Which Race is Best for Devoted Cleric?

[zeruin]

So from a min/max standpoint, which race would currently be the best for playing the Devoted Cleric? I'm leaning towards Half-Elf for the +2 Con and Wis bonus, which is identical to the Dwarf, but I like the look of Half-Elves more.

How would a Human compare to a Half-Elf? They get +2 to any stat, so I can just as well dump those points into Wis too.

Surely all of this won't matter too much end game, but it doesn't hurt to buid the most optimal race. What do you guys think? What race will you play as Devoted Cleric?

[denkasaeba]

I'll probably go as Human, but i have yet to see the racials.

[arythor]

Based on what I saw during the first beta weekend, ability scores do not matter very much. Changing CON by two on my Guardian Fighter, for instance, which was a gain of at least 10% if memory serves, produced a negligible gain in HP; I did not look at what else it did, but I suspect not a heck of a lot. Many other players reported that they did not notice much difference in what their ability scores were, either. Now, this may change by launch, or in later levels, but right now I would not count on ability scores being overly important, to the point of not even worrying about two points.

Instead, it may be more prudent to base min-maxing on the passive racial abilities. Even those are of dubious worth in the long run, but I suppose every bit helps. Right now, if I were making a Devoted Cleric, I would go human, but that is based as much on aesthetics as their racial bonuses. I am assuming that in PvP, Devoted Clerics will be targeted, so Versatile Defense may extend my longevity. If I were going with a more offensive class I might be tempted to go tiefling, but their bonuses (Bloodhunt and Infernal Wrath) are largely wasted on a Devoted Cleric whose primary role is defensive.

[korbanhod]

Stats>racial feat.

[vernednd]

Stats>racial feat.

I will respectfully disagree. I found it depends on the build/theme you are trying to acheive. The stats made little to no difference from my experience, yet the humans +2 feat bonus, if working, would have allowed for more customization (especially if the extra feat points can be used at Paragon/Elite level feats). Whereas the stats gave small % bonuses to secondary stats, the feat bonus would allow you get specific secondary/tertiary bonuses that may be more in line with your build/theme. If the bonus feat points were available in the last weekend they would have benefited my human cleric more based on the build I had than an increase in either of my secondary stats.

Cheers!

[kingslayer74]

I got my Devoted Cleric to level 26 before the first Beta ended...could've easily hit 30 but I was trying out the Guardian Fighter and Trickster Rogue.

From what I saw from the first Beta, stats don't mean much...at all. Regardless of what race you played. I hope that Cryptic changes that, because otherwise that's disappointing.

So if that stays that way, then just play whichever race you find visually appealing as there is no "best race".

EDIT: My racial preference for Devoted Cleric was dwarf with the +2 Con and +2 Wis.

[foolishlobster]

Final answer is Dwarf.

/endthread

[prootwaddle]

I'd recommend googling the same question for a D&D4 Devoted Cleric.

That way you can seek to get a feel for the arguments involved, allowing you to adapt them for NeverWinter Online.

[ryger5]

In theory, any race with a Wisdom bonus is the way you want to go. That said, I wager the advantage is fairly minimal in the large scheme of things. These games are generally designed so that any race/class combo is quite valid, even the sometimes mocked Halfling Fighter.

[amorosy]

Con usually had more of an effect with higher levels, but still two points won't matter much.