D&D: Dungeons And Dump Stats – How Clerics Are Created
We’re looking at the highs and lows of created clerics. Are they wise? Probably–but how many are weak or uncharismatic or just unintelligent? Find out!
Clerics have something of a reputation when it comes to D&D. If you’re coming from an older edition, they have class features that outshine whole classes, and that strength holds in D&D. With spells like spiritual weapons and spirit guardians making them among the best at dealing out damage or punishing foes who get too close, while keeping the party on point, Clerics are great. But that’s not what we’re into–we want to know what Clerics are terrible at.
Like finding traps, for instance.
And by and large, that means turning to where they’re putting their attributes. Since that’s as good a measure of anything else at what your core competencies are. Let’s take a look and find out whether clerics are weak or foolish or ugly or clumsy or frail. And see how many (if any) clerics are skimping on wisdom.
So, unsurprisingly most every Cleric has a 15 or higher wisdom. Though there are a rare few who are creating clerics with low low wisdom scores and to that, I wonder, what exactly they’re playing. Probably the higher-strength melee clerics, or the rarer still archer cleric. But let’s put that aside for now and take a look at one of the more intereting trends we’re seeing.
Constitution is a strong second choice for clerics–which makes sense, you want to have a high amount of hit points, and that’s most people’s spot for their 14–but it’s not all of them. About 10% of clerics have a high charisma, 12% are going with dex, and a respectable 20% are going with strength. And when you look at how Clerics are spread out with their abilities, it’s little wonder that a high strength is common among clerics. They can keep pace with fighters if they build right.
What’s really interesting to me is how even the spread is for low-end stats. Charisma and dexterity have a pretty solid lead, but strength and intelligence aren’t too far behind. Nobody dumps constitution, why would they? You need hit points if you’re going to do anything. But look at where those average stats are falling. You start to get a picture, nobody wants to play the clumsy or foolish cleric… people seem to be more okay dumping charisma, but only by a little. Guess there’s something to be said for following divinity.
How do you build your clerics? Let us know in the comments!
