How broken is this?

[MariettaGecko]

So I have a party of players I am running through a campaign right now. I was looking at having 7, but it has recently dropped to 5 players. In the process, the player who was going to be playing a favored soul (and thus, the main party healer), had to drop out for the time being.

Basically, my party looks like this:

L1 Human Barbarian - Unexperienced player
L2 Elven Duskblade - Very experienced player
L2 Elven Druid - New player
L2 Human Rogue - lightly experienced player
L2 Psionicist, unknown race or specific class detail - very experienced player.

The party has three Healing Belts spread out through it.

The Duskblade player has suggested that, in the interest of having a healer in the party, he trade in his duskblade for a Clr1/Warlock1. My initial response is that the cleric is already too likely to go CoDzilla, but I'm concerned that this may be a rather unbalancing force for the game. So here's the question... If you were DMing this group, would you allow this character? I can potentially provide character stats if needed.

[StickMan]

You would have to give more info on his build cause Warlock Cleric is not all that strong as far as I know. Right now I see no issue with it.

[Falrin]

Druids are thé most complicated class.

Large Spell-list
Lots of summons (with buffs)
Animal Companion
Wildshape

Depending on what he wants I'd suggest something with less Mechanic Difficulties. (PHB II shapechange Variant would be a good start, maybe ranger)

Clr1/Warlock1 seems rather weak to me to be honest, what's the catch?

[Citizen Joe]

Clr1/Warlock1 seems rather weak to me to be honest, what's the catch?

You don't see the philosophical conumdrum?

[MariettaGecko]

You don't see the philosophical conumdrum?

That right there is my biggest issue with this character. That said, I was concerned primarily about the class combination as it comes to brokenness for ubergaming or whatever.

At the very least, I am thinking of requiring that he put together a darned good backstory to explain how a warlock (as I understand that is something you are born with) came to be a cleric.

[Fishy]

I'd, um, talk to him.

Maybe he wants that one level of Warlock to throw a d6 at enemies when no one needs healing, maybe he's planning some sort of Beguiling Influence/Charm Domain uber Diplomancer. There's no way to know just from the classes.

[Green Bean]

That right there is my biggest issue with this character. That said, I was concerned primarily about the class combination as it comes to brokenness for ubergaming or whatever.

At the very least, I am thinking of requiring that he put together a darned good backstory to explain how a warlock (as I understand that is something you are born with) came to be a cleric.

I don't see how it would be that big of a stretch. Warlocks are just like ordinary people, except that they're distant cousins to an evil outsider. The only big difference between a Warlock and an ordinary guy is that the Warlock is going to be Chaotic. There isn't much stopping him from becoming a cleric; heck, with the effects of a Warlock's invocations, any god of trickery would love this guy.

[PnP Fan]

I don't think life would be terrible if your player swapped out characters. If he CoDs out, then all you have to do is increase the difficulty of the encounters a bit. Better yet, talk to him before hand. But if he's Cleric/Warlock ing, then I really don't think it's a serious problem.

You might also consider giving the Druid some kind of wand or something (I believe healing spells are on the druid list, they just can't cast them spontanieously (sp?)) for healing, and encourage your duskblade to keep his character. A party without a cleric can work, it just works differently.

[Solo]

Cleric/warlocks can prestige into Eldritch Disciple, which is a fun PrC, but not overpowering, at least not compared to some of the other stuff that's out there.

[Douglas]

I wouldn't worry about it. Warlock is underpowered and doesn't synergize well with cleric. Even if he goes for the Eldritch Theurge Disciple (I think that's the one) PrC from Complete Mage it's still not that great.

Edit: Thank you Solo, I couldn't quite remember the class's name.

[Eldmor]

Or, since I think the Warlock fluff is a load of Bullete dung, he could make a pact with heavenly/celestial/seelie powers. That would be perfectly reasonable. Him then worshiping the power would grant him divine spells. It's like signing up for a club and paying the premium; you get extra benefits.

[Solo]

I wouldn't worry about it. Warlock is underpowered and doesn't synergize well with cleric. Even if he goes for the Eldritch Theurge Disciple (I think that's the one) PrC from Complete Mage it's still not that great.

Edit: Thank you Solo, I couldn't quite remember the class's name.

Free healing on your EB, and only for the sacrifice of one cleric level, isn't a bad deal.

[Douglas]

I don't have my books with me right now, but I'm pretty sure the Healing Blast ability has limited uses per day.

[Dausuul]

That right there is my biggest issue with this character. That said, I was concerned primarily about the class combination as it comes to brokenness for ubergaming or whatever.

I see no potential for brokenness, at least no more than you'd normally get with a cleric. Warlock and cleric have very little synergy. The warlock level actually weakens the cleric build.

At the very least, I am thinking of requiring that he put together a darned good backstory to explain how a warlock (as I understand that is something you are born with) came to be a cleric.

Eh, I don't see the problem, really. Guy with fiendish heritage turns to the divine in order to help him control his darker nature (if a good cleric) or strengthen it (if an evil cleric).

[Solo]

I don't have my books with me right now, but I'm pretty sure the Healing Blast ability has limited uses per day.

Perhaps you can clerify the issue later?

[InkEyes]

You don't see the philosophical conumdrum?

Warlocks can derive their power from fey too. I could see that working fluff-wise if the cleric in question worshiped a nature deity. It's just a conspiracy by The Man that tells us every Warlock in the Multiverse is associated with fiends.

Warlocks and Clerics don't seems like they'd be very overpowered without some insane feats or PrCs. I think that's a perfectly reasonable combo.

[Swooper]

I fail to see why the druid can't just do the healing? Then there's no need for Mr. Duskblade to switch characters. If he does, as the others have said, warlock/cleric isn't really overpowered, so either way you should be fine.

[Techonce]

Depends on the god he picked. Could be interesting.

To me the fact that the party has 3 healing belts, seems a bit much.

[Yuki Akuma]

Clerics are strong because they're full casters, who can buff themselves up to becoming better fighters than, uh, Fighters.

But this relies on their full caster progression. Which, by multiclassing, he's throwing out the window. I wouldn't worry.

[Shatenjager]

I wouldn't worry about it. First off he's coming out of duskblade, which is already a really really good class. Second he's switching to 2 a non full BAB classes, with non-obvious ability dependency synergies (he'll want WIS, CHA, and DEX). CODzilla really isn't a problem in most campaigns. Clerics either end up working as the healer (and taking a level of warlock to throw around d6s when not healing is no problem), or they spend a few rounds buffing while the rest of the party gets thrashed.

For me I see this as a no-brainer. Duskblade is a solid damage dealing class, where as multiclass between Cleric (good class), and Warlock (mediocre class), just seems less powerful frankly.

[Maryring]

Perhaps you can clerify the issue later?

That pun wins you an chocolate chip internet cookie.

In addition, no, this is not an overpowered combination. In case the evidence laid forth above is not a clear indicator.

[Starbuck_II]

Depends on the god he picked. Could be interesting.

To me the fact that the party has 3 healing belts, seems a bit much.

Well, if the party pooled their money together: they could afford a healing belt. Or 3 players used most of wealth gained to buy one (750 is alot of 900 limit, but eh).

But a Warlock/Cleric makes too much sense. Paladin/Warlock would need justification. But not the former.

[Techonce]

Well, if the party pooled their money together: they could afford a healing belt. Or 3 players used most of wealth gained to buy one (750 is alot of 900 limit, but eh).

But a Warlock/Cleric makes too much sense. Paladin/Warlock would need justification. But not the former.

It's possible, but then no one has decent weapons and armor. Actually it owuld be kind of interesting. If we survive this we are okay, so everyone grab your buckler and dagger and lets attack!

[Quietus]

Well, if the party pooled their money together: they could afford a healing belt. Or 3 players used most of wealth gained to buy one (750 is alot of 900 limit, but eh).

But a Warlock/Cleric makes too much sense. Paladin/Warlock would need justification. But not the former.

Paladin/Warlock only works if you're using variant paladins anyway. Or if you go through a radical alignment shift.

[Kaelik]

You guys who think it doesn't synergize and/or Eldritch Disciple isn't very bad need to rethink that.

Yes he won't have full casting progression, but he wouldn't with Duskblade anyway. An Eldritch Disciple Galive Lock is a better melee fighter then a straight Cleric. With full BAB (Divine Power) he can get the Maximum number of iterative attacks with his Glaive, Power Attack for Full, and still hit because it's a touch attack based on his ridiculous Str score. Plus he can get the larger size that he needs from his own casting, making him completely self-sufficient in combat. And if he chooses to, he can be casting as a level 19 Cleric/lvl 10 Warlock at level 20. I don't see how that's "weaker" then a Cleric 20.

[MariettaGecko]

The healing belt thing would be my fault. I was trying to rebalance things slightly given that I was going to be sending them, at first level, into a dungeon intended for 4-6 characters of level 3-5. I suppose I may have overdone it. Oh, well. What's done is done.

How would the Eldritch Disciple complicate things?

[Tor the Fallen]

I'm not sure you're worrying about the right things. I think I'd fret over the fact that you overloaded the party with magic items, and plan to send them into a dungeon that's meant for characters 3 to 5 times their level.

If you're worried about healing (which is way over rated, btw), just give the druid a wand of CLW. Boom, done.

I'd be more worried about the psion or druid overpowering everything (in about 7 levels, though), not a relatively poor cleric/warlock multiclass.

Anything that makes your cleric player give up cleric caster levels, you should welcome.

[Kaelik]

How would the Eldritch Disciple complicate things?

Eldritch Disciple complicates things because using Eldritch Glaive/Divine Power/Righteous Might/Power Attack he can do better damage then most Clericzillas and he can still get to be a lvl 19 Cleric/lvl 10 Warlock at level 20. Which means he's just like a Cleric except with fly and invisibility and a summonable weapon of super kickassity.

[Zincorium]

Eldritch Disciple complicates things because using Eldritch Glaive/Divine Power/Righteous Might/Power Attack he can do better damage then most Clericzillas and he can still get to be a lvl 19 Cleric/lvl 10 Warlock at level 20. Which means he's just like a Cleric except with fly and invisibility and a summonable weapon of super kickassity.

18 cleric/11 warlock. Eldritch disciple loses an additional cleric level in addition to the level of warlock you have to take.[/nitpick]

It's not bad, but it's going to hurt a little getting in.

[kamikasei]

I don't see how it would be that big of a stretch. Warlocks are just like ordinary people, except that they're distant cousins to an evil outsider.

Or a fey... or has made a pact with an evil outsider or a fey... or is descended from someone who did so. A Chaotic Good Warlock who's never even seen a fey or heard of a devil or demon is still a viable character.