Single classed cleric of Lathander with these stats (No cheating):
Race: Elf female
str 17
dex 18
con 16
int 10
wis 18
cha 18

I know she gets +1 thaco bonus, but w/o weapon specialisation, will she still be as good as a backup tank?

Oh, BTW, her HP is 63 and lvl is 8.
+ at war hammers, flails, sling and sword & shield style.

Absolutely. Just be sure to give her supplementary items, like the girdles of giant strength. When fighting a big battle, make sure to use champion's strength, draw upon holy might, etc.

But that +1 THAC0 is only when elves use sword or bow (exluding crossbows). Sorry.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Mourn Yauntyyr ]</p>

Yea, Clerics make great backup-tanks with the right items and spells. Yours can cast Boon of Lathander, giving +1 THAC0, +1 damage, and an extra attck per round, among other nifty bonuses. Used in combination with Draw Upon Holy Might, Holy Power and other spells, it will turn your peacefull Priest of Lathander into a nigh-unstoppable warrior.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mourn Yauntyyr:
But that +1 THAC0 is only when elves use sword or bow (exluding crossbows). Sorry.

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Mourn Yauntyyr ]<hr></blockquote>

I know. I meant her str bonus.

Blade Barrier!! Turns your cleric into an awesome fighter. Combine with righteous magic and Boom! Bless, chant and those spells should also be used to suplement your cleric.

I'm playing as a a Priest of Helm and he's a wonderful tank. Just cast Righteous Magic and then his sword and he deals out 16 damage each hit. I don't even have a mage yet and It still doesn't matter. Also he has the flail of ages and will have crom faeyer when I get to that point

[ 02-23-2002: Message edited by: Harry ]</p>

Blade Barrier!! Turns your cleric into an awesome fighter. Combine with righteous magic and Boom! Bless, chant and those spells should also be used to suplement your cleric.

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by mangy_dog:
Blade Barrier!! Turns your cleric into an awesome fighter. Combine with righteous magic and Boom! Bless, chant and those spells should also be used to suplement your cleric.<hr></blockquote>

Blade barrier IS good until it gets dispelled which seems to be the case for me when I use it. I have Anomen use it as backup defenses for when he's going to throw a pit fiend in the middle of the npcs.

Also, when backup meleeing in a -group attack-, it hurts your characters more than the enemies so I've found out. Going solo and using it doesn't hurt one bit and then you can do Blade Barrier/sanctuary which is a bit cheap, well it is cheap but very effective. I just slap on blade barrier when I'm in the mood to hate - with no sanctuary. Preferred moments to use it - when you are up against an npc you know who is going to time stop. Park that barrier right next to the npc and laugh during the time stop.

Clerics are awesome because they have decent hp, saves, armor = ac, defensive and some offensive spells, and weaponry. Low level sanctuaries are get out of jail free cards. This is a cleric who should hold his own against those undead who can see thru invis.

BIT o spoiler....


There are plenty of flails and hammers available to use also so you shouldn't have a problem with weapons. Flail of Ages and Shield of Harmony would be a good combo. I believe you can solo this character thru many areas of the game, if you wanted to. Red dragon armor is really good since you can wear a protection piece with it. Red dragon armor, ring of gaxx, cloak of sewers, ring of earth control, amulet of protection+1, Vhailors helm, boots of speed, belt of inertial barrier, and gauntlets of weapon skill are all found in chapter two and should make your cleric a powerhouse. The helmet lets you cast simulacrum so you actually can cast it, sanctuary, and then use your twin to cast for you while you are safe, or you both can dish out melee dmg. I didn't try to use sanctuary to heal my simulacrummed image, but it probably can be done.

With any decent setup, you won't be a backup tank anymore, but rather, THE tank.

Clerics are fun as are sooo many of the other kits out there. And to end it, your character should have little to no trouble at all.