Help with a cleric

[Karui_Kage]

Combat Casting isn't too great a feat, in my opinion. +4 to a skill for a one-instance use (only when casting on the defensive), as opposed to Skill Focus (Concentration), which would apply to everything.

Other than that, I agree with you on the planning thing, Farcaster. I don't mind them planning a few levels in advance, or working towards a certain prestige, but when they plan out *everything* for 20 levels, including skills, feats, etc., it drives me bonkers. If they can be fluid with that, fine, but if not, then problems seem to happen. I had a player who spent 20 hours (he said) at least making his progression for a 1st level character. He was using this excuse to tell me why I should find a way for him to come back when his character got killed at 3rd. -.-

[Inquisitor Tremayne]

I do have combat casting and it has saved my neck on many, recent, occasions.

Does it not stack with Skill Focus?

Right now she is a warrior first and foremost and a servant of Pelor second. For 9th level I want her to take Radiant Servant and become a sort of warrior of Pelor or "Pelor's Fist" if you will. She will go through a change that makes her become more devout and realize that her warrior spirit is due in large part to serving Pelor. This should rationalize taking a level in RSoP. She is very much against healing during combat but is unable to let her companions die and she is not zealous in her faith. I want to change that. I want her to become a super caring, nurturing person which also rationalizes the PrC.

So 9th level RSoP
10th and 11th level Fighter
12th level on up RSoP.

[Karui_Kage]

It does stack, as they are both unnamed bonuses. I was saying in terms of taking one over the other, I recommend Skill Focus (Concentration). +3 to all uses of Concentration is better than +4 to a single use of Concentration.

Best of luck with the RSoP. You shouldn't be disappointed.

[Inquisitor Tremayne]

Yeah, its okay overall. I'll have to spend my bonus domain on the Healing domain so I can really take advantage of those class features.

But I think it will be fun.

The rest of the party is in for a surprise from a new and improved teammate!

[starfalconkd]

Since we are talking about character building here, I had a question. Does anyone else sit down and map their character's progression out 1st through 20th level, including feats and PrC? Or do you just wing it?

I do as does my one player. However there is always room for change. Generally, I only pick my 20th level goal. I advance the character however I feel like advancing him during play and as seems appropriate. I do the same thing with feats, pick the ones I want and take them as I am able and as I need them. I don't plot out skill points at all. My friend, on the other hand, has most of his feats and which level he will advance all picked out beforehand. He's more relaxed with skill points.
Honestly I'd love to play a game where you could just wing it. It's usually not an option however unless you want to fall behind the other PCs in power level.

[Moritz]

I've got a few friends that draw up spreadsheets for character progression. They have way too much time.

[Argent]

I've got a few friends that draw up spreadsheets for character progression. They have way too much time.

See, a spreadsheet would speed the process up, so I kind of like that. Maybe I'll have to give that a try...

As I said, I do both, depending. Right now, for the Shackled City Campaign I'm in, I plotted out what I want to do with my Monk right through to 20th level. I have some very firm ideas of what kind of Monk I want him to be, so I have planned ahead.

Actually, my monk ties into another thread about generating character stats. Our DM allowed us a choice, point buy or rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest. I chose the latter, and first time out rolled stats that were below par (total bonuses were +2 if I recall). So he said to roll again, and I proceeded to roll 16, 16, 16, 15, 14, 13. And my monk was born...

[Inquisitor Tremayne]

For roleplaying reasons and the fact that we are in the middle of a dungeon right now I have changed how I am going to level her.

9th Fighter, bonus feats: Weapon Focus and Power Attack
10th Fighter, bonus feat: Improved Critical
11th - 20th Radiant Servant of Pelor

[TheYeti1775]

I've got a few friends that draw up spreadsheets for character progression. They have way too much time.

Only time I've done that was when I was testing a few thoeries out with the DM. I have a lot of free time at work between projects. We were working out some progressions with the Ultimate Magus when the Complete Mage first came out.

My players have this habit of mapping their character's out using Excel and figuring out exactly where they are going to put their points, what feats they are going to get when, and what order they are going to raise their ability scores. This drives me INSANE. It wouldn't bother me so much if they didn't then become so rigid and resistant to straying from their path. My feeling is that skills should represent what your character is actually learning. For example, one of the characters in my game did a ton of research about the Underdark in preparation for some exploration the group wanted to do. But, even after this and after the party had spent months in the Underdark, the player was still resistant to putting points in any Knowledge (Underdark) skill. Why? Because it would upset the carefully crafted progression tree the player had already built. Hogwash!

I would have spent points on it personally. I blew a feat on something I will probably never use again for a 15th level Character feat as it fit the character and what they had just went through. Fought and liberated an underground/underwater city that was undead and demon infested. Took the feat that allows you to turn half your spell damage to postive energy. My luck, I won't ever face Undead or Demons again with him.

Since we are talking about character building here, I had a question. Does anyone else sit down and map their character's progression out 1st through 20th level, including feats and PrC? Or do you just wing it?

I have done it before, but generally by 2 levels later I alter it. Mainly I use a concept as the template and build from there letting the course of events dictate what they do.

What to do with a Cleric. ....... Thanks

Main question is what books are available. Complete Champion is totally geared to the 'Holy Warrior' side of things.