The Cleric: Now it's every class

[Snowbluff]

Someone said a party full of clerics was boring.

It's now time to reeducate him.

From this day forth, this thread will hold 1 build for a cleric: 2 domains (or Inquisitions), feats, race, traits, any Archetypes, and possibly 1 spell per level to replace classes that are not of the Cleric Master Race. Please assist me in this joyous venture. Hopefully this can be handy if someone needs a cleric build, so it can be a handbook, too.

We will not use VMC, because that's like giving up. We can do this with just the Cleric, the most beautiful class ever conceived to...

fight vampires? What?

Spoiler: Alchemist

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Archetype: Hidden Priest


Domains: Strength
Scalykind (Venom)

Variant Channeling: Fire (Catch people in fire)


Feats: Throw Anything
Brew Potion
Selective Channeling (So that you only affects creatures within in a 3x3 zone in your burst)
War Blessing (Strenght and Scalykind)
Subtle Poisoner
Poison Focus.

Class Features:

Mutagen: Strenght Blessing (Strenght bonus) and Scalykind Blessing (Natural armor bonus).
Bomb: Variant Channeling (Fire), Selective Channeling, Throw Anything
Extract: Brew Potion, Hidden Priest (False Arcanist class feature)
Poison: Subtle Poisoner, Poison Focus

Spoiler: Barbarian

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Domain: Rage
Inquisition: Anger

Feats:
1) Power Attack

Spoiler: Cavalier

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Inquisition: Chivalry
Domain: Tactics/Glory

Feats:
Mounted Combat
Flag Bearer

Thanks Molosse

Spoiler: Investigator

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Archetype: Cloistered Cleric
Stats: Int=Wis>Dex>Con>Cha>Str
Feats: Amateur Investigator, Extra Inspiration, Studied Combatant, Improved Studied Combatant, Weapon Finesse
Domain/Inquisition: Knowledge/Trust/Conversion.

Thanks, Mollosse

Spoiler: Magus

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Domains: Air, Earth, Fire, or Water and Destruction

Feats: Vital Strike
Blessed Hammer
Grasping Strike
Energy Channel
Winter's Strike

Spoiler: Ranger

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Domain: Animal
Domain: (Tactics?)

Feats:
1) Point Blank Shot
3) Rapid Shot
5)

Spoiler: wizard

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Archetype: Ecclesitheurge
Domains: Whatever man

Feats:
Scribe Scroll


Thanks Graaaaaaaargg

[Extra Anchovies]

How close do we plan to stay to the classes emulated? Are we trying to copy their mechanics, or just their overall feel? It'll be hard for a cleric to get Sneak Attack, for example, but it would be trivial to make a stealthy cleric.

[Snowbluff]

How close do we plan to stay to the classes emulated? Are we trying to copy their mechanics, or just their overall feel? It'll be hard for a cleric to get Sneak Attack, for example, but it would be trivial to make a stealthy cleric.

As best as we can do, ol' chap. Feel is good, and mechanics would help that. :D

[Aditus]

Are the feats supposed to be in the order they're taken (1st feat at 1st level, 2nd at 3rd, and so on)? Because Power Attack requires a BAB of +1 which a Cleric, alas, does not have at first level.

If it's just "feats to take," then no objections here.

[Snowbluff]

Are the feats supposed to be in the order they're taken (1st feat at 1st level, 2nd at 3rd, and so on)? Because Power Attack requires a BAB of +1 which a Cleric, alas, does not have at first level.

If it's just "feats to take," then no objections here.

It's supposed to be an order, but Snowbluff didn't have a first feat to put there, so another Snowbluff put it in the "first slot" until the third Snowbluff had something else to put there.

[rockdeworld]

I tried to make a DPR cleric, and felt I couldn't do it well without a level of barbarian. I don't think PF clerics tank/DPR nearly as well as a Barbarian/Rogue/Summoner.

Having said that, a DPR cleric benefits from:

• Race: Orc
• Domains: Demon, Destruction
• Feats: Power Attack, Furious Focus, Vital Strike, Quicken Spell
• Spells: (Quickened) Divine Favor, Divine Strength, Righteous Might

[Snowbluff]

Try Litany of Righteousness, possibly with the Abundant Ammunition with Greater Named Bullet trick (arrows with spells on them are not magical), poached via Samsaran. For melee, use the arrows as an improvised weapon.

Consistent double damage from your Litany, as you have way more spell slots of that level than the paladin.

[Extra Anchovies]

Using Samsaran feels like cheating. In that particular build it's Samsaran doing a lot of the heavy lifting, not Cleric.

Abundant Ammunition + GNB is a pretty neat trick, though.

[Ilorin Lorati]

How close do we plan to stay to the classes emulated? Are we trying to copy their mechanics, or just their overall feel? It'll be hard for a cleric to get Sneak Attack, for example, but it would be trivial to make a stealthy cleric.

Not as hard as you would think...

[Snowbluff]

Using Samsaran feels like cheating. In that particular build it's Samsaran doing a lot of the heavy lifting, not Cleric.

Abundant Ammunition + GNB is a pretty neat trick, though.

You can note that it's not in the OP. I was just pointing this guy in the right direction. Spells will be just suggestions; these builds should work without them.

Thanks.

Not as hard as you would think...

Can you get druid domains on a cleric?

[rockdeworld]

For melee, use the arrows as an improvised weapon.

I would be... hesitant to play a Samsaran in a class with a d8 hit die as a melee class.

The rest sounds pretty good.

[Ilorin Lorati]

Can you get druid domains on a cleric?

It depends on what would be considered to be "nature themed". Clerics of nature deities, at the very least, make a good argument.

[Extra Anchovies]

You can note that it's not in the OP. I was just pointing this guy in the right direction. Spells will be just suggestions; these builds should work without them.

Thanks.

Fair enough. And you're welcome

Can you get druid domains on a cleric?

Yup.

Other nature-themed classes with access to domains may select an animal or terrain domain in place of a regular domain.

So I guess my Sneak Attack skepticism just goes to show how easy it is to underestimate Paizo's dedication to making every class feature available through cleric domains.

[Milo v3]

I just want to say, I know clerics can cover every role amazingly well, it's part of the reason the class is tier 1. Doesn't mean the class isn't bland and boring, if anything that makes it more true.

[Snowbluff]

I just want to say, I know clerics can cover every role amazingly well, it's part of the reason the class is tier 1. Doesn't mean the class isn't bland and boring, if anything that makes it more true.

You see this? This isn't okay. He'll see, everyone. This isn't about T1. Chovies, you heard the thing I said about the spells being suggestions, right?

We'll make him see.

[GoodmanDL]

Quick aside... my group played in an all Clerics party under 2nd edition. We were unstoppable

[MyrPsychologist]

Okay. Here is my attempt to avoid Samsaraan cheese but replicate a bard.

Domain 1: Knowledge
Domain 2: Charm

Archetype: Evangelist

Now you have performance. A fair potion of the spell list. and all knowledges are class skills. Add in the "Eternal Understanding" trait if you want to swap out the knowledge domain and you can just roll the skills untrained (if their DC is 15 or lower). If traits aren't allowed the Dilettante feat can also replicate this ability.

[Ilorin Lorati]

Evangelist only gets 1 domain.

[grarrrg]

Don't neglect Variant Channeling, it can open up a couple options. But most of the effects are "until the end of your next turn" which limit their usefulness.

One of the more useful ones is Trickery: "Creatures gain a channel bonus on Bluff, Disguise, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth checks for 1 minute". Throw that on the Rogue (and Bard?) build. For that matter the Trickery Domain also adds Bluff, Disguise, and Stealth as class skills. Then throw on the Trapfinding Trait and there's half of your Rogue.

bard.

Domain 1: Knowledge
Domain 2: Charm

Archetype: Evangelist

Now you have performance.

Since you only get one Domain, scratch Knowledge.
For a Knowledge Bard you want Cloistered Cleric, they get the "Bardic Knowledge" ability.

Alternate Bard option is Scroll Scholar, gets much more limited "Bardic Knowledge", but loses/gains different things.

Other alternate Bard option is the Conversion Inquisition, which lets you use WIS instead of CHA for Bluff Diplomacy and Intimidate. Being an Inquisition it doesn't play nice with all the "lose one domain" archetypes.


Crusader is the Fighter. It gives Bonus Feats (some of which are "fighter only"). That's about it.

Additional Fighter option: Spellkiller Inquisition gets Disruptive as a Bonus Feat (normally 6th level Fighter).


Ecclesitheurge is the Wizard of the group. If they wear any armor they lose their spellcasting ability (a.k.a. Mega Arcane Spell Failure). And they can swap around which Domain spells they can use everyday. Find a Deity with a good number of Off-List spells in their Domains and you're set.
They also get an "arcane bond object".


Herald Caller is your Druid. You can spontaneously convert prepared spells into Summon Monster, but the creatures summoned must be "deity compatible". Follow a Nature one and you're good.


Black Powder Inquisition = Gunslinger. Add feats to taste.

[Jack_Simth]

One of the more useful ones is Trickery: "Creatures gain a channel bonus on Bluff, Disguise, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth checks for 1 minute". Throw that on the Rogue (and Bard?) build. For that matter the Trickery Domain also adds Bluff, Disguise, and Stealth as class skills. Then throw on the Trapfinding Trait and there's half of your Rogue.

Combines well with the "Find Traps" spell. Hmm. Now all we need to do is find an archetype that increases the skill points... the Ascetic, perhaps....

[Ilorin Lorati]

Combines well with the "Find Traps" spell. Hmm. Now all we need to do is find an archetype that increases the skill points... the Ascetic, perhaps....

Well if 3pp is on the table that opens up a lot more options. Keeping just Paizo on the table, though, there are two that go passably with Int, Divine Strategist and Forgemaster.

Strategist still chooses its (single) domain, so combine it with a handful of extra points in Int?

[Snowbluff]

I'll compile this into the builds tomorrow. I got work today.

[DMVerdandi]

Other alternate Bard option is the Conversion Inquisition, which lets you use WIS instead of CHA for Bluff Diplomacy and Intimidate. Being an Inquisition it doesn't play nice with all the "lose one domain" archetypes.

How do you get inquisitions as a cleric?

[Extra Anchovies]

How do you get inquisitions as a cleric?

They just sort of can. Ultimate Magic said a class that gets domains can pick inquisitions instead, Ultimate Combat said that only Inquisitors could take domains, and there was an FAQ ruling in favor of Ultimate Magic.

[Snowbluff]

Well, we'll just say that works then.

I started on wizard. I'll be able to pick this up after the party.

[grarrrg]

They just sort of can. Ultimate Magic said a class that gets domains can pick inquisitions instead, Ultimate Combat said that only Inquisitors could take domains, and there was an FAQ ruling in favor of Ultimate Magic.

The from book quote is:
"Inquisitions are intended for inquisitors, not for other classes that give access to domains. While a cleric or other domain-using class can select an inquisition in place of a domain (if appropriate to the character's deity), inquisitions do not grant domain spell slots or domain spells, and therefore are much weaker choices for those classes."

Translated as 'These be weaker than domains, cause you don't get no spells. But if you really want to, go ahead, I won't judge.'

Clerics count for them easy enough, as they have little restriction on Domains anyway.

Druids are a different issue, as they always have a short list they can pick from. It's conceivable that you can take an Inquisition aligned with a Nature deity. Ask your DM if Inquisitions are right for your Druid. But since they only get 1 Domain to begin with, they are much less likely to want to lose the bonus spells/slots.

[Extra Anchovies]

Ask your DM if Inquisitions are right for your Druid.

"Do not use Inquisitions if your druid is pregnant or nursing, and if any unexpected side effects arise, stop using the Inquisition and contact your doctor immediately."

[Snowbluff]

"Do not use Inquisitions if your druid is pregnant or nursing, and if any unexpected side effects arise, stop using the Inquisition and contact your doctor immediately."

"No one expects the side effect Inquisition."

[Illven]

This is kinda tempting me to request a 3.5 All divine spellcaster party....

[Extra Anchovies]

This is kinda tempting me to request a 3.5 All divine spellcaster party....

Beater cleric, summoner cleric, archer cleric, buffer cleric.

Actually it would be kind of interesting to try a 4-cleric party. But I'm in a lot of PbPs already so I'll just save that idea for later.