The options for this class are really something else, however, since they sport both strong magic casting as well as a strong defense be careful of not stretching yourself to thin. : Combined with your hopefully good Perception skill this is interesting, usually a Rogue or Ranger should be keeping an eye out for this though. Use it as a bonus action in melee after you attack to set up a speed bump for your opponent. : Constitution increase and extra damage, which stacks with some of the Cleric domain damage bonuses turns you into an offensive powerhouse. City WatchSCAG: Insight is useful, but Athletics isn’t. Below we’ve put together a guide taking into account the schisms of beliefs. You also can use Action Surge with two levels of fighter. remove the boss from the fight while your allies mop up the adds, and plenty of time to prepare for his return or escape unharmed. Outlander can work, especially if you are a frontline combat type of cleric. A shield is mandatory for most Cleric builds, as the +2 AC it provides makes a big difference. Channel Divinity – Arcane Abjuration: The ability to turn (and eventually banish!) fail your save thanks to your resistance. Kep in mind, a cleric may only cast cleric spells as rituals. We have also included their alignment, Domain suggestions, and their common symbol. 1st-Level: False life grants temporary hit points that are much appreciated at low levels. 3rd-Level: Spiritual weapon is the best way to use your bonus action, doubly so once you get damage increases and buffs from other sources. Few classes provide options for this like the Cleric. The Knowledge domain provides quite a few options for information gathering, both mundane and magical. […], There are many ways to develop resistance to certain damage types in D&D. It cannot willingly come within 30 feet of the cleric. 7th-Level: Death ward is already on your list, but you’re going to want to cast it daily, so not having to use a preparation slot on it is nice. Blessed Healer (Level 6). Contagion: The fact that this spell does not require concentration makes it one of the best debuffs in the game. This domain is centered on illusion and charm magic. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a weapon There are some healing aspects in this class as well. War Priest: Clerics typically have spells that make good use of their bonus actions. After all, heavy armor proficiency is the only way to have an 18 AC without Guardian of Faith: A fortress-builder’s godsend. 1st-Level: False life is the standout here, as the extra hit points are very useful at low levels. Guiding Bolt: High damage for a low-level spell, and when used at the right time (See: Sneak Attack) can lead to a huge damage increase. KalashtarERLW: Wisdom and resistances, but nothing else useful. Starting Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Channel Divinity to create simple items. 9th-Level: This is where the domain spells tail off. 1st-Level: Control and a really solid buff spell that scale well. Hold Person: On one hand, paralyzing a foe makes killing them a lock, but on the other hand, they get to save each turn to escape. debate and has not been confirmed nor denied by Wizard of the Coast. If you are a Nature Cleric, multiclassing into a druid is not worth it.

If so let us know! The resistance to nonmagical attacks from bludgeoning, piercing, or slashing damage adds even more tank to an already sturdy subclass.

3rd-Level: Two more Cleric staples. Of course, that is at level 17, early Very useful against humanoids wielding weapons, but totally useless against monsters with natural attacks. Still better to have in a subclass than other colors. The concentration requirement is regrettable. If you can pick up Constitution saves, you’ll be well stacked against turn-wasters and death effects. Wisdom is crucial, but other abilities depend on your build and your choice of Divine Domain. Given the multiple heavy armor bonuses that come with this domain, Hill Dwarf is a good fit. ChangelingERLW: The flexibility is helpful, but still not optimal for a Cleric build. If multiclassing makes sense for your character, give it a go! Defensive Duelist: Not useful for Cleric. Corona of Light: Considering all your domain spells deal a ton of fire and radiant damage, this is going to come in handy.

Knowledge is the domain of secrets and the multiverse. Final Thoughts: The Cleric Domain you’ll choose really comes down to the role you wish to play. Potent Spellcasting: Provided you’ve got a good damage-dealing cantrip on your list, this is helpful in drawn out encounters. Planar Ally might be a better option. In fact, a standard shield, plate If you build your character with tank in mind, it can become nearly impossible to kill over time. All clerics are primary healers and support characters, given their base spell list. (you can choose another class.) As such, being at level 1 and getting your Command: You’ll need to be clever with your commands, but “come” and “run” are solid, which could provoke an attack of opportunity, spring a trap, or ruin enemy positioning.