cleric vs cleric/monk

[mmofan]

i am currently leveling my cleric to 20, it is 16, and well on it's way to 20. when i hit 20 i am going to TR and rebuild the char over. i am trying to decide which way to go. i would like to hear some pointers from some experienced clerics. i have 2 builds in mind a pure cleric and a cleric17/monk3 build.

[mmofan]

here is my pure

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Female
(20 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 302
Spell Points: 1546 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 5
Will: 21

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             14                 16                   17
Dexterity             8                  8                    8
Constitution         16                 18                   18
Intelligence         10                 10                   10
Wisdom               18                 25                   29
Charisma              8                 10                   10

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

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               1                 10.5                 10.5
Bluff                -1                  0                    0
Concentration         7                 27                   27
Diplomacy             3                 21                   21
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                  0                    0
Heal                  4                 11                   15
Hide                 -1                 -1                   -1
Intimidate           -1                  0                    0
Jump                  2                  3                    3
Listen                4                  9                    9
Move Silently        -1                 -1                   -1
Open Lock            n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  0                    0
Search                0                  0                    0
Spot                  4                  9                    9
Swim                  2                  3                    3
Tumble               n/a               n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead


Level 2 (Cleric)
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Initiate of the Faith


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


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


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)


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


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


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


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


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


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Intervention
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Improved Heal I
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
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 I
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic II
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic III
Enhancement: Cleric Life Magic IV
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Healing I
Enhancement: Cleric Extra Turning I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I

i understand some of the pros and cons but if you guys have more please inform me.
__________________________________________________ _______________________________________
pure pros
capstone
more sp
mace shield

cons
less evasion
wis not add 2 AC
no robe buff

[mmofan]

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
here is my clr17mon3 splash

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.11.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 20 Lawful Good Human Female
(3 Monk \ 17 Cleric) 
Hit Points: 272
Spell Points: 1208 
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 11
Will: 21

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats         Base Stats         Modified Stats
(34 Point)       (Level 1)          (Level 20)           (Level 20)
Strength             16                 18                   19
Dexterity            15                 17                   17
Constitution         14                 16                   16
Intelligence         10                 10                   10
Wisdom               15                 22                   26
Charisma              8                 10                   10

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 Wisdom used at level 7
+2 Tome of Charisma used at level 7

                  Starting            Ending          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills        Base Skills        Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)          (Level 20)          (Level 20)
Balance               6                 26                   26
Bluff                -1                  0                    0
Concentration         6                  7                    7
Diplomacy             3                  6                    6
Disable Device        n/a               n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -1                  0                    1
Heal                  2                  8                   12
Hide                  6                  7                    7
Intimidate           -1                  0                    0
Jump                  3                  4                    4
Listen                2                  8                    8
Move Silently         2                  3                    3
Open Lock             n/a               n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                n/a                   n/a
Repair                0                  0                    0
Search                0                  0                    0
Spot                  2                  8                    8
Swim                  3                  4                    4
Tumble                6                 21.5                 21.5
Use Magic Device     n/a                n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Monk)
Feat: (Past Life) Past Life: Cleric
Feat: (Selected) Stunning Fist
Feat: (Human Bonus) Toughness
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) AC Bonus
Feat: (Automatic) Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Breezes
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Candles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Pebbles
Feat: (Automatic) Disciple of Puddles
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Kama
Feat: (Automatic) Exotic Weapon Proficiency: Shuriken
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves
Feat: (Automatic) Flurry of Blows
Feat: (Automatic) Heroic Durability
Feat: (Automatic) Martial Weapon Proficiency: Handaxe
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Club
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Dagger
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Heavy Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Light Crossbow
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Quarterstaff
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency: Unarmed
Feat: (Automatic) Sneak
Feat: (Automatic) Unarmed Strike


Level 2 (Cleric)
Feat: (Automatic) Heavy Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Light Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Magical Training
Feat: (Automatic) Medium Armor Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Shield Proficiency (General)
Feat: (Automatic) Simple Weapon Proficiency
Feat: (Automatic) Turn Undead


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Feat: (Automatic) Defensive Fighting
Feat: (Automatic) Sunder
Feat: (Automatic) Trip


Level 4 (Cleric)


Level 5 (Cleric)


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


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)


Level 9 (Monk)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Feat: (Automatic) Evasion
Feat: (Automatic) Meditation


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Monk)
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Harmonious Balance: Fists of Light
Feat: (Automatic) Fast Movement
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Harmonious Balance (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Finishing Moves: Path of Inevitable Dominion (ALL)
Feat: (Automatic) Still Mind


Level 12 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


Level 15 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Past Life: Initiate of the Faith


Level 16 (Cleric)


Level 17 (Cleric)


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


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant I
Enhancement: Cleric Radiant Servant II
Enhancement: Unyielding Sovereignty
Enhancement: Follower of the Sovereign Host
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Wisdom I
Enhancement: Human Greater Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Versatility I
Enhancement: Human Versatility II
Enhancement: Human Versatility III
Enhancement: Human Versatility IV
Enhancement: Lifting the Veil
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Improved Heal I
Enhancement: Improved Heal II
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life I
Enhancement: Cleric Prayer of Life II
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 Improved Spell Penetration I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration II
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Spell Penetration III
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot I
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot II
Enhancement: Cleric Energy of the Zealot III
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom I
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom II
Enhancement: Cleric Wisdom III
Enhancement: Cleric Divine Healing I
Enhancement: Cleric Improved Turning I

i understand some of the pros and cons but if you guys have more please inform me.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________
splash pros

evasion
monk stances
versatility
better melee dps
more feats

cons
no capstone
less sp
less focus

[mmofan]

what i am mostly looking for is peoples experiences with the builds, thoughts, insights, tip, pros, cons, and how each plays.
to me it seems like the splash is more versatile in that using stances i can switch roles and play more a caster or more of a melee dps which i like. from what i hear the capstone is not a huge deal but the 300+ sp point his does gimp my healing and casting a bit.

P.S this is a rough build and am willing to tweak as necessary based on feedback

[mmofan]

ok after considering the feedback and looking at it from many angles i have come to somewhat of a conclusion i am going with the monks splash but am tweaking it a bit to suit it i also am wondering a bout the fvs17/monk3 mix the one thing i like about the cleric is radiant servant 1 and 2. now i am wondering if i should go clr/mo or fvs/mo i know fvs gets 2x more sp from gear but cant turn and i am unfamiliar with fvs.

P.S i am currently in the process of building a fvs/mo build

[FuzzyDuck81]

I think you've pretty much covered the main pros & cons there yourself. Stunning fist backed by wisdom that high is a huge benefit though, as with a set of stunning +10 wraps you'll be able to rival the DC of most pure monks which is pretty nifty - and dont forget, helpless enemies have 50% extra incoming damage.. that includes the ticks from divine punishment (stun an orange-name enemy then watch them get burned right down) or a cometfall dropped on their head etc.

The SP hit isnt as bad as you'd think, since as i assume you're doing already you'll be able to be in the middle of melee & throw out bursts which covers a lot, and with a little attention to keep up the water-pos-water SP discount buff that'll absorb a lot of it too.

Other small benefits of the clonk:
You can boost your healing amp higher, or to the same degree for less AP in total, meaning your aura will be that much better at providing a steady combat regeneration effect.
Faster running speed - so you can stick a light on your head & go nee-naw nee-naw! Works better as a halfling for that though, halflings can get away with being silly

[jaegarnel]

Clonks can be very good characters, usually with a focus on AC, saves and stunning mobs.

However, by not going pure, you lose more than ~300 sp and the capstone. You also lose 3 spell pen, and from needing a lot more stats elsewhere, you also lose some wisdom. In your case 1 or 2 DCs depending on your gear.

This means your offensive casting (especially any CC you might want to do) will be less powerful as monk splash than pure.
OTOH stunning fist is very useful too, and it's your choice whether it makes up for more or less losing spells like greater command or energy drain (with 17 base spell pen and no feat there's no way you'll be able to bypass the SR of most endgame mobs who have some).


I only have a pure cleric, and no clonk so far, so I'll only comment on that first build.

The stat spread is good imo, although personally I'd drop some points from strength or even con and put them into cha.

Feats are a bit weird to me. Looking at the description for the active cleric past life feat, I don't think it's really worth taking. Sure, it's 10 free cures per rest, but while it may be useful early on, I don't see that making much difference at cap.

Imo, you don't gain much from taking extend either. It may be useful a low levels, but 20 min is long enough is nearly all quests, and the short term buffs aren't that great for a pure cleric who won't fight much.
Personally, I'd replace it with heighten so you can have better DCs on spells like greater command or cometfall.

[y0himba.net]

Coming from the other side of the coin, I run with a Clonk almost all the time, a buddy in the game. He was pure cleric up to 17, then added a couple of Monk levels. We can solo almost anything. His toon is incredibly useful, and I never thought I would say that about a Cleric who insists on fighting.

IMHO, good build.

[Xenostrata]

Don't forget that 3 levels of monk also gets you -25% spell costs, so long as you have a way to build up ki.

[Rusty_Can]

This means your offensive casting (especially any CC you might want to do) will be less powerful as monk splash than pure.

It's actually the other way around, if you build your clonk properly; as a matter of fact, clonks can technically achieve higher DC, since Ocean Stances improve Wisdom.

- 2 monk levels:
Pro: Evasion, 2 feats (Toughness + Stunning Fist, usually), better saves (+3 to all), Ocean Stance (+2 WIS and +2 to all saves), higher AC;
Con: lower Spell Penetration (caster level 18), only 3 lvl 9 spells instead of 5, no capstone, fewer spell points.

- 3 monk levels:
Pro: Light finishing moves (no point going Dark with only 3 monk levels), including "anti-stun" and 25% cheaper spells; this assumes your cleric is able to hit stuff and generate Ki;
Con: only 2 lvl 9 spells, lower Spell Penetration (CL 17), no Tier III PrE if/when they get released.

[SirValentine]

It's actually the other way around, if you build your clonk properly; as a matter of fact, clonks can technically achieve higher DC, since Ocean Stances improve Wisdom.

- 2 monk levels:
Pro: Evasion, 2 feats (Toughness + Stunning Fist, usually), better saves (+3 to all), Ocean Stance (+2 WIS and +2 to all saves), higher AC;
Con: lower Spell Penetration (caster level 18), only 3 lvl 9 spells instead of 5, no capstone, fewer spell points.

The thing is, if you were going to take Toughness anyway, taking it as your Monk bonus feat instead frees up a feat slot for ANYTHING. If you used that extra feat for, say, Spell Penetration, you're not behind a pure Cleric on Spell Pen. And still ahead by 1 DC.

[Mubjon]

I would not take the cleric past life feat unless you planned to swap it out later one. Yes the free cures would come in handy in the low levels, but you can blow by those in a few days to where your free cures are doing nothing really for your character or party.

I plan to do a final life as a cleric/Monk and will go 17/3. I rarely use the capstone nor any level 9 spells save implosion and mass heal. You can still get the same DC as a pure by taking a spell pen feat (you get 2 free with the monk levels so might as well take power attack and toughness with them) and you get the stances which help with granting +2 to your wisdom.

I guess you will have a 34 pt build so I would do the following for stats if you have some +2 tomes or wait to TR til you at least get +2 tome of dex, str, con, and +3 tome for wisdom. And go human to help even out stats

Str 14 = +6 item, +2 tome, +2 ship buff = 20
Dex 15 = +6 item, +2 tome, +2 ship buff, +1 human enhancement = 26
Con 14 = +6 item, +2 tome, +2 ship buff = 24
Int 8
Wis 17 = +6 item, +3 exceptional green steel, +3 enhancements, +2 ship buffs, +2 stance, +5 levels = 38
Chr 9 = +6 item, +2 ship buff, +1 enhancement = 18


I only included things that are easy to get on any character that is one life old. There are other ways to boost these stats and with taking two weapon fighting you can craft 2 weapons with +9 to the stats (wisdom, con, dex or strength) allowing you to place the other 4 stats in rings and 2 other items.

[fmkeller]

Spell DC is raised by Focus Feats not Spell Pen Feats. You are mixing these.

Spell Pen= Caster Lvl+Spell Pen Feats+Enhancements+Past Life+Item ->check vs Spell Resistance
DC=Base(10)+Spell Lvl+Focus Feats+Past Life+Item+Stat(Wis) Mod -> check vs Saving throws

[Rusty_Can]

The thing is, if you were going to take Toughness anyway, taking it as your Monk bonus feat instead frees up a feat slot for ANYTHING. If you used that extra feat for, say, Spell Penetration, you're not behind a pure Cleric on Spell Pen. And still ahead by 1 DC.

Yeah, I agree: it was in the "build properly your clonk" bit of my advice ....

[biggin]

I hate to be this guy but.......

I have a clonk, cleric and fvs capped, some with TR's. If I had to do it all over again I would make 3 FVS. With the new endgame being what it is, the added SP pool just can't be beat (in most cases). I almost exclusively take my FVS to all the eraids now, even though it's a first life with **** gear, it can still out-heal in almost every situation. It was harder for me to level at first than my clonk (i like being able to run through traps without worry), but end game there is no contest.

My advice is to try FVS. The past life will still benefit you. TR'ing a cleric doesn't do anything for you unless you just really hate undead.

[Beethoven]

You get some solid HP on a clonk, a C/O item and a Torc you also gain the benefit of regaining SP while in melee. Granted, pure clerics can do that too but evasion and extra feats (and potentially higher healing amplification) come real handy here. It makes the less SP even less significant.

To me, the largest drawback of going 2 or 3 monk on a cleric is getting less level 9 spells, especially since there are four relative nice spells for divines at that level: Implosion, True Res, Energy Drain and Mass Heal. You probably want to leave Mass Heal slotted.

True Resurrection is a very nice spell to have if in end-game raids and raids where people often take damage even right after raising (ie: epic DQ, epic EV6, LoB). Technically you could switch around here though, using Resurrection as your standard and switching True Res when going into any of the above raids.

Energy Drain and Implosion are both extremely useful for your standard questing to take care of trash (Energy Drain + Destruction and Implosion when off timer) and as someone already pointed out, as clonk you actually can hit a higher DC than a full cleric due to Wisdom bonus from Water stance. It's your Spell Penetration that might become an issue (in epics anyway).

I'd still go clonk myself and use as standard set up:
17 cleric / 3 monk: Mass Heal, Implosion (switching Implosion for True Res in specific raids)
18 cleric / 2 monk: Mass Heal, Implosion, True Res (most raids, switching for Energy Drain in quests where mobs have little to no Spell Resistance and/or when solo-ing)

[PestWulf]

Uhm...isn't this a moot point??

when i hit 20 i am going to TR and rebuild the char over

The only question you need to answer is does monk 2 give you a better path to 20 or not. If you have a good wisdom and spell DC then your choice is between Implosion and Evasion. If you are mainly a healer in a group, I'd go with evasion. If you solo or are an offensive caster in a group, I'd go implosion.

[guardianx2009]

I hate to be this guy but.......

I have a clonk, cleric and fvs capped, some with TR's. If I had to do it all over again I would make 3 FVS. With the new endgame being what it is, the added SP pool just can't be beat (in most cases). I almost exclusively take my FVS to all the eraids now, even though it's a first life with **** gear, it can still out-heal in almost every situation. It was harder for me to level at first than my clonk (i like being able to run through traps without worry), but end game there is no contest.

My advice is to try FVS. The past life will still benefit you. TR'ing a cleric doesn't do anything for you unless you just really hate undead.

I have a level 18 fvs and a 16 tr'd cleric. I absolutely hate playing my fvs. He absolutely feels like a one trick pony and feels so restricted every time I play him. All he does is zerg BB/DP all day long. I get a lot more joy in taking my 16 cleric using all her tools and lead the kill count in Elite Tor.

[JOTMON]

Clonks can be very good characters, usually with a focus on AC, saves and stunning mobs.

However, by not going pure, you lose more than ~300 sp and the capstone. You also lose 3 spell pen, and from needing a lot more stats elsewhere, you also lose some wisdom. In your case 1 or 2 DCs depending on your gear.

This means your offensive casting (especially any CC you might want to do) will be less powerful as monk splash than pure.
OTOH stunning fist is very useful too, and it's your choice whether it makes up for more or less losing spells like greater command or energy drain (with 17 base spell pen and no feat there's no way you'll be able to bypass the SR of most endgame mobs who have some).


I only have a pure cleric, and no clonk so far, so I'll only comment on that first build.

The stat spread is good imo, although personally I'd drop some points from strength or even con and put them into cha.

Imo, you don't gain much from taking extend either. It may be useful a low levels, but 20 min is long enough is nearly all quests, and the short term buffs aren't that great for a pure cleric who won't fight much.
Personally, I'd replace it with heighten so you can have better DCs on spells like greater command or cometfall.

My cleric splashes went with dex and weapons finess and have no DC issues.
Monk splash as long as you do not wear armour(get icy's) will net you
Evasion
decent AC from Wis bonus( it is your primary stat)
Water Stance is +2 Wis/-2Str
you also get 2 Feats.

dont really lose any significant Spell pen, -3 from level loss +2/4 from extra feats for Spell Pen/Greater Spell Pen if desired depends on how you want to spend your feats.
You actually get a higher Wisdom due to the stance for your DC's. This keeps you in the same DC range as a pure class.
Yes you are tighter for base spell points but with 3Monk you have the Aligning the heavens (water-pos-water) buff that gives you a 25% sp cost reduction for you and all those around you for 60 seconds.
and you lose a couple level 9 spells that you can switchout at a shrine as needed.

I have 2 splash clerics

A Cleric17/Monk2/Sorc1 (back in the day when you got double mana for the sorc splash from gear,
this got changed and prorated based on sorc levels.) Sorc splash is not usefull now.
Stuck with him for now since he has +3 tomes on almost every stat. 42Wis Self buff 77AC 2200 sp (no epic gear)
May rework him to a /3 monk at some point, still saving up some more +3/+4 tomes before I TR.
http://my.ddo.com/character/argonnessen/husurdaddy/

My other cleric splash is a cleric17/Rogue2/monk1
less sp due to rogue enhancement investments, but does epic traps (+70 search/disable) and has human Dragonmarks for DDoor. could have dropped these and taken mental toughness but i like my DDoor.
http://my.ddo.com/character/argonnessen/jotmonheals/

Both run Epics regularly and are survivable builds.
Don't have DI as a crutch for those times you may not want a specific player to die, just don't have anyone drop below 0hp.

Pallai did a good writeup a while back on cleric builds..
http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php...ighlight=Clonk


Typically pure classes are easier to build and more forgiving.
Reality is splashing 3 levels or less will have no real detrimental impact on your build.
Splashing more than 3 levels requires some real planning and friends/guildies to run with as pug LFM's will doubt your ability.

Experiment and adjust your toon to fit your playstyle, you don't have to be a cookie cutter build, or pure to have fun.

[biggin]

I have a level 18 fvs and a 16 tr'd cleric. I absolutely hate playing my fvs. He absolutely feels like a one trick pony and feels so restricted every time I play him. All he does is zerg BB/DP all day long. I get a lot more joy in taking my 16 cleric using all her tools and lead the kill count in Elite Tor.

Elite Tor isn't elite Lord of Blades. In end game raiding (if that's your goal) divines become one trick ponies, with a few rare exceptions. I agree, I loved leveling my clonk and hated leveling my FVS. Actually having working AC, evasion, etc while you level makes the process easy. But then what? Unless you just want to stay leveling your cleric forever on a non-stop TR train, you eventually have to raid with boss fort and HP that are super inflated. Aura was nice leveling, but won't keep 95% of parties alive in an eVoN6. And even with 3 cleric past lives, all you have gained is a boost to turns which are craptastic anyway.

I didn't say everyone should delete all clerics across all servers. Some have the gear and game experience to make full use of all the tools available to a cleric. As an example, I can stick close to a high healing amp tank in LoB with my aura and just basically scroll heal to the end. I can also use my FVS free healing capstone the same way from a greater distance. For a newer player that is a huge benefit because most wouldn't survive a whirlybird. I can go on and on, but 1000 SP difference end game is a huge difference that can only be overcome by superior gameplay. Most new players don't have the skills necessary to close that gap.