The Lifeguard: A Swimcleric build

[Iwinbyrollup]

Imagine you're a barbarian, and your Sprint Boost finds you in trouble while your cleric is on the far side of a lake. With a normal cleric, you're about to become a soulstone. With a Swimcleric, you are always safe.

Presenting the Warrior of the Waters, the Salvation of the Seas, the O-word of the Oceans, the Swimcleric. Presenting the Lifeguard.

** This is a joke build. I believe I heard someone, somewhere, mention the idea of a swimcleric. I can't find the original reference but randomly decided to go with it a week or so ago. It's entirely possible there was no original reference and I'm just imagining things. My general goal here was to take an idea that is completely absurd and try and make a functional build out of it. It's not supposed to be the best at anything (other than swimming), but it should be enough to function rather effectively from levels 1-20 (this is not meant for epics, though). I'm not sure if I'll get around to making this build, as I currently have way too many characters and too many divine casters, but I want to be ready in case I'm ever needed.

I have a few expectations of a Swimcleric that I needed to fit into an otherwise effective Cleric build.

The expectations of a Swimcleric:
1. The Swimcleric should have max ranks in swim. Anything less and he belongs at the shallow end of the pool.
1a. In conjunction with 1, the Swimcleric should have a level in a class with Swim as a class skill.
2. The Swimcleric should have the ability associated with Swim (Strength) as his primary stat.
3. The Swimcleric should always be prepared and able to cast both Water Breathing and Merfolk's Blessing as long as he has spell points.
3a. Scroll usage is insufficient for either of the two above spells, so the Swimcleric must also have a level in a class with Merfolk's Blessing as a spell--he already has Water Breathing.
3b. Merfolk's Blessing would be more powerful if cast by a level 20 arcane or ranger, but alas, such penalties are unavoidable for a Swimcleric. If he finds himself in a group with a high level character carrying these spells, he will be sure to benefit from their willingness to assist his swimming efforts.
4. The Swimcleric should be able to assist drowning individuals by providing over-time healing while underwater.
5. In terms of appearance, the Swimcleric should feature both a shaved head and a shaved face. Hair will only interfere with his swimming duties.

Given these expectations, the logical (if you permit me to use this word in this thread) choice for a build is an 18/1/1 Cleric/Fighter/Wizard Radiant Servant Battlecleric. Fighter provides Swim as a class skill as well as weapon proficiency and some synergy with the melee-focus of the build--and also nets the build an extra feat. Wizard provides Merfolk's Blessing as well as another extra feat (I considered Sorcerer here for the purpose of making up a little more lost SP and synergy with the Charisma focus of the build, but the extra feat was too good). The Battlecleric focus comes naturally from both the Fighter level and the high Strength necessary to boost Swim. And Radiant Servant is both of general use and functional in terms of support for drowning individuals.

In terms of abilities, this is a tough build. A Swimcleric first and foremost needs high Strength. After that, both Constitution (a dead Swimcleric just floats) and Charisma (more Radiant Servant, and more practically speaking, more Divine Might) are extremely important. Then there's Wisdom, which needs a boost for the purposes of actually being able to cast Cleric spells as well as for SP. Finally, an investment in Intelligence is necessary for the purpose of getting skill points--this build longs for skill points.

Honestly, I think the biggest problem with the build is that it'll have trouble getting into groups with the name and the class breakdown. My SP is a bit on the low side, but it's definitely manageable.

For your consideration:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.8.0
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Swimclerik the Swimming Cleric
Level 20 True Neutral Human Male
(1 Fighter \ 18 Cleric \ 1 Wizard) 
Hit Points: 300
Spell Points: 1238 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 6
Will: 17

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    22
Dexterity             8                    10
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence         12                    14
Wisdom               14                    18
Charisma             14                    18

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               1                     7
Bluff                 2                     4
Concentration         2                    26
Diplomacy             2                     4
Disable Device        n/a                   n/a
Haggle                2                     4
Heal                  2                     6
Hide                 -1                     0
Intimidate            2                     4
Jump                  5                     8
Listen                2                     4
Move Silently        -1                     0
Open Lock            n/a                    n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair                1                     2
Search                1                     2
Spot                  2                     4
Swim                  7                    30
Tumble                0                     1
Use Magic Device      4                    15

Level 1 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 2 (Cleric)


Level 3 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Selected) Extend Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Handed Fighting


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: CHA
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


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


Level 16 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: CHA


Level 17 (Cleric)


Level 18 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Handed Fighting


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: STR
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Improved Heal I
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Improved Swim I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
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: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Fighter Toughness I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might I
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might II
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might III
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery I
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery II
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery III
Enhancement: Cleric Wand and Scroll Mastery IV

Swim:
23 Ranks
11 Strength (16 base + 3 levels + 1 enhancement + 2 tome + 6 item + 3 exceptional + 1 guild ship buff)
1 Enhancement
15 Item (maybe only +13 here)
10 Merfolk's Blessing
4 Greater Heroism
2 Good Luck
6 Greensteel with Strength Skills (Triple Water, of course)
5 Human Versatility
1 Rage
----
78 Swim (I truly hope Swim isn't capped like Jump)

HP:
20 Heroic Durability
158 levels
140 CON 7 mod (14 base + 1 enhancement + 2 tome + 6 item + 1 guild ship buff)
22 Toughness feat
40 Enhancements
30 Greater False Life
20 Toughness item
10 Draconic Vitality
45 Green Steel
----
485 HP
Add a Rage pot to get to 505.


SP:
80 Magical Training
930 Level 18 Cleric
50 Level 1 Wizard
189 WIS 7 mod (14 base + 2 enhancements + 2 tome + 6 item)
20 INT 1 mod
50 Enhancements
200 Archmagi
150 Green Steel (not likely that I'll ever make this)
----
1519-1669 SP

In terms of feats, the primary flaw is that the Lifeguard lacks Skill Focus: Swim and Athletic, which combined would provide a much-needed +5 to my Swim score (as well as a +2 to Balance, which is also useful). The best means for adding these two feats would be to drop the THF line, but I'm not sure that I'd be willing to do that. If I did drop the THF line, I could get those two as well as one other feat--Empower or Mental Toughness (I know, it's not all that great of a feat) are possibilities. If I did decide that I should get Mental Toughness, then I'd probably be better off going with Sorcerer anyway since I think the difference might be more than 105 Spell Points.

My vision for the future of Stormreach: a tasty ham in every treasure chest and a Swimcleric in every party.

** Yes, when people zerg out of range of the person keeping them walking, it's their fault. This is clearly not a healbot build. **

[Furare]

*chokes*

I know you said you hated me, but I didn't think you were actually going to try to kill me.

(And I'm fairly sure the "someone, somewhere" was actually you. There was some banter while waiting for one of the Sub raids to fill a couple of months ago, IIRC.)

[Gol]

How could you forget Skill Focus: Swim?!?!?

[hu-flung-pu]

78 Swim (I truly hope Swim isn't capped like Jump)


I just had visions of a cleric swimming around the harbor at break neck speeds and tales of mermaids being seen.

[rendet]

Your post made me laugh well done

[sirgog]

That's hilarious.

[Orratti]

What's to keep a true neutral swimcleric from just swimming next you and watching you drown? At least occasionally. If he feels no need to do good he would have to be getting paid to save lives in order to be trusted.

[TheDearLeader]

I notice you use Fighter for the Swim Skill, and Wizard for the Merfolks.

Just wanted to toss it out there that Bard has Swim as a Class Skill, as well as access to the Spell Merfolk's Blessing @ Level 1.

[cardmj1]

To the OP, OMFG! I don't know if I should pull you up on the guild ship and beat you for the damage you have done to mine and everyone else's keyboard or roll up a Lifeguard with you.

<sniff>

<searches thru the chest of drawers and pulls out a bikini> The water had better be warm!!!!

Seriously, +1

[tekkentroop]

This thread is very instructive, but lacks equipment suggestions so far.

Of course the build cant wear armor, but goggles should be ok... a cloak would be useful but has to be unequipped before entering the water.

Newbie question: Is there a Bikini in DDO?




ah, and I think Amela Panderson would be a nice name for a female swimcleric... do elves have bonuses to swimming? Figure-wise, a human would be advantageous, though...

[Iwinbyrollup]

Newbie question: Is there a Bikini in DDO?

I was thinking about this very question, although more in relation to my male swimcleric. It occurs to me that a swimcleric should never be wearing heavy armor, but even robes and outfits are too interfering. So yes, a swimcleric should always be in his or her undergarments. However, a few of the armor kits might provide a suitable suit for swimming. There is one in particular that makes the female characters look rather like belly dancers when used on...a robe, I think, although maybe it's an outfit. You might want to look into that one; although the long, flowing pants may obstruct swimming, it is still mostly functional as a swimsuit for a dedicated swimcleric. I forget the name of the specific armor kit though.

[voodoogroves]

I was thinking about this very question, although more in relation to my male swimcleric. It occurs to me that a swimcleric should never be wearing heavy armor, but even robes and outfits are too interfering. So yes, a swimcleric should always be in his or her undergarments. However, a few of the armor kits might provide a suitable suit for swimming. There is one in particular that makes the female characters look rather like belly dancers when used on...a robe, I think, although maybe it's an outfit. You might want to look into that one; although the long, flowing pants may obstruct swimming, it is still mostly functional as a swimsuit for a dedicated swimcleric. I forget the name of the specific armor kit though.

Some of the armor kits are pretty ... spare ... this is the Killer Leaf with Munchies on a human

http://f00.inventorspot.com/images/S...ist_custom.jpg

[tgu]

There is times in life when something epic comes along that deserves epic status. This build, is epic status.

[Superspeed_Hi5]

I was thinking about this very question, although more in relation to my male swimcleric. It occurs to me that a swimcleric should never be wearing heavy armor, but even robes and outfits are too interfering. So yes, a swimcleric should always be in his or her undergarments. However, a few of the armor kits might provide a suitable suit for swimming. There is one in particular that makes the female characters look rather like belly dancers when used on...a robe, I think, although maybe it's an outfit. You might want to look into that one; although the long, flowing pants may obstruct swimming, it is still mostly functional as a swimsuit for a dedicated swimcleric. I forget the name of the specific armor kit though.

Im sorry but it has to be Epic Fullplate of the Deep for flavor.

[Iwinbyrollup]

Yeah, he's working his way up the priority queue right now. I think he's either second, third, or fourth in line for some quality time and first-in-line is less than 100k from cap.

EDIT: Eek, first thing I'm doing when I get back to him is fixing some of that equipment. He used to have the Plate Armor of the Deep equipped (which, quite appropriately, dropped for one of my other characters right after creating Swimclerik), but I got a better Swim item so it had to go since it was bringing me down.

[Ausdoerrt]

This thread is very instructive, but lacks equipment suggestions so far.

Of course the build cant wear armor, but goggles should be ok... a cloak would be useful but has to be unequipped before entering the water.

Newbie question: Is there a Bikini in DDO?

Why, http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Plate_Armor_of_the_Deep is good for low levels.

There's also enough reeeeally tight looking light armors to work as a swimsuit, cosmetically.

[DeathdefyBeta]

Is this build current for U25? Please update OP.

[Ausdoerrt]

Also wondering, can http://ddowiki.com/page/Item:Shards_of_Light be used on friendlies? If yes, then a bow variant is in order, to shoot-heal drowning party members.

[geoffhanna]

Pure awesomeness

I wonder what a 78 swim will be able to do in water? Will you be faster swimming than running? LOL I hope you do build this and let us know

Oh and +1

[Milfeulle]

Pure awesomeness

I wonder what a 78 swim will be able to do in water? Will you be faster swimming than running? LOL I hope you do build this and let us know

Oh and +1

I made my swim up to 82 on my ranger life and well... I swim faster than running with haste on, my swim animation is about 3 times as fast as a person with 0 swim skill.