The Battle Cleric

[tjaysteno]

((Updated Sept 15))

I'm trying to build a Battle Cleric. The goal is to have a toon built for soloing (DPS, survivability, self-healing and buffing, etc.), but also able to heal a party if the need arises. So essentially a toon able to fill either the DPS or healer roles in a party. I've started the character and just made it to level 3, but I'd like some feedback before going any further.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
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Level 20 Lawful Good Dwarf Male
(2 Fighter \ 18 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 316
Spell Points: 1183 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 6
Will: 15

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity            10                    10
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom               16                    18
Charisma              6                     6

Level 1 (Fighter)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 5 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 8 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 9 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 11 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 14 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 16 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 17 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 19 (Cleric)
Skill: Concentration (+1)


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Jump (+1)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Greater Two Handed Fighting
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage II
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Dwarven Faith I
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Empower Healing I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Empower Healing II
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Empower Healing III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Cleric Concentration I
Enhancement: Cleric Heal I
Enhancement: Cleric Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Fighter Strength I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning II
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning III
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery I

Classic archetype of the greataxe-wielding dwarven battle cleric. Built with 28 point build which is all I have access to.

Play Style:
DPS/soloing - Apply mega buffs focused on self. Hack, slash, maim, etc. Repeat as necessary. If in a party, apply heals if the primary healer is having trouble keeping up otherwise wade back into the carnage.

Primary healer - Buffs and heals. Stretch spell points as far as possible by using most efficient healing spells, avoiding metamagics, and acquiring equipment and enhancements that empower healing spells. Of course, these rules will be thrown to the wind when fighting the big, bad reds and I can't keep up, but 90% of the time I'll be taking it slow and steady.

Gear:
This build will require two sets of gear. One will focus on melee (high AC, high str, powerful axe, etc.). Easy enough. The second will buff healing (off the top of my head I'm thinking shield of greater devotion and scepter of power). Having never played a high level character I don't know what specific options are open to me, but I'll figure that out when I get there. Anyway, it's implied that you'll carry two outfits around and gear up for your role prior to starting the quest.



Original plan was to do Kensai and Radiant Servant, but I decided to go with Cler 18/fight 2 instead. I'd love to hear the pros and cons between this build vs. a cler 17/fight 1/rogue 2 (gain evasion, but what else?). Enhancement I could probably figure out on my own through trial and error.

[r3dl4nce]

best split is 17cleric/1fighter/2rogue(or monk). You get evasion, 9 level spell (mass heal!!), martial weapons, cleric buffs (divine favor and power).

[Kriogen]

Capstone or Evasion.

Fighter 4+ only makes sense if you take Weapon Spec.

You took Mental Toughness and Improved Mental Toughness to 'fix' you mana pool. But you would get the same result if you took less fighter levels and more Cleric levels. Espacially as you didn't took fighters Weapon Spec. More Cleric levels would give you more SPs, your spells would be better (better dice) and you would have more high level spell slots.

If you go 'battle', as in your case, you only want WIS high enough to cast spells. WIS 16 is 'expensive'. You could just go with 14. 'Saves' you 4 build points.

I would go with TWF, dual axe. One axe is good, two is better Cleric17/Monk2/Fighter1 is a very nice build.

[Therigar]

You really should look for evasion if you are going to splash.

Pure clerics are just fine in the melee department and have better utility due to the complete compliment of spells. Spend a feat on exotic weapon: dwarven axe or khopesh for a big-ticket melee weapon.

Best splash is L2 monk. Next best is L2 rogue (don't worry about doing rogue stuff, although it doesn't hurt if you can, especially if you are soloing). A decent split is 17/2/1. The 1 level can be fighter, paladin or ranger if you splash monk. It should probably be barbarian if you splash rogue but any of the melee classes has its proponents.

If you have monk and are really comfortable with the game then 2 monk/1 rogue is also good.

[HeavenlyCloud]

I'd suggest something like my battle cleric. It is really gear intensive but believe me it is worth it.

I recommend going 18 cleric / 2 fighter, since we are bound to get a battle cleric prestige enhancement someday .

Stats if i were to do it all over again i would go with 18 str, 16 con, 16 wis. (Assuming 32 point build) All level ups on Str.

What really makes a battle cleric is the equipment you got and how efficient it is. I'm not really informed about the new epic loot but this might give you a good advice on gear.

Head: Either Beacon of Tira or if you get lucky Epic Chainmail Coif.
Goggles: Mentau Goggles. Seeker +4 and Necro +1
Necklace: Torc
Trinket: Litany of the Dead
Cloak: Concordant Opposition HP or SP your choice. (But i recommend SP here)
Belt: Either Barb set belt or Titan Belt
Ring 1: Go for a ToD exceptional wis +1 ring and put exceptional wis +2 on it.
Ring 2: My choice is Tumbleweed, but you can get something better if you want.
Gloves: Shroud whatever guard you want HP or SP your choice (But i recommend SP here)
Boots: Whatever
Bracers: Tharne's Bracers
Armor: DragonTouched Robe/outfit With Heavy Fortification and Con +6.
Hands: Get a 2 Hander or 2 weapons.

Now i will explain why i think the gear choices is more important and why i think this setup is good for battle clerics.

Head:

Beacon of Tira= Superior Devotion 6 (You will be casting heal which is level 6 and mass cures that are all below level 6 so you will get the full 50% at all times.)

Epic Chainmail Coif = Superior Devotion VII and Devotion IX (Same as with the Beacon of Tira)

Goggles: If you are going for dps you need the seeker and the necromancy focus doesn't hurt.

Necklace: You will get hit since you are fighting alongside with everyone so free sp 'nuff said.

Trinket: Litany is the best trinket in the game and since your sp pool isn't that big those 3 clickies do come in handy since you can cast a heal, a mass cure and a heal mass in 6 seconds all with quicken of course or you can cast 2 mass cure and a heal mass.

Cloak: I Recomend here sp cause i barely switch cloaks so you won't lose the extra sp.

Belt: Need the +6 str and GFL here, go for barb set if you think you will go for the barb ring for extra damage.

Ring 1: Personally i go for Telvi's Touch +6 cha, +3 exceptional wisdom so it all works out for dv's those 7 can mean a lot sometimes .

Ring 2: I like Tumbleweed for the dex +6 for reflex saves and the +2 attack bonus.

Gloves: Go for hp here, you can always heal those 45 hp, i switch around gloves a lot thanks to the Vile Blasphemy which gives you sp back.

Boots: Non relevant since you can switch them fast enough.

Bracers: Tharne's are just great for battle clerics, archmagi, spell pen 8 and cold shield proc.

Armor: I still think DT is the best all around armor, sadly with this gear setup you really need the Heavy Fort and the +6 Con on this.

Hands: Since your devotion items are in your head you can just go nuts here and get whatever you want to fight all the time. (I do recommend getting the Staff of the Petitioner for when you are only healing -10% on spell cost means a lot on the long run)

9 Feats:

2 Handed/2 Weapon (3 feats)
Power Attack
Toughness
Quicken
Maximize
Empower
Empower Healing.

=/ Sadly there's no room for Mental Toughness/Improved with only 2 levels of fighter, but you will end with around 1800 sp and with items like the torc, Concordant opposition, vile blasphemy, epic spell storing ring and bauble you will be able to regain sp really quickly when needed.

This is all in my experience and something that might be good to tell you would be that a 36 point Battle cleric is just awesome since you can go 17 str, 10 dex, 17 con and 17 wisdom. Which makes it a little bit more balanced.

Like i said Gear intensive but worth it on the long run :P if you plan to play your cleric alot.

[Rusty_Can]

Get Quicken feat or many spells won't go off and you will waste mana.

[Therigar]

Get Quicken feat or many spells won't go off and you will waste mana.

Maybe good advice, maybe not. You have to evaluate when you are spell casting and look hard at whether you drop back into a more traditional cleric spot if you get called on to be the primary healer. I've found that a high concentration is sufficient. But, of course, other people's experiences will be different. And, I haven't played my battle cleric in a long time (because he's on the wrong server and Turbine doesn't allow transfers to Orien).

[TheDearLeader]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Radiant Servant is based off of your Undead Turning attempts, yes?

Wouldn't a super low charisma be in opposition to this? Not many uses of aura/burst effect?

Not to say that this build seems good - but I noticed that right off the bat.

Might I suggest just having two characters, one Kensai fighter, one Cleric? And maybe after you've played them both up to level 20, and you know more about both sides of the pond, you can work toward finding what you personally decide to be a happy medium of self-sufficiency and healing.

[Kriogen]

...
Might I suggest just having two characters, one Kensai fighter, one Cleric? And maybe after you've played them both up to level 20, and you know more about both sides of the pond, you can work toward finding what you personally decide to be a happy medium of self-sufficiency and healing.

Thats Bard.

[AylinIsAwesome]

Maybe good advice, maybe not. You have to evaluate when you are spell casting and look hard at whether you drop back into a more traditional cleric spot if you get called on to be the primary healer. I've found that a high concentration is sufficient. But, of course, other people's experiences will be different. And, I haven't played my battle cleric in a long time (because he's on the wrong server and Turbine doesn't allow transfers to Orien).

In Epics max concentration doesn't do a lot of good as the mobs hit for way too much for you to make your check.

[Grimaxe]

hey i am currently working on a Battle cleric myself some may have encounteredhim alrdy

Name: Ladiesman

current lvl: 13clr/2ftr (Will be 18clr/2ftr at end game made this choice basing that even though some of us battle clerics like to meele, we'll always be in the position to heal in case of emergency.)

current HP: 353

curruent SP: 969 (or somewhere around there)

Current Stats 27str 15dex 22con 10int 26wis 22char (32pnt build along with +2 tomes for str,con,wis,char)

Equipment for end game:
Helm: Menos Legens
Kneclace: Lorik's kneclace when healing, GS concordant Opp for meele'ing
Trinket: Bloodstone or Shimmering arrow
Cloak: +6 char
Belt: Morgana's belt
Right Ring: Tumbleweed
Gloves: GS gloves maybe hp MinII
Left Ring: Morgnana's ring for Warpriest set
Barcers: Levriks bracers
Goggles: GS SP

Armor DT plate with greater false life (Eldritch), +20 healing amp (Tempest), then finishing the Lorik's healing set for Soveriegn

Weapon of Choice: Gs greataxe Min II (T1 holy, T2 Acid burst, T3 Sup Devo 6 for being able to keep self healed while tanking)

Shield: Lorik's, for healing mode

Feats
Toughness x2
Extra turns
Weapon Focus Slash
Emp healing
Power Attack
Max Spell ( i took this cause it boost the burst from RSI so very nice for conserving my mana)
Quicken Spell

Currently sitting on 16 turns so I have 16 radiant auras or burst good to mana conserving and self healing while meele'ing (9 turns from char mod + 3 from enhancements + 4 from feat)

General role i like to play: Buff up for what i need (thank god being lvl 15 i don't need to rely on Divine favor and power to be able to hit stuff) pop out my Sup potency sceptor and pop a quick aura, get my axe back in my hand and go to town with the rest of the tanks.
Then if i heal its generaly just the same old healing thing wich i find boring but i'll do it if i feel comfortable.

Weakness of build: atm mana pool is a bit limited so when **** hits the fan and i have to do a lot of healing it can use up some mana this is when having the 16 turns comes in handy in between fight just using a emp healing and max'd radiant burst.

Strength of build: Very Versatile when it comes to needs in a dungeon if the healer dies since you have the higher lvls of clerics spells your nor blowing mana using low lvls spells to heal ( instead of usinng a cure serious for around 100hp pop them with a heal for 470) Meele output is good even better if you add in DF and DP but you don't rely to heavly on them. Mana conservation is good if you can ration radiant aura (wich can usually keep the grp healed for most trash to some larger fights.


This is my build wanted to show you to maybe give you a idea, it has To hit it has dmg and it has probably the most important trait a battle cleric should have in case of emergencies "healing"

[Rusty_Can]

Maybe good advice, maybe not. You have to evaluate when you are spell casting and look hard at whether you drop back into a more traditional cleric spot if you get called on to be the primary healer. I've found that a high concentration is sufficient. But, of course, other people's experiences will be different. And, I haven't played my battle cleric in a long time (because he's on the wrong server and Turbine doesn't allow transfers to Orien).

Looking at his build (14 cleric - 6 fighter), he is mainly planning to melee and self-heal.

In several quests, even very high concentration won't cut it; he needs Quicken or all his healing spells won't go off.

As for Radiant Servant, in my experience, healing aura helps, but it isn't enough to keep you alive when you are getting massive damage (i.e. in many boss fights).

[unbongwah]

When it comes to "classic" battle clerics, I prefer to stick with 1 or 2 ftr lvls and the rest cleric; IMHO, the boost to melee DPS doesn't offset the loss of spellcasting power and higher lvl spells. I also prefer to stay caster-focused not melee-focused; a "melee-focused battle cleric" is called a paladin.

So something like this:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.5.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 True Neutral Dwarf Female
(2 Fighter \ 18 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 336
Spell Points: 1199 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 5
Will: 18

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    16
Dexterity             8                     8
Constitution         16                    18
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom               16                    24
Charisma              6                     6

Level 1 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Two Handed Fighting (swap for Power Attack at higher lvls)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 13 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 14 (Cleric)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell


Level 16 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


Level 17 (Cleric)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Attack I
Enhancement: Dwarven Axe Damage I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution I
Enhancement: Dwarven Constitution II
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Fighter Item Defense I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Racial Toughness IV
Enhancement: Cleric Heal I
Enhancement: Cleric Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting I
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting II
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting III
Enhancement: Cleric Smiting IV
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Cleansing I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I

Skills: max Concentration and either Balance, Diplomacy, or UMD. Mostly caster focused, but still able to do decent DPS with a greataxe: base STR 16 + PA + Divine Favor + Divine Power. Blade Barrier becomes your new best friend at lvl 12. Enhs can be tweaked depending on priorities: e.g., the remaining axe enhs for extra melee DPS; or Spell Pen if you like using spells with SR checks (e.g., Greater Command, Destruction, Energy Drain).

[Therigar]

In Epics max concentration doesn't do a lot of good as the mobs hit for way too much for you to make your check.

There is a lot of validity to this. I'd simply point out that epic content isn't getting a lot of play by the majority of the players. It is a specific niche for a specific group that would otherwise have little in the way of challenge in the game.

I'd go so far as saying that the majority of players do not even run high end content on elite. And, in that case it will be true that high concentration is usually sufficient if you are mostly just standing off when in cleric heal mode.

But, I did say from the start that others will have different views and your point is certainly worth considering.

[tjaysteno]

Awesome! Thanks for the feedback! A lot of good ideas here. I was iffy on getting Kensei and it sounds like the sp will be more important so I'll be ditching 4 or 5 levels of fighter. Now I'm trying to decide between 18 cler/2 fight and 17 cler/1 fight/2 rogue for evasion. I'm kind of leaning towards 18/2 since my reflex saves will be **** anyway and I could use the extra feat and cleric level.

A few people mentioned TWF. Good idea and I've always wanted to play a character with dual axes, but I don't have the points to get Dex high enough to unlock those feats. If you can think of a way around this let me know.

As far as feats go, one person recommended the following:
PA, toughness, THF/ITHW/GTWF, quicken, maximize, empower, empower heal
That leaves out M toughness & Imp M Toughness (which I'm fine to lose), but also loses imp crit and extend spell. I suppose at higher level extend won't be as vital, but I've already taken that one so I'll just switch it out later. Imp crit would be nice though so I'm wondering if I shouldn't get that instead of quicken. What do we think?

EDIT: I've updated the build to be a cler 18/fight 2. Let me know what you think.

[unbongwah]

IMHO, the THF feats aren't worth it for battle clerics; they don't add enough melee DPS to make up for the feat cost. Besides, you don't exactly want to be drawing any more mob aggro than you already will. Imp Crit & Extend are more useful. Extend isn't just for your buffs, it's also for your Blade Barriers. An Extended Empowered Maximized Quickened Blade Barrier is a thing of beauty.

[maddong]

Is there a reason people don't build their battle clerics like paladins?

Halfling
S14
D16
C14
I8
W8 (+2 tome +3 enhancement +6 item gives you 9th level spells)
C16

Cleric 17/Monk 2/Fighter 1

Halfling saves makes your evasion worthwhile.
Halflings don't get the cha penalty so you can get the +8 damage divine might.

10 feats:
Quicken, Empower, Empower Healing, Maximize
Toughness
TWF x 3, Khopesh, ICS

[FlyingTurtle]

Is there a reason people don't build their battle clerics like paladins?

People play clerics because they like whole range of cleric spells including the option for offensive casting (BB's are effectively halved in effectiveness with a gimped Wis); a better question would be "is there a reason paladin players don't build their paladins using CHA-heavy cleric/fighter mixes with Divine Might". I'm seeing a loss of paladin capstone, and minor loss of standing AB (eliminated with DP), loss of the extra damage vs outsiders & smite evil, in return for OMIGODBBQ level 5-9 cleric spells, Radiant Servant (to RECHARGE your DM) and a boatload more SP. It's kinda hard to see how the paladin is superior to that build.

EDIT: Cleric 17 will only be able to get DM III (+6) btw, not +8