Priest - first draft

[DaveW]

So... a little over a year ago, I told RomeoXero that I would try the Priest. I have finally put together a preliminary book and am looking for your esteemed thoughts. I am hoping to start testing the book early next week.

Revised book (original is in the next post):

Total 120 points

Equipment [19]
2x Radiant Breastplate (4)
Leather Chausses (1)
Leather Boots (1)
Dawnbreaker Ring (1)
Gauntlets of Strength (2)
2x Staff of Asyra (4)
Spiked Buckler (4)
Wispwillow Amulet (2)

Conjurations [8]
Battle Forge (4)
Hand of Bim-Shalla (1)
Pillar of Righteous Flame (2)
Consecrated Ground (1)

Creatures [14]
Crusader Griffin (3)
2x Guardian Angel (6)
White Cloak Knight (2)
Knight of the Red Helm (3)

Attack [28]
Acid Ball (2)
Force Hammer (4)
Hurl Boulder (4)
4x Luminous Blast (4)
2x Pillar of Light (2)
2x Dazzle (2)
2x Surging Wave (4)
Sandstorm (4)
Blinding Flash (2)

Enchantments [23]
2x Bear Strength (4)
2x Rhino Hide (4)
Lion Savagery (2)
Mongoose Agility (2)
Armor Ward (3)
2x Eye or an Eye (2)
2x Healing Charm (2)
Galvanize (1)
Asyra's Touch (1)
Rust (2)

Incantations [28]
2x Dispel (4)
2x Seeking Dispel (4)
Remove Curse (1)
Neutralizing Mist (2)
2x Purify (2)
3x Heal (6)
Teleport (4)
Lesser Teleport (1)
2x Dissolve (4)

[DaveW]

NOTE - ORIGINAL THOUGHTS - NO LONGER USED

Priest

Creatures 15
1x Crusader Griffin (3)
1x Highland Unicorn (3)
1x Joseph Trueblood (3)
1x Cassiel (2)
2x Light of Dawn (4)

Equipment 21
1x Radiant Breastplate (2)
1x Elemental Cloak (2)
1x Leather Chauses (1)
1x Leather Boots (1)
1x Veteran's Belt (2)
1x Staff of Asyra (2)
1x Dawnbreaker Ring (1)
1x Gauntlets of Strength (2)
1x Moonglow Amulet (2)
1x Mage Wand (4)
1x Wand of Healing (1)
1x Ring of Asyra (1) - Note: this will come out if Cassiel stays in

Conjurations 14
1x Hand of Bim-Shalla (1)
1x Malakai's Basilica (1)
1x Battle Forge (4)
1x Renewing Spring (3)
1x Pillar of Righteous Flame (2)
1x Fog Bank (2)
1x Consecrated Ground (1)

Attack spells 28
1x Sandstorm (4)
1x Force Hammer (4)
1x Acid Ball (2)
2x Hurl Boulder (8 )
1x Pillar of Light (1)
3x Luminous Blast (3)
2x Dazzle (2)
2x Surging Wave (4)

Enchantments 19
1x Brace Yourself (1)
1x Rhino Hide (2)
1x Bear Strength (2)
1x Nullify (2)
1x Arcane Ward (1)
2x Eye for an Eye (2)
1x Life Link (1)
3x Healing Charm (3)
1x Armor Ward (3)
1x Galvanize (1)
1x Glancing Blow (1)

Incantations 23
2x Heal (4)
1x Minor Heal (1)
1x Purify (1)
1x Teleport (4)
1x Lesser Teleport (1)
2x Dissolve (4)
2x Dispel (4)
2x Seeking Dispel (4)

[jacksmack]

I think you will have a hard time vs:
Gate wizard, undo wizard, temple priestess and Druid.

You have too few offensive options/pressure vs slow books.
I don’t mention necromancer zombie spam because your holy, and you probably have a decent or good chance vs walking dead army.

[DaveW]

I think you will have a hard time vs:
Gate wizard, undo wizard, temple priestess and Druid.

OK, why?

You have too few offensive options/pressure vs slow books.
I don’t mention necromancer zombie spam because your holy, and you probably have a decent or good chance vs walking dead army.

What kind of ideas are these to speed up the pressure? I am looking at building up myself via the Forge and (perhaps) Cassiel... so a slightly longer game won't be horrible for me... or at least I thought.

Thanks for thinking about it. Any comments on my questions on the first post?

[Puddnhead]

If I'm reading Jacksmack properly, this is what I believe he's saying:
I'm guessing that the issue is the selection of Creatures you have chosen.  None of them are particularly long-lived or High Threat.  A book designed to pump out more creatures than you will probably succeed at winning the long game.

Likewise, a book that focuses on destroying your gear will have enough armor and healing/regenerate to out last the damage of your creatures.

I understand that as a Priest you do not wish to rely very heavily on Legendary creatures, but you might need something that hits slightly harder than a Light of Dawn as the backbone of your army.

In the end, I personally would say that if you don't try something new you won't shake the meta.  That said, you do want to be able to deal with some meta stuff. I like the Griffon vs Druids, but I do think you'll need a little extra punch against Gate Wizard.  Gremlins backed up by Jellies and Gargoyles might prove slightly overwhelming for you.

[DaveW]

I was thinking of the Light of Dawn as a creature that could make use of the Basilica... and it has both a ranged and melee attack, so they are flexible. If I replace them with a single larger creature, then only the Priest has light attacks... so maybe then I do away with the Basilica as well.

Thanks for the comments.

[Puddnhead]

Light of dawn is fun, but fragile. You'll really need to be careful with them. If you wanted to do some supporting with Cassiel you could get some iguana regrowth and some divine reversal and some glancing blow for your clerics and hope to keep them alive to do the damage. One thing I have noticed is that malakai's basilica tends to just tell you opponent which creature to use last/first and doesn't necessarily add dice.

[DaveW]

True about the Basilica... but it also can persuade the opponent to keep the selected Creature away from you for a while. I have seen it result in a Creature one zone further away that otherwise would be helpful... very small impact, but sometimes helpful. And, of course, if it moves early and/or too close, it can get the extra die or two from attacks and has that slightly better chance for Daze or whatever. (I have use it in a Priestess where there were two LoD's and a Messenger, along with Artemis, and was impressed with the results.)

I think it is coming out, along with the two LoD's, Cassiel, and several spells that I had envisioned Cassiel casting. I think I'm adding a Mana Crystal and one or two larger Creatures... will have to see what that leaves me with sbp-wise.

Thanks for the comments. I really don't know what a good Priest book looks like, so this really helps.

[Brian VanAlstyne]

If you plan on attacking with the Priest, you definitely want to keep the Staff and I'd almost suggest a second or even more ways to protect it. I probably would dump Cass in this book or find a way to get a few other 2nd level creatures in the book to take whatever advantage you can get out of Holy Avenger. Asyra's Touch could be useful for anything you use as a Holy Avenger. Healing Madrigal, more Eye for an Eye, and even a Circle of Light could be interesting things to add.

[zot]

dave no one knows what a good priest looks like. because it does not exist.

[DaveW]

dave no one knows what a good priest looks like. because it does not exist.

Now I'm really motivated to see how it goes....

[DaveW]

If you plan on attacking with the Priest, you definitely want to keep the Staff and I'd almost suggest a second or even more ways to protect it. I probably would dump Cass in this book or find a way to get a few other 2nd level creatures in the book to take whatever advantage you can get out of Holy Avenger. Asyra's Touch could be useful for anything you use as a Holy Avenger. Healing Madrigal, more Eye for an Eye, and even a Circle of Light could be interesting things to add.

I did revise the Creatures... no more Cassiel and no LoD's in there any longer... and only level 3+ Creatures... so Asyra's Touch is a no-go (it can't target the Creatures in the book). Healing Madrigal might be interesting... I'll have to look at it. (I put in a Knight of Westlock and Brogan.)

As far as the Staff goes... thanks for the thoughts. I put in a couple of ways to protect it, but I expect that it will be gone at some point. Maybe I should try to find a way to put in a second... and maybe a second Arcane Ward.

[Puddnhead]

I have seen a Priest use Resplendent Bow to good effect.  With the Hawkeye and the the Light +1 ring (forget its name atm) you can get extra mileage out of Dazzle, Pillar of Light and Luminous Blast as well as the bow.  Might allow you to choose to keep your creatures alive too. None of that matters if you want to punch people in the face, though.

I like the Knight of Westlock idea, but I'm biased.  If only there was a (legal) level 3+ creature that did Light damage and wasn't ridiculously fragile!

I'd also give careful consideration to what DevilsVendetta is saying.  He's got a lot of Holy mage experience.

DaveW, you've inspired me to make a Priest.  I'm excited for your book!

[Brian VanAlstyne]

As a priest, I think you absolutely need at least 2 Lvl 2 creatures to take advantage of Holy Avenger. While it's not the best ability in the game it does have its uses and is way too expensive as a 9 channeling mage to throw onto any of the Lvl 3 creatures you can put into the book. Avenger becomes very useful if you are using the Breastplate to guard after your action. LoD, WCK, Helm Knight are all very good options to use as a protection buddy.

[Kelanen]

I don't think a Priest should run mana crystals, Cassiel, etc - at that point you are investing for a long game, and you'd be much off as a Priestess.

The trouble you have with playing it aggressive is that frankly a Paladin does it better. Arguably a Priestess too.

dave no one knows what a good priest looks like. because it does not exist.

Agreed.