I should know this, But... gonna get some more opinions

[smallstones]

So I'm running up my current cleric, a pure cleric who melees and offensively casts. (maxed WIS, Split STR, CON) for solo play. Has, as usually been great fun.

However, recently dropped Extend, as well, not much use for it as most of the buffs outlast my need to shrine. So I find myself with an Extra Feat.

So Debating between Spell focus's Necro or Evocation. Necro for Instakills, Evocation for Blade Barrier. Which do you prefer. remember this build solo's 95% of the time....

[good_ole_corwin]

Considered spell pen too, or do you have that already?

Anyway, evocation isnt just BB, its also implosion, soundburst and holy smite - the last two are of course only situationally useful at higher levels, but its still more versatility than necro IMHO.

[smallstones]

Considered spell pen too, or do you have that already?

Anyway, evocation isnt just BB, its also implosion, soundburst and holy smite - the last two are of course only situationally useful at higher levels, but its still more versatility than necro IMHO.

Yup, Spell Penn & GSP got them. as well as everything I find critical.

Implosion is Evocation, well that's good to know. I should have looked that up as that is one of my favorite spells (hate the cooldown though), However, I find I use destruction/Slay Living a lot on those pesky mob clerics who refuse to kite through my BB, and should they actually run into it, stop and heal before continuing.

Thanks for the food for thought.

[Vellrad]

You said you're meleeing a bit, bo you have your PA yet?

[fuzzy1guy]

Shield mastery.

And a tower shield.

[Hellllboy]

IDK if you invested in UMD-but perhaps skill focus UMD if so?

[goodspeed]

what kind of melee do you do? I'm guessing 2 handed so did you take any of the 2 handed fighting line? Their's some nice shields out there and the stuff you can do with crafting really makes the things useful especially for solo. I figure a nice big weapon in one hand and a shield in the other.

Depending what ya got theirs a whole number of ways you could go.

[SirValentine]

So Debating between Spell focus's Necro or Evocation. Necro for Instakills, Evocation for Blade Barrier.

No, Evocation for insta-kills. 1 extra DC on BB is nice enough, but not that big a deal. 1 extra DC on Implosion is the reason to prefer Evocation.

[smallstones]

You said you're meleeing a bit, do you have your PA yet?

what kind of melee do you do? I'm guessing 2 handed so did you take any of the 2 handed fighting line? Their's some nice shields out there and the stuff you can do with crafting really makes the things useful especially for solo. I figure a nice big weapon in one hand and a shield in the other.

Depending what ya got theirs a whole number of ways you could go.

Well, I guess I should Explain a little more. The main goal of the build is a solo ordinated Offensive casting cleric with melee capabilities. Melee was intended for leveling, and as a backup, not the main focus. Current main tactic (he's level 16, and this has been still working in GH and the Vale) is to round up 10 or so mobs, drop a BB, kite as many as possible, destruct those pesky casters that heal themselves and/or don't kite, and clean up the left overs with melee (when a mob has less that 20% left, why waste SP?) I'm at the point where casting is outstripping melee, So I don't want to waste too many feats on melee. That's why I was asking about spell schools, and which ones people find more useful.

His current weapon of choice is the longsword. It may not be the best damage/crit profile, but it doesn't cost me a feat for proficiency. I like Unyielding Sovereignty, and the pre-req "basic tenants of faith: sovereign host" has Long Sword prof. built in. He is using a +4 holy silver LS or Pure good with a small guild augment of accuracy (+2 to hit). Offhand he has a +3 Lifeshield Mithral Heavy Shield of spearblock W/ small guild augment (with plans to upgrade to a tower shield once he gets Con-op or torq) These aren't great, but he can still hit well enough in hard madstone crater.

IDK if you invested in UMD-but perhaps skill focus UMD if so?

UMD is a good skill, and useful for some, But my feelings are unless you have feats to burn (as in a fighter) or an skill is you main focus for the build (i.e. Intim on a barbarian, haggle on a bard) Skill focus: Anything is a waste of a feat, This is just my opinion.

No, Evocation for insta-kills. 1 extra DC on BB is nice enough, but not that big a deal. 1 extra DC on Implosion is the reason to prefer Evocation.

Implosion, One of my favorite spells... My melee doesn't even mind being kill sniped by it. Best graphic there is. However, the insanely long cooldown and lack of targeting make taking out a specific target difficult. Sometimes you just need to take out a specific target fast, and watching them make have 3 saves in a row isn't fast enough. But guess this is why I asked, to get others opinions as well.