Step into the divine power of the 2024 Cleric in Dungeons & Dragons 5e-a class that transcends mere healing to become a versatile force on the battlefield. Whether you seek to bolster your allies with unmatched support, unleash radiant wrath on your foes, or wield mystical utility and divination, the Cleric’s new features and subclass options offer a rich tapestry of playstyles tailored for every adventurer. Discover how to craft a Cleric build that balances durability, spellcasting prowess, and strategic might in this comprehensive guide to the latest 5e updates.
Before we get started, a quick disclaimer: There’s no “best” anything in D&D. Classes tend to be well-balanced when it comes to damage output. More importantly, though, D&D is a roleplaying game as well as a combat game, so there’s more to it than stabbing monsters. And that diversity of situations – from picking locks to punting kobolds to seducing dragons – means “best” is entirely subjective.
Our Player’s Handbook (2024) D&D Cleric guide will walk you through the class and talk about some of the changes from D&D 5e.
Is Cleric the best class for you in D&D?
Choosing whether the Cleric is the best class for you in Dungeons & Dragons 5e depends on your preferred playstyle and role in the party. Clerics are among the most versatile and interesting classes, capable of filling multiple roles such as healer, support caster, and even offensive blaster or striker, though they don’t quite match the pure damage output of a Wizard. Their choice of Divine Domain greatly influences their capabilities, allowing them to adapt to various niches including heavy armor proficiency, utility, and divination. If you enjoy a class that combines strong healing, support, and a wide array of divine magic with the flexibility to customize your role through subclass choice, the Cleric could be an excellent fit for you.
It’s easy to pigeonhole Clerics as just healers, but the class can be a lot more than that. But also, let’s be honest, you’re going to be expected to be the party healer if you’re playing a Cleric. Clerics are versatile casters who channel divine powers, but can also deal out respectable melee damage.
Inspiration for your Cleric
Clerics in Dungeons & Dragons 5e offer a rich well of inspiration for character creation, going far beyond the traditional healer role. Whether you envision your cleric as a devout religious zealot, a skeptical seeker of truth, or a divine warrior, your choice of deity and Divine Domain can shape a unique and compelling personality. This flexibility allows you to craft a cleric who not only supports the party with healing and buffs but also excels in offense, defense, or utility, making each cleric distinct and memorable. Drawing on real-world religious figures or inventing your own divine patron can add depth and intrigue to your character, ensuring your cleric stands out in any campaign.
Because Clerics so often get boiled down to this “team healer” identity, it can be really difficult to come up with unique inspiration for your character. But there are plenty of interesting fictional heroes that can really center your Cleric in a unique way:
- The religious zealot is always a fun way to take a Cleric. For this one, think about Van Helsing, the Catholic monster slayer, or Thoros of Myr from Game of Thrones. These are characters whose stalwart belief in their religion not only compels them to help their allies, but it propels them forward into battle against the forces of evil.
- The religious skeptic is one of the most interesting angles to take your Cleric. When your power is a gift from a god, what does that look like when you don’t like that god or even barely believe in it? Jesse Custer from Preacher is a great example of a powerful Cleric that doesn’t exactly live up to their religious origins.
- The peaceful warrior is a more generic Cleric idea, but it’s also a great one. Think about Luke Skywalker or your favorite Jedi here from Star Wars – but in their ideal form. These are characters who are here to help others with their magical powers of faith, but are able to wield weapons of war to protect the innocent.
- The doctor archetype really lets you lean fully into the “healer” identity for your party, but you can do it in some interesting and unconventional ways. Take the EMH (Emergency Medical Hologram) from Star Trek: Voyager, for example. He’s not even a “real” person, but is still an important member of the crew who uses advanced technology (and sarcasm) to heal his teammates. Trying to make something like that work in a D&D setting would take your Life Cleric to a whole new level.
What’s new for Cleric in One D&D?
The 2024 update for the Cleric class in One D&D introduces significant changes that enhance versatility and gameplay depth. Notably, Clerics now choose a Divine Order at level 1 instead of a subclass, selecting either Protector, which grants proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor, or Thaumaturge, which provides an extra cantrip and adds the Wisdom modifier to Arcana or Religion checks. Channel Divinity gains a new option called Divine Spark, allowing Clerics to heal or damage at range, expanding their utility beyond just turning undead. Other improvements include scaling Channel Divinity uses, revamped Blessed Strikes with consistent damage types, and enhanced Divine Intervention that lets Clerics cast powerful spells like Raise Dead or even Wish at higher levels. These changes make Clerics more adaptable, potent in both healing and combat, and deepen their role-playing opportunities in the 2024 ruleset.
No matter what Class you end up picking, One D&D changes the way characters are created. Specifically, the Background you choose now comes with an Ability Score improvement (one point each in three Abilities, or two points in one Ability and one point in another). In addition, every character gets an Origin Feat. We’ll deal with both of those changes below.
D&D’s Cleric class now has a Divine Order that they choose at Level 1. This is a way to solidify your role in the party either as a holy brawler or a divine spellcaster. 5e’s Clerics chose their Domain at Level 1, so this kind of replaces that and moves your choice of subclass (domain) to Level 3.
Cleric class features overview
Clerics in Dungeons & Dragons 5e are versatile divine spellcasters who blend healing, support, and combat prowess. They have a d8 hit die, proficiency with light and medium armor, shields, and simple weapons, making them durable frontline or midline combatants. Clerics prepare spells from a broad list, gaining powerful healing, buffing, and offensive options, with their capabilities further shaped by their chosen Divine Domain subclass. Key features include Channel Divinity for unique domain abilities, strong saving throw proficiencies in Wisdom and Charisma, and the ability to turn or control undead. This combination allows clerics to serve as healers, protectors, or damage dealers, adapting to many party roles while embodying the will of their deity.
- Primary Ability: Wisdom
- Hit Point Die: d8 per level
- Saving Throw Proficiencies: Wisdom and Charisma
- Skill proficiencies: 2 of: History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion
- Weapon Proficiencies: Simple
- Armor Training: Light, Medium, Shields
Spellcasting
Despite being an armored warrior, one of your main class features as a Cleric is spellcasting – that stuff all the nerd classes usually do. Like them, you’ll progressively gain more and more spell slots as you level up, which will in-turn allow you to cast more powerful spells.
Divine Order
As a Cleric, you’re able to choose between two “roles” to follow: Protector or Thaumaturge.
As a protector, you’ll be better equipped to deal with up-close and personal combat, wielding heavy armor and martial weapons.
Thaumaturges lean more into spellcasting, as you’ll gain an extra Cantrip and gain a bonus to any Intelligence-based checks.
How to build an effective Cleric
To build an effective Cleric in Dungeons & Dragons 5e 2024, prioritize Wisdom as your highest ability score since it governs your spellcasting power, followed by Constitution for durability in combat. Choose a Divine Domain that complements your preferred role, whether it’s healing, support, or frontline combat; for example, the Protector Divine Order grants heavy armor proficiency, enhancing survivability. Select spells that balance healing, buffing, and offensive capabilities, such as Bless, Cure Wounds, and Guiding Bolt. Utilize Channel Divinity for versatile effects like Divine Spark and Turn Undead, and consider feats that boost your spellcasting or combat effectiveness. Equipping medium to heavy armor and a shield maximizes your defense, allowing you to sustain in battle while supporting your party with powerful divine magic.
When you first make your character, you’ll need to assign your attribute points. For Clerics, you’re looking to make a powerful battle caster and healer shoe capable of taking hits for your team, so here’s your priority list:
- Wisdom
- Constitution
- Strength
- Dexterity
- Charisma
- Intelligence
Best Cleric Backgrounds and Origin Feats
When building a Cleric in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, choosing the right background and origin feats can significantly enhance your character’s role and effectiveness. Backgrounds like Acolyte or Sage provide thematic depth and useful skills such as Insight and Religion, complementing the Cleric’s divine connection. Origin feats that boost Wisdom or grant additional spellcasting options can further tailor your build to your preferred playstyle, whether it’s healing, support, or frontline combat. Selecting these thoughtfully ensures your Cleric not only excels mechanically but also fits seamlessly into your campaign’s narrative.
Backgrounds in One D&D are a way to codify your character’s personal history into their stats. Backgrounds give you a bump to your stats, a couple of skills, tool proficiencies, and an Origin Feat.
For a Cleric, let’s start with anything that lets you bump Wisdom – Acolyte, Farmer, Guard, Guide, Hermit, Sage, Sailor, Scribe, or Wayfarer.
Of those, Acolyte gets you the Magic Initiate (Cleric) Origin Feat that gives you a couple extra spells, and Hermit gets you the Healer Origin Feat that makes you a more effective healer (if you’ve resigned yourself to that role).
Cleric subclasses
The 2024 update to the Cleric class in Dungeons & Dragons 5e introduces a significant change in how subclasses, known as Domains, are chosen. Instead of selecting a subclass at level 1, Clerics now make this choice at level 3, allowing players to explore their character before committing to a Divine Domain. The core subclasses available are the Life Domain, focusing on potent healing; the Light Domain, which blends protective abilities with fiery offensive spells; the Trickery Domain, emphasizing stealth and deception; and the War Domain, geared towards combat prowess. Each subclass offers unique Channel Divinity options and thematic spells, enhancing the Cleric’s versatility in both support and combat roles. These changes aim to provide a more flexible and engaging experience for players, balancing classic Cleric strengths with new tactical options.
You don’t pick a Cleric subclass until Level 3, but you’ll want to think about where you’re heading pretty early on – especially in terms of Background and Origin Feat (above).
Life Domain
Clerics can do a lot more than heal, OK? But they’re also the best healers in the game, and if that’s the role you want to lean into, Life Domain is the obvious choice.
At level 3 you’ll become a Disciple of Life, which allows you to cause characters to gain additional HP whenever you heal them. You’ll also gain access to powerful Life Domain spells like Bless and Cure Wounds early on.
At level 17, you don’t even have to roll for healing anymore, as anyone you heal will just get the maximum HP possible from that spell restored.
Light Domain
Light Domain Cleric lets you lean into your inner Paladin – your fellow holy class brethren – to be a literal beacon of light for your party. In addition to gaining some holy spells from the Light Domain, you’ll also be able to light your holy symbol like a flashlight in dark places at level 3, making you an ideal partner for dungeon delves.
At level 17, you’ll be able to shine with the power of the sun itself, causing enemies within a certain range to have Disadvantage against a good chunk of your spells.
Trickery Domain
Trickery Domain Clerics are stealthy magic users that are able to use powerful utility spells to give their allies a leg up in battle.
When you first pick up Trickery, you’ll be able to cast Trickery Domain spells and gain Invoke Duplicity, which allows you to make a visual illusion of yourself. At level 6, you can even swap places with your illusion using a Bonus Action.
At level 17, you can give your allies Advantage on a target by having your illusion stand within five feet of the enemy.
War Domain
War Domain Cleric is what you think it is, and allows you to focus more on beating down enemies using physical violence in addition to your spells.
At level 3, you’ll be able to cast powerful War Domain spells and empower your allies to have a better chance to hit with their attacks.
What new strategies can I unlock with the 2024 Cleric subclasses
The 2024 Cleric subclasses unlock fresh strategic options by blending martial prowess, enhanced spellcasting, and versatile utility. For example, the new Divine Order feature lets you choose between the Protector, who gains proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor for frontline durability, and the Furge, who gains extra cantrips and adds Wisdom to Intelligence-based checks, perfect for blaster and healer roles. Additionally, the revamped Channel Divinity now includes Divine Spark, enabling Clerics to either heal or damage as a bonus action, which encourages a more offensive and flexible playstyle across subclasses. At higher levels, Divine Intervention allows casting powerful spells without components or slots, such as Revivify, dramatically increasing survivability and support options. Subclass-specific Channel Divinity powers further diversify tactics, tailoring Clerics to roles from battle priests to arcane healers and battlefield controllers. These changes collectively make the 2024 Cleric a more dynamic and adaptable class in combat and roleplay.
How can the new Divine Order options enhance my Cleric’s combat role
The new Divine Order options in the 2024 Cleric update significantly enhance your Cleric’s combat role by allowing you to tailor your character’s core abilities from level 1. Choosing the Protector order grants proficiency with martial weapons and heavy armor, transforming your Cleric into a durable frontline combatant capable of both absorbing damage and dealing it effectively with weapon attacks. This breaks from previous editions where such proficiencies were subclass-dependent, giving all Clerics access to solid martial capabilities early on. Alternatively, the Thaumaturge order boosts your spellcasting versatility by granting an extra Cleric cantrip and adding your Wisdom modifier to Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks, enhancing your utility and knowledge-based skills in and out of combat.
Additionally, the Channel Divinity feature now offers an extra use at level 2 and includes the Divine Spark option, which provides a flexible bonus action to either heal or damage, further expanding your tactical options during encounters. This means your Cleric can fluidly switch between offensive and defensive roles without relying solely on spell slots. At higher levels, abilities like Sear Undead deal radiant damage to all undead affected by your Turn Undead, regardless of their challenge rating, boosting your effectiveness against undead foes. The revamped Blessed Strikes feature lets you choose between adding radiant or necrotic damage to weapon attacks or enhancing cantrip damage with your Wisdom modifier, reinforcing your combat potency whether you favor melee or spellcasting.
Overall, the Divine Order options provide a flexible foundation that allows your Cleric to excel as a resilient warrior, a potent spellcaster, or a hybrid of both, making your combat role more customizable and impactful than ever before.
