Strengths/Weaknesses of Cleric in 2011

[tgu]

Would like to thank Sirgog for the hard work he put in to his 2010 Build Catalogue (found here: http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=223253).

The specifically Strengths/Weaknesses thread can be found here (found here: http://forums.ddo.com/showpost.php?p...65&postcount=2).

So, I was hoping to get a conversation started about the state of Clerics. Here is a shorter version of what Sirgog said:

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Cleric Class

This is a partial summary of the strengths and weaknesses of the Cleric class at high levels.

At current endgame, Clerics have the following going for them:

Healing spells:

...clerics tend to have the best healing per second of any class, but less staying power as healers than Favored Souls.

Defensive Buffs:
Clerics have access to the game's best suite of defensive buff spells

Damaging spells:
Clerics have access to (arguably) the best persistant damage-over-time spell in the game, Bladebarrier...

Incapacitating/Crowd Control spells:
Implosion, Cometfall, Greater Command, Destruction, Symbol: Persuasion and Symbol: Stunning being the top choices at high level, and Soundburst and Command being very worthwhile early.

Raising the Dead:
Clerics and Favored Souls are the only classes in the game that can raise the dead without needing to worry about interruption

Moderate Melee Ability:
Clerics can melee reasonably well

Situational, but powerful capstone:
The Divine Intervention capstone, whilst limited by its 5 minute cooldown


And these are some of the weaknesses:

Lack of significant defenses:
Clercs do not get Evasion, and usually cannot get an Armor Class

Limited spellpoints:
Clerics have less SP than Favored Souls, causing them to sometimes heavily rely upon expensive consumable items such as Cure wands, Raise Dead and Heal scrolls, or in raids mana potions.

Lack of skills:
Clerics have a pretty poor selection of class skills, and very limited points to spend upon them.

Trouble with immunities:
Clerics find that many of the toughest foes in the game are immune to their most potent spells

#1 blame target:
Groups, particularly PUG groups, often blame the healer if something goes wrong in a quest and there is a death or wipe

That are the various subjects, I want to see if people agree with these and if 2011 has changed the mindset of the players. Round one, fight!

[butcheredspirit]

This all still seems very relevant.

I would add Radiant Servant to strengths;
I found bursts useful even at shavrath.
The aura certainly helps you to stay in the melee and heal the others as you fight.

As for the incapacitating section, I agree - but
I'd like to see the level 8 alignment spells added to the divine list.
I think they fit thematically with how DDO has implemented clerics.
I doubt these spells would be overpowered due to the high CR of mobs.
They'd mostly be great against undead/outsiders.

[breadstick]

Strength: Easy to find groups.

[Atree]

You can add Divine Punishment as a new potent DoT for clerics. AFAIK nothing is immune to it at present and it doesn't have a DC or spell pen check.

Also their staying power in healing as compared to FvS has risen considerably with the Radiant Servant turn regeneration.

However FvS now have their own PrE that greatly enhances their offensive power relative to clerics.

[dkyle]

You can add Divine Punishment as a new potent DoT for clerics. AFAIK nothing is immune to it at present and it doesn't have a DC or spell pen check.

Certainly an outstanding spell. Just wanted to say that there are a few enemies immune to Divine Punishment. Xyzzy is immune, even once she's been prepped by the puppies, and so is Crateos. Some other golems are too, I think, but I'm not sure.

But yeah, very few things immune or resistant.

[Atree]

Certainly an outstanding spell. Just wanted to say that there are a few enemies immune to Divine Punishment. Xyzzy is immune, even once she's been prepped by the puppies, and so is Crateos. Some other golems are too, I think, but I'm not sure.

But yeah, very few things immune or resistant.

Ooh I didn't know that!

(I'm usually too busy keeping the puppies and/or chewtoy alive to target mommy)