Request for help re. a non-melee Cleric snowflake

[Rudolph]

I'm bad with casters - esp. non-buff ones - and hope you experts can help me with regard to the following build. It's a bit perverse with its high ECL and XP penalty, but I wonder if it's viable and can kill his way through the Underdark (which I've never really played in either).

It started out as an experiment: I was wondering which kind of build might definitely benefit from the new Combat feats that make you lose attacks (the precise significance of which is somewhat elusive to my lazy brain). After I realized crossbows are out, I thought of a pure caster who uses Athkathlan Triparte for 3 AC thanks to Divine Power.

I went for max AC here (70) but am now wondering what would work best in practice. Probably I should give up something for more metamagic (the hierophant's metamagic is taken up by Spellpower and damage/heal increases). Maximise Spell, perhaps?

Anyway, in short: does this work and what should be changed if not or not very well?

http://nwn2db.com/builder.php?id=245240

[chad878262]

Advanced Divine Spell Power doesn't really do much as it is currently. Low STR build comes with it's own complications so know that you'll barely be able to have equipment, much less carry around any healing kits. Rather than negative energy spells you might consider evocation magic as there is simply more/better cleric spells in the evocation school. Not sure spell focus conjuration will really do anything for your summons, so you may consider spell focus evocation for better DC's, though they are still lowish. While any character can work, given you are in a group if you are asking if this Cleric is viable for UD solo I would say it may be rather frustrating more often than not.

[Flasmix]

From experience, I went 27 Cleric/3 Warpriest while focusing on Wisdom for Epic Animal companion and lots of spells. It also gave me really high spell DC's, but that wasn't what the build was intended for. If you take the Animal Domain with Monstrous Companion you will get a guy who you can buff with most of your spells. With it, you could easily solo everything in the UD while providing back up support with AoE spells and heals for your minion.

[Rudolph]

Rather than negative energy spells you might consider evocation magic as there is simply more/better cleric spells in the evocation school. Not sure spell focus conjuration will really do anything for your summons, so you may consider spell focus evocation for better DC's, though they are still lowish.

Thanks Chad for those pointers. I thought the Hierophant doubling of negative energy spell damage (Blast Infidel feat) would make them the most effective. I have to look at the evocation spells, obviously.

The Great Spell Focus Conjuration is a feat requirement of the Thaumaturge class, which does do something for my summons, though maybe not enough (see below).

From experience, I went 27 Cleric/3 Warpriest while focusing on Wisdom for Epic Animal companion and lots of spells. It also gave me really high spell DC's, but that wasn't what the build was intended for. If you take the Animal Domain with Monstrous Companion you will get a guy who you can buff with most of your spells. With it, you could easily solo everything in the UD while providing back up support with AoE spells and heals for your minion.

Ah. So those animal companions are that good?! Thanks, Flasmix. It's a pity the Thaumaturge class can't compete with them. I thought that was part of its point. I'll look into purish clerics more, though I always like trying synergetic class mixes when building.

[Flasmix]

The only spells that really won't affect them is Magic Vestment.
- Magic Weapon Spells (They all carry a weapon)
- Shield of Faith
- Protection from Alignment
- Bless
- Aid spells
- Spell Resistance (probably the best)
- Str/Con and DEX enhancement spells (Animal domain gives Clerics Cat's Grace, so get that Mithril Full Plate)
- Variety of other spells that Clerics have. Save spells, energy immunities, Regenerate, Deathward.

You also get to do some really dirty tactics that will surprise everybody. If you go high wis, you'll have high DC's. The Monstrous Companion has a LOW will save. Thus; Buff him, then cast silence on him and let him charge towards enemy casters.

[Thorsson]

Buff him, then cast silence on him and let him charge towards enemy casters.

And watch him go for the melee guys instead... Dumb AI.

[Flasmix]

More of a PVP tactic. If it's for PvM you tell him to 'follow' you and run to the caster yourself, then switch him to attack mode.

[Thorsson]

Let's hope you gave him at least 12 Int then, so he was capable with coming up with such tactics...

[Flasmix]

Of course I did. I'm a firm believer that an intelligent Orc is very dangerous when compared to the mindless brutes they are portrayed as.