Noob Battle Cleric

[PivoFreak]

With all the talk about BCs lately, I am doubting my build. I spent time struggling with the same issue that keeps coming up with BC, soloing & grouping. Here is what I have done so far (f2p, 28 pts) then see below for a couple of my questions:

Level 4 True Neutral Elf Cleric

Strength 16 (for the tohit & dmg bonuses)
Dexterity 12 (for the +1 ac with full plate)
Constitution 12 (for the hp, although granted its not much)
Intelligence 8
Wisdom 16
Charisma 8 (dumped the turns for Str)

Feats:
Mental Toughness
Quicken (so i cant be interrupted while hitting)

Enhancements:
Elf Melee Damage
Unyielding Soveriegnty
Soveigtn Host
Prayer of Life
Prayer of Incrediable Life
Life Magic
Energy Zealot
Cleric Wisdom
Scroll Mastery

As you can see, I am trying to ride the line with a "blade & bandaids" build. I want to be able to solo and contribute to a party. I took elf for the longsword, assuming there would be better longsword items later in the game than maces, is that true? I took all the heal & spell enhancements to help out the party, but dumped CHA & DH/DV so I can hit. I think I will end up stocking a couple sets of gear, some for Str when soloing, other with Wis/Casting bonuses when grouping.

Here is the real question I have: Will I be able to hit things at all in endgame without buffing myself, assuming that in groups I would shift to healing & buffing the party and therefore would not cast melee buffs on myself.

I am enjoying this build, but want to make sure that it will be effective in endgame.

Thanks in advance for your (tempered - keep in mind i just started ddo) response. :-)

Pivo

[Dacian_Falx]

Consider going Undying Court and Valenar for the scimitars instead of the longswords. Scimitars have a larger crit range and you'll be able to trigger more effects off a scimitar than a longsword.

Consider dropping DEX down to 10, Mithril Full Plate will only allow up to +2 DEX bonus, which means the extra points there are wasted.

Why True Neutral? Does this have something to do with using all the alignment based spells? If so, you'll want to have top end WIS to ensure you land those spells.

I personally feel that if you are going for a Battle Cleric and not using TWF, then the elf doesn't seem to be the strongest candidate, better off as dwarf or human. If you are going elf, you would want to leverage the ability to get 16 DEX off single points.

Just my thoughts...

[Visty]

Why True Neutral?

true neutral is the best aligment you can take if you dont plan on monk or pala levels