Returning player - looking for Cleric caster

[lvillanueva9]

Good morning all,

I'v recently returned to DDO after a 2 year hiatus and am starting to play again with 5 other friends. Since there is 6 of us and no one else is playing any type of self healing class, I've decided to make a cleric (or Favored soul, sill checking out those builds) and be the group's heals. However, I don't want to be just a heal bot as I imagine that would get pretty boring.

We're a casual group and doubt we'd ever get into any epic raiding. I'm not really interested in melee'ing, so I'd prefer a type of caster. I've been looking at EllisDee Necro Cleric, but would like to keep options open for other builds unless that is THE build for clerics.

I have 32 point builds available and have also unlocked the Drow race. Full build w/feats and enhancements would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks you!

[unbongwah]

For a first-life caster cleric, you're unlikely to do better than Ellis's Necro cleric; it's easily respecced into Evocation instead if you prefer.

[lvillanueva9]

For a first-life caster cleric, you're unlikely to do better than Ellis's Necro cleric; it's easily respecced into Evocation instead if you prefer.

Excellent! Thank you for the response. Would it be possible to show an Evo spec? I've been away so long, I could really use the build details to get started.

[Battlehawke]

Check out the link in my signature. Look in both the Caster and Healer sections. Ellis' Necro is there too. It's a very solid build.

[unbongwah]

Here's an example of an Evo-specced cleric who is also a capable healer:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.20.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 28 True Neutral Human Female
(20 Cleric \ 8 Epic) 
Hit Points: 364
Spell Points: 1464 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 17
Reflex: 7
Will: 22

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(28 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 28)
Strength              8                     8
Dexterity             8                     8
Constitution         16                    16
Intelligence         10                    10
Wisdom               18                    27
Charisma              8                     8

Level 1 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Deity) Follower of the Sovereign Host
Feat: (Human Bonus) Maximize Spell


Level 2 (Cleric)


Level 3 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell


Level 4 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


Level 5 (Cleric)


Level 6 (Cleric)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Divine Emissary of Light (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Sacred Defense (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Sun Bolt (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Nimbus of Light (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Nimbus of Light (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Nimbus of Light (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Critical: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Critical: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Searing Light (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Searing Light (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Healing Domain (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Pacifism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Positive Energy Burst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Extra Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Extra Turning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Wand Mastery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Wand Mastery (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Wand Mastery (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Altruism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Altruism (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Altruism (Rank 3)


Level 7 (Cleric)


Level 8 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


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


Level 10 (Cleric)


Level 11 (Cleric)


Level 12 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Enlarge Spell
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Sunbeam (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Efficient Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Searing Light (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Critical: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Holy Smite (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Holy Smite (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Holy Smite (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Critical: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Flame Strike (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Flame Strike (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Flame Strike (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Divine Empowerment (Rank 1)


Level 13 (Cleric)


Level 14 (Cleric)


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


Level 16 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS


Level 17 (Cleric)


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


Level 19 (Cleric)


Level 20 (Cleric)
Ability Raise: WIS
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Spell Power Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Sunburst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Transcend Light (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Penetration (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Penetration (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell Penetration (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spellpower: Universal (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Divine Disciple (Clr) - Spell DC: Evocation (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Improved Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Intense Healing (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Intense Healing (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Unyielding Sovereignty (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Endless Turning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Radiant Servant (Clr) - Incredible Healing (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Spell Penetration


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Guardian Angel


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Ruin


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Forced Escape

Skills: max Concentration, Spellcraft, and Heal
32-pt build: extra pts can go into CHA for more TUs to power radiant bursts; INT for extra skill pts (consider UMD, Balance)

One question for every caster build is: how much effort do you invest into Spell Penetration? Most CC and instakill spells have Spell Resistance checks (e.g., Gtr Command, Implosion); and a few spells have no DC check but do have an SR check (e.g., Energy Drain, making it useful to a non-Necro cleric). Not every mob has SR, but those that do tend to be kinda ludicrously high (e.g., EE drow). So when it comes to Spell Pen, my view is either max it out to keep those spells useful; or skip it entirely and just learn not to use those spells on mobs which are largely immune. This build takes the former approach: it gains +8 Spell Pen from feats and another +3 Spell Pen from DiDi enhs. You'll still struggle a bit with EE mobs, at least until you fill out your gear & EDs (or get a few wiz PLs under your belt); but for EH and below you should be fine.

The first Spell Focus feat doesn't do much on its own, but it's necessary to unlock the DC bonuses in Magister (+3) and Draconic (+2) which can eventually be Twisted into this build. Gtr & Epic Spell Focus would be nice as well, but I don't have the feats to spare on this version. If you find yourself stuggling with DCs, shift APs around for more WIS (up to +3) and the +1 Evo DC I skipped.

[lvillanueva9]

Thank you all! I'll play around with a couple of the builds. I appreciate your assistance.

[Atremus]

Human cleric
Max wis for caster DCs

Should be easy in a static group.

[SirValentine]

One question for every caster build is: how much effort do you invest into Spell Penetration? Most CC and instakill spells have Spell Resistance checks (e.g., Gtr Command, Implosion); and a few spells have no DC check but do have an SR check (e.g., Energy Drain, making it useful to a non-Necro cleric). Not every mob has SR, but those that do tend to be kinda ludicrously high (e.g., EE drow). So when it comes to Spell Pen, my view is either max it out to keep those spells useful; or skip it entirely and just learn not to use those spells on mobs which are largely immune. This build takes the former approach: it gains +8 Spell Pen from feats and another +3 Spell Pen from DiDi enhs. You'll still struggle a bit with EE mobs, at least until you fill out your gear & EDs (or get a few wiz PLs under your belt); but for EH and below you should be fine.

This whole paragraph makes excellent points. I fully agree that it's something you need to think about.

I'd reach slightly different conclusions, but that's me: For someone without a passel of Wiz/FvS past lives to back them up, I'd suggest a goal of "enough Spell Pen for EH Drow, and EE anything else, but not even trying with EE Drow". If you want to run EE quests that feature Drow prominently, you can use different tactics that don't rely on Spell Pen (COMETFALL). Then, take only 1 Spell Pen feat, freeing up 2 feat slots.

20 levels
5 gear (from lootgen; up to +7 on Thunderforged)
5 EA cores
3 EA
3 DD enhancement
2 Spell Pen feat
3 twist from Draconic (and could twist 2 more with a second twist slot from Fatesinger)
1 guild buff
--
42 not too hard to reach (and up to 4 more available), on a first-life with only 1 feat.