Cleric build

[blau9686]

I don't like the in-game cleric characters (I like good alignment parties) and I want to create one on my own. I was thinking about a front row dwarf (for constitution and saving throws) with the Tempus kit. Do you think it will work? Any advice is welcome! Thanks!

[Wicket W. Warrick]

You can give it a try, it will work and can also be fun.

You can also consider F/C or a human Fighter dualled to cleric, but you need some knoweldge of the game in order to do it efficently.

[Centurion]

What a pity you cannot choose Clangeddin over Tempus.

[wendigo211]

I'd recommend a Fighter dual or multi classed to Cleric instead of a pure Cleric. 2e Clerics aren't the Codzilla of 3e. While they have a few offensive spells, they're mostly support. Adding some Fighter levels so that they can effectively use buff spells like Draw Upon Holy Might is a good way to expand their utility.

For BG, keep it simple and make a Dwarven Fighter/Cleric multiclass.

[blau9686]

Originally posted by wendigo211:

I'd recommend a Fighter dual or multi classed to Cleric instead of a pure Cleric. 2e Clerics aren't the Codzilla of 3e. While they have a few offensive spells, they're mostly support. Adding some Fighter levels so that they can effectively use buff spells like Draw Upon Holy Might is a good way to expand their utility.

For BG, keep it simple and make a Dwarven Fighter/Cleric multiclass.

I don't like dual/multiclasses. They're versatile but don't excel in nothing. I'd consider the idea just for a solo run, that I don't like as well.
My doubts are more focused on the race choice, the front row vs back row development, the better priest kit and the stat points distribution.

[wendigo211]

Originally posted by blau9686:

I don't like dual/multiclasses. They're versatile but don't excel in nothing.

The double negative is correct in this case; in 2e dual/multiclasses excel in everything.
Anyway, you'll see as you play, 2e Clerics aren't the best designed class. Particularly for combat heavy CRPGs like BG/BG2.

Going Dwarf for the shorty bonuses to saves is a good choice, but the Priest of Tempus is a weak kit (Chaos of Battle is a useless ability compared to what the other Clerics get). Lathander (Boon of Lathander is the strongest Cleric kit ability) and Talos (Lightning bolt is good for an offense starved class) are the better kits depending on whether you want melee or casting.

Due to their armor proficiency, Clerics can be good tanks in BG, and sit on the front row. However, their lack of damage negation buffs means they can't tank in BG2 (where AC becomes less important than damage negation) and, since they can't use any of the bonus APR weapons, being stuck at one APR means their weapon based contributions will be negligible. You're primarily looking at summons and protection from (or removal of) negative conditions. Even in combat healing isn't much of an option until you get Heal and Greater Restoration.

[itsu]

Originally posted by wendigo211:

The double negative is correct in this case;

I think this will be a "wooosh"...straight over his head.

I agree with you, pity the OP asking advice doesn't.

I love inexperienced players asking for advice yet ending up knowing everything and giving YOU their "expert" advice in return.

Gotta luv it

[Wicket W. Warrick]

Originally posted by blau9686:

I don't like dual/multiclasses. They're versatile but don't excel in nothing. I'd consider the idea just for a solo run, that I don't like as well.

It is more a commonplace. If you want to use the cleric for fighting, both multi and dual are better than a plain cleric.

But expecially the dual options when the second class becomes much higher than the first, you have a pure cleric, at the same level of a single class one with some fightig skills. Let's say that froma certain level there are only advantages. The point is how to get there.

Anyway, I'm not telling you should play a multi/dual class, but you asked for the best build for a combat cleric, and the best build is F/C or F-->C, that's a fact. The "They're versatile but don't excel in nothing." is in this case wrong.

But if you like a single class cleric, play it.
For the build.

Originally posted by blau9686:

My doubts are more focused on the race choice, the front row vs back row development, the better priest kit and the stat points distribution.

This is a game about bhaalspawn, taking him on the back being a supportive character make the game less interesting. THe best choice is to use him in the front buffing imself and the companions (but mainly himself) A pure cleric is a better for tank than DPS.

Buffs (expecially draw upon holy might, but also others spells and kits ability) can increase stats in an enourmous way. The real limit is the number of attacks, so if you want to use hm for dealing damage you need to invest on potion and mage buffs in order to increase it (expecially on BG2).

For stats (human) I would probably go like S18 - D18 - Co16 - I9 - W18 - Ch9+

The race doesn't really matter, I played with an halfing one time and she worked perfectly. The dwarf option is useful because you can early increase your constituion by 1, so you get regeneration. The point is that you don't really need it, having cures, and that you don't benefit of extra XPs over 16. On the contrary you decrease dexterity by 1 and so AC.
From a mechanical point of view a dwarf is not the best choice, but the difference is not so great, so if you like it play it.

For the kit, in front Helm, Lathander or Tempus, what you like the most.

[blau9686]

Originally posted by Wasabi:

Originally posted by wendigo211:

The double negative is correct in this case;

I think this will be a "wooosh"...straight over his head.

I agree with you, pity the OP asking advice doesn't.

I love inexperienced players asking for advice yet ending up knowing everything and giving YOU their "expert" advice in return.

Gotta luv it

Then why does this class even exist? Is it just a trap for noobs like me?
I gave no advice in return to no one, just tried to explain my doubts and my point of view.
Thanks for the valuable contribution.

[Wicket W. Warrick]

Originally posted by blau9686:

Then why does this class even exist? Is it just a trap for noobs like me?
I gave no advice in return to no one, just tried to explain my doubts and my point of view.
Thanks for the valuable contribution.

This game, like many other old school game are full of useless classes or other combos, class, and so on.
BUT
that is not the case of the cleric. A cleric, also if single class, can be a strong one. It is the "front row" option that can benefit from being multi or dualled to fighter (the multi or the dual are the excellent option, not the single class). But that's not mandatory. A single class cleric will work good as well.

As I said at the beginning your original idea (dwarf tempus) works well, then you can choose better options, but that won't affect very much your game experience.

[ruppe27]

In Baldur's gate 1 you are better of with a fighter/cleric multiclass, they are really good main characters.
Single class cleric works better in part 2 where you get the better spells and equipment.
You could play with a single class cleric in 1 but don't expect to be your parties mvp.

[Centurion]

Originally posted by blau9686:

Then why does this class even exist? Is it just a trap for noobs like me?
I gave no advice in return to no one, just tried to explain my doubts and my point of view.
Thanks for the valuable contribution.

AD&D was a tabletop game created in the 70s, mainly as a social activity. Even then it was hard to get volunteers to play the cleric. But it's the system Gary Gygax and company designed, it was popular, and this was the system a group of Canadian doctors (yes, Bioware!) adapted to a computer game. It's not a trap, it's just the system that is.

The thing with the cleric is that they have great potential. I believe all classes, even monks, bards, and druids, will eventually be quite powerful and triumph, in the sequel game! (BG2) The problem is that BG1, as the first D&D adaptation, is not a very even game. They made it very combat heavy, which favors fighters and such, which is also where the action is. The role of the pure cleric in the game system is to provide support, in the form of spells that buff the party, healing, and usually limited combat help (slings so they are free to cast-from the back row.) Since they can wear heavy armor and use some decent blunt weapons, they can be up front, but are more blockers than warriors since their offensive combat stats are not great.

I know what you are thinking. Dwarves in fantasy are tough and good fighters, so I can role-play one as a fighting cleric! (And Tempus kit will help with this a bit.) But that is some other game or novel. I think the issue is you asked the board about "front-line" and that is the issue. Almost no non-fighters belong in the front line (maybe swashbucklers and blades?) In fact, and this is a design problem, some fighters (monks, kensai) won't live long in the front until they have gained at least a couple of levels.

So, being fair to the responses, you have asked two things that don't really mesh: pure cleric & front-line. The basic advice is either be a cleric for real, and focus on spells, or be a fighter/cleric and have fun casting and bashing things as well!

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Originally posted by ruppe27:

You could play with a single class cleric in 1 but don't expect to be your parties mvp.

Depends. There are many good divine spells up to spell level 4, not limited to Hold Person, Sanctuary, Doom, DUHM, Silence, Animate Dead, Remove Paralysis, Zone of Sweet Air, Free Action, Lesser Restoration, Protection from Evil 10' Radius, Holy Power.

[Kusarigama]

Command/Hold and Sleep breaks like 90% of BG1. You will be fine. I forget what spells you actually get since I play SCS/Ascension but if you go to BG2 Clerics can tank exceptionally well with Divine Magic and dish out damage reasonably well a little bit into it even with lower APR.

[itsu]

Originally posted by Centurion:

Originally posted by blau9686:

Then why does this class even exist? Is it just a trap for noobs like me?
I gave no advice in return to no one, just tried to explain my doubts and my point of view.
Thanks for the valuable contribution.

AD&D was a tabletop game created in the 70s, mainly as a social activity. Even then it was hard to get volunteers to play the cleric. But it's the system Gary Gygax and company designed, it was popular, and this was the system a group of Canadian doctors (yes, Bioware!) adapted to a computer game. It's not a trap, it's just the system that is.

The thing with the cleric is that they have great potential. I believe all classes, even monks, bards, and druids, will eventually be quite powerful and triumph, in the sequel game! (BG2) The problem is that BG1, as the first D&D adaptation, is not a very even game. They made it very combat heavy, which favors fighters and such, which is also where the action is. The role of the pure cleric in the game system is to provide support, in the form of spells that buff the party, healing, and usually limited combat help (slings so they are free to cast-from the back row.) Since they can wear heavy armor and use some decent blunt weapons, they can be up front, but are more blockers than warriors since their offensive combat stats are not great.

I know what you are thinking. Dwarves in fantasy are tough and good fighters, so I can role-play one as a fighting cleric! (And Tempus kit will help with this a bit.) But that is some other game or novel. I think the issue is you asked the board about "front-line" and that is the issue. Almost no non-fighters belong in the front line (maybe swashbucklers and blades?) In fact, and this is a design problem, some fighters (monks, kensai) won't live long in the front until they have gained at least a couple of levels.

So, being fair to the responses, you have asked two things that don't really mesh: pure cleric & front-line. The basic advice is either be a cleric for real, and focus on spells, or be a fighter/cleric and have fun casting and bashing things as well!

Centurion as usual giving us his incredible knowledge in all things DnD. Excellent for that you get an award.