Well, at 1d6+1.5str mod (3 at 1st lv, unless you decide to go half-orc or something), it really isn't any better than 1d8+2 (though the reach is very nice in tandem with enlarge person).
Huh? My Longspear(SRD) shows 1d8, and it should, for a two-handed weapon. But yes, using a one-handed weapon with two hands is also an option.
Besides house rules, actual campaigns have a lot to do with how effective classes (including the cleric) can be. If you're dungeon crawling, it's easy to be very efficient about it. If you're constantly ambushed, it's much harder.
That is very true. DMs around me like to ambush people. No wait, one DM liked to ambush us, another makes us fail... make spot checks, as the DMG demands. Um.. yeah, we fail them.
But the critters don't need to make spot checks,that's a little unfair I think. I let usually let both sides make spot checks.
I played a cleric/ordained champion with 1 level of warblade mixed in through the Shackled City path. Melee clerics are that good. THey fight on part with Jade Pheonix mages, and Warblades. But better yet, if you use your spells proactively, they buff the crap out of them while doing so. The advent of ordained champion makes it so even withoug DMM Persist, you can effectively play a melee cleric.
I do want to repeat that I think this counts AFTER level 7, or after 4th level spells at least. And IMHO unless you have a very good plan the way to get there is a lot more stony.
I love DMM persist. With enough investment into the ability, you can make all your dreams come true with divine metamagic. I happen to like DMM chained spells, and Persisted Righteous Wrath of the Faithful. It's not really unbalanced as long as you don't abuse it, such as the Greater Consumptive Field.
Hey, I love it, too. My take is: If you don't have it, take Leadership
. Actually I like the GCF, too, it's like an Epic Str buff without the cost. BUT I find outside of epic it's just slightly skewed...