Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric Life Domain Build Guide

In the mystical realm of Baldur’s Gate 3, the Cleric stands as a beacon of divine power, wielding both healing and destructive magic to shape the battlefield. This guide delves into the intricate mechanics of the Cleric class, exploring all seven subclasses—from the nurturing Life Domain to the fierce Tempest Domain—equipping players with essential strategies for character creation, spell selection, and combat tactics. Whether you seek to bolster your allies or unleash radiant fury upon foes, mastering the Cleric will ensure your place as a pivotal force in any adventuring party.

Best race for Cleric

Choosing the right race for your Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3 can significantly impact your gameplay experience. While humans offer versatility and adaptability, wood half-elven characters bring a balance of physical prowess and magical affinity, aligning well with the Cleric’s reliance on Wisdom. This combination allows for effective spellcasting and combat performance, making wood half-elves a popular choice for those aiming to maximize their Cleric’s potential. Other races such as dwarves and gnomes may also suit certain builds, especially those focusing on specific domains like the Life Domain, where durability and resilience become crucial factors1. Ultimately, selecting a race that complements your desired play style ensures your Cleric excels in both supportive roles and direct combat situations.

In the full release of Baldur’s Gate 3, the developers have removed exclusive racial bonuses. From now on, when choosing a race, you can add 2 and 1 bonuses to any stat you’d like. Despite this, some racial abilities come in handy for certain classes.

1. Drow – dark elves receive useful spells at Level 3 and Level 5: Faerie Fire and Darkness. The race also has Darkvision, which proves useful during combat in dark areas.
2. Gold Dwarf – this subrace grants 1 HP every level. It’s very useful when creating durable Cleric tanks.

Ability Points

In Baldur’s Gate 3, Clerics allocate their ability points primarily focusing on Wisdom, given its crucial role in spellcasting and channel divinity. At character creation, Clerics typically distribute their initial points heavily towards Wisdom, ensuring strong magical abilities early on. As the character progresses through levels, additional points may be allocated to Constitution for increased hit point totals and resilience, especially considering the Cleric’s potential involvement in melee combat. Dexterity might also receive attention if the player chooses to emphasize mobility and avoiding attacks rather than raw physical strength. This distribution strategy enhances the Cleric’s versatility, enabling them to excel both as supportive healers and formidable spellcasters.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the Cleric’s primary stat responsible for the power of their spells is Wisdom. Other than that, when distributing points you should also consider:

1. Constitution – high Constitution will grant you more health, useful for healers and for tank Clerics.
2. Dexterity or Strength – choose one of these stats to determine the kind of Cleric you’ll play as. If you’d like to use light or medium armor and stay in the backline, choose Dexterity. If you want to be a tank Cleric, wieldingheavy weapons and armor, invest into Strength.

Best background for Cleric

For a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3, the best background can significantly enhance your character’s capabilities and role in the party. The Folk Hero background is an excellent choice, providing proficiency in Insight and Persuasion, which are valuable for social interactions and understanding others’ motives. Alternatively, the Acolyte background also suits Clerics well, offering proficiencies in Religion and Insight, aligning perfectly with their divine nature and healing role. Both backgrounds complement the Cleric’s primary ability, Wisdom, enabling players to excel not only in combat but also in narrative-driven encounters throughout their adventure.

The usefulness of a Cleric’s background depends on the role they are to play in the party. Some interesting choices include:

1. Urchin – especially useful for Trickery Domain Clercis with high Dexterity. Gives proficiency in Sleight of Hand and Stealth.
2. Sailor – will appeal to a frontline Cleric with high Strength. Athletics and Perception will come in handy during your journey through the Sword Coast.
3. Acolyte – proficiency in Insight and Religion complements the Cleric’s skillset.

Channel Divinity

Channel Divinity is a pivotal feature for Clerics in Baldur’s Gate 3, allowing them to channel the divine power of their deity to perform extraordinary feats. Each Cleric subclass grants unique Channel Divinity options, enhancing their versatility in both combat and support roles. For instance, Life Domain Clerics can use their Channel Divinity to heal allies within a certain radius, while Trickery Domain Clerics can create illusions to deceive enemies. This ability not only reflects the Cleric’s connection to their god but also serves as a strategic tool in various encounters, making it essential for maximizing the effectiveness of any Cleric build.

Cleric’s class ability. From Level 2 onwards, your character can summon divine energy and channel it as a special effect. All Clerics share the Turn Undead effect, which comes in handy against the undead. Further effects are exclusive to subclasses (Domains).

The higher level you are, the more uses of Channel Divinity you’ll get. Ability slots are restored during Short and Long Rests.

Destroy Undead

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Destroy Undead feature is a significant ability for Clerics, enhancing their role as formidable opponents against undead foes. Gained at level 5, this ability allows Clerics to deal radiant damage when they successfully use their Turn Undead feature. This not only reinforces the Cleric’s divine connection but also provides a tactical advantage in combat, as it can eliminate weaker undead creatures outright. The effectiveness of this ability varies depending on the Cleric’s chosen domain, making it a versatile tool in their arsenal against the forces of darkness.

From Level 5 onward, all undead enemies affected by Turn Undead receive 4d6radiant damage.

Best spells

In “Baldur’s Gate 3,” Clerics wield a diverse array of magical abilities, making them formidable both in healing and combat roles. Among the numerous spells available, several stand out for their versatility and potency. At lower levels, Clerics can utilize spells such as Bless, Cure Wounds, and Healing Word to provide essential support to their party. As they progress through levels, they gain access to higher-level spells like Mass Healing Word, Raise Dead, and Flame Strike, which offer significant boosts in healing and damage potential. Additionally, spells like Inflict Wounds and Dispel Magic add depth to their arsenal, enabling them to adapt to various battlefield scenarios. With careful management of their spell slots and channel divinity, Clerics can maximize their impact, whether they’re focusing on healing, buffing allies, or dealing direct damage to foes.

Due to large variety in playstyles between Cleric subclasses, we’ll focus on a few spells universally helpful to each build. Clerics of different Domains often receive access to exclusive spells, which they always have prepared. You’ll find the full list of recommended spells on the Best Cleric spells page.

Cantrips:

1. Sacred Flame – a ranged offensive spell dealing 1d8radiant damage.
2. Thaumaturgy – a simple cantrip granting a bonus during Performance and Intimidation checks.
3. Guidance – a useful spell providing allies with 1d4 during skill checks.

Spells:

1. Bane – inflict up to 3 simultaneous targets with a -1d4penalty on theirattack rolls and saving throws.
2. Shield of Faith – grant 2 to the target’s Armor Class.
3. Guiding Bolt – a projectile dealing 4d6 radiant damage and granting advantage on the next attack roll against the target.
4. Inflict Wounds – a touch spell inflicting a massive 3d10 necrotic damage.
5. Command – force the target to stop, get closer, run away, go prone or drop their weapon.
6. Healing Word and Cure Wounds – basic Cleric healing spells.
7. Bless – provide up to 3 simultaneous targets with a 1d4 bonus on their attack rolls and saving throws.
8. Prayer of Healing – a Level 2 spell which heals the entire party, only outside of combat.
9. Revivify – a Level 3 spell which revives a dead ally. The target comes back to life with 1 hit point.
10. Spirit Guardians – summons four spirits which deal 3d8 damage to nearby enemies every turn while halving their movement speed.

Best subclass for Cleric

Choosing the best subclass for a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3 largely depends on your preferred playstyle and party needs. Each of the seven subclasses, or Domains, offers unique abilities and spells that cater to different roles in combat and support. The Life Domain is often considered the top choice for players focused on healing and support, providing powerful restorative spells and the ability to wear heavy armor, making them resilient front-line supporters. The Tempest Domain, on the other hand, excels in dealing damage with lightning and thunder spells while still offering some healing capabilities, ideal for those who want a more aggressive playstyle. Ultimately, the best subclass is one that aligns with your strategic goals in gameplay, whether that’s maximizing healing output, dealing damage, or a balanced approach that supports both roles effectively.

The Cleric’s subclass depends on the deity they worship. You must choose your subclass at Level 1, so think carefully. The Early Access version features three Cleric Domains, while the full release is due to add another four. These are:

Life Domain – focused on healing and melee combat. Life Clerics are proficient with heavy armor, while their Disciple of Life skill empowers their healing spells, granting a 2 spell level bonus to the effect of each healing spell. When Channeling Divinity they can use Preserve Life to restore their allies’ health, the value equal to three times the Cleric’s level.

Light Domain – humble servants of the light, wielding powerful spells and specializing in fighting undead. Their Warding Flare ability lets them use their reaction to inflict disadvantage on enemy attacks against them. Their Channel Divinity, Radiance of the Dawn, dispels all darkness and deals 2d10 Cleric level of damage to all enemies within 9 meters. Some spells exclusive to this Domain are:

1. Faerie Fire – reveals hidden enemies and grants advantage on attacks against them.
2. Burning Hands – deals 3d6 fire damage at a short distance.
3. Fireball – a ranged spell inflicting 8d6 area damage.

Trickery Domain – followers of gods embodying deceit, manipulation and pranks. Their ability is Blessing of the Trickster, granting the target advantage on Stealth checks. Their Channel Divinity, Invoke Duplicity, lets the Cleric summon an illusory copy of themselves. This subclass’ exlusive spells include:

1. Pass without Trace – the party gains a 10 bonus to Stealth checks.
2. Mirror Image – creates three illusory copies of the Cleric to distract enemies. Each copy gives 3 to Armor Class.

Tempest Domain – Clerics channeling electricity and wind to sow havoc among enemy forces. The Wrath of the Storm ability grants a Reaction which forces each attacking enemy within 1.5m to make a Dexterity saving throw. This enemy takes 2d8 damage on a fail. Their Channel Divinity, Destructive Wrath, lets them inflict maximum damage when using Lightning and Thunder effects. Some spells exclusive to this Domain are:

1. Fog Cloud – obscures an area of choice with fog, making it difficult to see in.
2. Gust of Wind – a powerful gale moves creatures by 5 meters and staggers enemies.

Nature Domain – friends to plants and animals. Their skills are heavily tied to controlling fauna and flora. Acolyte of Nature, unlocked on Level 1, lets the Cleric learn a single Druid cantrip and grants proficiency in Animal Handling, Nature or Survival. Charm Animals and Plants is their unique Channel Divinity, letting them Charm the aforementioned creatures. Some spells exclusive to this domain are:

1. Speak with Animals – the character can speak to and understand animals.
2. Spike Growth – covers the area with sharp thorns. Creatures moving through the area take 2d4 damage every 1.5 meters.

Knowledge Domain – Clerics devoted to knowledge and science. Skills revolve around gaining temporary proficiency and controlling enemies during combat. Blessings of Knowledge lets them learn two additional languages and grants proficiency in two skills chosen from the pool below:

1. Arcana;
2. History;
3. Religion;
4. Nature.

The proficiency bonus applied to the chosen skills is doubled. Their Channel Divinity is Knowledge of the Ages, granting proficiency in a chosen skill until the next Long Rest.

War Domain – battle-hardened Clerics ideal as frontline combatants. Apart from proficiency in heavy armor and martial weapons, War Clerics gain the War Priest ability, granting a number of charges equal to their Wisdom modifier. This charge can be used to make an extra attack as a bonus action. Their Channel Divinity, Guided Strike, grants a massive 10 to attack rolls. Some spells exclusive to this Domain are:

1. Divine Favour – this spell grants the Cleric 1d4 to damage rolls when using weapon attacks.
2. Magic Weapon – turns a weapon magical, giving it 1 to attack rolls and damage rolls.

Best build for Cleric

Creating the best Cleric build in Baldur’s Gate 3 involves optimizing your character’s stats and selecting appropriate equipment and spells. Focus primarily on increasing your Wisdom score, followed by Constitution and Dexterity, as these enhance your magical prowess and survivability. Choosing the right subclass—such as Life, Light, or Tempest—can significantly influence your gameplay style. For example, the Life Domain excels at healing and supporting allies, while the Tempest Domain leverages elemental forces for offense. Additionally, selecting feats like Ability Improvement to boost your Wisdom and utilizing spells such as Spiritual Weapon and Prayer of Healing can round out your build. This combination ensures that your Cleric remains versatile, effective in both combat and supportive roles, making them a valuable asset to any party1.

Here is a sample build for a Level 3 Cleric:

1. Race: Gold Dwarf
2. Subclass: Life Domain
3. Background: Sailor
4. Ability Scores: Wisdom about 16, Constitution and Strength about 14, Charisma about 12, Dexterity and Intelligence about 10.

What are the best subclasses for a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3

In Baldur’s Gate 3, the Cleric class offers a diverse range of subclasses, each reflecting the unique domains of their deities. Here are the best subclasses for a Cleric, highlighting their strengths and roles within a party:

Best Cleric Subclasses

1. Life Domain

• Role: Primary healer and support.
• Strengths: Exceptional healing capabilities with the Disciple of Life feature, which enhances healing spells. Proficient in heavy armor, allowing them to serve as frontline support while maintaining high survivability. Their Preserve Life ability can restore significant health to multiple allies at once.

2. Light Domain

• Role: Offensive spellcaster with healing abilities.
• Strengths: Focuses on radiant damage spells, making them effective against undead and fiends. Gains access to powerful spells like Flame Strike and Destructive Wave, enhancing their damage output significantly. The Potent Spellcasting feature adds their Wisdom modifier to cantrip damage, boosting their offensive capabilities.

3. Tempest Domain

• Role: Frontline combatant with storm-themed abilities.
• Strengths: Proficient in heavy armor and martial weapons, allowing them to engage directly in combat. Their Wrath of the Storm ability enables them to retaliate against attackers with lightning damage. They also have access to spells that control the battlefield with thunder and lightning effects, making them formidable in both offense and defense.

4. Trickery Domain

• Role: Stealthy support and deception specialist.
• Strengths: Offers unique abilities like Invoke Duplicity, creating an illusory copy of themselves to confuse enemies. This subclass excels in stealth and manipulation, making it ideal for players who enjoy a more tactical approach to combat.

5. War Domain

• Role: Melee-focused cleric.
• Strengths: Combines martial prowess with divine magic, gaining extra attacks through the War Priest feature. This subclass is perfect for players looking to deal damage while still providing some support through healing spells.

Each subclass provides distinct advantages, allowing players to tailor their Cleric to fit their preferred playstyle—be it healing, dealing damage, or controlling the battlefield. Choosing the right subclass can significantly impact your effectiveness in both combat and exploration throughout your adventures in Baldur’s Gate 3.

Which Cleric subclass is best for a tanky build

For a tanky build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Forge Domain Cleric stands out as the best choice. Here’s why:

Forge Domain

• Armor Proficiency: Forge Clerics gain proficiency in heavy armor, which significantly boosts their Armor Class (AC). This allows them to withstand more damage during combat.
• Defensive Features: They receive a +1 bonus to AC from their subclass features, enhancing their survivability even further. Additionally, they gain resistance to fire damage, which is a common damage type in many encounters.
• Spell Options: The Forge Domain provides access to spells that can enhance their defensive capabilities, like Shield of Faith and Healing Word, allowing them to support themselves and allies effectively while remaining in the thick of battle.

Other Notable Subclasses

While the Forge Domain is optimal for tanking, other subclasses can also be effective:

• War Domain: This subclass allows for extra attacks and has decent defensive capabilities. They can engage in melee while still providing support through healing spells.
• Life Domain: While primarily focused on healing, Life Clerics can be built tanky with heavy armor and shields, making them resilient while providing essential support to the party.

Build Strategies

To maximize the tankiness of a Forge Cleric:

• Equip heavy armor and a shield to boost AC.
• Utilize spells like Spirit Guardians for area control while dodging attacks.
• Consider feats like Warcaster to maintain concentration on crucial spells while engaged in melee.

In summary, the Forge Domain Cleric excels as a tanky build due to its combination of heavy armor proficiency, AC bonuses, and supportive spells. This makes it an excellent choice for players looking to absorb damage and protect their party effectively.