Best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build, from race to subclass & spells
Here's our breakdown of how to create the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build, covering the race, skills, subclass, background, and more for character creation and levelling.
Our best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build will ensure you're the greatest support possible for your companions, so check out what choices to make in character creation, including the race, skills, subclass, and background to pick.
The various classes in Baldur's Gate 3 all serve various purposes, with some standing out as frontline fighters, some excelling at massive area of effect damage, and others helping the team out to ensure success in every encounter. The latter is where the Cleric comes into play, serving as the primary healer and motivator in the game.
So, check out everything you need to know to make the best Cleric build, starting from character creation and as you level up.
With all the above information in mind, here is what you need to make the best Cleric build possible.
It's worth noting that you can respec your character in Baldur's Gate 3 if you have already started the game but want to try out some of the options below too.
Level 1
| Option | Selection |
| Race & Subrace | Dwarf / Gold Dwarf |
| Cantrips | Blade Ward, Guidance, Sacred Flame |
| Deity | Lathander |
| Spells | Guiding Bolt, Sanctuary, Inflict Wounds, Healing Word |
| Background | Acolyte |
| Skill Proficiencies | History & Medicine |
| Ability Points |
|
Level 2
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Command |
Level 3
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Silence, Spiritual Weapon |
Level 4
| Option | Selection |
| Cantrips | Produce Flame |
| Spells | Hold Person |
| Feat | Ability Improvement. +2 Wisdom |
Level 5
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Mass Healing Word, Remove Curse |
Level 6
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Spirit Guardians |
Level 7
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Banishment |
Level 8
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Freedom of Movement |
| Feat | War Caster |
Level 9
| Option | Selection |
| Spells | Planar Binding |
Level 10
| Option | Selection |
| Cantrip | Light |
| Spells | Flame Strike |
Level 11
| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Blade Barrier |
Level 12
| Option | Selection |
| Spell | Heroes' Feast |
| Feat | Tough |
The Cleric is a Wisdom-based spellcasting class that draws their magic from a god they worship, allowing them to wield divine abilities for good or ill.
Their primary strength in combat is healing and supporting other players with buffs, but they can still pack a bunch with deadly spells when needed, especially thanks to their wide array of spell slots.
Not a fan of the Cleric build? Check out our recommendations for other best builds in Baldur's Gate 3:
There are a total of seven Cleric subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3: Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, Knowledge Domain, Nature Domain, Tempest Domain, and War Domain.
Below is a breakdown of each subclass and how they differ:
Life Domain
The Life domain is an aspect of many good deities, offering spells that protect and restore the mind, body, and soul.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Cure Wounds | Heal a creature you can touch |
| Bless | Bless up to 3 creatures, so they gain +1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws |
| Disciple of Life | When casting a healing spell, the target regains additional hit points equal to 2 + the spell's level |
Light Domain
The Light domain is offered by deities of justice, majesty, and primordial flame, providing spells that dispel darkness and harm the undead.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Light | Infuse an object with an aura of light |
| Burning Hands | Each flammable target is hit with 3d6 Fire damage |
| Faerie Fire | All targets within the light turn visible and Attack Rolls gainst them have Advantage |
| Warding Flare | Use your reaction to impose Disadvantage on an attacker |
Trickery Domain
A domain shared by wicked, chaotic, and mischievous deities alike, those who channel Trickery specialise in deception and illusion magic.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Blessing of the Trickster | Grant another creature Advantage on Stealth Checks |
| Charm Person | Charm a humanoid to prevent it from attacking you, giving you Advantage on Charisma Checks |
| Disguise Self | Magically change all aspects of your appearance |
Knowledge Domain
Adaptable and adroit in all manner of languages and skills, your mind is an intellectual cup brimming with exquisite knowing.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Command | Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground, or drop its weapon |
| Sleep | Put creatures into a magical slumber, selecting targets up to a combined 24 hit points |
Nature Domain
You embody the vast viridian power of the natural world, an avatar of the subtle divinity of fruitfall, avian migration, woodland silence, and the landslide's roaring fury.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Shillelagh | Your staff or club becomes magical, dealing 4-11 Bludgeoning damage and uses your Spellcasting Ability for Attack Rolls |
| Speak with Animals | Gain the ability to comprehend and communicate with beasts |
| Animal Friendship | Convince a beast not to attack you |
| Acolyte of Nature | You learn a Druid cantrip and become proficient in Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival |
Tempest Domain
Your faith has made you the very thunder that quakes the black firmament, the lightning coursing through the veins of a terrible storm.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Thunderwave | Release a wave of thunderous force that pushes away all creatures and objects |
| Fog Cloud | The cloud Blinds and Heavily Obscures creatures within |
| Wrath of the Storm | Strike back at an attacking creature, dealing 2-16 Lightning damage. On a failed Saving Throw, dealing half of a 2-16 Thunder damage roll |
War Domain
Fortified by holy zeal, you brandish an arsenal of sacramental savagery to use against those you deem unrighteous.
| Subclass Feature | Description |
| Divine Favour | Your weapon attack deals an additional 1-4 Radiant damage |
| Shield of Faith | Protect a creature from attacks and increase its Armour Class by 2 |
| War Priest | When you make an unarmed or weapon attack, you can spend a War Priest Charge to make an additional attack as a bonus action |
The best Cleric subclass is largely dependent on what your goal is as a Cleric, but we believe the Life Domain subclass to be the best due to its extra support spells and additional healing capabilities.
It's also worth mentioning the War Domain subclass for those who want to build more toward damage.
Check out our Baldur's Gate 3 homepage for more guides. We've also covered how to find the Flower Key, how to find Lump's War Horn, where to find the Nightsong, and all achievements.
About The Author
Tarran Stockton
Tarran is a Senior Guides Writer at GGRecon. He previously wrote reviews for his college newspaper before studying Media and Communication at university. His favourite genres include role-playing games, strategy games, and boomer shooters - along with anything indie. You can also find him in the pit at local hardcore shows.
