Newb Cleric looking for advice on casting while meleeing

[fenixink5263]

I'm a newer player. I've been using the Warpriest build from the build post stickied on this forum. The build has been phenominal but as I'm reaching the 6-7 level range it's becoming exceedingly more difficult to down enemies, particularly skeleton archers and wraiths with melee. I've gotten a ghost touched weapon and thats been somewhat effective but I know that offensive casting is definitely a viable option and in this case could be the difference maker.

My problem is I can't figure out how to work in casting. When I start combat I typically hold down the right & left mouse button so I'm swinging at whatever I aim at. This makes it difficult to target an enemy and cast a spell in the midst of combat though. My question would be is their a more effective way to do this as a melee/caster build? I read something about an auto-attack a while back but I can't seem to remember what it said...

[GhoulsTouch]

Do you have your spells slotted on multiple bars with the most important of them easy access so you only have to hit one key for them?

[tihocan]

What I usually do is I use tab to target an enemy I want to hit with a spell, then I typically jump back (to dodge incoming melee hits so as to reduce the risk of being interrupted) and click on the spell on my hotbar.
At this level your melee should still be better than your offensive damage spells though, if you're having trouble it may be because you're not using appropriate weapons. Get a blunt of undead bane for skeleton archers (or holy / pure good).

[fenixink5263]

I've had a little more luck by changing my bars around a bit and following this advice but I think Tihocan is right my spells aren't hacking it either time to get a new pure good weapon I think.

[PNellesen]

I'm still a brand-newb Cleric as well (level 5) on the stock Warpriest build, and I find that buffing up with 2 or 3 timed protection spells before a battle (or series of them) works alot better for me than offensive spells, especially against undead. My primary weapon right now is a plain ole' +2 Light Mace, and as long as I pump up with some combo of Bless/Aid/Shield of Faith/Protection from Evil (depending on the situation) I don't have too much problem. As far as being able to use spells in the middle of compbat, I do have about 6 or 7 clickies mapped to keys that are easy to reach so that it's easy to hit whichever particular thing I need without having to stop and look for it. One thing you might want to be sure to do is have "Trip" and "Sunder' mapped to something that's VERY easy to reach - I spam both of those alot in melee and it does often help.

Good Luck, and keep experimenting - I figure it's going to be quite a while until I finally find the "perfect" setup (if ever ;) )

[Brennie]

Just a couple tips -

Hold shift while casting. While in block mode, especially for a cleric with a heavy sheild, you get an AC and DR boost, and it has no effect on your casting. I cannot cofirm whether you *stay* in block mode while casting, but you should get the benefits immediatly before and immediatly after you fling your spell.

Alternatly, move around a lot. Especially if you are hasted or have the jump spell. Being in midair when you cast a spell means you retain full mobility, instead of being reduced to snails pace while casting, plus melees can't hit ya til you land. This takes a bit of practice, but it will help you dodge incoming ranged attacks, and even some melee attacks.

[PNellesen]

...

Hold shift while casting. While in block mode, especially for a cleric with a heavy sheild, you get an AC and DR boost, and it has no effect on your casting. I cannot cofirm whether you *stay* in block mode while casting, but you should get the benefits immediatly before and immediatly after you fling your spell.

Excellent point - I recently mapped my close-ranged spell clickies to things like "shift+1", "shift+2", etc., and noticed an immediate reduction in the damage I was taking while casting. I do believe you DO stay in block mode while casting, but I'm not in-game at the moment, so I can't confirm that either :(

[fenixink5263]

I should have been a bit more specific I suppose. I'm using Tihocan's Warpriest build. I don't have a shield right now I'm switching between Heavy Maul of Power II, Guardian's Dagger, and +2 Ghost Touch Greataxe of Shattermantle. Using two handers means Shift is only good for tumbling back to a corner when surrounded to try and remove the capability for the enemy to flank me.

As far as buffs when soloing I typically use Cat's Grace (+4 Dex Clicky), Bear's Endurance (+4 Con), Bull's Strength (+4 Str), Shield of Faith, Aid, Divine Favor.

I'm going to try grabbing a pure good maul pretty soon for skellys other than that I've also started working soundburst into my fights and that's helped a bit.

[tihocan]

You may be able to find some good greatclub / quarterstaff to beat on undead (ideally of undead bane) on the AH, they are typically cheaper than mauls.

[fenixink5263]

That's a good idea I'll look into that.

[cdemeritt]

Also, while at low levels, not as big of a deal, as a cleric can achieve a solid AC, Quicken is almost a must for high level melee casting... it speeds up the cast time, and make it uninteruptable, so you get your heals off even when being hit.