[FONT="Garamond"]The Cleric[/FONT] The 4e Cleric is arguably the most multifaceted class in 4e. Although build as a leader, a role that it does fill quite well, it also has strong control overtones with many powerful debuffs, and area control powers. These same control powers make them more cerebral defenders: the cleric's repetoire is full of powers that can help your party better take your opponent's attack and help prevent your vulnerable party members from taking damage.
As a cleric, your job is to save the vulnerable party members such as the wizard and strikers who don’t like being next to nasty brutes. Meanwhile, you get to amplify everyone else’s damage (with buffs) and reduce the enemy’s damage. You’re decently tough, and certainly one of the most well rounded and versatile 4e classes.
The defining choice you'll make when playing a cleric is your abilities. Not only are they they the only aspect that you can't retrain (besides Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies), they also have a dramatic impact on your strengths and weaknesses as a cleric, and thus the type of cleric you want to play.
[FONT="Garamond"]Ability Scores[/FONT] The Cleric has two key attributes: Strength and Wisdom. That means that both Strength and Wisdom can be equally important to a cleric. Luckily, 4e makes it easy to keep boosting two abilities, so it's quite possible to have both a strong strength and wisdom.
Does that mean that you have to focus on both stats? Not really. If you neglect one side or the other, you won't get to use some of the best powers, since the wisdom based and strength based powers aren't necessarily equal. Still, there isn't much synergy between Strength Powers and Wisdom powers, so you're really just opting to take subpar powers. At the same time, you get more benefit from the powers you do take if you push just that one stat. It's entirely feasible for a cleric to buy an 18 before racial attributes, and end up with an 18/12/12/12 or 18/13/13 array.
Especially at lower levels, strength powers are a little more effective. This is for the most part balanced out by the limitation that they're almost all melee attacks. The cleric seems to be balanced on the assumption that [W] =d8 damage, so you can beat the odds a bit by taking weapon proficiency (bastard sword) or the like. Also, Strength powers use a weapon, so you add your proficiency bonus to hit. Although the fact that strength powers usually target the slightly higher AC value mostly balances this out, occasionally a strength power targets Will or Fort, which gives it a bonus. Still, all of the paragon paths will punish you for neglecting wisdom, so if you do decide to do so, you probably want to multiclass out. Most of the better control powers are wisdom based, as well as almost all of the better higher level powers, so in my opinion, Wisdom is the more powerful of the two, though Strength Clerics have their own distinct advantages (especially when you consider multiclassing) and are quite viable options to play.
So, those considerations leaves the following options:
[FONT="Garamond"]Balanced[/FONT] A choice not much touched upon above, a Balanced cleric is ostensibly the best of both worlds: you can pick and choose between the best powers of both stats. This shouldn't be understated: however, keep in mind that keeping up to implements (your weapon and your holy symbol) is expensive and will cause at least one of your implements to be a bit below your level all the time, and likewise, it's not always easy to flit in and out of melee combat to use your powers (a reach weapon is recommended to alleviate this concern). Balanced builds also work well as strength builds, as they get all of the perks of a strength build and still get the bonuses (from Healer's lore and the like) from Wisdom. All in all, it does give up the edge of specialization for versatility, but that's not necessarily a horrible trade off. 16S/16W/12Cha (Dex/Con for the final points) Good Races: Longtooth Shifter (MM) Elf, Dwarf, Dragonborn, Human, (MM: Minotaur, Bugbear) Considerations: Longtooth Shifter gives a bonus to both Strength and Wisdom, giving you a nice boost with whatever you use, as well as giving you a healing power. Humans boost one of them (wisdom probably), and the others give a bonus to one or the other and a useful secondary stat. Minotaur and Bugbear increase weapon size, so [W] powers do more damage. Sample Balanced Builds:Show
Here's an Elf Balanced Cleric by Martag. It makes good use of a polearm to remain a strong second rank fighter, as well as aiming for as much radiance as possible to get holy avenger+radiant servant to get a nice synergy there.
[FONT="Garamond"]Wisdom Based[/FONT] The wisdom based cleric (also known as the laser cleric, for all its radiant attacks) is probably the strongest option (depending on the layout of your party). Focusing on Wisdom means that all your attacks will hit more often, you only need one implement, and you can pump a secondary attribute to multi-class or just for its own benefit. Your secondary stat is either charisma or dexterity, though constitution remains a passable option as well. Wisdom is important enough to you that you should fork over the 16 points for the 18/20 Wisdom, and then either go a 13 Dex/13 Cha (putting a discretionary stat point in the one you aren't boosting at some point) or a 12/12/12 Dex/Cha/Con.
Notable Sub-build: The Elf Archer Cleric Almost all of the Cleric's attacks are short ranged. This presents a problem when you want to stay out of the attack range of a monster, but still do something. An Elf Cleric with 18 Wisdom 18 Dex doesn't sacrifice that much in order to get a fairly powerful ranged basic attack with a good chance of hitting. This build is very nice at low levels: unfortunately, it doesn't scale up all that well (though ranger multiclassing does help).
Good Races: Elf, Dwarf (MM: Githzerai, Razorclaw Shifter) With Wisdom, you sit back and debuff. The better high level powers are mostly Wisdom, and since you're not stuck on the front line, you can move around and get better positioning to set them up. You don't want to sacrifice your defenses too much, as you probably are still the toughest or second toughest member of the party. Sample Wisdom Builds (through Heroic Tier):Show
Human Cleric of Erathis(Wis/Cha) Str 8/Con 12/Dex 12/Wis 20/Int 10/Cha 12 (Stat increases go to Wisdom and Charisma) Skills: Religion, Diplomacy, Insight, Heal Feats: Action Surge, Human Perseverance, Improved Initiative, Harmony of Erathis, Skill Training (Perception), Toughness, Durable Powers: At Will:Lance of Faith, Sacred Flame, Priest's Shield Lvl 1 Encounter:Divine Glow Lvl 1 DailyBeacon of Hope Lvl 2 Utility:Sanctuary/Divine Aid Lvl 3 Encounter:Command Level 5 Daily:Consecrated Ground Level 6 Utility:Bastion of Health Level 7 Encounter: Searing Light Level 9 Daily:Blade Barrier Level 10 Utility: Mass Cure Light Wounds
Elf Cleric (Wis/Dex) Str 8/Con 10/Dex 15/Wis 20/Int 10/Cha 13 (Stat increases go to Wisdom and Dexterity (with one point to charisma) Skills: Religion, Arcana, Insight, Heal Feats: Improved Initiative, Elven Accuracy, Skill Training (Perception), Skill Training (Stealth), Toughness, Durable, Powers: At Will:Lance of Faith, Sacred Flame Lvl 1 Encounter: Divine Glow Lvl 1 Daily: Guardian of Faith Lvl 2 Utility:Sanctuary Lvl 3 Encounter:Command Level 5 Daily:Spiritual Weapon Level 6 Utility:Cure Serious Level 7 Encounter: Searing Light Level 9 Daily:Blade Barrier Level 10 Utility: Astral Refuge
[FONT="Garamond"]Strength Based[/FONT] If you're paying attention to strength, you want to multiclass, both because all of the Cleric Paragon Paths have wisdom in mind, and because a lot of other classes have strength based powers that you should be able to snatch up. If you want to take advantage of the strength based powers, I'd be more inclined to play a balanced cleric with a heavy emphasis on the strength ones: otherwise you're probably better playing a devout Warlord and multiclassing back in.
[FONT="Garamond"]Other Considerations[/FONT] Wisdom Clerics: Charisma vs Dexterity Charisma gives a bonus to a lot of cleric spells. That said, that's about all it does: the bonus to will is eclipsed by wisdom, and the bonus to diplomacy isn't really that impressive (although, if you are playing in a social/ intrigue heavy campaign, the combination of diplomacy and insight makes your cleric into the ideal party face). There are about 4/5 powers that, when you have Charisma, become better than any of the other options of their level. Dex gives a higher reflex save, ties well with some useful skills that you might pick up, and boosts initiative (and since winning initiative is about equivalent to an extra action, this is very nice). Both are viable options. Multiclassing If you have a decent strength you might consider multiclassing into a melee class. More on this later, but how you're multiclassing can affect your choice for ability scores. Feat Requirements Certain feats require certain ability scores, which is something to keep in mind when deciding where to throw your extra points. For example, Astral Fire gives +1 damage on all fire and radiant powers, but requires 13 Dex and Cha. The Cleric doesn't have any must have feats with steep requirements, but some feats do still bear considering (Armor and Shield Feats for one.)
Choosing Powers When choosing powers, there's more to think than just whether or not the power is a good one. You want to choose powers that synergize well with each other, and powers that give you different options.
What do they target? You want a good mix of powers that target Will, Fort, and Ref, so you can choose what your opponents weakest defense is and target that.
Does it give me a new tactical option? Sometimes it's nice to knock people prone, other times it's nice to slide them, and other times immobilizing them does the trick. You might have a favorite strategy, but odds are you're better off having the option to do any of them to a foe.
How often can I use it? For both ensuring a good mix of powers, and when considering utility powers, it's important to keep in mind whether you have a range of options in all battles, or just one. Daily Powers are nice, but with the chance of facing two tough fights in the day, you might rather a similar, less powerful encounter power.
Am I tearing through healing surges like mad?/ The Role of Healing Certain people might be tempted to turn their cleric into a walking medic. It's important to remember that powers that allow characters to use healing surges just help them survive the battle: they don't add that much to the party's day long endurance. That said, don't waste healing on the toughest member of the party unless you think he's at risk of going down: you don't want to heal the fighter just as the monsters start to focus fire on the rogue, and find out you're out of healing. Likewise, consider your other opportunities to reduce the damage your party takes: especially with higher damage monsters, pushing them away or penalizing their attack rolls can be more useful than healing your party members, especially since it saves healing surges.
With those points addressed, it's time to consider the Cleric's powers.
Rating System: Red: One star-- either completely eclipsed by another power or a just flat out bad choice. There aren't a lot of these, but the ones that are are pretty notable Purple: Two Stars-- Low on the power scale, but either situationally useful or not a bad power, but just a bad choice given other options. Black: Three Stars-- Solid. Not a bad choice, but there might be better ones. You are never digging yourself into a giant whole with a black power, but you'll probably have more effect with a better one (if one exists at this level) Blue: Four Stars-- A very nice power. The types of powers that you can point to saying "this is what makes a cleric awesome", these powers are never a bad choice. Sky Blue: When you use these powers, you shine. You dictate the flow of the battle, tipping the scales with these single powers, shouting "I AM CLERIC! HEAR ME ROAR!" Or something to that effect.
At Wills: Wisdom: Lance of Faith: This is the wisdom version of Righteous Brand, and is strictly worse (except it does apply to ranged, which might make your wizard very happy). If you’ve chosen strength as a major stat, take Righteous Brand instead. Does d8 damage, which is comparable to [W]. 4 stars
Sacred Flame: The temporary hitpoints are probably fairly lackluster, but the bonus save has the potential to be very nice. You’ll use either lance of faith or righteous brand more often, but regardless of your choice this should be your second pick. Also, if you focus on charisma, this power becomes better. 4 stars
Strength: Righteous Brand: As mentioned above, this is probably the clerics best at will. The scalable bonus to hit is quite nice, and with proper weapon choice it does just as much damage as Lance of Faith. 5 stars
Priest’s Shield: Lackluster. A Strength/Wisdom character will probably want Sacred Flame instead. Unfortunately, this is a human wisdom based clerics best third choice. 2 stars
Level 1 Encounter powers Wisdom: Cause Fear: This is a decent power, partially for the opportunity attacks, but mostly because it can force a melee monster away from your squishy party members, letting them take a move in the opposite direction. It also targets will, which mixes things up. 4 stars
Divine Glow: It’s like Lance of Faith, except area of effect and to get the bonus attack you have to maneuver so that your party member is in it. If your party needs AOE, this is 4 stars, but as soon as you get better options it drops fast. You'll want to retrain it. 4/3 stars.
Strength: Healing Strike: The most damage for the level 1 encounter powers, and you can heal. If you forsee tearing through healing surges like a two year old through candy, this could be a better choice than Cause Fear, but I doubt it. 3 stars
Wrathful Thunder: Dazing is nice. The foe can’t take oppurtunity attacks, so it lets the squishies move away, and it does damage, unlike Cause Fear. However, it targets AC, and your party’s opportunity attacks will probably be better than this damage. 3 Stars
Level 1 Daily Wisdom: Beacon of Hope: The weaken scales very well with levels, and the healing scales with the amount of healing powers you have When you get it, it's probably 3 stars, but it scales better than any other dailies of the level. 4 stars
Cascade of Light: It does slightly more damage than avenging flame, and targets will, but is otherwise strictly worse. If you have multiple attacks per round, it gets much better. 2 stars
Guardian of Faith: It’s slow, and you give up your move actions to move it around. That said, it does decent damage, is a wisdom based that targets fortitude. Due to Errata, it no longer blocks movement. 3 stars
Strength: Avenging Flame: Less initial damage than Cascade of light, but forces the opponent to not attack to get about a 50% chance of throwing it off. If you want to do damage, this is the power for you. 5 stars
Level 2 Utilities:
Bless: +1 to hit for an encounter is very nice, but it a) doesn’t stack with your at wills, and b)is a daily. 2 stars
Cure Light Wounds: If you took Beacon of Hope, then you might as well take this, but it’s probably better to just stop an ally from being hit, which sanctuary does with a reasonable chance of success, and is an encounter power. 3 stars
Divine Aid: If you have a really good Charisma, by all means take this. Otherwise, just use Sacred Flame. 2 stars
Sanctuary: A +5 (unnamed) bonus to all defenses is nice. If the monster’s initiative falls between you and your ally, then there is no penalty, otherwise your ally might want to delay. Still, stopping whatever nasty effects (including damage) the monster might layer on 1/encounter is nice. 4 stars
Shield of Faith: +2 is a nice sized bonus, and power bonuses to AC are rarer than power bonuses to hit. Still a daily. 3 stars
Level 3 Encounters Wisdom: Command: Like Cause Fear, except more versatile, more range, and the movement is worse. Having both isn’t horrible, and it’s probably a bit better than Daunting Light. 4 stars
Daunting Light: The damage is nice, and combat advantage can be nice to set up someone else’s daily (or help the rogue). 3 stars
Strength: Blazing Beacon: Nice for setting up someone elses daily. If you have a healthy amount of ranged opponents, this is a solid choice. 4 stars
Split the Sky: Command, except you do damage, it targets fortitude, moves them less, and knocks them prone. 4 stars
Level 5 Daily Wisdom: Spiritual Weapon: Wisdom vs AC is a bit harder to hit, but it does decent damage and gives your allies bonuses to hit, and it lasts a while. 3 stars
Strength: Rune of Peace: Strength vs Will, and a save ends to be unable to attack. It can buy you a round or two of respite, so definitely a solid choice. 3 stars
Neither: Weapon of the Gods: This power is quite lack luster: unless you have someone in your party who can make multiple attacks per round on a regular basis (ranger/fighter). In that case, it can become a powerful damage dealer, with a mild debuff. 2->5 stars, depending on your party
Consecrated Ground: In your average battle, this is a fairly lackluster power: 1d6 damage + your charisma modifier a round will add up slowly to do decent damage, you do get lackluster healing, and you don’t need to roll to hit. However, given the nature of healing (and the fact that it is healing and not regeneration) it is practically impossible to die on the consecrated ground (you need to be reduced to your negative bloodied value), since healing automatically brings you up to 0. Synergizes very well with Beacon of hope, and charisma gives it a very nice boost. 5 stars
Level 6 Utility: Bastion of Health: So healing word, except once per encounter, more range, and +charisma rather than the d6's. If your party needs more healing, it's good, but I would be inclined to say that Cure Serious is better. 3 stars.
Divine Vigor: If you’re in a party of dwarves, this looks nice. Otherwise pass. 1 star
Holy Lantern: +2 Perception and Insight, light, but it no longer blocks enemy movement. You move it up to your speed as a minor action. If your DM almost exclusively uses lurkers, or the campaign revolves around people trying to assassinate you, you might consider taking it. Further note: the (rather idiotic) way that traps are set up is that your passive perception score of the highest member of your party determines whether you see anything. Thus, if the highest lvl 1 perception score in your party is an 18-21 (at lower levels at least), if traps appear, this power saves a lot more hitpoints than Cure Serious or Bastion of Health. 2/3 stars
Level 7 encounter: Wisdom: Break the Spirit: Other than being vs will and doing 2 more damage, this spell is identical in every way to Searing Light, except worse (unless you have a 20+ Charisma, where it becomes 3 stars) 1 star
Searing Light: Blinded is -5 to attack on all ranged and melee attacks. Excepting AOE, this spell completely overshadows the one above. 3 stars
Strength: Awe Strike: Strength vs Will is nice, and so is immobilized. It can help you save a squishies life. 3 stars
Strengthen the Faithful: Another way to spend healing surges. It affects a lot of people, so it could be a decent choice. 3 stars
Level 9 Daily Wisdom Astral Defenders: Another conjuration... but it doesn’t block movement. What it does do is decent damage for opportunity attacks. It’s not really nasty enough to serve as a good deterrent, but the damage isn’t horrible. 2 stars
Blade Barrier: Giant wall of swirling blades with damage that IS a deterrent. 3d6 damage and 5 ongoing. To top it off, it’s difficult terrain if anyone is stupid enough to wander through. 5 stars
Flame Strike: Area of effect with nice damage. Solid, but nothing awe inspiring. 3 stars
Strength: Divine Power: Strength vs Fort, and shove the enemy AOE. Decent. Then you and allies get +2 AC, and you get regeneration 5 till the end of the encounter. Nice. Probably your best defensive buff. 4 stars
Level 10 Utility:
Astral Refuge: Save someone from death, but take them out of the battle. It’s a lot nicer than forking over the money for raise dead. 5 stars
Knights of Unyielding Valor: 4 conjurations that block movement. Once per day, you can probably protect someone from melee attacks if you have a wall or the like. Can be a cruel but effective strategy when combined with Blade Barrier. 3 stars
Mass Cure Light Wounds: A lot of healing, especially if you have a good charisma. 4 stars
Shielding Word: An immediate interrupt that gives +4 to AC, and it’s an encounter power. Definitely useful (more so if your party has high ACs, less so if they don't). 4 stars
Level 13 Encounter Prayers Wisdom: Mantle of Glory: Giant AOE blast, and allies get to spend a healing surge. Useful. 4 stars
Plague of Doom: Wisdom vs Fortitude, decent damage, and a penalty to all defenses = to your charisma modifier. If you have a decent charisma, this power is better than Mantle of Glory (4/5 stars). 3 stars
Strength: Arc of Righteousness: Mediocre damage to one enemy, poor damage to another. I guess it does more damage total (if you hit twice) than any other encounter power, but it lacks any of the snazzy bonuses that your cleric has grown to love. 2 stars
Inspiring strike: Decent damage, and someone heals 15+ Charisma modifier. An encounter heal that doesn’t use healing surges? Sign me up. 4 stars
Level 15 Daily Prayers Wisdom: Purifying Fire: Nice damage. Then I got to the healing when next to enemies. Save ends doesn’t last that long, but that still makes this a solid spell (plus you have spell focus). 4 stars
Seal of Warding: More nice damage, and if you place the zone right, you give +4 AC against range. Since the zone is difficult terrain, it’s not a bad way to stop people from shifting and running after your squishies. Not exactly flashy, but a solid spell 3 stars
Strength Holy Spark: Strength vs will, with the potential to decimate a grouping of enemies. 4 stars
Level 16 Utility Astral Shield: Another Conjuration, this one an encounter power that grants +2 unnamed bonus to AC. If your party clumps together, it's decent. 3 stars
Cloak of Peace: Like Astral Refuge, except not invulnerable and your party member can’t come back after healing 3/4 of his health. Still, it could be useful if you have a wizard who focuses on creating walls and the like. 3 stars
Divine Armor: Resist 5 is nice, and the AC isn’t something to complain about. 4 stars
Hallowed Ground: A lot of bonuses. If you’re party likes to sit around and whack things, this is a very nice power. 4 stars
Level 17 Encounter Wisdom: Enthrall: Passable damage, the targets can’t move, and they can’t attack you. Lackluster. Then remember it’s a long distance AOE. Nice. 4 stars
Thunderous Word: Decent AOE damage, and move the targets around a couple squares. Allies in the blast get to move as well. 4 stars
Strength: Blinding Light: Like Searing light, except more damage and strength vs Fortitude. 3 stars
Sentinel Strike: Nice Damage, and make one ally invulnerable to damage against your target. Save a life, or with clever positioning, waste their turn. 4 stars
Level 19 Daily Wisdom: Fire Storm: Decent Area of Effect damage that keeps damaging the area with a minor sustain. Nice Damage, no snazzy bells and whistles. Becomes better if your party has lots of ways to keep foes in place. 4 stars
Knight of Glory: A conjuration that attacks for 3d10+Wisdom damage a round if you use a minor (though doesn’t dissapear if you don’t) and you can move around at a decent clip with move actions. Nice. 4 stars
Strength: Holy Wrath: Damage is meh. Regeneration 10 (and +2 to hit) is awesome. 4 stars
Indomitable Spirit: Decent damage, and everyone heals without spending healing surges. Another nice choice. 4 stars
Level 22 Utility Angel of the Eleven Winds: Flight 8, a bonus against opportunity attacks, and you can change who’s flying as a minor action. 3 stars
Clarion Call of the Astral Sea: Heal all hitpoints, and dissapear for a round, and pop back up again anywhere within 5 squares. Save someone’s life (Raise Dead has become even more expensive by now) 4 stars
Cloud Chariot: A 2 by 2 conjuration that lasts all day, can carry your party, and grants cover while you all fly around. Turn your party into a flying gunboat. 5 stars
Purify: End status effects for everyone. Very Solid. 4 stars
Spirit of Health: Just as I thought this level had too many good choices to choose from, I reached Spirit of Health. It’s not bad, but compared to Cloud Chariot, and Clarion Call of the Astral Sea, a bunch of healing that eats up healing surges doesn’t seem inspiring. (Especially since it’s immobile and you must be next to it). 1 Star
Level 23 Encounter: This level, you do damage. You might want to look at level 17 encounter powers again. Wisdom: Astral blades of Death: 21 Hp average + Wisdom to one creature doesn’t really seem like death at epic. Still, it beats using an at will. 3 stars
Healing Torch: Ok damage, and everyone can spend a healing surge. Minus the AC bonus and a little more damage, that’s a little like Strengthen the faithful: a seventh level encounter power. If you pump charisma, this is 5 stars. 3 stars
Strength: Divine Censure: -2 attack, though not earth shattering, is nice, and the damage isn’t bad. 3 stars
Haunting Strike: You gain a +2 to hit, and a +2 on your next hit, so it’s a decent prelude to a better power. 3 stars
Level 25 Daily: Wisdom: Sacred Word: Passable AOE damage, and the targets are stunned. 4 stars
Seal of Binding: So, Wisdom vs will, and you get to duel the baddie with hitpoints. You’ll loose, unless you can be healed. If you’re fighting multiple monsters, as long as you’re safe, your party can dismember the others. Fun, flavorful, and effective. Demigods can pretty much turn this into an instakill with their regeneration. Stacks well with other regeneration as well. 5 stars
Strength: Nimbus of Doom: Do lots of damage, and the enemy is easier to hit for a couple rounds. 3 stars
Seal of Protection: Nice Area of Effect damage for strength, can maybe stop some foes from attacking. Nice in dungeons and the like, and the +2 unnamed bonus to AC is always nice. 3 stars
Level 27 Encounter: Wisdom: Scourge of the Unholy: Very nice range, nice damage, and an always useful penalty. 3 stars
Sunburst: Passable AOE damage, and healing hitpoints and making spare saving throws are always nice, especially in an encounter. Most importantly, it can be used to heal outside of combat to full, without using healing surges. Very Nice. 5 stars
Strength: Punishing Strike: So Somebody looked at Haunting Strike, decided that it was a wonderful power, and removed the +2 you get with the next attack. Bizarre. 2 stars
Sacrificial Healing: Oooh... nice flavor text. In combat blood sacrifices are always nice. Everyone spending a healing surge, and lackluster damage, doesn’t quite inspire any awe. 3 stars
Level 29 Daily Wisdom: Astral Storm: Long Range AOE for nice damage, with a Sustain for even more. A nice power. 4 stars
Strength: Godstrike: A single target, but a lot of damage. Nothing else special. Astral Storm is probably better, even if you have a higher Strength. 2 stars
[FONT="Garamond"]Feats[/FONT] Clerics don't have that many must have feats (compared to, say, wizard). Still, there are a couple good feats. General Feats Heroic Feats Improved Initiative: Initiative is good. Feats are cheap. Going first lets you maneuver in position, drop some of your demobilizing feats before melee monsters close in, and lots of other generally fun stuff.
Astral Fire: If you meet the Dex and Cha requirements, this is an easy way to get +1/tier damage on a lot of your powers.
Durable/Toughness: Both Make you tougher. Durable gives you more healing surges, which can help support more powers that burn up healing surges.
Armor Proficiency(Scale/Plate). They give you better AC, so if you meat the requirements (and you aren't pumping Dex) it's a good way to get AC.
Shield Proficiency (Light/Heavy): Another good way to boost your AC/Reflex
Paragon Feats Armor Specialization (What you wear)/Shield Specialization/Combat Anticipation/Great Fortitude/Iron Will/Lightning Reflexes: Be careful about getting feat bonuses: they don't stack. Still, boosting your defenses is a good use of feats.
Danger Sense: Initiative is good. Improved Initiative is better, but the two stack. (Note: this doesn't stack with Divine Oracle, so obviously don't take it if you go Divine Oracle).
Evasion: If you have the Dex, grab it.
Fleet Footed: Mobility is good.
Mettle: As evasion, except more likely to kick in and no pre-req.
Point Blank Shot: Ignoring cover is good: that can be a nasty penalty to hit.
Seize the moment: If you have the dex, grab it. Combat advantage is nice.
Uncanny Dodge: Denying opponents a +2 to hit a fair deal of the time can be very nice.
Epic Feats Epic Resurgence: Not brilliant, but most of the epic feats aren't for you.
Font of Radiance: You have enough powers with the radiant keyword that this can come into play. Radiant Servants take this power.
Unfettered Stride: If you've feats to spare, you might consider skill training (acrobatics) and taking this to ignore difficult terrain.
Feats if you have Wisdom Heroic Feats Skill Training (Perception): You have a good wisdom, so put it to use. Stacks well with holy lantern, and being an elf. If you're not otherwise multiclassing, take Warrior of the Wild for Perception + Hunter's Quarry
Alertness: Not high on the priority list, but denying combat advantage can be nice. Swap this out if you go divine oracle and probably if you get Uncanny Dodge.
Paragon and Heroic Feats None in particular.
Feats if you have Strength Heroic Feats Weapon Focus: A free point of damage for almost all your strength powers.
Paragon Feats Back to the Wall: It's an unnamed bonus, so if you do a lot of dungeon crawling, this feat is definitely worth it.
Blood Thirst: Bonus damage if your foe is bloodied. Nothing to complain about.
Epic Feats Blind-Fight: Ignoring concealment and invisibility for adjacent creatures is nice.
XXX Mastery: If you meet the requirements for mastery with your weapon take it. The prerequisites can be steep though.
Triumphant Attack: The penalty is very nice.
Racial Feats Human: Action Surge is a great way to boost to hit on a daily: Human Perseverance is the only feat to boost saving throws. Both are good for all characters. Elf: Elven Precision is very good: the reroll lets you line up your dailies and the like, and Elven Precision makes through they go through when you use it. Very good for Wisdom clerics. Running Shot is risky (you still grant combat advantage), but a decent choice with uncanny dodge. Dwarf: Dodge Giants is an unnamed bonus to AC and reflex against a lot of creatures. Dwarven Durability is very nice. (Dwarves might also want to consider improved second wind). Dragonborn: Dragonborn Frenzy is free damage when bloodied. The rest you might want, but don't particularly synergize with cleric.
Divinity Feats Most of the Divinity feats seem to be at about the same level. Erathis' Corellon's, Moradin's, Melora's, Pelor's, and Ioun's seem to be the best, though Sehanine's seems fun. Definitely feats to consider, though nothing awe inspiring.
Multiclassing Because of the either a cleric's singular focus on Wisdom, or a focus on strength that's shared by a lot of classes, Cleric is one of the best classes to multiclass to and from. When multiclassing, look to what powers you want (and if you have the stats to support them), what implements/weapons the class uses, and whether or not there is some synergy with the powers you already have. Strength based Clerics will want to take non-cleric Paragon paths, wisdom based clerics will not, because cleric paragon paths are good.
Student of the Sword (Fighter): If you have a high strength and a good weapon, you'll be at no disadvantage to hit over the average fighter. You won't have the stats to get a lot of the weapon bonuses, but there are a few that don't rely on stats. Fighters have a lot of powers to stop enemies moving, so this synergizes well with a Strength based cleric.
Soldier of the Faith (Paladin): The paladin is very similar in stat dependencies to the cleric, except Cha and Wisdom are switched. If you multiclass as a paladin, you probably want to pump Str and Wisdom and ignore Cha powers, though you could in theory pump Cha and Wisdom and ignore strength powers.
Warrior of the Wild (Ranger): Ranger keys off of either Str or Dex, with wisdom tertiary. This means that a balanced build will be happy to use two weapons and grab all the melee feats, and a wisdom build can pump dex and use the archery feats. Wisdom builds suffer, as their wisdom will hit better than their dex, and they need a weapon, but wisdom powers and ranged attacks synergize better than most wisdom powers and melee attacks.
Sneak of Shadows (Rogue): Rogues want dex. The rogue is similar to the ranger, except rogues don't get synergy with wisdom and melee rogues don't get synergy with strength. Still, if you want to be a sneaky cleric, rogue utility exploits are rather nice.
Pact Initiate (Warlock): If you have Charisma, this can be decent. Warlock utility spells can give you some nice options, so if you're not multiclassing elsewise, you can pick up some decent options there.
Student of Battle (Warlord): Your fellow leader, all of the Warlord attacks are Strength based. Occasionally a few powers give a bonus based on Cha, but that certainly isn't necessary. It's a lot more of the same for a Strength based clerics, but you can definitely get some nice powers by multiclassing here.
Arcane Initiate (Wizard): If you decide to pump Int instead of Dex, a wisdom based caster can make a decent showing multiclassed to wizard (though a Wizard multiclassed into Cleric are a lot more powerful thanks to the Orb). You probably don't want to grab many of the attack spells, but the wall and area denial spells are very good picks, and there are some utility spells worth grabbing.
Paragon Paths Angelic Avenger: Designed for strength/wisdom clerics. Astral Vibrance requires a decent charisma, but is not that impressive. Astral Wave is a huge area of effect, and decent. Angelic Prescence is a decent defensive buff, but not awe inspiring. Blood and Radiance is nice, giving a decent bonus to hit when you're hit. Angel Ascendant is definitely nice: flying can't be underestimated. 3 stars
Divine Oracle: Incredible. Foresight is great, Prophetic Action is great, and Terrifying Insight is awesome. Prophecy of Doom is good, especially with daggermasters or for feats the key off of critical hits. Good Omens is very nice, and Hammer of Fate is solid. 5 stars
Radiant Servant: If you fight against undead and demons a lot, this is an incredible Paragon Path. Without it, the class is still nice, mostly because of Radiant Action and Radiant Brilliance. 4 Stars
Warpriest: If you are a Wisdom/Con or balanced character, this is a decent path for you. Extra Damage Action can give a very nice amount of extra damage, and warpriests strategy is nice as well. Warpriest's training is a free bonus to AC if you aren't boosting Dex or Int, and Warpriest's Challenge is nice as well. Battle Cry is nice, and although Battle Favor is decent if you make enough melee attacks. Battly Pyres, on the other hand, is probably the deadliest of the Cleric Paragon Paths level 20s. 3 stars, if only because you want to be Wisdom/Con or balanced.
Strength Based Paragon Paths: These depend on how you multiclassed. Most of the Fighter classes are good (though Iron Vanguard wants Con), Rangers want to take Pathfinder, and Paladins want to take Astral Weapon (though Champion of Order is an incredible path, but you have trouble taking advantage of all the abilities that key off marking someone).
Epic Destinies
Deadly Trickster: If you pump dex or charisma and take skill training, you can qualify for this epic destiny. Rerolls are good, and Trickster's Control can be nice. Epic Trick is a very nice boost to survivability, and Trickster's Disposition is just fun. If you qualify, it's a decent choice. 4 Stars
Demigod: Ability Scores are very nice, Divine Recovery is a great survivability booster, and Divine Regeneration is incredible. With divine regeneration and Seal of Binding, you can kill any monster-- an autokill once per day is definitely a nice class feature. 4 Stars
Eternal Seeker: If you're heavily multiclassing, this can be a nice choice. The real reason to take this class is for the multiclassing, so it's not a bad choice for Strength/Balanced clerics (or Elf Archer Clerics). The bonus standard action is very nice, and there are more than a few nice lvl 22 utilities, though the epic destiny utilities are by and large better. 3 Stars
Items in 4e: In 4e, a decent few of your items won't be of your own choice. The way that magic items sell means that if you're given an item that you can use, you'll probably use it. You'll still get gold, and as a Cleric, you get the ritual casting feat and can make your own items, so you do get a little bit of choice. Furthermore, it's quite possible that your DM might metagame a little and drop items that you've expressed an interest in, so it's always worth it to peek at what you might want.
Armor: All clerics are proficient in Hide and Chainmail (as well as lesser armor types). Most clerics will want chainmail, though balanced/strength clerics who have a decent enough Con will defenitely want at least Scale and possibly plate as well. I've divided up Armor into 3 sblocks: Hide (for Dex clerics), Chain (for most players), and Scale and Plate (for those with the stats to get the relevant feats).
Magic Armor: Your basic, cheapest armor. A good deal, especially the +4 and +6 varieties, which upgrade the type for a bonus bit of AC. 4 stars Barkskin Armor: The daily power isn't bad: it's a rare boost to AC that slowly deteriorates each time you get hit. 3 stars Bloodcut Armor: The power itself is decent, but from a pure efficiency standpoint, it doesn't warrant a healing surge to renew: except for when you first get the armor eat each level, a healing surge will save more hitpoints, especially if you do it with a healing word or the like. However, it is a minor action, and you can only spend so many healing surges per battle, so depending on how much endurance you need for the entire day. Better if you find yourself getting mobbed a lot. 3 stars Dark Leaf: I like powers that don't get expended, and for a wisdom based cleric, you probably don't want to expect that many attacks, so this is really nice. Probably one of the better armors, though I don't actually see that much of a spread in them. 5 stars Deathcut: If you're pumping charisma, this is especially nice armor. The resists are very useful on their own, and the damage to those who hit you look to be very nice. However, if you're pumping Charisma you should be in chainmail. 3 stars Delver's Armor: It's fairly cheap, and saving throws are often very important You get to see the result before you add the bonus, so it will never be wasted. 5 stars Elven Battle Armor: How many monsters slow or immobilize you with save ends? Not that many, but the bonus is really nice for when it does happen to you. More notably, however, the power is an encounter power, so you don't need to worry about choosing daily powers with it, and bonus speed is always nice. 4 stars Sunleaf Armor: The resistance to Radiance is nice, but probably not the most common damage type. The power only triggers off an opportunity attack, which your character may or may not ever allow opponents to take. 2 stars Sylvan Armor: If you pump dex, you might consider learning stealth, and this gives a nice bonus on that, and athletics checks which have more than a few uses (escaping traps, grabs, and dealing with various difficult terrains). If you enjoy being stealthy this is a great armor, otherwise I might choose another. 4 stars Trollskin Armor: Regeneration until the end of the encounter is nice: it can be the equivalent to a lot of healing, and it especially synergizes with Seal of Binding. 5 stars
Magic Armor: Your basic, cheapest armor. A good deal, especially the +4 and +6 varieties, which upgrade the type for a large bonus bit of AC. 4 stars Angelsteel Armor: The monster is attacking you. You get a rare +2 bonus, to whichever defense it's attacking. Versatile and very nice. 4 stars Curseforged Armor: At low levels this is pretty much eclipsed by Angelsteel Armor, but at higher levels it, unlike Angelsteel, scales up. It applies to your entire party, but has save ends, so decent but not awe inspiring. 3 stars. Delver's Armor: It's fairly cheap, and saving throws are often very important You get to see the result before you add the bonus, so it will never be wasted. 5 stars Dwarven: It's cheap, and it gives a constant bonus to Endurance, and a healing surge as a free action can be pretty nice. 4 stars Eladrin: Movement is nice. You probably won't use the teleport, but no ACP or Movement penalty makes this definitely nothing to complain about. 3 stars Exalted Armor: You heal stuff. This helps you. This armor was designed for you. You might consider making this armor, even if you have other nice armor. With an action point you can: Exalted Armor boost (minor action), healing word (minor action), and two other healing powers to heal a heck of a lot of damage. Only downside is it doesn't scale that well with higher levels. 5 stars Tomb Forged: Resist Necrotic is nice, and healing as an immediate Interrupt is very nice. Another one that's worthy of making yourself. 5 stars
Tactics: General Tactics: In the first two or three rounds of combat, you want to be directly involved in either layering your own battlefield control/long duration encounter and daily powers, or buffing other members (w/ lance of faith/righteous brand and the like), making sure that their powers hit. Once the initial flurry starts, you want to heal anyone who needs healing and use Sacred Flame on anyone who needs an extra saving throw. As the battle progresses, be sure to coordinate your buffs to hit with your allies encounter and daily powers.
Movement: You don't want to be hit except when you have to. If you're using strength powers, you'll always be in melee range, so you'll be next to the melee enemies. In either case, you want to avoid allowing your fragile allies get locked in place. Parking right in front of your controller or striker limits the alleyways that enemies can take to move up next to them, without taking an Opportunity attack at least.
Combos Blade Barrier: This is ostensibly an area denial power, but with other powers, this can become very nasty. Powers that move your foes (such as command) or immobilize them (such as Enthrall) force them to take extra damage. Command also dazes them meaning they can only take one action, so it stops them from attacking as they leave next turn. And since it's difficult terrain, make sure your allies are in position to make Opportunity attacks as they leave the area. What's just flat out sick is combining it with knights of unyielding valor, a wall, and an ally. You lock them in, and they can't escape. Nasty.
Weapon of the Gods: If all goes well, this does 1d6 radiant damage a round, + oppurtunity attacks. If you think that you have a fighter who can take a lot of opportunity attacks, this might be worth it, but I doubt it. 2 stars
This becomes a 5 star power if you have a ranger in your party, especially an archery ranger. All of a sudden it's doing 2d6-3d6 a round of radiant damage and the ranger can split the attacks up and give -2 penalties to AC to whomever he feels like.
This power alone makes multiclassing into a cleric from a ranger worthwhile (though it isn't all he picks up along the way), and providing it right there for him is fantastic.
Also
Seal of Binding: So, Wisdom vs will, and you get to duel the baddie with hitpoints. You’ll loose, unless someone else in the party can heal you. If you’re fighting multiple monsters, as long as you’re safe, your party can dismember the others. Fun, flavorful, and effective. 5 stars
I'm assuming in the following post about PPs and the like that you'll mention the Demigod Epic path for Divine Regeneration (regenerate more damage than you take from SoB every turn).
There is a possibility that I am not sure you are taking into account; the player that puts Wis primary and Cha secondary, ignoring Str. The Wis build you have up ignores Cha and Str. The main reasons you might want to note this in your handbook are:
1) Some people like playing healers, this build optimizes the roll. A Wis primary Cha secondary stat array stacks all of your mods into your healing. Healing Lore adds Wis while most healing powers add Cha.
2) Many of the powers that you list as suboptimal are massively better using this array. For example Divine Aid, normaly adequate at best, suddenly becomes a 75% chance for an ally to save. Against a Medusa, that extra and superior save is massive. As another example, Break the Spirit suddenly becomes an encounter version of sanctuary versus a single creature, one that allows the allies to attack and effects everyone.
3) This stat array allows for a face, which asks for both high diplomacy(Cha) and insight(Wis)
Obviously Fort defenses are badly hurt by this, but the synergy may be worth considering; after all, you can always heal yourself of the extra damage you take (with all that +Charisma healing)
Actually, I think that if you are going Wis based, it's not a terrible idea to go Wis/Int+Cha (resembling a wizard) or Wis/Dex+Cha. I note that I think that going Wis/Str for a cleric is sub-optimal because you have to invest in two seperate implements (weapon and holy symbol) to get the use of your powers and many will be redundant anyway.
Given this, I think the cleric is a solid class to "multiclass" from (never paragon but simply splash). Ranger (for some of those neat archery powers) and Wizard seem very solid choices. If doing wizard, I note that the cleric can smeg some of the control powers he normally doesn't get (generally terrain exclusion powers) which syngergizes nicely with his normal powers (and don't cost much) and don't require a stellar roll to hit to be effective (as much as any wizard power is effective but that's another matter).
If I were going the Wis based route, I'd forgoe heavy armor altogether and wear hide. It's almost as good if you pump Dex or Int.
This becomes a 5 star power if you have a ranger in your party, especially an archery ranger. All of a sudden it's doing 2d6-3d6 a round of radiant damage and the ranger can sp...
I went ahead and mentioned both of these in the power descriptions. Thank you.
sCRuLooSe wrote:
There is a possibility that I am not sure you are taking into account; the player that puts Wis primary and Cha secondary, ignoring Str. The Wis build you have up ignores Cha and Str. The main reasons you might want to note this in your handbook are:
1) Some people like playing healers, this build optimizes the roll. A Wis primary Cha secondary stat array stacks all of your mods into your healing. Healing Lore adds Wis while most healing powers add Cha.
2) Many of the powers that you list as suboptimal are massively better using this array. For example Divine Aid, normaly adequate at best, suddenly becomes a 75% chance for an ally to save. Against a Medusa, that extra and superior save is massive. As another example, Break the Spirit suddenly becomes an encounter version of sanctuary versus a single creature, one that allows the allies to attack and effects everyone.
3) This stat array allows for a face, which asks for both high diplomacy(Cha) and insight(Wis)
Obviously Fort defenses are badly hurt by this, but the synergy may be worth considering; after all, you can always heal yourself of the extra damage you take (with all that +Charisma healing)
I was never really impressed with the bonus that charisma has on a cleric. Most of the bonuses seem minor, and you don't loose that much by choosing different powers than the ones that become good with Charisma. I'll go ahead and expand my little note on Charisma to take this into account, but for a pure healer, I'd rather Wisdom based with Dex or Con, for the tougher character.
Polaris wrote:
Actually, I think that if you are going Wis based, it's not a terrible idea to go Wis/Int+Cha (resembling a wizard) or Wis/Dex+Cha. I note that I think that going Wis/Str for a cleric is sub-optimal because you have to invest in two seperate implements (weapon and holy symbol) to get the use of your powers and many will be redundant anyway.
I definitely agree with you that there is little synergy for being Wis/Str. Ultimately, you're probably giving up a +3 to hit on both sides with the cheaper implements. Still, the option of using some of the better powers of the other side makes it not a bad idea, though I will make a note under wisdom promoting it more highly.
Wis/Int+Cha is passable if you're multiclassing to wizard, though you suffer a lot of the same problems with Wis/Str as you need a second implement and probably aren't hitting that well with wizard powers. The Cleric/Wizard Multiclass works a lot better from the other side, IMO. The terrain powers could definitely make it worth it, though.
Polaris wrote:
Given this, I think the cleric is a solid class to "multiclass" from (never paragon but simply splash). Ranger (for some of those neat archery powers) and Wizard seem very solid choices. If doing wizard, I note that the cleric can smeg some of the control powers he normally doesn't get (generally terrain exclusion powers) which syngergizes nicely with his normal powers (and don't cost much) and don't require a stellar roll to hit to be effective (as much as any wizard power is effective but that's another matter).
The terrain powers are nice for a cleric, and definitely deserve a mention once I get to multiclassing.
Polaris wrote:
If I were going the Wis based route, I'd forgoe heavy armor altogether and wear hide. It's almost as good if you pump Dex or Int.
-Polaris
I completely agree with you. In the guide I talk about pumping Con for a wisdom based character, which is sort of a lazy optimization route (Or if you really want a dwarf), since Dex for the initiative or Int with the Wizard area denial spells will have a larger impact for the party. If you did pump Con though, heavy armor is definitely a valid route.
And thank you for the feedback. It is much appreciated.
Holy Lantern doesn't block enemy movement any more. In other words, it's now 0 stars; take a power that does something. (I guess if you're fighting a ton of invisible guys...)
Danger Sense: Initiative is good. Improved Initiative is better, but the two stack. (Note: this doesn't stack with Divine Oracle, so obviously don't take it if you go Divine Oracle).
Is there RAW for this? I've seen people claim no stack, three rolls, and four rolls.
