The Better Undead Cleric: Because DA isn't for casters :(

[grubenbrobrobroketv]

I'm posting my build on the forms because i feel like this niche build archetype has been forgetten about by the devs and I want to shed light on it so the devs know that someone does want to play this character build and its unique so i thought i'd share with all of you. I apologize if this gets our build nerfed it has to be done so maybe we can get negative energy burst back. We will be taking four levels of wizard because Dark apostate doesn't work for casters. immunity stripping is viability in DDO because its so powerful either your casters have it or they're not a strong caster build. We dont need to get into a discussion on immunity stripping it exists so we must build for it. We will also be playing a normal cleric as if you use dark apostate you will have less crit chance but we will be undead because this is the better undead cleric build. This build heavily benefits from racial past lives and i would recommend having at least 11 racial AP to spend at level 1 in order to pull off the build comfortably with shifter.

Character name: Gruben Broke TV
Classes: 16 Cleric, 10 Epic, 4 Wizard, 2 Legendary
Race: Shifter · · · · · · ·Alignment: Neutral

· · ·Start Tome Final · · ·
Str:· · 10· · 8 · ·23 · · · HP:· · · ·2340
Dex:· · 10· · 8 · ·30 · · ·PRR: · · · ·73
Con:· · 18· · 8 · ·67 · · ·MRR: · · · ·71
Int:· · ·8· · 8 · ·41 · · ·
Wis:· · 18· · 8 · ·98 · · ·
Cha:· · ·8· · 8 · ·42 · · ·

Class and Feat Selection
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Level Class · · · · · ·Feats
1 · · Cleric(1) · · · ·Standard: Empower Healing Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Animalistic Aspect: Wildhunt Shifter
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Follower of Faith: Follower of the Blood of Vol
2 · · Cleric(2) · · · ·Domain: Death Domain Tier I
3 · · Cleric(3) · · · ·Standard: Maximize Spell
4 · · Cleric(4) · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
5 · · Cleric(5) · · · ·Domain Feat: Death Domain Tier II
6 · · Wizard(1) · · · ·Standard: Empower Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Metamagic: Mental Toughness
7 · · Wizard(2) · · · ·
8 · · Wizard(3) · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
9 · · Wizard(4) · · · ·Standard: Spell Focus: Necromancy
10· · Cleric(6) · · · ·Deity: Search the Soul
11· · Cleric(7) · · · ·
12· · Cleric(8) · · · ·Standard: Quicken Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
13· · Cleric(9) · · · ·Domain Feat: Death Domain Tier III
14· · Cleric(10)· · · ·
15· · Cleric(11)· · · ·Standard: Heighten Spell
16· · Cleric(12)· · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
17· · Cleric(13)· · · ·
18· · Cleric(14)· · · ·Standard: Greater Spell Focus: Necromancy
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Domain Feat: Death Domain Tier IV
19· · Cleric(15)· · · ·
20· · Cleric(16)· · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
21· · Epic(1) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Wellspring of Power
22· · Epic(2) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Negative
23· · Epic(3) · · · · ·
24· · Epic(4) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Embolden Spell
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
25· · Epic(5) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Guardian Angel
26· · Epic(6) · · · · ·
27· · Epic(7) · · · · ·Epic Feat: Intensify Spell
28· · Epic(8) · · · · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Dreamscape
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up
29· · Epic(9) · · · · ·
30· · Epic(10)· · · · ·Epic Feat: Arcane Insight
· · · · · · · · · · · ·Legendary: Scion of the Shadowfell
31· · Legendary(1)· · ·Epic Destiny Feat: Epic Spell Power: Positive
32· · Legendary(2)· · ·Wisdom: +1 Level up

Enhancements: 80 APs, Racial 14, Universal 1
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Shifter - Points spent: 16
Core1 Extra Shifting I
Tier1 Hardy Shifting - 3 Ranks
Core2 Ability I: Wisdom
Tier1 Extend Shifting - 2 Ranks
Core3 Extra Shifting II
Core4 Ability II: Wisdom
Core5 Regenerating Shift
Tier3 Empowered by Nature: Empowered by Nature: Wildhide - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Exceptional Shifting: Wild Magic
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Divine Disciple - Points spent: 36
Core6 Emissary: Divine Emissary of Darkness
Tier1 Energy of the Disciple - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Divine Smiting I: Divine Smiting I
Core5 Emissary: Empowered by Darkness
Tier2 Divine Smiting II: Divine Smiting II
Tier2 Light and Dark
Tier2 Efficient Metamagic I: Efficient Quicken - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Wisdom I
Tier3 Divine Smiting III: Divine Smiting III
Tier3 Disciple of Dusk or Dawn I: Disciple of Dusk - 3 Ranks
Core4 Emissary: Dark Spellbook I: Enervation
Tier4 Wisdom II
Core3 Emissary: Dark Spellbook II: Necrotic Ray
Tier4 Divine Smiting IV: Divine Smiting IV
Tier4 Prophetic Zenith III: Chaos Hammer - 1 Ranks
Tier5 Divine Smiting V: Divine Smiting V
Tier5 Divine Empowerment
Tier5 Condemnation or Acceptance: Condemnation
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feydark Illusionist - Points spent: 16
Core1 Find Familiar: White Cat
Tier1 Study the Arcane - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Feydark Explorer - 1 Ranks
Core2 Ability I: Wisdom
Tier2 Bend Light
Tier2 Reality Bulwark - 1 Ranks
Tier3 Spell Penetration - 1 Ranks
Core3 Greater Color Spray
Tier3 Ability I: Wisdom
Tier3 Magical Attunement I
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pale Master - Points spent: 27
Core1 Dark Reaping
Tier1 Spell Critical: Negative Energy I
Tier1 Negative Energy Conduit - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Deathless Vigor - 3 Ranks
Tier2 Spell Critical: Negative Energy II
Core2 Pale Shroud: Shroud of the Vampire
Tier3 Spell Critical: Negative Energy III
Tier3 Negative Energy Adept - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Ability I: +1 Constitution
Tier4 Spell Critical: Negative Energy IV
Tier4 Unholy Avatar
Tier4 Ability II: +1 Constitution
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epic Destinies: 40 APs + 12 permanent Destiny Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Draconic Incarnation - Points spent: 25
Core1 Draconic Bloodline: Draconic Bloodline: Shadow
Tier1 Dragon Scales - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Dragonhide - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Attune the Arcane
Tier1 Draconic Perception - 1 Ranks
Core2 Draconic Heritage I
Tier2 Coalescence - 3 Ranks
Core3 Elemental Blood
Tier3 Inevitable
Tier3 Draconic Spell Focus: Necromancy - 3 Ranks
Core4 Draconic Heritage II
Tier4 Pull from the Wellspring
Tier4 Dragonspeed
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Magus of the Eclipse - Points spent: 29
Core1 Touched by the Moon
Tier1 Imperceptible Casting - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Impregnable Mind - 3 Ranks
Tier1 Moon Lance: Gloomspear
Core2 Deepening Arcana
Tier2 Moonlight: Dark Light of the Moon
Tier2 Chill Aura
Tier2 Lunar Insight: Wisdom
Tier3 Starlight - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Lunar Imbuement
Core3 Nullmagic Aura
Tier3 Piercing Spellcraft - 3 Ranks
Tier3 Partial Eclipse: Evocation - 3 Ranks
Tier4 Greater Beams
Core4 Nightwind

[grubenbrobrobroketv]

Armor · · · · Legendary Red Dragonscale Armor · Drops in: Raid: The Vault of Night, 25 Red Dragon scales and Shard
· · · · · · · Colorless: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Soul of the Red Dragon
Belt· · · · · Legendary Black Satin Waist · Drops in: Quest: The Magma Must Flow
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Qual IWC): +3 Quality Wisdom
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
Boots · · · · Legendary Deepsnow Boots· ·Drops in: U48 Quest: A Frosty Reception
· · · · · · · Green: +2 Festive Constitution
· · · · · · · Mythic: +3 Mythic Shield Boost
· · · · · · · Reaper: +3 Reaper PRR
· · · · · · · Eminence of Winter
Bracers · · · Legendary Kopru Bracers · Drops in: Quest: Bullywugs and Booby Traps
· · · · · · · IoD: Accessory: Scale Slot: Scale: Negative Spell Crit Damage
· · · · · · · Green: Essence of Pomura's Memento
· · · · · · · Colorless: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · The Legendary Dread Isle's Curse
Cloak · · · · Legendary Magewright's Cloak· ·Drops in: U47 Raid: Legendary Lord of Blades
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Charisma EIQ): +13 Charisma
· · · · · · · Blue: Diamond of the Magi
· · · · · · · Yellow: +2 Topaz of Spell Focus: Necromancy
· · · · · · · Masterful Magewright
Gloves· · · · Gloryborne Gloves · Drops in: U48: Feytwisted Chest
· · · · · · · Green: Globe of True Imperial Blood
· · · · · · · Eminence of Autumn
Goggles · · · Legendary Magewright's Spectacles · Drops in: U47 Raid: Legendary Master Artificer
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Intelligence EIQ): +13 Intelligence
· · · · · · · Green: +2 Festive Wisdom
· · · · · · · Blue: +2 Festive Constitution
· · · · · · · Masterful Magewright
Helmet· · · · Legendary Elder's Cap · Drops in: Quest: Red Fens Chain (Requires Scroll, Shard and Seal)
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Colorless: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Elder's Knowledge
Necklace· · · Legendary Elder's Focus · Drops in: Quest: The Last Stand, Base Item plus crafting in the 12
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Colorless: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Elder's Knowledge
Ring1 · · · · Legendary Celestial Sapphire Ring · Drops in: Quest: Blown Deadline
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (DIC): +13 Constitution
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
Ring2 · · · · Dinosaur Bone Ring· ·Drops in: The Isle of Dread, any legendary chest; or Dread saga legendary end reward
· · · · · · · IoD: Accessory: Artifact Scale Slot: Scale: +15 Wisdom
· · · · · · · IoD: Accessory: Fang Slot: Fang: Negative Spell Crit Damage
· · · · · · · IoD: Accessory: Claw Slot: Claw: Negative Spell Crit Damage
· · · · · · · IoD: Accessory: Horn Slot: Horn: Profane DCs
· · · · · · · Blue: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Green: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · The Legendary Dread Isle's Curse
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Celerity/Vigilance: +2 Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Elemental Avatar: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: Dragonsoul: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 4: The Inevitable Grave: Negative Spell Power(Rare Version)
Trinket · · · Legendary Dragon's Eye· ·Drops in: Raid: The Vault of Night, Base Item plus crafting in the 12
· · · · · · · Yellow: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Legendary Draconic Prophecy
Weapon1 · · · Legendary Sickle of Vile Attunement · Drops in: U46: Quest: Sacred Bounty?
· · · · · · · Red: Empty augment slot
· · · · · · · Sentient Weapon Personality: Sentient Jewel of Blackrazor
· · · · · · · Filigree 1: Celerity/Vigilance: +2 Wisdom(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 2: Elemental Avatar: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 3: The Inevitable Grave: Negative Spell Power(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 4: The Inevitable Grave: PRR(Rare Version)
· · · · · · · Filigree 5: Dragonsoul: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 6: Dragonsoul: Universal Spellpower
· · · · · · · Filigree 7: Vigilance: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 8: Coalesced Magic: Wisdom
· · · · · · · Filigree 9: The Inevitable Grave: Negative Healing Amplification
Weapon2 · · · Legendary Stygian Wrath · Drops in: Quest: The Same Old Song
· · · · · · · Nearly Finished (Ins IWC): +6 Insightful Wisdom
· · · · · · · Purple: +2 Festive Wisdom

[Scrag]

I am not following, at all.

dd/da enhancement trees get you 13% align + negative crit. You get (at minimum) 30 align/negative spell power from da, plus 25% incorp, 25% concealment. You have an interesting variant on slay living from the harm upgrade. You get another +15 (negative/positive healing amp)/+5 to align, neg sp. You can juggle align/neg spellpower however works for you in dd core.

I had zero problems one shot nuking things with a variety of supporting spells from 16-20 throughout all of sharn. I unquestionably did A LOT of casting, backing it up with holy sword, knights training, 2wf longswords.

I think ultimately its just a matter of how you look at how you play or what value you see in the archetype. I think there is plenty of value in the at. Might be that you are looking in the wrong places for that value?

[Xgya]

Personal experience says Palemaster immunity stripping on Wizards doesn't deal with the singular enemies Wizards already have the most trouble facing: golems.

If you really want an undead Cleric, DA simply does it better.
It doesn't do it WELL, just better; losing 9th level spells now that there's actually decent damaging options available will hurt you more later on.

One thing Dark Apostate does better is resiliency. That makes them better at going melee; then again, Warpriest is yet another spot where poor Clerics are given the short end of the stick, and being shoehorned into a single domain doesn't help.`
I dare say DAs make metter melee combatants than classical Clerics. (though, like the above, "better" and "good" are wholly different matters)

[Onyxia2019]

I played a DA shortly after the type was released and I found it to be a pretty good caster.
Max out necromancy where possible and invest mostly in the DA and Disciple trees.
You get Necrotic Ray and Bolt as SLA's and with the meta magic feats I was one shotting most things.
As for AOE use the Inflict <insert version here> Mass. Make sure you are in the middle of the group so you get the heal from it.

Undead is where you will burn most of your SP since you have to switch to non SLA light spells.
I also had a really nice quarterstaff that was a straight up undead beater.