[PF] Out of my depth, here.

[Beowulf DW]

OK. I'm asking for advice. I've never played a cleric, or any tier 1 class for that matter. Considering the circumstances that I'm about to divulge, what should my cleric focus on?

In an up-coming pbp game (we're starting at level 2), I'm playing a lawful neutral cleric in what seems to be a homebrew world where there are no deities, just principles that clerics devote themselves to.

My cleric is devoted to "The Empire" which is apparently the most popular brand of faith right now. We have a trio of archers, an alchemist who seems to be going for melee, and a prospective arcane caster.

[Hylas]

How would you like to play?
What domains do you have access to?
What is the flavor of your character besides "LN, likes the Empire"?

Guided Hand (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/-guided-hand) is the one stop shop for SAD combat cleric (requires channel smite).

[Beowulf DW]

I was going for support cleric with the Law and Nobility domains. Our group's somewhat short on frontline melee, so I figured that I could buff myself and fill the gaps when necessary.

Since there are no deities, there are no favored weapons. I'm using the morning star. Why argue with a classic?

[Draig]

See I personally love clerics. They are one of the most versatile classes in my opinion. Now for your spells are you going to just prepare buff spells for yourself and they bowl into melee? Or are you also going to arm your cleric with a few cans of divine whoop @ss?

[grarrrg]

I was going for support cleric with the Law and Nobility domains. Our group's somewhat short on frontline melee, so I figured that I could buff myself and fill the gaps when necessary.

Is your DM letting you gain the Leadership feat when you hit level 8?
You may need a 'back-up' Domain, OR you can select one of the many archetypes that only let's you have 1 Domain.

Crusader (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/crusader)
Benefit: Gain Bonus Feats every 5 levels, ability to cast Single Target Buff spells on ALL 'touch-range' allies
Penalty: Only 1 Domain, 1 less spell each level

Divine Strategist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/divine-strategist)
Benefit: Always act in Surprise rounds, Initiative bonus, when Flanking or making an AoO you get your INT as a bonus to-hit
Penalty: Only 1 Domain, no Channel Energy

Evangelist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/evangelist)
Benefit: Gain Performance as a same level Bard, can Spontaneously cast from a limited list.
Penalty: Only 1 Domain (sense a theme?), lose ability to Spontaneously cast Cure/Inflict, slightly weaker Channel Energy

Mendevian Priest (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/mendevian-priest)
Benefit: Heavy Armor prof., Bonus feats at levels 4 & 8
Penalty: Only 1 Domain

Theologian (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/theologian)
Benefit: Count as +2 levels for Domain Powers, can prepare Domain spells in Non-Domain slots, Permanent Metamagic on Domain Spells (1 spell/meta at 5th and every 5 after)
Penalty: Only 1 Domain

[Beowulf DW]

See I personally love clerics. They are one of the most versatile classes in my opinion. Now for your spells are you going to just prepare buff spells for yourself and they bowl into melee? Or are you also going to arm your cleric with a few cans of divine whoop @ss?

I was going to use a mix at first, then fine tune it as I get a feel for what the DM will be throwing at us.


Is your DM letting you gain the Leadership feat when you hit level 8?
You may need a 'back-up' Domain, OR you can select one of the many archetypes that only let's you have 1 Domain.

Crusader (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/crusader)
Benefit: Gain Bonus Feats every 5 levels, ability to cast Single Target Buff spells on ALL 'touch-range' allies
Penalty: Only 1 Domain, 1 less spell each level

Divine Strategist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/divine-strategist)
Benefit: Always act in Surprise rounds, Initiative bonus, when Flanking or making an AoO you get your INT as a bonus to-hit
Penalty: Only 1 Domain, no Channel Energy

Evangelist (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/evangelist)
Benefit: Gain Performance as a same level Bard, can Spontaneously cast from a limited list.
Penalty: Only 1 Domain (sense a theme?), lose ability to Spontaneously cast Cure/Inflict, slightly weaker Channel Energy

Mendevian Priest (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/mendevian-priest)
Benefit: Heavy Armor prof., Bonus feats at levels 4 & 8
Penalty: Only 1 Domain

Theologian (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/cleric/archetypes/paizo---cleric-archetypes/theologian)
Benefit: Count as +2 levels for Domain Powers, can prepare Domain spells in Non-Domain slots, Permanent Metamagic on Domain Spells (1 spell/meta at 5th and every 5 after)
Penalty: Only 1 Domain

I really do appreciate the suggestions, but since this is my first time playing cleric, I'm going to stick to Original Recipe.

Also, it now seems that there's going to be an Inquisitor in the group. Does that change anything?

[grarrrg]

You didn't answer, Are you going to be allowed the Leadership feat?


Also, it now seems that there's going to be an Inquisitor in the group. Does that change anything?

Assuming he's NOT going to be an Archer, then yes.
You will not have to be quite so melee focused.
Still an option, but much less mandatory.

[Beowulf DW]

You didn't answer, Are you going to be allowed the Leadership feat?

Sorry, about that.:smallredface:

I don't see any reason that it wouldn't be allowed, as long as I don't abuse it, but somehow I get the feeling that we won't get to 8th level. The campaign is somewhat provincial in scope.