[Rataxes]

I've found myself not using the kit-specific abilities of the Priest of Helm as much now in late game SoA. So I'm thinking that if you could somehow get through the beginning, where the need for melee power is most critical, a non-kitted Cleric should fare almost as well as my Priest of Helm has done so far, and I expect my reliance on the clerical spells to only increase as I go on. Iron and Adamantite Golems are just about the only things in the late game that my PoH would have had severe difficulties dealing with had it not been for the Seeking Sword.

I've also noted that the Priest of Lathander with it's Boon of Lathander, would probably be more powerful than the Priest of Helm though, past the early stages. Due to all the reasons you listed yourself.

The Storm Shield provides complete immunity (100%) to Fire, Magicl Fire, Cold, Magical Cold, and Lightning. This is a great elemental protection, usually the only one you need. I can't say I've noticed any off-the-roof scaling for the Lightning Bolt though. Tried it out at level 40 and it rarely did more than 20-40 damage against various mephits, ogres, thieves and goblins, this was with most of them actually failing their saves. Butterfingers played on a Mac version on SoA and if I recall correctly, neither ToB, Baldurash, or even the offical SoA patch was available to him, so he told about many strange bugs that couldn't be reproduced on the "properly patched" PC version of the game.

[ 02-08-2004, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: Rataxes ]