Cleric question regarding race and domain

[Lalangamena]

So,

1) I see plenty of PDK builds for melee cleric in the forums, instead of "regular" human,
and I cant understand why.

the only differences as i can see it is that PDK has free Shield Deflection feat (is it that useful?) and some charisma gimmick when you replace attack bonus from strength to charisma.
is there anything else which is meaningful to a melee cleric that i am missing?



2) i looked on the cleric domains and i think that the "strength" domain is the best domain for a melee cleric.
you get bonus +2 strength, you can dump completely dexterity and still get high reflex saves because you replace them with strength. your turn undead gives you and your party even more strength,

and most important you are completely immune to knockdowns and stun, i remember that these two were my main concerns when i was healing and this domain completely solves these issues,
so why is strength domain is not more popular?


ty

[goldgolem]

I think it will in the long term for pure healer types. Right now I think people are enjoying trying out the different domains

For my cleric I am thinking of adding the 5 pieces of Zephyr filigree that stops knockdown http://ddowiki.com/page/Sentient_Weapon/Filigrees

[unbongwah]

1) I see plenty of PDK builds for melee cleric in the forums, instead of "regular" human,
and I cant understand why.

If you're planning to use mauls, you really want the Silvanus deity feat which adds an extra +2 to your crit range. Unfortunately, Silvanus is a Forgotten Realms deity which is only available to four Iconic races: PDK, SDK, Deep Gnome, and Scourge Aasimar. [Morninglords are restricted to Amaunator-only.] PDK get a free feat and extra skill pts, start out as fighter for another feat, and have some nice cheap racial enhancements (like Melee Power Boost and heal amp); all of which gives them a leg up on the other races, IMO.

For other deities / weapon options, it's more of a wash, though those inherent PDK bonuses are still useful. For Eberron races I usually suggest Onatar largely for the Melee Power boost from the lvl 6 deity ability.

so why is strength domain is not more popular?

Because War Domain provides Holy Sword at level 14: "any weapons in your hands gain +1 to their Enhancement bonus and +1 Competence Bonus to Critical Threat Range and Critical Damage Multiplier." If you don't have those crit bonuses from other sources (such as Kensei), then HS is a much more significant DPS bonus than anything you get from Strength domain.

As an added perk, War domain also provides all weapon proficiencies free and a DC bonus to tactics feats like Stunning Blow. Ironically, War battleclerics get this DC bonus while pure paladins gain none.

See my Champions of Silvanus thread for examples of PDK maul battleclerics. Most are based on War domain, but I have one Strength domain build too just for variety.

[Enoach]

Also, PDK have access to use Charisma with Swords and a Tactical DC bonus based on Charisma Modifier.

Strength is a choice but also any domain that adds to defense or tactical dcs is a consolidating tactic as well.

[unbongwah]

Also, PDK have access to use Charisma with Swords and a Tactical DC bonus based on Charisma Modifier.

True but that would work better on a PDK FvS of Helm using Grace of Battle+Cormyrian Knight Training+Divine Presence for all the stacking dmg and DC bonuses from CHA. Which I thought was beyond the scope of the OP's request.

Whereas clerics only get Divine Might (bonus to STR) so they can't use that particular combo unless you splash FvS for War Soul's Divine Presence.

[Enoach]

True but that would work better on a PDK FvS of Helm using Grace of Battle+Cormyrian Knight Training+Divine Presence for all the stacking dmg and DC bonuses from CHA. Which I thought was beyond the scope of the OP's request.

Whereas clerics only get Divine Might (bonus to STR) so they can't use that particular combo unless you splash FvS for War Soul's Divine Presence.

I went with the War Priest, War Domain - Wisdom/Charisma using all the named longswords myself (yes I collected a lot of named longswords over the years). Optimal probably not, but it was fun and a Named Banaishing Longsword in Reaper is awesome