Hardcore Cleric

[Gnominal_Aphasia]

I died a LOT during the last Hardcore season, and have been experimenting with various Hardcore-focused builds that would help me die less for season 5 while we are waiting for Update 51.

This version has been a breeze so far. It's a pure caster built to be as flexible as possible: DPS, DC, Healing and CC. The version I have been testing is not F2P, so if you don't have Aasimar or Feydark Illusionist, I would suggest going Human for the extra feat and skill points and investing more AP into Radiant Servant for healing.

AASIMAR CLERIC 20 Hardcore [32 point] Build

STR8 DEX8 CON16 INT12 WIS18 CHA15
Bond of the Protector: +1 CHA
Skills: Heal, Spellcraft plus 1/2 into Balance or Jump... I chose Balance.
Feats: Maximize, Quicken, Empower, Mental Toughness, Spell Penetration, Heighten, Greater Spell Penetration
Domain: Death

Enchancements:

Aasimar: 5 Cores + Arcanum III (13 AP)

Divine Disciple: (41 AP)
Cores Divine Emissary of Light, all 6 cores
Tier 1 Universal Spellpower III, Divine Vitality III [I used Nimbus of Light SLA for the first few levels]
Tier 2 Universal Spellpower III, Efficient Maximize III [for use with Divine Wrath and Word of Balance]
Tier 3 Spell Penetration II, Wisdom
Tier 4 Holy Smite SLA III, Evocation DC, Wisdom
Tier 5 Evocation DC, Divine Empowerment

Radiant Servant: (13 AP)
Cores 3
Tier 1 Divine Aid, Divine Cleansing III
Tier 2 Improved Turning III, Mighty Turning
Tier 3 Wisdom

Feydark Illusionist (13 AP)
Cores 3
Tier 1 Twist Reality, Study the Arcane II
Tier 2 Reality Bulwark III
Tier 3 Spell Penetration II

Reasoning:
- Death Domain for [big one-shot spell] Necrotic Ray SLA, Immunity to Energy Drain and Destruction SLA. Also better Turn Undead stats.
- Light Divine Disciple so not to be a one-trick pony... Searing Light and Holy Smite are really strong in Heroics
- Spell Penetration for DC casting (Destruction, Finger of Death, Implosion, Soundburst)
- Efficient Maximize III is primarily for Divine Wrath and Word of Balance
- Efficient Heighten II for Soundburst as required [not entirely convinced I need this but better safe than sorry?]

Strategy:
AP... 1 into Aasimar, then into DD for Holy Smite, 1 into Feydark, then into RS for improved Turning abilities, DD, RS, Feydark last
1st life get to level 20 ASAP, farm dailies for Tokens and TR (+2 CON tome)
2nd life rinse and repeat (+2 INT tome); extra 2 AP into INT
3rd life gives 36 point build and better turning; extra 2 AP into DEX (+2 CHA tome, +5 WIS tome)

Epic Feats: Epic Spell Penetration, Master of Light, Arcane Insight, Epic Fortitude
Destiny Feats: either Epic Spellpower (Light/Negative/Positive), Mass Frog (must), Deific Warding or Fount of Life**
Destinies
- Exalted Angel: ** if Fount of Life bonus is improved, Enhanced Metamagics: Maximize III
- Magus of the Eclipse: Lunar Insight (Arcane Insight) + extra Spell DCs
- [probably] Primal Avatar for tier 2 Spirit Boon.

So far, testing in Heroics at level 11. Started with nothing, didn't take any gear or money from bank. Played entirely elite at level to level-4. At level 10, soloed Delera chain on elite... part 4 was easy. Once you hit level 5 and have Necrotic Ray, Searing Light and Holy Smite SLAs [and Turn Undead] life becomes very easy.