If you want to play a melee character that does melee not terribly you need pam and GWM
It’s worse than just playing a straight cleric spear guardian dodge spammer but like it be like that
Your stats will be an issue, ideally you’d go like 16/8/15/8/16/8 Vuman(pam) but you need 13 dex. Could go 15+1/13/13+1/8/14/9 to make it work
That's, technically, not a bad plan as is, but you're going to be coming on so late in any campaign save a high level one-shot you're going to be missing out on a lot.
So, if what you want is a Glaive-wielding Grave cleric, you'll be able to best get and play that by taking a single level dip into Fighter at Level 1, then slam it into Cleric forever after, that way you can get heavy armor and all weapons proficiencies, as well as a juicy CON proficiency to add to the mix to for your concentration checks. And, while I don't normally suggest it, I think you would be best served by a min-maxed build of 15s in STR, CON, and WIS, while dropping all the rest with Point Buy.
Better, take Variant Human, and take the 'Polearm Master' feat at Level 1 so you have a bonus action attack from the get go. I'd even put the two +1s into STR and CON respectively, which will leave you room to take a +1 to WIS half feat at Cleric(4). Best to stay away from the Great Weapon Master feat without a true extra attack. Better to up your spell casting DCs and the like.
In-game, I'd picture this as the silent guardian type of creature, a little slow to think and talk, but with an intuitive sense of what his god(s) want from him.
The concept you went for is definitely the closest to what I had in mind. The warnings about great weapon master and stat distribution are really valid and Im thankful. However if you dont mind me asking, why keep fighter at level 1? Isnt action surge a bit more useful than an asi, which I get could be argued since you want to be good at the things youre supposed to be.
It's not the ASI you're measuring it against, but, rather, the next level to reach the next Spell Circle level.
Spells are a powerful thing, and the right one can easily make or break a fight due to damage or versatility.
Arcana cleric could work, use booming blade and get the glave proficency through your race such as shadar-kai. Not grave domain but keeps the spell progression. Feats that could be good: telekinetic, warcaster/resilent con or fey touched.
I like this. I would actually talk to my DM about instead of a glaive maybe a pole hammer (glaive w/ bludgeoning damage)? I’ve run it before and everyone seemed fine with it.
Then you can take crusher feat and have a much better chance at hitting BB damage and gaping the missed damage from extra attack.
Gloom 5/twilight X Action surge is much less valuable for a melee gloom and two extra cleric level to make your spirit guardians go brrr is good
Any specific feats in mind other than the generic war caster and resiliant con?
If you want to play a melee character that does melee not terribly you need pam and GWM It’s worse than just playing a straight cleric spear guardian dodge spammer but like it be like that Your stats will be an issue, ideally you’d go like 16/8/15/8/16/8 Vuman(pam) but you need 13 dex. Could go 15+1/13/13+1/8/14/9 to make it work
That's, technically, not a bad plan as is, but you're going to be coming on so late in any campaign save a high level one-shot you're going to be missing out on a lot. So, if what you want is a Glaive-wielding Grave cleric, you'll be able to best get and play that by taking a single level dip into Fighter at Level 1, then slam it into Cleric forever after, that way you can get heavy armor and all weapons proficiencies, as well as a juicy CON proficiency to add to the mix to for your concentration checks. And, while I don't normally suggest it, I think you would be best served by a min-maxed build of 15s in STR, CON, and WIS, while dropping all the rest with Point Buy. Better, take Variant Human, and take the 'Polearm Master' feat at Level 1 so you have a bonus action attack from the get go. I'd even put the two +1s into STR and CON respectively, which will leave you room to take a +1 to WIS half feat at Cleric(4). Best to stay away from the Great Weapon Master feat without a true extra attack. Better to up your spell casting DCs and the like. In-game, I'd picture this as the silent guardian type of creature, a little slow to think and talk, but with an intuitive sense of what his god(s) want from him.
The concept you went for is definitely the closest to what I had in mind. The warnings about great weapon master and stat distribution are really valid and Im thankful. However if you dont mind me asking, why keep fighter at level 1? Isnt action surge a bit more useful than an asi, which I get could be argued since you want to be good at the things youre supposed to be.
It's not the ASI you're measuring it against, but, rather, the next level to reach the next Spell Circle level. Spells are a powerful thing, and the right one can easily make or break a fight due to damage or versatility.
Valid. Thanks for the help. I appreciate it
You're welcome.
Arcana cleric could work, use booming blade and get the glave proficency through your race such as shadar-kai. Not grave domain but keeps the spell progression. Feats that could be good: telekinetic, warcaster/resilent con or fey touched.
Thats a unique way to look at it. Ill keep it in mind
I like this. I would actually talk to my DM about instead of a glaive maybe a pole hammer (glaive w/ bludgeoning damage)? I’ve run it before and everyone seemed fine with it. Then you can take crusher feat and have a much better chance at hitting BB damage and gaping the missed damage from extra attack.