Battlecleric Dwarf TWF Rad. Serv. II

[zwiebelring]

Hello.

I have an idea of a dwarven cleric with 2 axes.

I will probably use PB 34, so the stats are accordingly. The concept seems solid but I do not know its viability in mid to endgame. Therefor I need some advice. Past life favored soul is available.

Class:
17 Clr/ 2 Mnk/ 1 Ftr

Starter ability scores PB 34 (t level 7 a whole set of +2 Tomes will be added):

STR -16
DEX -15
CON -12*
INT -10
WIS -16
CHA -6
*12 seems very low for a melee type character, maybe I could free 1 point in WIS to have at least 14 base con. Anyway this toon is more for soloing but shall be a viable healer in raidparties or parties where melee role is covered (though I will swing the axes ust for funsies and to be in range for bursting the melees). Still, base CON 12 hurts every Dwarf and general thought of a front type toon.

Feats:
1. Ftr -> Toughness, Power Attack***
3. Clr -> Mental Toughness
6. Clr -> Empower Healing
9. Clr -> Extend Spell
12. Clr -> Quicken Spell
13. Mnk -> Two Weapon Fighting**
15. Clr -> Improved Two Weapon Fighting
16. Clr-> Greater Two Weapon Fighting
18. Clr -> Improved Crit. or Maximize Spell****
19. Mnk-> Toughness**

**Monk bonus feats
***Fighter bonus feats

****Improved Crit. is important for a melee but so is maximize spell for party healing. What do you think is more viable? I tend towards Maximize spell with general overall weapons like Min2 axes.

With FvS past life and Mental Toughness I thought won't have big sp issues with minimal 53 APs fixed:

Racial:
Dwarven Axe Attack 1+2 -> 6 AP
Dwarven Axe dmg. 1+2 -> 6
Dwarven CON 1+2 -> 6
Racial Toughness 1-4 -> 10
Improved Heal 1+2 -> 2

Cleric:
Clr Impr. Turning 1-> 1 AP
Div. Vitality 1-> 1
Fol. of Sov. Host-> 2
Unyielding Sov.-> 4
Rad. Serv. 1+2-> 6
Clr Prayer of Life 1-> 1
Clr Pr. of Incr. Life 1-> 1

Fighter:
Haste Boost 1-> 1
Crit. Acc. 1-> 1
Toughness 1-> 1

Monk:
Tortoise 1-> 1

Left are 27 which I thought I'll spend it in spell point enhancements and lowering costs of metamagic feats as well as pushing crit.-chance for healing spells but well, it might be not enough, so again I need some advice.

The gear is limitted to non epic items. I have available: upped Sora Kell, Dragontouched, Shroudgear (hp cloak, Air3 boots, Stalemate2 (sp) goggles) except weapons, and can switch between several melee type things like Bloodstone, Pirate Hat, Greater Bold Trinket. For healing I thought I will rely on clickies or Potency items with aura/burst.

So, what do you people think about the idea and the viability of it?

[Aganthor]

According to latest Character planner and the DDOWiki, being a dwarf with the monk class doesn't grant you Dwarven Waraxe prof. You should take first level as fighter... Or else you'll be wielding DAxe at level 16 only

[zwiebelring]

Brainlag, thank you I completely forgot about that. But TWF should be late anyway, first I'll stick to THF with an greataxe I thought. After Shroud I'll go TWF.

[zwiebelring]

Since nobody replied any further I think I have to try on my own and maybe fail. Sad but well...

But nevertheless I will try, but I'll change it to Half Orc THF.

[jaegarnel]

The main reason why Dwarven axes are attractive is that like bastard swords, you get glancing blow even if you're carrying a shield, letting you tank easily.
You lose that benefit when dual-wielding though, so dwarven axes for TWF is more of a flavor choice.

I don't think you should take power attack that soon if you start with 16 strength. I did a 19/1 clr/ftr, and I usually couldn't hit things reliably with PA on on anything harder than normal.
You should try to tak maximize sooner, because it'll work on your bursts, and it'll help bb a lot when you get it, so I'd try to take the feat before lvl 12.

Your toon is definitely viable, mine is about the same except it's THF (put all points in dex into con) which is imo better for a cleric, especially since you won't have access to DM. Plus that way, I can equip a D. axe and a shiled for increased survivability and still keep the benefits of the THF feats.

Anyway, your build is definitely viable, mine is a lot of fun, just remember to keep an eye on the group's red bars while you're swinging, it's not like meleeing requires a lot of attention so you can easily do both.

[Forzah]

I'm not sure whether you need 16 wis on this type of build; I guess 10 wis suffices already (+2 from enhancements, +2 tome and +6 from item puts you at 20). This leaves you with 8 build points to boost con to 16 and cha to 10.

[PNellesen]

The main reason why Dwarven axes are attractive is that like bastard swords, you get glancing blow even if you're carrying a shield, letting you tank easily.
You lose that benefit when dual-wielding though, so dwarven axes for TWF is more of a flavor choice.

Really dumb question here - given what's in bold above, can you take THF feats instead of TWF to improve your glancing blows for Daxes? I've got a Dwarf Tempest Ranger I've been thinking of eventually TRing into some kind of Cleric/Fighter (19/1 or 18/2), and wanted to make the best use of all the nice Daxes he has. Doesn't need to be a "battle cleric" (would most likely be WIS based instead of STR), but I like my clerics to be able to hold their own in most situations melee-wise, but still be good healers in raids and Epics.

[Qindark]

Really dumb question here - given what's in bold above, can you take THF feats instead of TWF to improve your glancing blows for Daxes? ...

Yes, when swinging a single d-axe (or d-axe and shield)

[PNellesen]

Yes, when swinging a single d-axe (or d-axe and shield)

Thank you for that info. VERY good to know

*Runs off to play with planner*