the end.

As for feats, stats & things it's been a while since I build a melee cleric as I usually play casting types, but the build order above it pretty ideal for both. Someone more adept at playing a melee cleric could give some hints for feats besides Luck of Heroes & Extend Spell.

Thank you, Tsidkenu. As always, you guys are extremely helpful to us noobs.

[Sun Wukong]

Magic Domain:

1. Mage Armor is an easy way to get +4 armor early on.
2. Melf's Acid Arrow could be used to finish off trolls, but as a cleric you are better off with just any random weapon with fire or acid damage.
3. Assay Resistance could be used to over come enemy spell resistance, you get it as level 4 spell so perhaps having it earlier can help spell book planning.
4. Greater Dispel Magic can dispel spell effects of anyone with less than 30 caster levels. It is somewhat situational as you need to know if your enemy has low caster level.
5. Spell Mantle, most people use wands of Lesser Spell Mantle, but technically you could cast Empowered Spell Mantle to absorb 18~ spell levels on average. Only applies against spells with spell resistance check though.
6. Blackstaff, is one of those spells that in theory are very cool, but useless in reality. Greater Magic Weapon gives you +5 EB, and Blackstaff dispel effect on hit is unlikely to dispel a single thing...

Magic domain is a pretty okay domain in a way, but it also shows how Mystra's domain choices are pretty much just flavor fluff, because the others are not that much better in all due honesty. This is why the Spell domain is still the best domain to pick up, even when the Anyspell spells do not even work yet.

Now, the big question about the cleric build is whether you want a caster Cleric or a melee cleric.

If you want melee based cleric, then all you need to do is get 16-19 in Wisdom and just put all other ability score points into strength. Feats to take: Extend Spell, Power Attack, Improved Power Attck, Northlander Hewing (Maybe) - and you are basically done. As for your build, you could go for something like: Cleric 15/Hierophant 10/Frenzied Berserker 5 - and just buff up and proceed to pummel your enemies to death.

But if you want a DC based cleric, then the above build suggested by Tsidkenu will work just fine. But just in case the Hospitaler role-play doesn't really fancy any interest, you could instead consider something like a Cleric 16/Monk 4/Hierophant 10. With this build you would probably want 14 strength and spend everything else into your wisdom ability score for spells and unarmored AC. As for feats: Spellcasting Progidy at level 1, Extend Spell, Empower Spell... And some Spell Focus Feats in either Evocation or Necromancy, I'd prefer Evocation for cleric of Mystra. As addditional feats, you could actually consider Zen Archery to be used with a sling, or perhaps some Reserve Feat to blast bolts and jolts of magical energy. (You will still do more damage in melee if you just buff up like a melee cleric and go at it, but reserve feats give flavour.)

[Tsidkenu]

Frenzied Beserker is a no-go for a Mystran. They must be Lawful. Mystra's alignment in our setting is LN, meaning the only permitted alignments for her clerics are LG/LN/LE.

If you want to go a spellcaster style cleric, picking up Divine Spell Power is advised as well as having at least 14 base CHA. The boost to caster level is pretty good at the expense of turn undead. A worthy trade off in my opinion.

Just an aside, Harper Priest might be an excellent alternative PRC to consider but I don't think it is fully implemented yet (the PRC is on the class list if you want to check out all its goodies, though, including one ability to give you CL 10 Magic Missile unlimited times per day!). It would also mean you will need to RP a Harper, but there are natural affinities between the Temple of Mystra & Harpers from a roleplay standpoint.

[Babuguuscooties]

Frenzied Beserker is a no-go for a Mystran. They must be Lawful. Mystra's alignment in our setting is LN, meaning the only permitted alignments for her clerics are LG/LN/LE.

If you want to go a spellcaster style cleric, picking up Divine Spell Power is advised as well as having at least 14 base CHA. The boost to caster level is pretty good at the expense of turn undead. A worthy trade off in my opinion.

Just an aside, Harper Priest might be an excellent alternative PRC to consider but I don't think it is fully implemented yet (the PRC is on the class list if you want to check out all its goodies, though, including one ability to give you CL 10 Magic Missile unlimited times per day!). It would also mean you will need to RP a Harper, but there are natural affinities between the Temple of Mystra & Harpers from a roleplay standpoint.

Speaking of Harpers, in this server are they a super secret group that are difficult to join, or are you permitted to take the prestige class and simply RP as a member? How does it work?

[Tsidkenu]

Take the class (when it is available; currently only Harper Agent is available which you can still take in preparation to switch to Harper Priest in the future). PM the Harpers group on the forum with an expression of interest. Get added. Roleplay accordingly

[Babuguuscooties]

Take the class (when it is available; currently only Harper Agent is available which you can still take in preparation to switch to Harper Priest in the future). PM the Harpers group on the forum with an expression of interest. Get added. Roleplay accordingly

Oh that's cool! I've played nwn1 servers way back in the day that made the Harpers a super secret faction where it was almost impossible to join. I think this server's approach is much more player-friendly by the sounds of it. I may have to re-work my mage to take harper mage!

[Sun Wukong]

With Harpers, it is enough to be a loosely associated adventurer. And well, Harper Agent was never the strongest PRC to begin with, not to mention that Harper 'RP' is basically just being nosy and joining random events against evil forces...

In a way Harpers have not attracted ire and grievances like the Red-Wizards of Thay did, which are now an application only class to make sure that the player of a Red-Wizard of Thay character has some understanding of the Red-Wizards of Thay, their culture, and all that jazz.

[Babuguuscooties]

Those pesky Red Wizards! *Shakes Fist*

[Pulsar]

Speaking of Harpers, in this server are they a super secret group that are difficult to join, or are you permitted to take the prestige class and simply RP as a member? How does it work?

We're not that difficult to join, but you're not forced to join to have the classes nor are you forced to have one of the classes if you do join.

Let us know if joining is something you're interested in, though!

[Babuguuscooties]

Speaking of Harpers, in this server are they a super secret group that are difficult to join, or are you permitted to take the prestige class and simply RP as a member? How does it work?

We're not that difficult to join, but you're not forced to join to have the classes nor are you forced to have one of the classes if you do join.

Let us know if joining is something you're interested in, though!

Hey thank you! I appreciate it.