Creating a cleric

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I'm a new to forum... so, hello everyone!

I'm interested in the cleric class and want to create a cleric. Here comes some noob questions:

1) What is the best race for a cleric and why? What are the racial bonuses?
2) What are the best spells for him/her? What you suggest?

Thank you.

[ November 17, 2004, 17:16: Message edited by: Taluntain ]

 

One option is to take a multiclass ranger/cleric and specialize in fighting enhancements that the cleric has access to. The ranger class allows you to take druid spells as well, so Iron skins and insects Swarms become available.

 

Hmm, well no one race is actually any better at casting cleric spells than another as none of them have a bonus to wisdom. I think the gnome has a -1 penalty to wisdom so you wouldnt want a single class gnomish cleric, but gnomes are the only class who can multiclass to a specialist wizard, so if you want a cleric/mage, gnome can be a good choice. Other than that, its really up to you. If you want a romance, you'll have to be a human, half-elf, elf, halfling, gnome (if you're not picky) or (I think) Half-Orc. For a pure class cleric, I guess Dwarf of Half-Orc would be best as they get handy bonuses to combat related stats, making the cleric less vulnerable in a fight. An elf or halfling wouldnt be so good up close, but get a bonus to dexterity. Therefore, if your cleric is going to spend his/her time at the back casting spells, they'll be more able to support from a distance with a sling if their spells are of no use in a given situation. Entirely up to you. I havent tried any of the BG2 cleric kits, but I hear they all have some useful abilities. Play around and see what you like.

As for spells, obviously the cleric is vital when it comes to healing injuries and curing ailments. You'll be meeting lots of nasty undead monsters during BG2, so make sure you memorise a few resoration spells and, if you can spare the slots, negative plane protection so you can protect at least yourself (no good trying to restore someone when you yourself have been level drained to level 2 ). Once that area is covered, fill up on buffs like bless, defensive harmony and the like (dont bother with chant as it slows you down and, I think, prevents spellcasting for its duration) and summoning spells, especially raise dead as that becomes very handy later on.

Personally, I wouldnt go for a single class cleric, as I think multi/dual priests get more than enough spells and really improve with the addition of new abilities. My favourites are the half-elven cleric mage (I dont like the gnome as he cant use arcance necromancy) and the half-elven ranger-cleric who gets every single divine spell, cleric and druid alike and is a pretty nifty fighter to boot.

Hope this helped

 

Thank you Maybe I will do multiclass ranger/cleric with a sling (human/half-elf/elf). Did he/she need an intelligence? What are most important stats? Wis, dex, const? Sorry for asking noob things.

 

An R/C can be a very good tank and buffer/healer. As for stats . . .

Strength is very important, but is also the one stat which can very easily be compensated for by items.
Get the high Dex. Though there is an item which sets your Dex at 18 it is a hard find.
The greater your Con the more HP you have. nuff said.
You might be killed by Int drain. Having an Int score higher than minimum is an insurance.
You want more spells, get high Wis.
3 Char is a waste of 2 stat points. "Me ugly!?! You dead!"

 

I'm with everyone else on this. Personally, I would recommend that you go in for a Ranger/Cleric half-elf multiclass, failing which you could always have a lvl 9 Berserker dual-classed to a cleric. Grandmastery in Flails with FoTA + Crom Faeyr is something to reckon with.

Again...as far as spells go, Draw Upon Holy Might is your friend

So is Negative Plane Protection when fighting Undead, Chaotic Commands when fighting Mage types, Magic Resistance for similar reasons, Righteous Magic is like a reeeeally long version of Kai, which is always great.

Can't pick up any more names OTOH, but I would personaly go for a Ranger/Cleric, and remove the xp Cap...then solo the game for chunk-flying madness.

 

Agreed multiclass is the way to go.
The problem with straight clerics is that their HLA's are the weakest there are.

If you can stand the messing about with thief skills (no quick key) then a half orc cleric/thief is an interesting combo. With really high str to start with. The thieves HLA's are some of the best in the game and you get to chose them even when you are levelling up a cleric level.

Don't forget you can backstab with a staff or club... and there really are some great staffs for backstabbing. Also those cleric buffs can make it much more likely you'll succeed in hitting with your backstab.

If it wasn't for the extra click to use the thief abilities I reckon many more people would give this a try.

 

Dual class is IMO generally a better choice than multiclass in SoA.
Ranger/Cleric is still a great choice, but I second Faraaz' suggestion about a Berserker-9/Cleric.
I disagree with getting Grand Master (five slots) in any weapon skill. It's a waste. Stay with Mastery (three slots) instead and specialize in two weapons. One melee and one missile, like flails and slings perhaps?

If you choose a multiclass cleric you can only get one 7th level spell per day and besides it will take a long time before you even get there. With a six character party it's possible that your character won't ever get there.

@Scythe
You might want to edit your post...

 

Hello -

Generally agree, but there are times GM makes sense. For a fighter/thief, weapon specialization damage gets multiplied by the backstab modifier, so the extra +1 from that fifth star is worth it for backstabbers. I would also strongly consider the investment if the speed increase was enough to take your weapon of choice down to zero initiative.

Also, berserkers cannot specialize in missile weapons.

 

I got Jaheira to cast L7 spells in SoA with a six member party. An MC R/C should have no problem getting there.
Just do all the quests and get rid of the XP cap.

Considering that this post is in the SoA forum, I'm guessing you dont get any HLAs. As such dualclassing from a Fighter kit [9] to Cleric makes it a lot easier to get to the higher spell levels without sacrificing a lot on the melee side.

I dont like Cleric/Thiefs as their melee capabilities are inadequate along with their minimal attacks-per-round.

Anyone know what exactly each weapon proficiency star means?

 

Thanks for your help.

EDIT:

Ok, now I'm starting.

I will make multiclass cleric/ranger (half-elf). Are these stats ok:
str 18
dex 18
con 18
int 4
wis 18
cha 3

I'm planning to go with flail & sling.

---
Anyway, I just bought the game and I'm very newbie for this (I have been playing BG1 before). I want to be sure is my first character now ok and I do not need to start over again? I will take Minsc, Imoen and Jaheira as my companions. Perhaps some others too when I found them.

[ November 25, 2004, 15:16: Message edited by: Origenes ]