Pure Cleric vs Cleric/Fvs - Thoughts?

[Augon]

I am going to create a new (first Life) Human Cleric. I'm not looking for a pre-made build, just looking for some thoughts on a particular design consideration.

A friend had told me he was going to make a cleric a few weeks ago and planned to splash in 2-3 lvls of FvS mainly for the "Just Reward" and Additional Crit enhancements from the AoV tree. On the surface that seems like a pretty good way to keep spell points during a fight, but I question if it makes that big a difference. temporary is oh so temporary.

I kind of like the idea of going pure Cleric - but would like to get some thoughts on the idea of working in Just Reward. If it seems that is a great way to go, I may go multi-class.

My goal for this cleric is to function as a party healer (which to me is not precisely a healbot - I want to do more than just heal, although I want to be able to keep a party alive as the only healer in the group and I want to not be too squishy - If I fail at keeping them alive, I need to stay alive long enough to get them back up) I tend to run mostly with my guild and will probably rarely solo this guy.

I figure a good bit from the Radiant Servant Tree - up to Aura. Then pull some offensive stuff from Divine Disciple. If I take the 2-3 lvls of FvS, Action Points will be tight and I will probably sacrifice the Human tree all together and may miss some good stuff on Divine Disciple. And of course, it will cost me a capstone and possibly a lvl 18 Core.

everything about making builds is a trade off - I like that fact, but I am curious from some of your experiences, if this particular trade off is worth it. IF it can be, what design considerations do I need to be looking at to make it worthwhile?

Feel free to throw out your favorite splash for a decent cleric - I am very early in the design phase so any direction is o-able with the caveat that I do want Aura from RS.

Keep in mind, I'm not going to be going far into epics with this life - I'll TR shortly after hitting 20 or 21 and start over again. But I am a slow traveler on the TR train so I want to enjoy trip.

[Silverleafeon]

Its fun. You could consider up to 5 levels of Favored Soul. Big light Spell Crits.

The main issue is giving up Implosion (but my main has excellent spell pen which makes a difference) which was recently fixed to work properly.

[Kanuk]

Keep in mind, I'm not going to be going far into epics with this life - I'll TR shortly after hitting 20 or 21 and start over again. But I am a slow traveler on the TR train so I want to enjoy trip.

Because of this, I would say go with the 2 levels of Fvs. The only good reason of going pure Cleric, in my opinion, is for the Divine Disciple capstone. If you plan to TR by level 22, then you wont benefit as much as you would from Just reward during your first 20 heroic levels. You should even consider 17cleric/2Fvs/1Wiz, for the extra bonus feat and you still (almost) get the full caster experience.

For enhancements, real quick I am thinking something like:
Radiant servant: 32 points for your Aura
Divine Disciple: 23 to 30; all the tier 4 enhancement and 4th core are good, I think 1 point for holy smite SLA and 2 pts for +1 evocation DC are a must.
Angel of vengeance: 8 to 10 points (if you want the extra crit%)
Warpriest: 8 points would be nice to get the extra 10PRR, on a pure build as much as 13points for the 3rd core and +2 wisdom
Racial: 3 points for wisdom stat (if human)

You will have to make some choices, but its definitely manageable.

Finally, soundburst is often underrated, so be sure to give it a shot.

[Lonnbeimnech]

just reward is waaaaay more useful on a shiradi mm spammer or fire savant. I wouldn't give up the divine disciple cap for it.

[Kanuk]

just reward is waaaaay more useful on a shiradi mm spammer or fire savant. I wouldn't give up the divine disciple cap for it.

Overall I agree with you, be he plans to TR at level 20-21, so the capstone is a non-factor really. If he was going to say 28 and want the Cleric experience, then yes go pure. If just for the past life, the extra SP and spell power from 2 Fvs are definitely a good trade for the last 2 Cleric levels, in heroic at least.