Clerical Questions

[Brad]

Hello Cleric-type people.

As I mentioned elsewhere, I am looking into fully returning after a long absence. In that category, I was wondering a few things about Clericdom these days, particularly after browsing some threads.

Mostly, would a Polearm-wielding Cleric work out decently? The last time I had played, Clerics did a whole lot of monster chopping and did so very well, but it seems that things may be a bit different these days?

Alternately, I thought I read that Clerics and Warriors were/are able to change into Paladins? Is that still the case and how does it work? If so, I am considering that instead.

So, then if I do go with that last idea, are there any particular Arkati who seem especially unpopular for Clerics and Paladins? I have some other character ideas I was rolling around in my head.

[Jace Solo]

Clerics are in short supply. Paladins are in grand supply.

The 2hnd or Pole route is still very viable.

[Methais]

Bane/Smite pure shield/brawl clerics > other clerics but swinging clerics are probably still viable too.

Not sure about the paladin part if it's still good or not. The general consensus is that paladins are boring and suck moldy waffles. Waffles without blueberries or syrup even.

[Brad]

That's good to know. And to think when I trained in Brawling before it seemed like a very strange thing. :D

I think I'll stick with the Cleric idea then. I have an overwhelming desire to take a scythe (or possibly some kind of pitchfork) to some Zombies (or whatnot, that's the last thing I recall killing).

[Methais]

That's good to know. And to think when I trained in Brawling before it seemed like a very strange thing. :D

I think I'll stick with the Cleric idea then. I have an overwhelming desire to take a scythe (or possibly some kind of pitchfork) to some Zombies (or whatnot, that's the last thing I recall killing).

Having an open hand helps with Bane/Smite and I'm pretty sure other cleric warding spells too, so that's the main reason for going shield/brawl as far as I know.

I don't play my cleric much though so I'm sure there are others here that know plenty more about it.

[Ryvicke]

Any weapon-swinging pure profession these days are going to have a bit harder time than their pure counterparts. You're going to have less points to get those extra utility spells early, so you may not be able to rescue or have the best version of bless or raise until later than those who go pure. If you really want to swing a weapon but still want to RP the spiritual part of the profession you should take a decent look at Paladins.

That said early on clerics get the most AS buffs of any profession 211, 215 and 307 all kick your AS up before Wizards/Empaths/Sorc get equal numbers. Later on though (WAY later) clerics get totally tanked AS-wise and are passed up pretty handily by Wizards and Empaths.

One tip if you're definitely going with a swinging cleric, plan to hunt a lot of undead. 301 is your primary setup spell for mashing stuff up (and it's a good one!) but it only works on undead.

[Brad]

When it comes to having an open hand, does it need to be the right hand? Or mostly, does that work with runestaves and the like or not? It seems like it should be the latter, but I don't know.

Crushing undead always seems good, so I'd end up doing that anyway. Well, plus the whole Smite thing.

Also, does Influence affect anything Clerical?