Straight 20 Cleric Planar Binder Final Draft

[RoboEmperor]

This character got accepted in a game so I am posting the build here in order to easily access it online. As always, I'm open to suggestions.

Optimization Theory: Earliest possible Safe Planar Binding and be able to bind outsiders on the fly with 100% success rate and 0% chance of them escaping.

Playstyle: Early game spam Conjure Ice Beast and Water Elementals from Water Devotion. Add in Fiery Burst if retraining is allowed. Mid game add in 1 outsider from Planar Binding and spam Walls of Water while continuing to spam Conjure Ice Beasts and Water Elementals. Low level spell slots used for buffs and heals.

Cleric20

Cleric: I'm still laughing at how the most optimized cleric for planar binding has 0 PrCs.
Optional:Chameleon Human, 1 feat tax (able learner at level 1), and skill tax (Plenty of skill points so not a factor). If going epic, might be worth to grab it so you can get both Energy Resistance for Cosmic Descryer and Epic Spellcasting at level 21.

Domains: Lust (Spell Compendium), Demonic (Fiendish Codex I)
Lust - Turns this MAD character into a SAD character.
Demonic - has all the Planar Binding spells as domain spells.
Creation - If RETRAINING is allowed, grab it to increase your Conjure Ice Beast duration by 2 rounds at level 1. Swap out for Lust later.

Alternate Class Feature:Spontaneous Domain Casting: Demonic - Ability to cast all spells in the Demonic Domain spontaneously using any spell slot and lets you prepare cure/inflict spells in your domain spell slot. Replaces the ability to spontaneously cast cure/inflict spells.

Ability Scores:
25 Point Buy
STR 9
DEX 8
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 15
CHA 14 - +2 turning attempts for Water Elementals. At level 14 I'll have 28 charisma, just enough to bind Pit Fiends 100% of the time.

Feats
1 Spell Focus: Conjuration - +1 Planar Binding Save DC
H Water Devotion
3 Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration - +1 Planar Binding Save DC
6 Snowcasting - Prerequisite for Cold Focus
9 Summon Elemental Reserve Feat
12 Cold Focus - +1 Planar Binding Save DC
15 Greater Cold Focus - +1 Planar Binding Save DC, grand total of +4
18 ??? - Could be Eschew Materials for Ignore Material Components, Able Learner (at level 1) for Chameleon, Heighten Spell for +1 greater planar binding save DC, etc.

NOTE: This build focuses around Conjure Ice Beast and Water Devotion. Fiery Burst is obtained at level 3 since Water Elementals cannot dish out the damage until you get Wall of Water. Fiery Burst is powered by Energy Substitution: Fire on Conjure Ice Beast
Level 1
Domains: Creation, Demonic
1 Extra Turning
H Water Devotion

Level 3
1 Energy Substiution:Fire
H Water Devotion
3 Fiery Burst

Level 5
1 Spell Focus:Conjuration
H Water Devotion
3 Fiery Burst

Level 6
1 Spell Focus:Conjuration
H Water Devotion
3 Energy Substitution: Fire
6 Fiery Burst

Level 8
Creation Domain -> Lust Domain

Level 9
1 Spell Focus:Conjuration
H Water Devotion
3 Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
6 Fiery Burst
9 Summon Elemental Reserve Feat

Level 12
1 Spell Focus:Conjuration
H Water Devotion
3 Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
6 Snowcasting
9 Summon Elemental Reserve Feat
12 Cold Focus

Skills
Concentration: MAX - 12, points put in Speak Language are put in here. Paused from level 9 forward when planar binding is your main combat style instead of conjure ice beast.
Knowledge:Religion: MAX - Epic Spellcasting requirement. Starts at 0 in favor of Concentration and Speak language. From level 9, the points for Concentration go here, and Speak Language once that is finished.
Knowledge:ThePlanes: MAX - So you know which outsiders exist for Planar Binding.
Spellcraft: MAX - Epic Spellcasting requirement.
Speak Language: 12 - In order to communicate with elementals you summon via Summon Elemental (who don't speak common), you need to know their language. Importance in order is Water Elementals (Water Devotion), Earth Elemental (Earth Glide), Fire Elemental (Light and controlled burns), and Air Elemental (Possible flight by carrying you). Infernal, Abyssal, and Celestial are just for fun.

Language
*Common
*Aquan - Water Elemental
Terran - Earth Elemental
Ignan - Fire Elemental
Auran - Air Elemental
Infernal - Devils
Abyssal - Demons
Celestial - Celestials

The Game Winning Combo
1. Planar Bind an Outsider.
2. Cast Surge of Fortune.
3. Activate Lust Domain Power to add your cleric levels directly to your Charisma as an enhancement bonus for 1 round.
4. Active Surge of Fortune so you roll an automatic 20 on the charisma check with the outsider.
Results:
a. Impossible to roll a 1, so outsiders never break free. Safest possible Planar Binding.
b. You can safely dump your charisma and focus solely on Wisdom.
c. If your charisma modifier is +1 more than your opponent's then you have a 100% win chance.
d. No need to scramble for +charisma check gear/feats/class features. Naked 20 cleric is good enough!

Planar Binding Save DC
Level 9: 10 + 5 (Spell Level) + 3 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) = 22
Level 11: 10 + 6 (Spell Level) + 3 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) = 23
Level 12: 10 + 6 (Spell Level) + 4 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) + 1 (Cold Focus) = 25
Level 15: 10 + 8 (Spell Level) + 4 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom)+ 2 (Greater Spell Focus) + 2 (Greater Cold Focus) = 28
Level 17: 10 + 8 (Spell Level) + 4 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 4 (Owl's Insight via Miracle) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) + 2 (Greater Cold Focus) = 32
Level 18: 10 + 8 (Spell Level) + 4 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 5 (Owl's Insight via Miracle) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) + 2 (Greater Cold Focus) = 33
Level 20: 10 + 8 (Spell Level) + 5 (Wisdom Modifier) + 2 (Owl's Wisdom) + 5 (Owl's Insight via Miracle) + 2 (Greater Spell Focus) + 2 (Greater Cold Focus) = 34

+1 Periapt of Wisdom +6
+1 Prayer Beads, Karma (Owl's Insight via Miracle)
+2-3 Tome of Understanding

Advantages compared to my Nar Demonbinder build
1. VERY LIGHT ON SOURCE BOOKS. Just 3 mandatory books! That's it!
Mandatory Books: Spell Compendium (Lust Domain), Fiendish Codex I (Demonic Domain), Complete Champion (Surge of Fortune).
Optional Books: Player's Handbook II (Spontaneous Domain Casting), Frost Burn (Cold Focus), Champions of Valor (Celestial Fortress)
Backup Books: Complete Scoundrel (Malconvoker) if Fiendish Codex I is not allowed.
2. NO SETTING SPECIFIC BOOKS, FEATS, PRCs, etc.
3. FULL CLERIC CASTING.
4. Surge of Fortune 1 level earlier, so you get it on the same level you get Lesser Planar Binding.
5. Significantly more Greater Planar Bindings.
6. Can boost AC sky high for defense.

Disadvantages compared to my Nar Demonbinder Build
1. Requires Deityless Clerics, or worship of a Lust Deity (and as a result, grab Malconvoker to compensate the lack of Demonic Domain, resulting in a 1 level delay in spellcasting).
2. Gets Lesser Planar Binding one level later. Gets Planar Binding and Greater Planar Binding at the same levels though, so not a huge downside.
3. Significantly worse Greater Planar Binding Save DC until level 17.
4. No Chameleon Floating Feat.

Useful Spells
3: Magic Circle Against Evil/Good
4: Dimensional Anchor
5: Lesser Planar Binding
6: Planar Binding
8: Greater Planar Binding
1-9: Conjure Ice Beast - Main spells I will be casting with my Cleric
0: Create Water - Refill Waterskins for Water Devotion. Highly dubious that this spell can overcome Water Elemental's Water Mastery.
1: Demonflesh - Domain Spell, +1 natural armor enhancement bonus/5CL, max +4
1: Shield of Faith - +2-5 Deflection AC Bonus
2: Lesser Restoration - Cure ability damage from Sanctified Spells
3: Dark Fire - Fiery Burst Fuel when Energy Substitution:Fire is swapped out.
3: Demon Wings - Flight
3: Magic Vestments - Cast on a Mithral Tower Shield and a Mithral Full Plate for +10 AC
4: Celestial Fortress - Gargantuan House to animate with a Ravid
4: Wall of Water (Sandstorm version). Flood the battlefield with water for your water elementals.
5: Spell Resistance
9: Miracle - Owl's Insight, Giant Size (+12 natural AC), Tortoise Shell (+6-9 natural AC)
9: Gate

Total AC: 10 -1 (Dex) +13 (Mithral Full Plate + Magic Vestment) + 9 (Mithral Tower Shield + Magic Vestment) + 12 (Giant Size) + 9 (Tortoise Shell) +5 (Shield of Faith) = 57AC. Yeah, good luck hitting my cleric!

Useful Gear
Mithral Full Plate
Mithral Tower Shield
Waterskins - Water Devotion
Periapt of Wisdom +6 - Spell DC
Tome of Understanding - Spell DC
Cloak of Charisma +6 - More Water Elementals
Tome of Leadership and Influence - More Water Elementals
Nightsticks - More Water Elementals

[Deadline]

You won't be able to swing Luminous Armor and Greater Luminous Armor (as routine casting of [Evil] descriptor spells is going to render you into a non-good alignment and thus unable to be targeted by them), but otherwise this looks ok. What are you using to gain access to Sanctified spells?

[RoboEmperor]

You won't be able to swing Luminous Armor and Greater Luminous Armor (as routine casting of [Evil] descriptor spells is going to render you into a non-good alignment and thus unable to be targeted by them), but otherwise this looks ok. What are you using to gain access to Sanctified spells?

I thought neutral characters can cast sanctified spells. I re-read the description and it just says, evil characters cannot cast sanctified spells, and creatures devoted to good can. This is important actually, since I do plan on playing a neutral character. Can a neutral character be devoted to good? I mean if his alignment shifts due to the spells he casts, no reason he can't be devoted to good...

If not then... oh well. There goes my favorite lesser planar binding trick, and needing a mithral full plate, and maybe a strength boosting item.

[Deadline]

I thought neutral characters can cast sanctified spells. I re-read the description and it just says, evil characters cannot cast sanctified spells, and creatures devoted to good can. This is important actually, since I do plan on playing a neutral character. Can a neutral character be devoted to good? I mean if his alignment shifts due to the spells he casts, no reason he can't be devoted to good...

If not then... oh well. There goes my favorite lesser planar binding trick, and needing a mithral full plate, and maybe a strength boosting item.

I mean, Neutral Good would be the alignment that would do that. But you'd be hard pressed to continually bind fiends and remain good. And since the target of Luminous Armor is "One good creature", as soon as you stop being good, you stop being a valid target for the spell. So sure, you can cast it as long as you aren't evil, but you can't cast it on yourself unless you are good.

I made the assumption you weren't a good character because you have the Demonic and Lust domains. If that character doesn't start evil, it probably won't be long before they wind up that way.

[RoboEmperor]

I mean, Neutral Good would be the alignment that would do that. But you'd be hard pressed to continually bind fiends and remain good. And since the target of Luminous Armor is "One good creature", as soon as you stop being good, you stop being a valid target for the spell. So sure, you can cast it as long as you aren't evil, but you can't cast it on yourself unless you are good.

I made the assumption you weren't a good character because you have the Demonic and Lust domains. If that character doesn't start evil, it probably won't be long before they wind up that way.

You're absolutely correct. Thanks for pointing this out, I overlooked it. I will be removing greater luminous armor for a mithral full plate. My character is Chaotic Neutral because by RAW, good clerics cannot cast Evil spells, unless you're in Eberron.

[magicalmagicman]

Nice, I see you "officialized" the build we were discussing in my other thread.

[RoboEmperor]

Replaced Rapid Spell with Heighten Spell for increased Planar Binding save DC.

1 feat left over! No idea what it should be.

[Anthrowhale]

If you get the Spell domain instead of the Lust domain, then you can use Anyspell to cast Improvisation which provides the same bonus to an ability check as Lust, but with more versatility and more uses per day.

Edit: Also, this would unlock you from cleric level, so you could play with Fatespinner as in your other build for example.

[RoboEmperor]

If you get the Spell domain instead of the Lust domain, then you can use Anyspell to cast Improvisation which provides the same bonus to an ability check as Lust, but with more versatility and more uses per day.

Edit: Also, this would unlock you from cleric level, so you could play with Fatespinner as in your other build for example.

Fatespinner is arcane-only, and spell domain doesn't let you qualify for arcane spellcasting considering how you use your Wisdom score, holy symbol, and no arcane spell failure (therefore it's an arcane spell cast as a divine spell).

Excellent advice though. I mean truly, truly excellent advice. It does in fact free up cleric levels so I'm gonna see what I can do! Maybe I'll cram a shadowcraft mage in there by adding in Illusion Domain, Thaumaturgist2 for augment summoning, and Malconvoker2. Ultimately I decided against this due to the spellcasting level loss and lower planar binding DC on the account of shadowcraft mage being very feat intensive, but still, this is an awesome new toy to play with!

Ultimately though, because I have OCD with my character being fully functional without equipment, and since spellbook tattoos can be ruined with scarring, I'll probably stick with Lust Domain unless I find a cleric PrC that boosts planar binding save DC.

[RoboEmperor]

The retraining threads gave me an idea. Added retraining to the build.

[Anthrowhale]

Fatespinner is arcane-only, and spell domain doesn't let you qualify for arcane spellcasting considering how you use your Wisdom score, holy symbol, and no arcane spell failure (therefore it's an arcane spell cast as a divine spell).

Fatespinner is arcane entry but it advances any spellcasting. Greater Anyspell refers to Anyspell which clearly states that it allows you to cast an arcane spell.

When you cast the arcane spell, it works just as though cast by a wizard of your cleric level... Arcane spell failure chance fully applies.

[RoboEmperor]

Fatespinner is arcane entry but it advances any spellcasting. Greater Anyspell refers to Anyspell which clearly states that it allows you to cast an arcane spell. Arcane spell failure chance fully applies.

I'm gonna have to look into this. If you are right then... WOW! Everything I ever wanted would be in this build.

Actually, thinking about it, how would you get a copy of a spellbook version of improvisation? Its a bard spell so spellbook version is unavailable. You'd have to go scroll version.

Damn it... And a wizard going wyrm wizard, writing it down in his spellbook, and selling that is not allowed by my DM, since that would make every single spell in the game a wizard spell.

[Anthrowhale]

I'm gonna have to look into this. If you are right then... WOW! Everything I ever wanted would be in this build.

Actually, thinking about it, how would you get a copy of a spellbook version of improvisation? Its a bard spell so spellbook version is unavailable. You'd have to go scroll version.

Damn it... And a wizard going wyrm wizard, writing it down in his spellbook, and selling that is not allowed by my DM, since that would make every single spell in the game a wizard spell.

The good news is that scrolls of improvisation are cheap and each casting can be used 4 times...