It is finally time

[Pallol_One-Eye]

Sooo,

After playing since just after General release, I have decided to finally roll up my first cleric.

I'm just looking for some helpful hints on builds. I'm considering taking 2 levels of rogue or monk for evasion. What would be the pros and cons of monk vs rogue?

I know with a rogue, I'd get more skill points, but less AC/HP. I have not played a Monk yet, so not sure of the bonuses other that AC (being WIS based).

I want the ability to melee when necessary, cast offensive and "cc" spells as needed, but also be able to heal effectively.

Thanks in advance.

[Kraldor]

Monk will give you more close combat ability with the BAB bonus from flurry and the wisdom AC bonus. Also, with monk you can use the Ocean Stance (+2 Wisdom, -2 Strength) while you're centered.

[Thebanker]

I have run a few clerics in my time.. currently 4 on the go.
I am not going to tell you how to build your toon but here is my 2 cents.

Want a battle cleric.. no tips, dont run them..

Want a healing, CC spell cleric, dont bother splashing. My clerics are all pure.. i have never found a use for or required evasion. it doesnt help against the blades in the shroud or getting beaten on anyway ..

What does help. .very much so.. is the feat quicken .. You will not get interupted when casting. .CC or heals. .even if the blades tickle you.. or that nasty ogre in WW gets hold of you.

Quicken is a clerics best friend at the moment.
Races. .up to you really. My dwarf gives me the most SP what with the dwarven SP enhancment line and the natrual cleric SP line.

My drow elf gives me some natrual SR and is **** sexy.

good luck whatever you choose.

[Alexander_Illusioni]

With one level of monk (15/1), my standing unbuffed AC is 58 (chattering ring and Icy Raimnets). I think I iwll take a second level at 19, but somewhat agree with the statement above that evasion is not a real big worry, but it helps.

The monk also adds to your wisdom bonus, mine is at 39 with the ocean stance on (must be centered for the bonus, unlike the AC bonus which you do not need to be centered to get). Currently with only a +2 wisdom tome, my wisdom is at 39. Adding monk, will get you the highest wisdom in the game and will help your DC's.

Monk will also give you a few free feats, to play around with, toughness, is a nice one to get, I took dodge.

Good luck, clerics can be a lot of fun.

[kinar]

evasion makes being a cleric easier...and makes for a better party

You don't have to worry about your own hp while trying to heal the party members who don't have it...

example: subterane living spells....yer the only cleric left standing when one respawns or one doesn't quite get disabled...

Part 4 of shroud, yer the only cleric left standing when the fighters let a fireball through...although this usually means you end up chugging a couple mana pots as a reward for your superior character...

Kobold, your party doesn't have to jump back and forth through the barier to get healed (or pull the switch and heal through it).

Everywhere in the game that has a fire ele, don't gotta worry about him cause he can't touch you...

Coal Chamber - running up the tubes, don't have to worry about the casters spaming ball lightning at you...

Air eles no longer cause you problems because even if they do manage to knock you down, you just wait (while not taking damage) until he gets far enough away for a destruct...

of course, for all of this to be true, you must be a dex build so you have a decent reflex save...

evasion without reflex is a waste of 2 character levels (or at least 1)

[Pallol_One-Eye]

Thanks for all of your input. I do plan on rolling a partial battlecleric. Won't be fully specced for melee, but will get in licks as situation permits.

I also do like to solo a ton, so I'm looking for the ability to take out mobs via melee/DPS/CC spells.

I was looking at probably rolling a Dwarf with the Monk mix. What, or when should I say, would be the best levels to take the 2 Monk levels at?

I'm doing something similar with a WF wizard/rogue build. Will be taking my 2nd level of Rogue at 11. I wanted to do it that way so I could get my 5th level spells first. Do I want to do something similar for the Cleric?

Again, any other insights/suggestions/comments are greatly appreciated.