PvM Cleric Build - Cleric 38 / Monk 1 / Rogue 1

[The Flying Rodent]

Caster clerics are typically one of the strongest types of PvM builds in NWN, regardless of the server environment. In PvP, caster clerics tend to struggle against something like a Sorcerer, as they lack arcane anti-caster options such as Mordenkainen's Disjunction, Spell Mantles, and universal Counterspelling. These options however are not as important in PvM, which is where a caster cleric really shines.

Specialised caster clerics can potentially deal the highest amount of damage out of the 4 main caster classes in one sitting [mainly thanks to persistent area spells such as Blade Barrier], their offensive DC spells are almost exclusively Evocation focused [allowing them to target all 3 save types from focusing in 1 school alone], and they can obtain impressive Ranged AB and AC numbers when combined with Monk and Zen Archery. Additionally, being a cleric, they can also grant a lot of utility in a large party via buffs and heals.

This is one such version of a caster cleric build, which should perform well in PvM both alone and in a party. Outside of taking Zen Archery/Monk, Epic Spell Focus Evocation and Great Wisdom X, the build is pretty flexible in terms of Domain, skill and feat choice. Specific instances of this I've highlighted with *asterisks* .

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Cleric(38), Monk(1), Rogue(1), Human

STR: 12
DEX: 8
CON: 12
WIS: 18 (38)
INT: 14
CHA: 8

*Domains*:
Trickery is almost always a must with clerics, as Improved Invisibility is such a useful defensive spell.

For the 2nd domain choice, good offensive options include Magic for access to Negative Energy Burst and Ice Storm, Air for Call/Chain Lightning, or Plant for Creeping Doom. If one wishes to take a more supportive route, Healing Domain for the extra Heal spells and empowered Cure spells is also a good choice.

My recommendation is Magic, as this grants caster clerics a DC'less spontaneous high-damage spell alongside Harm (Ice Storm), which can be Empowered or Maximised.

Human: (Quick to Master)
01: Cleric(1): Extend Spell, Spell Focus: Evocation, Domain Trickery, *Domain Magic*
02: Cleric(2)
03: Cleric(3): *Toughness*
04: Cleric(4): WIS+1, (WIS=19)
05: Cleric(5)
06: Cleric(6): Zen Archery
07: Cleric(7)
08: Cleric(8): WIS+1, (WIS=20)
09: Cleric(9): *Empower Spell*
10: Cleric(10)
11: Cleric(11)
12: Cleric(12): WIS+1, Maximize Spell, (WIS=21)
13: Cleric(13)
14: Cleric(14)
15: Cleric(15): Greater Spell Focus: Evocation
16: Cleric(16): WIS+1, (WIS=22)
17: Cleric(17)
18: Cleric(18): Silent Spell
19: Cleric(19)
20: Cleric(20): WIS+1, (WIS=23)
21: Cleric(21): **Epic Spell: Mummy Dust**
22: Monk(1): {Cleave, Evasion, Improved Unarmed Strike, Stunning Fist}
23: Cleric(22)
24: Cleric(23): WIS+1, Epic Spell Focus: Evocation, Great Wisdom I, (WIS=25)
25: Cleric(24)
26: Cleric(25)
27: Cleric(26): **Epic Spell: Dragon Knight**, Great Wisdom II, (WIS=26)
28: Cleric(27): WIS+1, (WIS=27)
29: Cleric(28)
30: Cleric(29): Great Wisdom III, Great Wisdom IV, (WIS=29)
31: Cleric(30)
32: Cleric(31): WIS+1, (WIS=30)
33: Cleric(32): Great Wisdom V, Great Wisdom VI, (WIS=32)
34: Cleric(33)
35: Cleric(34)
36: Cleric(35): WIS+1, Great Wisdom VII, Great Wisdom VIII, (WIS=35)
37: Cleric(36)
38: Cleric(37)
39: Cleric(38): Great Wisdom IX, Great Wisdom X, (WIS=37)
40: Rogue(1): WIS+1, (WIS=38)

*Toughness and Empower Spell could potentially be replaced with Normal and Greater Spell Penetration, Necromancy focus feats if one wishes to use spells such as Control Undead/Undeath to Death/Destruction, or perhaps even Conjuration Focus solely for Storm of Vengeance.

**These two Epic Spell feats could be replaced with other Epic feats such as Armour Skin, Epic Spell Penetration, Epic Skill Focus Concentration, another Epic Spell Focus, or other Epic spells if desired.

Hitpoints: 398
Skillpoints: 223
Saving Throws (Fortitude/Will/Reflex): 23/36/15
Saving Throw bonuses: Spells: +8
BAB: 25
AB (max, naked): 26 (melee), 39 (ranged)
AC (naked/mundane armor/shield only): 31/31
Spell Casting: Cleric(9)
Alignment Changes: 0

Skills:

Max Concentration, Lore and Spellcraft for initial Cleric levels (1-21). Tumble 25 on Monk Level. Max Concentration and Spellcraft for the remaining cleric levels (23-39). Finally 1 Point of Open Lock, UMD 36, Tumble 40 and *Appraise/Lore* on the final Rogue level.

Final Skills: *Appraise 42(44)*, Concentration 42(43), *Lore 24(26)*, Open Lock 1(0), Spellcraft 38(40), Tumble 40(39), UMD 36(35).

*These skills* can be taken in differing amounts, or substituted for other skills such as Open Lock.

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Basically: Play as a Cleric with Armour/Shield until level 22, then switch to Monk gear thereafter. Slings or Darts are preferable choices as Ranged Weapons, and Morningstar [and later Kama] as a melee weapon if one wishes to play as a Battle Cleric [which is typically a strong play style for levelling any Cleric]. Summons are powerful on Blackstone as well, so I'd recommend making good use of them.

Some general Spell Information [not unique to Blackstone]:



Long Term Buffs:
Bless, Protection from Alignment [Evil primarily],
Aid, Bull's Strength, Endurance, Owl's Wisdom [Level 2],
Negative Energy Protection, Darkfire [Level 3],
Death Ward [Level 4],
True Seeing, Improved Invisiblity [Level 5],
Undeath's Eternal Foe [Level 9].
If required [more situational]: Shield of Faith [Level 1], Magic Vestment, Clarity [Level 3], Greater Magic Weapon, Freedom [Level 4].

If one wishes to make use of Divine Favour, I recommend extending all level 2 buffs, to make room for Extended Divine Favour.

Heals: Heal is Level 6, Mass Heal at level 8, Greater Restoration at level 7. Heal is additionally a Level 5 spell if Healing Domain is taken. Silent Spell allows for all of these spells to be cast a level above.

Short Term 'Battle Cleric' style Buffs:
Extended Divine Favour [Level 2],
Extended Divine Power [Level 5].
If required:
Extended Prayer [Level 4],
Extended Battletide [Level 6].

Useful Offensive Spells at 40:

Implosion [Level 9],
Storm of Vengeance [Level 9],
Word of Faith [Level 7],
Harm [Level 6],
Blade Barrier [Level 6],
Hammer of the Gods [Level 4].

Domain Dependent:
Air: Call Lightning [Level 3], Chain Lightning [Level 6].
Magic: Negative Energy Burst [Level 3], Ice Storm [Level 5].
Plant: Creeping Doom [Level 7].

[sphinx]

Do you know the DC saves for spells in this build? I am building a max DC cleric for implosion to farm a certain couple of areas.

It uses monk and sd to be able to HIPs into the shadows to re cast. So probably not the best all around like this build

[The Flying Rodent]

Spell DC is 10 + Spell Level + Ability Modifier + Spell Focus. Following this formula, the Implosion DC for a Max Wisdom Evocation Cleric should be 10 + 9 + 20 (50 Wisdom buffed) + 6 (Epic Spell Focus Evo) = DC 45.

https://www.blackstonekeep.com/viewtopi ... ion#p32429

However, if this post’s info is correct, Implosion also has a +3 bonus to its’ DC, which would increase it to DC 48.

[sphinx]

I will post the one I am using and get your thoughts. It is only meant to implode the hell out of everything lol.

[The Flying Rodent]

So long as it gets a Monk Level, Great Wisdom X and Epic Spell Focus Evocation, it should be a pretty functional caster cleric. Will have a look now.