Half-Elf Battle Cleric -- Need critique

[Aradaine]

So I had an idea today that I really want to try. It's a Half-Elven battle Cleric (19 Clr/1 Ftr) that chooses the Paladin Dilettante for a +5 bonus to all saving throws and uses Divine Might to supplement some melee damage. The 1 level of Fighter is there for Martial Weapon proficiency and a much-needed bonus feat. I am very tempted to just take the Fighter Dilettante and eschew Charisma entirely.

So, I guess to lay it all out, here's the perks that I see this build offering:

- +2/+4 damage bonus via Divine Might
- Lots of Turn Undead uses for Radiant Burst
- +5 to all Saving Throws

One very noticeable downside is my horrific lack of skill points. I'm dropping points out of concentration for balance in the hopes that Quicken Spell will shore it up a bit. Anyway, without further ado, here's the prototype build I made. I need some honest critique on how to make the build better . I plan to use a +2 Supreme Tome at level 7. Also, I am going to be running this character with a set party of friends.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Marsyl Wayren
Level 20 Neutral Good Half-Elf Female
(1 Fighter \ 19 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 1439 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 8
Will: 21

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    18
Dexterity             8                    10
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom               16                    27
Charisma             14                    16

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               0                     9
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         4                    21
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                2                     3
Heal                  3                    10
Hide                 -1                     0
Intimidate            2                     3
Jump                  3                     4
Listen                3                     8
Move Silently        -1                     0
Open Lock            n/a                    n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                  3                     8
Swim                  3                     4
Tumble               n/a                    n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Cleric)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


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


Level 7 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Improved Paladin Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Heal I
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
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 Vitality I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I


Level 8 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 10 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III


Level 11 (Cleric)


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


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


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


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


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


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot IV
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might II

[Kahless_of_Cannith]

So I had an idea today that I really want to try. It's a Half-Elven battle Cleric (19 Clr/1 Ftr) that chooses the Paladin Dilettante for a +3 bonus to all saving throws and uses Divine Might to supplement some melee damage. The 1 level of Fighter is there for Martial Weapon proficiency and a much-needed bonus feat. I am very tempted to just take the Fighter Dilettante and eschew Charisma entirely.

So, I guess to lay it all out, here's the perks that I see this build offering:

- +2/+4 damage bonus via Divine Might
- Lots of Turn Undead uses for Radiant Burst
- +3 to all Saving Throws

One very noticeable downside is my horrific lack of skill points. I'm dropping points out of concentration for balance in the hopes that Quicken Spell will shore it up a bit. Anyway, without further ado, here's the prototype build I made. I need some honest critique on how to make the build better . I plan to use a +2 Supreme Tome at level 7. Also, I am going to be running this character with a set party of friends.

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 3.9.1
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Marsyl Wayren
Level 20 Neutral Good Half-Elf Female
(1 Fighter \ 19 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 304
Spell Points: 1439 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 18
Reflex: 8
Will: 21

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             16                    18
Dexterity             8                    10
Constitution         14                    17
Intelligence          8                    10
Wisdom               16                    27
Charisma             14                    16

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               0                     9
Bluff                 2                     3
Concentration         4                    21
Diplomacy             2                     3
Disable Device       n/a                    n/a
Haggle                2                     3
Heal                  3                    10
Hide                 -1                     0
Intimidate            2                     3
Jump                  3                     4
Listen                3                     8
Move Silently        -1                     0
Open Lock            n/a                    n/a
Perform               n/a                   n/a
Repair               -1                     0
Search               -1                     0
Spot                  3                     8
Swim                  3                     4
Tumble               n/a                    n/a
Use Magic Device      n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Cleric)
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Paladin
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 2 (Fighter)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Power Attack


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Two Handed Fighting


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


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


Level 7 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Fighter Haste Boost I
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Improved Paladin Dilettante I
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Heal I
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
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 Vitality I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I


Level 8 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 9 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty


Level 10 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III


Level 11 (Cleric)


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


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


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


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


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


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Constitution I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Incredible Life III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot IV
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Might II

Two thoughts:
Since you don't have heighten or spell pen, I assume you are going to go primarily for straight damage spells like blade barrier and divine punishment. To this end, I would suggest dropping wisdom down some since all it really gives you is a small amount of sp and dc's which i assume you don't care about. Put the extra points into str and/or cha.

Why helf? Never purchased it myself so I have no personal experience, but a human with the extra skill point(s) and feat would seem to outweigh the 2 points to saves the paladin dilly gives you.

Here's my thread discussing a similar build, the final build being somewhere on page 2:
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?p=3811103&

[Brian_of_Oz]

Personally, I would just take the fighter dilettante and stay pure cleric. I did a 19/1 cleric/fighter split before, and even with all the GS you could want I still felt like that 1 fighter level was costing me a lot in terms of SP. On my build I was a horc, but in retrospect I would have traded the extra DPS I got for some more SP.

[Aradaine]

Thank you for the feedback! I considered dropping Wisdom down, but I can't bring myself to go below the 16 point mark, a lot of the reason being because I will be my group's only true healer (and because I play a Wizard and Sorc so I have the "LOW CASTING STAT BAD!" mentality ingrained in me) and I want my SP pool to stretch as long as I need it to.

I went Half-Elf because of lolrp reasons. Seriously. I also figured that trading the skill points for +4 to all saves (Paladin Dilettante III + charisma item) would synergize well with Divine Might and Radiant Servant.

@Brian_of_Oz: Hrm, the 1 Fighter level hurts that much? I'll play with a 20 Cleric build and see what I can come up with.

[Aradaine]

I bit the bullet and started my proposed build last night and am currently 5 Cleric / 1 Fighter. Since the loss of 20 Cleric to 19 Cleric ended up being about 50sp, I decided to go my original route with the Paladin dilettante, for +5 to all saves at higher levels along with a single level of Fighter for the proficiencies and much-needed bonus feat.

Gonna gobble up a +2 supreme tome next level, but so far it seems like a very solid build (then again, ALL clerics are solid at low levels).

[PNellesen]

@OP - could you update this build's progress as you level up? I've got a 19C/1F Human I'm considering TRing into a Helf Cleric, and while I love being Pure with Fighter Dilly (the guy in my sig is great fun to play), I'm curious to see how the Pally Dilly works out too.

[Aradaine]

@OP - could you update this build's progress as you level up? I've got a 19C/1F Human I'm considering TRing into a Helf Cleric, and while I love being Pure with Fighter Dilly (the guy in my sig is great fun to play), I'm curious to see how the Pally Dilly works out too.

Sure! Your Half-Elf Cleric build was used partially as inspiration for this Cleric, believe it or not. How did your 19Clr/1Ftr Human work at healing groups as you levelled up?

[PNellesen]

How did your 19Clr/1Ftr Human work at healing groups as you levelled up?

He did (and does) work as healer just fine, no problems (he's got around 25 Shrouds, 10 VoDs, 1 ToD, and 1 EVoN6 under his belt now ). His DCs for crowd control spells aren't all that great, but he hits pretty good with Harm, Divine Punishment, and Blade Barriers.