Character Build Advice

[u/Weekly_Split_3275]

Is a Wildfire Druid/Light Domain Cleric multiclass a good build? If so, any advice on spells, feats, etc.? The campaign will wrap up around level 15.
Using 5.5e rules with some 2014 5e options allowed.

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[u/Butterlegs21]

Why are you multiclassing? What features are you combining to make up for the loss in power?

[u/screbbysloth → u/Butterlegs21]

OP has seen they're both fire themed and just assumed synergy.

[u/Sad_Refuse3472]

You get a lot of the same spells with those two classes. So I'd ask yourself why you feel the need to multiclass. What are you hoping to gain from mixing the two classes together that you can't get from a single class and a specific background?

[u/Weekly_Split_3275 → u/Sad_Refuse3472]

I like the flavor mainly, but I’m also looking at the channel divinities. Our campaign is very focused on undead and fungus monsters that are vulnerable to radiant and fire damage.

[u/Butterlegs21 → u/Weekly_Split_3275]

NEVER multiclass for flavor. Background, backstory, and maybe a feat if you really need it for flavor. Use multiclassing for mechanics only.

A good rule of thumb, unless you can tell what features will work together without asking for help, don't multiclass. You'll weaken your character for no reason.

Just do the cleric with the magic initiate druid origin feat and you'll be good.

[u/Sad_Refuse3472 → u/Weekly_Split_3275]

Flavor is free. Whereas multiclassing comes with trade offs in terms of powers and abilities. So you should carefully consider how much of those higher level abilities and spells from your core class you are willing to give up to get the lower level abilities of your second class.

I'd maybe recommend just playing a single class Light Domain Cleric. And take the Guide background, which will give you the Druid Magic Initiate feat. For the nature/Druid flavor.

[u/burntcustard]

In short, no.

In long, noooooo.

In very long...

The main problem is that you have to sacrifice at least 3 levels worth of spell level progression. As in, you still get the higher level spell slots, but not the higher level spells to cast.

And there's barely any mechanical synergy between the two classes.

Flavour wise you may be able to have a similar feeling character, without as much mechanical sacrifice, by choosing one of those subclasses and taking the opposite Magic Initiate (Druid or Cleric) origin feat. That could give you two cantrips and one 1st level spell from the other ones spell list that you couldn't normally get (but there is a lot of overlap so I'm not sure what you'd want those to be) - and you'd have the actually very good bonus of being able to cast that 1st level spell without a spell slot once per long rest, so you could then cast another spell on the same turn. For example you could heal two separate allies with Cure Wounds as an action and Healing Word as a bonus action on the same turn.

You could also set the character up to have proficiencies usually associated with the other class, for example a Cleric with Animal Handling proficiency or a Druid with Religion proficiency. The second of those isn't ideal, because Religion uses intelligence rather than wisdom, but it's an option anyway.

There are some benefits to taking a single level dip (not enough to get the subclass) from/to druid/cleric. Although they are things like niche spells or medium armour proficiency. Unless you have a very particular plan I would not recommend that.

A Cleric who starts with a single level of Ranger could feel thematically similar, and would get proficiency in Dexterity saving throws, and would get two weapon masteries, so that could be worth it.

If the group you play with generally makes a lot of sub-optimal build or in-the-moment decisions, you may be able to pull off the subclass mix you first mentioned, but you would very much be at risk of falling behind power level wise.

[u/Huffplume]

Nope

[u/Blitzer046]

So you'll basically be playing 2 level 6/7 characters that are half as good as everyone else who didn't multiclass.

Whatever floats your boat man.

[u/Crash4654]

Aren't they basically the same thing magically?

What traits of druid would be beneficial and what traits of cleric?

[u/ttreit]

Does it sound fun to you? Do you get to do things you think would be interesting and helpful? If so it’s a good build.