From: jackson@ess43.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Jackson)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: Walking Bandages
Date: 5 Jan 93 23:22:14 GMT
Reply-To: jackson@ess43.Berkeley.EDU (Jeff Jackson)
Organization: Applicon

In article <1ib3lbINNba9@charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu>, pkralik@ecst.csuchico.edu (Wintermute) writes:
|> Greetings!
|> 
|> 	I am in the process of creating a campaign, and as I was thinking of
|> what I did and didn't like about AD&D, I reached this dilemma...
|> 
|> I often play Clerics, and it seems that every time I do, I wind up in the 
|> position of being viewed as the party's walking first aid kit.  I find that
|> I am unable to be very creative with my PC's spell selection.  Anytime I take
|> a non-healing spell, i.e. one i would like to experiment with, and we come 
|> across a combat situation, I feel a little guilty about not having that extra
|> CLW for the front line fighters, etc.  I was wondering how, as a dm, I could
|> help to prevent this from happening to PC Clerics.  I really hate to limit
|> the combat encounters because of a lack of clerics, but if I don't, and there 
|> aren't enough clerics, the players get upset about having to trek back and 
|> forth to find a church, healer, etc.  I really enjoy playing clerics, but I 
|> just feel that it would be more enjoyable if there were more, i dunno, maybe
|> freedom in the spells I could take.  There has to be more to being a cleric
|> than cleansing wounds and curing diseases.  I have been toying with the idea
|> of using a system whereby the Cleric would get "faith points" for various 
|> activities of a "true clerical" nature.  I think that this might help to 
|> emphasize the other aspects of being a cleric. 
|> 
|> Sooooo...I was hoping that someone might have suggestions as to how this could
|> be avoided.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  


   Here's some thoughts from one who also enjoys playing clerics:

   1.  Our group does this, and I've also seen it mentioned by others in this
       newsgroup:  Let priests choose and cast their spells as they need them.
       Thus if the party really gets creamed, the cure spells are available.
       If battle is light, then the priest can cast his divination-type spells,
       create water, dispel magic, or whatever.

   2.  As DM, give the playing priest an opportunity to cure without casting
       spells.  Put a staff of curing somewhere.  Or let the priest buy or
       make healing potions.

   3.  Our group developed two extra curing spells for clerics:
          Improved Cure Light Wounds (ICLW) - 2nd level, cures 2d4 +1 HP.
          Cure Moderate Wounds (CMW) - 3rd level, cures 2d6 + 1 HP.
       This frees up some 1st and 4th level slots.

   Using this stuff really adds to the flexibility of our clerics.  And
   with my top cleric being 70 years old, with a Strength and Con of 8,
   believe me, he needs all the flexibility he can get.


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                    PC:  "He opens the door quickly."
    - JWJ           DM:  "You see a brass dragon."
                    PC:  "He shuts the door quickly!!"
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Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd