Best Build for Sword-And-Board Cleric?

[Luka]

Oh Hi again
So I decided I would go for a Neutral-Good Tank Cleric in a Core game, but it seems my group plays with Two-handed weapons and is like "shields suck get 2H".... And sincerely I hate those weapons, seem to turn PCs into Glass Cannons.

So I've been checking around, discovered theey had no shield block like in MMORPGs, so decided to go for a Tower Shield which seemed to have the nearest to it and had more AC than the other ones, but can't shield bash with it.

So would anyone know how to make a Cleric Build and spells for that shield? also any way I could make him Bash with it?

 

[Dandu]

And sincerely I hate those weapons, seem to turn PCs into Glass Cannons.

The real problem is that shields to not prevent PCs from being glass cannons, so there's little reason to use them in the first place.

Also, ending a fight quicker through applying lots of damage to the enemy's face reduces more casualties in the long run compared to turtling.

If you want to use a tower shield, you have to get proficiency somehow. The most obvious means to do so are via a feat or dipping into a class which grants proficiency, but neither are very appealing.

Here's a thread on bashing with tower shields.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I have to second Dandu, D&D is geared more towards "The Best Defense Is A Great Offense". Additionally, spells make for a more solid actual defense most of the time.

You're a Cleric, go smash things good!

 

[Luka]

@Dandu Seems like I could use that link for the shield, thanks!
Would a Fighter dip work? to get the tower shield proficiency and improved shield bash?

I have to second Dandu, D&D is geared more towards "The Best Defense Is A Great Offense". Additionally, spells make for a more solid actual defense most of the time.

You're a Cleric, go smash things good!

I actually believe that "the best offense is a good defense", I've always played Tanks and been kinda able to adapt with them for several situations, and I don't really like playing nukers, so no.

 

[Dandu]

Dipping fighter makes you less good of a cleric though. Your choice, I suppose.

Pity you can't play a Crusader.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I actually believe that "the best offense is a good defense", I've always played Tanks and been kinda able to adapt with them for several situations, and I don't really like playing nukers, so no.

The problem is, as stated before, D&D isn't geared for Tanking, because there is no strong mechanic for controlling the enemy's attacking onto you.

It does, however, come down to your DM. Hypothetically, if I was DMing 5 Orcs against your party in an open space (not a narrow hallway), I'd have the Orcs go around the guy with the tower shield and attack everyone else.

If your DM is willing to send the 5 Orcs against the guy hiding behind the shield, more power to ya.

Thicket of Blades from Tome of Battle.... That would be different...

 

[emoplato]

Oh Hi again
So I decided I would go for a Neutral-Good Tank Cleric in a Core game, but it seems my group plays with Two-handed weapons and is like "shields suck get 2H".... And sincerely I hate those weapons, seem to turn PCs into Glass Cannons.

So I've been checking around, discovered theey had no shield block like in MMORPGs, so decided to go for a Tower Shield which seemed to have the nearest to it and had more AC than the other ones, but can't shield bash with it.

So would anyone know how to make a Cleric Build and spells for that shield? also any way I could make him Bash with it?

There are 2 majors problems with strict defender builds in D&D 3/3.5. One, is what Dandu pointed out and in which every one here is going to bash you over the head with and that is damage potential. Unless you find hit point/healing loopholes hit points are very low to damage being dealt out with fairly decent characters. The other is making sure the enemies pay attention to you. If you know what you are doing you can achieve a character with 70+ AC and 30+/- saves with both evasion, mettle, and a fair amount of immunities, but that is just you. It is actually far better to be mobile or be able to move easily more often than having those ridiculous stats as you can actually serve your party to be where you need to be. As Rumbletiger said if he was the DM he would send the orcs around you. I suggest getting yourself charisma oriented so you can direct attention to yourself. Goad and other social tricks so long as they can be used in battle can be an effective way of doing this and get Dynamic priest from Dragon Magazine to dump wisdom.

 

[xigbar]

Generally, the most powerful option for a melee cleric is using Divine Metamagic Persist on buff spells to turn in to "CoDzilla." You'll be a better party fighter than, well, the party fighter.