Axel's THF Melee Cleric Build

[axel15810]

Hey, I plan on creating this build - doing the PDK iconic (don't know if I am going to lesser TR +1 the fighter away or not yet.)
Any advice for (named) mauls to use? Both during leveling and endgame ? (I looked at the list by MinLevel.. but still asking advice)

like for lv 21 I farmed a Drow mual, should I use Cormyrian weapons at 20/24?
Thanks.

Maul from baba's hut is what I'm using at endgame.

For leveling mauls - greensteel and thunderforged are good if you have the crafting ingredients. The free one the barovian vendor gives you in Ravenloft is also pretty good.

Under level 10 the named maul selection is pretty bad afaik.

I've never used cormyrian weapons.

[Montegue]

So, I've been playing with this build (on a Sun Elf, mind you, so not ideal. He didn't start this way, I got annoyed trying to solo as an Air domain cleric, and decided to try out the new Maul I picked up in the new sharn chain) a little bit, and I keep asking myself "Why don't I just Lesser Res and try SWF"?

It strikes me that it's more DPS than two handed fightning, that it's easier to invest in a handful of ranks of Balance instead of buying into Strength, and that I can then use an Orb to boost Radiant power (the Resplendant Fury orb gives a lot of bonus spellpower over the course of a run by simply popping off a low-cost light-based spell every now and again). And if I'm using an Orb and SWF, not only can I hit hard in melee, but I can also construct a build that includes enough DC and healing punch to do lots of different jobs.

Falconry gives me the ability to do all the things falconry does - debuff mobs, etc. And I can avoid Power attack, Cleave, and Great Cleave, focus on War Priest attacks and Falconry attacks, and then spells to do AOE damage if needs be (or Command to drop them to the ground, or Cometfall to blast them to the ground). Anyway, just thinking out loud, but wondering what the specific advantage of 2hf is when 2hf is so problematic (yes, the +2 crit threat range is pretty great, but does it then out perform SWF?).

[axel15810]

So, I've been playing with this build (on a Sun Elf, mind you, so not ideal. He didn't start this way, I got annoyed trying to solo as an Air domain cleric, and decided to try out the new Maul I picked up in the new sharn chain) a little bit, and I keep asking myself "Why don't I just Lesser Res and try SWF"?

It strikes me that it's more DPS than two handed fightning, that it's easier to invest in a handful of ranks of Balance instead of buying into Strength, and that I can then use an Orb to boost Radiant power (the Resplendant Fury orb gives a lot of bonus spellpower over the course of a run by simply popping off a low-cost light-based spell every now and again). And if I'm using an Orb and SWF, not only can I hit hard in melee, but I can also construct a build that includes enough DC and healing punch to do lots of different jobs.

Falconry gives me the ability to do all the things falconry does - debuff mobs, etc. And I can avoid Power attack, Cleave, and Great Cleave, focus on War Priest attacks and Falconry attacks, and then spells to do AOE damage if needs be (or Command to drop them to the ground, or Cometfall to blast them to the ground). Anyway, just thinking out loud, but wondering what the specific advantage of 2hf is when 2hf is so problematic (yes, the +2 crit threat range is pretty great, but does it then out perform SWF?).

Oh you totally can go SWF, and I've theorycrafted SWF and TWF alternates to this build. I used to run it in TWF actually.

The 3 main positives to THF compared to SWF are probably

- Saves a feat. Silvanus is free whereas SWF you'll need to spend a feat on Khopesh proficency or knights training
- Better glancing blow/AoE damage
- Cleaves synergize with Momentum Swing/Lay Waste in Dreadnaught

Is SWF more DPS? I don't know. Maybe someone can test it out and find the exact number. THF is considered pretty meh in the meta at the moment because of its attack speed. But at the same time the devs clearly know this and have been rolling out buffs for THF (see stuff like Fury of the Wild buffs lately and some of the newer THF focused gear). Personally, I've never been one to constantly reroll to fit the meta and just prefer THF's playstyle more. And I wouldn't be surprised if in a few months some kind of buff to THF in an update makes it the new shiny thing.

As far as orbs go, I've not run into an orb that makes me feel like I have to go SWF. Orbs are mostly offensive caster items, if they had melee effects it'd be different. And while this build can cast a bit, in particular, stuff like implosion is really useful in certain situations like the scarecrows in baba or when zerging lower difficulties, it isn't going to have viable casting in endgame reaper because there's not enough feats/gear slots/enhancement points to go around for that. Definitely it won't have viable light nuker casting...orbs or not. It's a melee healer build. Trying to do casting, melee and healing is just spreading the build too thin IMO. Also, DC requirements are pretty insane in places like reaper Sharn so useable DCs at endgame reaper just are not reachable IMO without major sacrifices to what the build is aiming for.

[Montegue]

Thanks for the response! I'll have to see how 2hf progresses past 20 (my toon is 19 now. Definitely takes forever to pound through a group of mobs, but my healing is getting to the point where I'm basically just outliving them).

I haven't seen much in terms of gear here. Right now I'm rocking the Family set from Sharn, the castigators bracers, Onyx and the Chieftan ring (having a hard time finding a better source of wisdom, though I might break down and just do Collective Sight), the Bronze Dragonscale Belt (Con and HP), hallowed trail, arcsteel brim, the red dragonscale trinket (my trinket choices suck), and the new maul.

My gear feels split, I suppose, in a way my Eldritch Knight's doesn't have to be. Do you have a 15-20ish Gear suggestion?

[axel15810]

Thanks for the response! I'll have to see how 2hf progresses past 20 (my toon is 19 now. Definitely takes forever to pound through a group of mobs, but my healing is getting to the point where I'm basically just outliving them).

I haven't seen much in terms of gear here. Right now I'm rocking the Family set from Sharn, the castigators bracers, Onyx and the Chieftan ring (having a hard time finding a better source of wisdom, though I might break down and just do Collective Sight), the Bronze Dragonscale Belt (Con and HP), hallowed trail, arcsteel brim, the red dragonscale trinket (my trinket choices suck), and the new maul.

My gear feels split, I suppose, in a way my Eldritch Knight's doesn't have to be. Do you have a 15-20ish Gear suggestion?

Black Dragonplate set and Greensteel are the only key items I really bother to twink with in that area (but yeah at this point family set will probably be better than dragonplate set if you have it). Last time I actually just used SoS to level and then swapped IC slash for bludgeon when I got past 20.

I'm not too much for optimizing gear except at endgame. Aside from those I tend to grab the best stats/devotion items I can and just go. If you have a maul with a red slot, putting devotion augment in it is nice.

[Djjinni]

Tempted to try this out after the most recent updates as had a lot of fun with previous versions. Thanks for all the contributions on this!


I did however wonder how much value you placed on the RS Capstone and 20th cleric level when comparing it to keeping the build at 19/1 and spending the 3 racial ap+RS capstone into Kensai to get 3/3 Haste Boost instead?

[axel15810]

Tempted to try this out after the most recent updates as had a lot of fun with previous versions. Thanks for all the contributions on this!


I did however wonder how much value you placed on the RS Capstone and 20th cleric level when comparing it to keeping the build at 19/1 and spending the 3 racial ap+RS capstone into Kensai to get 3/3 Haste Boost instead?

We can get haste boost through Dreadnaught so I just tend to do that. Kensei haste boost is however super useful while leveling through heroics.

Taking a fighter level is totally fine though. I just would rather opt for the capstone. RS capstone isn't amazing, but it's something. Also, having an extra caster level is nice for a bunch of things.

[Montegue]

So, I'm trying to make SWF work. I'm approximately level 25, and my enhancement spread is pretty much on point with what's been listed here.

I am doing very little melee damage to single targets. Last night, in just EE Feast or Famine, it was like trying to bash rocks to pieces with a glass hammer. Yes, I was killing things, but OH MY GOD is it slow. Without high spell damage to weave into Falconry attacks and Legendary Dreadnaught attacks, my DPS is just super low. I'm swinging fast, I am keeping stacks up, but... yeah.

My feats may be at fault - SWF, ISWF, GSWF are my combat feats. Then I've got Quicken, Heighten, and Empower healing. I took Spell Pen and Spell Focus Evo so I could use Twists to boost my terrible DCs (no tome on this character). I took Burst of Glacial Wrath, as well.

I'm currently thinking that the problem might be War Domain instead of Air. Bear with me, but it feels like Air + SWF + the SLAs from Angel ED would be stronger attacks to weave into a fast-swinging SWF build. Yes, I lose Holy Sword (and I know that matters for Melee DPS), but I think SLA spellcasting supported by Epic Destiny and Enhancements probably provides *more* damage output than Legendary Dreadnaught and melee attacks might.

Then again, this is w SWF. Man, do I miss having a spellsword effect on my cleric. It's *so* much damage on my Pale Master over the course of many swings.

Anyway, back to the drawing board? We'll see how this iteration of SWF does through the late 20s and at cap.

[Finn42]

Any chance to get a short video of the playstyle ?

Like what does your rotation look like? (like, what is a synergy attack with some other abilty vs just - it deals damage.)
a) for trash (including some casters+melee mobs),
b) how do you handle a reaper or 2-3,

I know asking gear questions is very dated... but
c) what filigree set(s) do you use ? (most people will have a minor artifact, and a 5 slot sentient gem = 8 slots) -- but not access to the rare double set filigrees.
d) which Sharn set bonus do you go for ?

Thanks!

[Montegue]

Any chance to get a short video of the playstyle ?

Wish I had the means/talent to produce one?

Like what does your rotation look like? (like, what is a synergy attack with some other abilty vs just - it deals damage.)
a) for trash (including some casters+melee mobs),
b) how do you handle a reaper or 2-3,

So, my rotation is typically to lead with Ameliorating strike (make sure that my damage bonus is up from Falconry, etc), because it gives me stacks of vulnerable, then hit a group with the AOE attack from Falconry, then work through Falconry attacks as they come up, lacing in casting.

When I'm in LD, I use the three attacks out of LD (the cleave with knockdown, the flame-based sword attack, and the attack that refreshes the cleave), paying attention for when they proc each other's refresh.

I can't even do Epic on solo right now, TBH. Too squishy, so I haven't oslo'd anything on Reaper. Whn I'm in a reaper group, I mostly heal.

I know asking gear questions is very dated... but
c) what filigree set(s) do you use ? (most people will have a minor artifact, and a 5 slot sentient gem = 8 slots) -- but not access to the rare double set filigrees.
d) which Sharn set bonus do you go for ?

Thanks!

Nothing, in terms of filigrees and artifacts, because I'm in my mid-20s. When I get to 29 and have actual gear to tinker with, I'll probably be investigating which sets to use. Right now I'm rocking the Family set from heroic sharn, a Thunderforge bastard sword with Fire damage (not the vulnerability proc, but the basic 6-60 fire), Celestial Ruby ring, Chieftan, the cloak and bracers from the flamecleansed fury set, an Arcsteel brim (for Spell Focus Mastery), a Red Dragonscale trinket from Search and Rescue, Epic Steelweave boots (lightning resist/absorb, and full attack and run speed).

At 29, I'm going to play with a number of things. I have all the Sharn gear I need, plus the new Khopesh, and can piece together a decent set of gear that combines melee stats with basic casting.

[Electzra]

I've just started playing again - been away since 2012. My melee cleric (1Ftr/15Clr) is all screwed up and seriously out of date so I went searching for updated stuff and found this and a few others.

Since I only have +0 hearts sitting around I'm restricted to first life 28pt human, 1st Fighter, 2-16th Cleric. Tomes +3 Str, +1 Con, +2 others.

The plan would be to get to 20, farm up some decent gear, farm up some hearts, and then, when I've got some PLs under my belt, go for the PDK (I'm looking at you, winter sale) and worry about epic stuff.
With that in mind, is there much better I can do than the following? Any advice would be most welcome.

17/2/1 Cleric/Paladin/Fighter
Lawful Good Human


Level Order

1. Fighter . . . . 6. Cleric. . . . .11. Cleric. . . . .16. Cleric
2. Cleric . . . . .7. Cleric . . . . 12. Cleric . . . . 17. Cleric
3. Cleric . . . . .8. Cleric . . . . 13. Cleric . . . . 18. Cleric
4. Cleric . . . . .9. Cleric . . . . 14. Cleric . . . . 19. Paladin
5. Cleric . . . . 10. Cleric . . . . 15. Cleric . . . . 20. Paladin


Stats
. . . . . . . .28pt . . Tome . . Level Up
. . . . . . . .---- . . ----. . .--------
Strength. . . . 14. . . .+3. . . .4: WIS
Dexterity . . . .8. . . .+2. . . .8: WIS
Constitution. . 13. . . .+1. . . 12: WIS
Intelligence. . .8. . . .+2. . . 16: WIS
Wisdom. . . . . 17. . . .+2. . . 20: WIS
Charisma. . . . 12. . . .+2. . . 


Skills
. . . . . F .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .C .P. P
. . . . . 1 .2 .3 .4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
Heal. . . . .1 .1 .3 .1 .3 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1 .1. 1 .23
Jump. . . 4 . . . . . . . . . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1. 11
UMD . . . 1 .1 .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1 . . 1. . .1. . .11
Tumble. . 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
. . . . .------------------------------------------------------------
. . . . . 8 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3 .3. 3


Feats

.1. . . . : Power Attack
.1 Human. : Augment Summoning OR Toughness - STR15 at level 0 is too painful for 28pts human so it's HP or better rogue hireling
.1 Fighter: Cleave
.3. . . . : Empower Healing Spell
.6. . . . : Quicken Spell
.9. . . . : Two Handed Fighting
12. . . . : Improved Two Handed Fighting
15. . . . : Improved Critical: Slashing
18. . . . : Greater Two Handed Fighting OR Great Cleave - not enough feats! GTHF is possibly more consistent DPS?

.3 Cleric : War Domain

.2 Deity. : Follower of: Sovereign Host
.7 Deity. : Unyielding Sovereignty


Enhancements (80 AP)

Falconry (45 AP)
Raven, Wisdom, Well Rounded, Wisdom, Well Rounded II, Master Falconer
Rugged III, Hunter's Knowledge, Out in Nature III
Killer Instinct I, Watch the Center III
Killer Instinct II, Tear Flesh, Strike for the Eyes: Strike III, Conditioning, Eyes of the Eagle
Deadly Instinct III, No Mercy III, Coordinated Strike, Expose Weakness
Dangerous, Death from Above: Strike III, Mark the Prey: Strike
Radiant Servant (32 AP) - can't get the capstone so I went all in on Falconry
Healing Domain, Pacifism, Positive Energy Burst, Improved Empower Healing
Extra Turning II, Wand Mastery III, Bliss I, Altruism III
(none)
Intense Healing III, Wisdom
Incredible Healing III, Divine Health, Wisdom
Human (3 AP)
Damage Boost, Wisdom

Side note: I also came up with a 1Ftr/17Clr/2Art SWF build which pushed UMD to 20-something and gave the rune arm for a little more weapon DPS, but I couldn't really crowbar in BS proficiency, otherwise I might just have tried it for grins.

[C-Dog]

...and gave the rune arm for a little more weapon DPS...

Most (all?) runearms are based on Arti levels, not character levels, so a small dip is a ~very~ small boost to DPS. Your call.

[Electzra]

Most (all?) runearms are based on Arti levels, not character levels, so a small dip is a ~very~ small boost to DPS. Your call.

I was referring to the bonus to weapon damage, rather than using the rune arm itself. It looks like there might be more offensive rune arms than there are orbs.

I'm still half tempted. That lvl 1 fighter is really restrictive though.

[Djjinni]

I was referring to the bonus to weapon damage, rather than using the rune arm itself. It looks like there might be more offensive rune arms than there are orbs.

I'm still half tempted. That lvl 1 fighter is really restrictive though.

You can follow most of the build as written here by sticking at 19/1 or even 17/3 for the def stance and less dps

I don't see much gain from the /2 paladin in this case



If not going for Mauls, basically any other race would be better than PDK also, just something to consider.


I still really like this build and wish the meta was kinder on it so I'd run one more often

[Electzra]

I don't see much gain from the /2 paladin in this case

+8 to saves vs a couple of 9th level spells (vs def stance + extra feat for 3 ftr). Honestly don't know which is worth more, but I've a level or two to make the decision.

[Anashan]

Hey Axel et al, hope you all have a great new year. Quick comment and a question. I have been playing Axel's build, I believe, as written with no changes but one, more in a sec on that. Level 30 and staying here for a while after building up some past lives both heroic and epic. Just started doing 32 content in Sharn (no raid yet). Easily soloing on hard mode 32 legendary. Everything is working as planned...as Axel stated in his goal for this build. Good DPS, good heals. Things die fairly fast and I don't die. Two good things. I have been soloing only, so far, in legendary epic content, no raid just yet (soon) and I wanted to feel this build out on hard mode for quests\dungeons and so far, all good. Elite will be next week(solo).

Question (or two): I have an extra 1 universal point and 2 extra racial. I decided to go with the Falconry capstone V the Radian Servant and I do not know why I would take RS capstone. The Falconry is +2 to all stats (not just wisdom) gaining all kinds of small good stuff from the extra 2 stat points in all. I lose the auto-crit every so often on the Aura but I crit a lot anyway plus, I twisted in Consecration and Sacred Ground from Div. Crus. - Aura is ticking at 140 normal crit 280 every 2 seconds or so with 100% uptime and Sacred Ground is ticking for 390 every 2 seconds or so with 3/4 up time = allowing for NOT recasting Sacred exactly 20 seconds apart and allowing for some time where you run around and leave your Sacred Ground circle of goodness, lets call it at least 400 to 500 heals per 2 seconds average or 200-250 a second AOE heals to me and a chunk of those fortunate enough to be around me Those numbers do not include other temp boosts I sometimes use, usually only on the hardest bosses (Pacifism from RS, Positive pots and so on).

With these two fairly large AOE heals going out nearly all time, I don't think I need the RS capstone and while the Falconry +2 to all stats is not earth shattering, I think it is still better than RS capstone? Thoughts?

[pSINNa]

First of all, thanks for putting this build together, before I took a long break from the game I played a lot of melee style clerics that gave little away from their heal/cast side, with trip/stun specced Horc's, GA wielding Dwarves and Elven Clonks being favourites.


Having come back to the game recently I found my Horc strength built Cleric was gimped by the various game changes, making him a very poor melee, a mana munching pain when trying to nuke, and with cleric crowd control that just aggro'd everything without being terribly effective.


I bit the bullet and TR'd that fellow into this build, and even had fun going through my array of hoarding bank characters to pick up a surprising array of stashed Mauls, with Adamantine Smiting, Metalline pure good, silver ghost touched guild slotted Disruptor , a holy burst Banisher, and a Fury of the Flame hiding away in there.


Ran out to Barovia for a free undead damager, crafted up a Lit2 Maul for giggles, and away I went.


I went for the Pure PDK version (had a LR Heart+20 in his bank), and built exactly on your spec except for one change - I elected to pick up Heighten at 15 for the Cleric CC spells, Soundburst stuns, Cometfalls, Greater Commands, and jumped up Destruction's etc, putting off the THF feats one stage with Perfect TWF being sacrificed at the end - drop a %5 doublestrike chance (but still having Perfect THF so happy basher and I'll find Doublestrike gear at end game I'm sure - some is better than nothing) having effective DC's all through as a return - just my preference being a huge fan of Cleric CC and kill spells.


At level 15 he still rocks his GS spell point boosting concordant Goggle (blindness immunity, charisma skills and maxed UMD = max convenience), his GS hit point boosting enervation guard cloak with Blue DragonScale armour (spell pen and crit chance booster) with a Conduit of the Soul I picked up recently in there (his poor old Torc of Raiyum gets slotted when he's being whacked, but not much really, sigh, after all those runs it just isn't that useful anymore).


The rest is all Cannith Crafting for +8 stats and managing to fit in Deadly, Sheltering, Fear Immunity, Feather Fall, +6 to saves, Seeking, Heavy Fort , Greater Spell Focus, Striding, and max Radiance and Devotion at all times, with a couple of caster sticks for max force and fire for cast heavy times. (His only real switchout, pretty good for an all rounder - Cannith Crafting is your friend!! lol)


It's a barrel of monkeys - fun to play, and just all round effective at the moment. Getting to play around with falconry related tricks for the first time is a real bonus - boy with bird, lol.


I'll have to see how it runs when I get into Legendary with him, but I'm sure it's going to progress well.

Thanks again, keep up the good work.

Coit out

[Ballrus]

Gameplay video?

[axel15810]

Question (or two): I have an extra 1 universal point and 2 extra racial. I decided to go with the Falconry capstone V the Radian Servant and I do not know why I would take RS capstone. The Falconry is +2 to all stats (not just wisdom) gaining all kinds of small good stuff from the extra 2 stat points in all. I lose the auto-crit every so often on the Aura but I crit a lot anyway plus, I twisted in Consecration and Sacred Ground from Div. Crus. - Aura is ticking at 140 normal crit 280 every 2 seconds or so with 100% uptime and Sacred Ground is ticking for 390 every 2 seconds or so with 3/4 up time = allowing for NOT recasting Sacred exactly 20 seconds apart and allowing for some time where you run around and leave your Sacred Ground circle of goodness, lets call it at least 400 to 500 heals per 2 seconds average or 200-250 a second AOE heals to me and a chunk of those fortunate enough to be around me Those numbers do not include other temp boosts I sometimes use, usually only on the hardest bosses (Pacifism from RS, Positive pots and so on).

With these two fairly large AOE heals going out nearly all time, I don't think I need the RS capstone and while the Falconry +2 to all stats is not earth shattering, I think it is still better than RS capstone? Thoughts?

We already have FOM inherently and aren't taking tier 5 falconry, so the falconry capstone is kinda meh. That said, RS capstone is also meh so it just comes down to personal preference. +2 to all stats vs. +2 WIS and +10 or so positive spellpower (from extra AP spent in RS via core 1) and every 5th heal boosted.

Gameplay video?

See my youtube channel (link in my signature and also in the original post). I haven't put any footage of me on super challenging difficulties for a long time but there's some fairly recent gameplay of me rather casually solo'ing the Soul Splitter pack from late this past year.

[Anashan]

[QUOTE=axel15810;6282905]We already have FOM inherently and aren't taking tier 5 falconry, so the falconry capstone is kinda meh. That said, RS capstone is also meh so it just comes down to personal preference. +2 to all stats vs. +2 WIS and +10 or so positive spellpower (from extra AP spent in RS via core 1) and every 5th heal boosted

Thanks Axel. You may be right. Picked up 4 legendary items (including all three for Part of the Family set - for dps - and the legendary collective sight goggles which gave me +21 wis, nearly finished, and plus 10 wis, almost there - very nice adding the 31 WIS there) and I got the Stolen Signet of ir'Wynarn artifact ring (with all three purity filigrees - for heals - slotted in it now). But the items as a whole are hard to balance without dups, and compromises had to be made with gear\crafting. I lost healing lore in the gear shuffle so going to RS capstone may be worth it now.

I also lost melee alacrity (15% attack speed) so I swapped in Blinding Speed and took out Intensify. I figured the perma run\attack speed for now is better then the Intensified heals. My heals are quit strong without Intensify and Intensify does NOT help the Aura nor the Sacred Ground\Consecration ticks. After I equipped all the new 4 legendaries and the artifact (and I am going to change to RS capstone from Falconry capstone), I now have Aura ticking at 173 (346 when it crits) and Sacred Ground\Consecration twisted in ticking for 484 (both numbers up nicely). Those heal ticks do not include Pacify nor other temporary boosts to heals\pos spellpower. The rest of the gear is all lvl 34 Cannith Crafted, and all items have third enhancement and gem slots in them. As I mentioned, I lost Healing Lore in the gear shuffle, at least for now - I could not find a way to get it in there without nerfing something - so I will move to RS capstone to gain a few crits back.

Not sure what to go after next (Other than Tremor (Maul) which I do not have yet...using tier 2 Thunderforged til I get it). Anyone have a suggestion on what to boost or a specific piece of gear or two to chase down????