This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of building a powerful Cleric in Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous․ We’ll cover everything from choosing your Cleric type and domain to selecting the right stats, skills, and feats․ Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the world of Pathfinder, this guide has something for you․
Introduction
The Cleric is a versatile and powerful class in Pathfinder⁚ Wrath of the Righteous, capable of fulfilling a variety of roles in any party․ Their ability to channel divine power grants them access to a wide array of spells, from healing and buffing allies to smiting and controlling enemies․ However, with so many options available, choosing the right path for your Cleric can be daunting․ This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Cleric builds, covering everything from choosing your Cleric type and domain to selecting the right stats, skills, and feats․
Whether you’re looking to play a classic support Cleric, a melee-focused Warpriest, or something entirely unique, this guide will provide the information you need to make informed decisions and build a Cleric that fits your playstyle and party composition․ So, grab your holy symbol, prepare your prayers, and let’s dive into the world of Pathfinder Cleric builds!
Choosing Your Cleric Type
In Pathfinder 2nd edition, Paizo has reimagined the Cleric in two distinct varieties⁚ the Cloistered Cleric and the Warpriest․ Both offer unique playstyles and cater to different preferences․ The Cloistered Cleric focuses primarily on spellcasting, relying on divine magic to support their allies and hinder their enemies․ They favor a more supportive role, utilizing healing spells and buffs to keep their party alive and thriving․ They are typically unarmored, relying on their divine powers for protection․
On the other hand, the Warpriest embraces a more martial approach, combining divine spellcasting with melee combat prowess․ These Clerics are armored warriors who wield their deity’s favored weapon with deadly skill․ They are a force to be reckoned with in close combat, capable of both dealing significant damage and protecting their allies from harm․ The Warpriest offers a more balanced approach, allowing players to engage in both spellcasting and melee combat, making them versatile and adaptable in any situation․
Cleric Roles and Specializations
The Cleric’s versatility extends beyond their choice of type, allowing them to excel in various roles and specializations within a party․ Whether you prefer supporting your allies with healing and buffs, controlling the battlefield with debilitating spells, or leading the charge as a frontline warrior, the Cleric can adapt to your playstyle․
One common specialization is the “Support Cleric,” who focuses on healing, buffing, and debuffing․ They are the backbone of any party, keeping their allies alive and ensuring their success in battle․ Another specialization is the “Battle Cleric,” who excels in close combat, utilizing their divine abilities to enhance their martial prowess and deal significant damage․ These Clerics are formidable warriors who can hold their own on the frontlines․
Finally, the “Archer Cleric” combines ranged combat with divine magic, providing long-range support and control․ This versatile build offers a unique blend of offensive and defensive capabilities, making them a valuable asset to any party․
Cleric Domains and Deities
Clerics in Pathfinder are deeply connected to their chosen deities, drawing power from their divine favor․ Each deity represents a specific domain or aspect of the divine, granting their followers unique abilities and spells․ These domains reflect the deity’s personality and influence, providing Clerics with specialized skills and themes․
For example, the domain of “Life” allows Clerics to heal, protect, and nurture, while the domain of “War” empowers them with martial prowess and battlefield control․ Clerics can choose multiple domains, allowing for even greater customization and flexibility․ The deity you choose influences not only your abilities but also your role within the party and your overall playstyle․
Choosing a deity is a significant decision that shapes the character’s identity and their relationship to the world․ Carefully consider the deity’s alignment, domains, and overall philosophy before committing to your choice․ The right deity can amplify your Cleric’s strengths and create a truly unique and powerful character․
Cleric Build Examples
To help illustrate the versatility of the Cleric class, here are a few build examples that showcase different playstyles and roles within a party⁚
- Support Cleric⁚ This build focuses on buffing allies and healing wounds, making them essential for any party․ They can also contribute to combat with divine spells and channel energy․ This build emphasizes Wisdom and Charisma, with a focus on spells like “Cure Moderate Wounds” and “Bless․”
- Battle Cleric⁚ This build is a melee powerhouse, combining divine power with martial prowess․ They can wade into combat, dishing out damage and protecting their allies․ This build emphasizes Strength or Dexterity, depending on the weapon of choice, and utilizes spells like “Divine Power” and “Smite․”
- Archer Cleric⁚ This build combines ranged combat with divine support, providing ranged damage and healing from a distance․ They can excel in both offense and defense, utilizing spells like “Guidance” and “Magic Missile․” This build prioritizes Dexterity and Charisma, focusing on feats like “Point-Blank Shot” and “Precise Shot․”
These are just a few examples, and there are many other ways to build a Cleric in Pathfinder․ Experiment with different domains, deities, and playstyles to find the build that best suits your preferences and party needs․
Support Cleric
The Support Cleric is the quintessential healer and buffer, providing vital support to the party in both combat and exploration․ This build prioritizes healing and buffing spells, ensuring allies stay healthy and effective in the face of danger․
A key aspect of the Support Cleric is their ability to channel positive energy, providing a potent healing burst in dire situations․ They also excel at using spells like “Cure Moderate Wounds,” “Bless,” and “Aid,” bolstering the party’s defenses and offensive capabilities․
While not a frontline fighter, the Support Cleric can still contribute in melee situations with a weapon and shield, protecting themselves and allies from harm․ Their high Wisdom score allows them to cast powerful spells and utilize channel energy effectively, making them a valuable asset to any party․
Battle Cleric
The Battle Cleric is a hybrid warrior-cleric, combining potent divine magic with devastating melee combat․ This build embraces the power of both domains, channeling holy wrath through both spells and weapons․ They are a force to be reckoned with, capable of dishing out heavy damage while simultaneously supporting their allies․
The Battle Cleric prioritizes martial prowess, wielding heavy armor and powerful weapons like a greatsword or a warhammer․ They also invest in feats that enhance their combat abilities, such as Power Attack and Cleave, maximizing their damage output in melee․
However, their divine powers are not forgotten․ The Battle Cleric utilizes spells like “Divine Power” and “Bless” to further enhance their offensive capabilities, making them a formidable force on the battlefield․ They can also use spells like “Cure Light Wounds” and “Shield of Faith” to support their allies, ensuring they remain in the fight․
Archer Cleric
The Archer Cleric is a versatile and adaptable build that seamlessly blends ranged combat with divine support․ They are a master of both archery and healing, capable of delivering devastating blows from afar while bolstering their allies with potent magic․ This build offers a unique blend of offensive power and strategic support, making them a valuable asset in any party․
The Archer Cleric prioritizes Dexterity and Wisdom, maximizing their ability to hit targets with ranged attacks and cast powerful spells․ They invest in feats like Point-Blank Shot and Precise Shot to enhance their accuracy and damage output with bows․ They also utilize spells like “Bless” and “Divine Favor” to further amplify their ranged attacks, making them a constant threat from a distance․
However, their support role is equally important․ They use spells like “Cure Light Wounds” and “Aid” to heal their allies, ensuring their survival in the heat of battle․ The Archer Cleric’s ability to both deal damage and support their party makes them a well-rounded and essential member of any adventuring group․
Cleric Stats and Skills
Clerics are a versatile class that can be built in many ways, but their core stats remain consistent․ Wisdom is the most important stat for Clerics, as it governs their spellcasting ability and their Channel Energy․ A high Wisdom score ensures that your Cleric can cast powerful spells and heal effectively․ Charisma is also important, as it influences your Cleric’s ability to channel divine power and influence others․ A high Charisma score allows you to use your divine powers more effectively and helps you to gain the trust and respect of others․
Constitution is another crucial stat for Clerics, as it determines their hit points and how well they can withstand damage․ A strong Constitution allows your Cleric to stay in the fight longer and take more punishment․ Additionally, Strength and Dexterity are important for melee Clerics, while Dexterity is essential for Archer Clerics, as it affects their ability to hit with ranged attacks․
When choosing skills, focus on skills that enhance your Cleric’s role in the party․ Skills like Heal, Knowledge (Religion), and Diplomacy are invaluable for a support-focused Cleric․ If you’re playing a more combat-oriented Cleric, skills like Perception, Stealth, and Acrobatics can be beneficial․ Ultimately, the best skills for your Cleric will depend on your chosen build and playstyle․
Cleric Feats and Abilities
Clerics have access to a wide range of feats and abilities that enhance their divine powers and combat prowess․ Feats are special abilities that you can choose to gain at certain levels, providing you with powerful new options․ Some key feats for Clerics include Improved Initiative, which allows them to act faster in combat, and Weapon Focus, which increases their proficiency with a specific weapon type․ These feats allow Clerics to excel in both support and combat roles․
In addition to feats, Clerics have access to a variety of powerful abilities․ Channel Energy is a core ability that allows Clerics to expend divine power to heal allies, harm enemies, or even create temporary magical effects․ Clerics can also use their divine powers to cast spells, which can be used to heal, buff allies, or inflict devastating damage on enemies․ Spells are a powerful tool that can significantly impact the course of battle․
Clerics also gain access to special abilities based on their chosen deity and domain․ These abilities can provide powerful bonuses to their spells and abilities, further enhancing their role in the party․ For example, a Cleric of Desna might gain the ability to enhance their allies’ perception or use divine power to create illusions․ By carefully choosing their feats, abilities, and domain powers, Clerics can tailor their build to fit their desired role and playstyle․
Cleric Equipment and Gear
Equipping your Cleric with the right gear is essential for maximizing their effectiveness in both combat and support roles․ Clerics benefit from a variety of equipment options, including armor, weapons, and magical items that enhance their divine powers and abilities․ Armor is crucial for protecting Clerics from physical damage, and options like chainmail or plate armor provide excellent defense while still allowing for decent mobility․
Clerics can choose from a variety of weapons, including maces, hammers, and even swords, depending on their preferred combat style and the deity they serve․ Magical items, such as wands, staves, and scrolls, can provide Clerics with powerful spells and abilities that enhance their healing, support, and combat capabilities․ These items can be found through exploration, purchased from merchants, or crafted by specialized artisans․
Clerics should also consider carrying a variety of consumables, such as potions, scrolls, and spell components․ These items can provide vital support in the heat of battle, replenishing health, enhancing spells, or providing temporary buffs․ By carefully choosing their equipment and gear, Clerics can ensure they have the tools necessary to excel in their role and contribute effectively to the party’s success․
Cleric Strategies and Tactics
Clerics, with their versatile skillset, excel in a variety of combat situations․ Their ability to heal allies, debuff enemies, and even deal significant damage makes them invaluable assets in any party․ When crafting your Cleric’s strategy, consider their role in the group․ If you’re a support-focused Cleric, prioritize healing and buffing your allies․ Utilize spells like Cure Light Wounds or Bless to keep your team healthy and empowered․ Remember to position yourself strategically to ensure maximum impact and access to your allies․
If you’re a more offensive Cleric, capitalize on your divine powers to disrupt enemy formations and deal damage․ Spells like Divine Favor and Channel Positive Energy can devastate foes, while spells like Hold Person or Entangle can control the battlefield․ A well-timed divine spell can turn the tide of battle in your favor․ No matter your chosen path, always be aware of your surroundings and adapt your strategy accordingly․ Clerics are masters of flexibility and can adjust their tactics on the fly to suit the demands of the encounter․
Don’t hesitate to utilize your Cleric’s unique abilities like Channel Energy to provide a devastating burst of damage or heal allies in dire need․ Remember, a well-prepared and strategically minded Cleric can be the difference between victory and defeat․