Cleric 2024
Clerics draw power from the realms of the gods and harness it to work miracles. Blessed by a deity, a pantheon, or another immortal entity, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes.
Because their power is a divine gift, Clerics typically associate themselves with temples dedicated to the deity or other immortal force that unlocked their magic. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on specific training, yet Clerics might learn prayers and rites that help them draw on power from the Outer Planes.
Not every member of a temple or shrine is a Cleric. Some priests are called to a simple life of temple service, carrying out their devotion through prayer and rituals, not through magic. Many mortals claim to speak for the gods, but few can marshal the power of those gods the way a Cleric can.
| Core Cleric Traits | |
|---|---|
| Primery Ability | Wisdom |
| Hit Dice Die | D8 per Cleric level |
| Saving Throws Proficiencies | Wisdom and Charisma |
| Skill Proficiencies | Choose 2: History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, or Religion |
| Weapons Proficiencies | Simple weapons |
| Armor Training | Light and Medium armor and Shields |
| Starting Equipment | Chosse A or B: (A) Chain Shirt, Shield, Mace, Holy Symbol, Priest’s Pack, and 7 GP; or (B) 110 GP |
Becoming a Cleric...
As a Level 1 Cleric
- Gain all the traits in the Core Cleric Traits table.
- Gain the Cleric’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Cleric Features table.
As a Multiclass Cleric
- Gain the following traits from the Core Cleric Traits table: Hit Point Die and training with Light and Medium armor and Shields.
- Gain the Cleric’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Cleric Features table. See the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots.
Cleric Class Features
| Prof. | Channel | Prepared | - Spell Slots per Spell Level - | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Bonus | Class Features | Divinity | Cantrips | Spells | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 1 | +2 | Spellcasting, Divine Order | - | 3 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2 | +2 | Channel Divinity | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 3 | +2 | Cleric Subclass | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 4 | +2 | Ability Score Improvement | 2 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 5 | +3 | Sear Undead | 2 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 6 | +3 | Subclass Feature | 3 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 7 | +3 | Blessed Strikes | 3 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 8 | +3 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - | - |
| 9 | +4 | - | 3 | 4 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | - | - | - | - |
| 10 | +4 | Divine Intervention | 3 | 5 | 15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | - | - | - | - |
| 11 | +4 | - | 3 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 12 | +4 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | - | - |
| 13 | +5 | - | 3 | 5 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 14 | +5 | Improved Blessed Strikes | 3 | 5 | 17 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | - |
| 15 | +5 | - | 3 | 5 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 16 | +5 | Ability Score Improvement | 3 | 5 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | - |
| 17 | +6 | Subclass Feature | 3 | 5 | 19 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 18 | +6 | - | 4 | 5 | 20 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 19 | +6 | Epic Boon | 4 | 5 | 21 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 20 | +6 | Greater Divine Intervention | 4 | 5 | 22 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
As a Cleric, you gain the following class features when you reach the specified Cleric levels. These features are listed in the Cleric Features table.
Level 1: Spellcasting
You have learned to cast spells through prayer and meditation. See the Player’s Handbook for the rules on spellcasting. The information below details how you use those rules with Cleric spells.
Cantrips. You know three cantrips of your choice from the Cleric spell list. Guidance, Sacred Flame, and Thaumaturgy are recommended.
Whenever you gain a Cleric level, you can replace one of your cantrips with another cantrip of your choice from the Cleric spell list.
When you reach Cleric levels 4 and 10, you learn another cantrip of your choice from the Cleric spell list, as shown in the Cantrips column of the Cleric Features table.
Spell Slots. The Cleric Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your level 1+ spells. You regain all expended slots when you finish a Long Rest.
Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You prepare the list of level 1+ spells that are available for you to cast with this feature. To start, choose four level 1 spells from the Cleric spell list. Bless, Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, and Shield of Faith are recommended.
The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Cleric levels, as shown in the Prepared Spells column of the Cleric Features table. Whenever that number increases, choose additional spells from the Cleric spell list until the number of spells on your list matches the number on the table. The chosen spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For example, if you’re a level 3 Cleric, your list of prepared spells can include six spells of levels 1 and 2 in any combination.
If another Cleric feature gives spells that you always have prepared, those spells don’t count against the number of spells on the list you prepare with this feature, but those spells otherwise count as Cleric spells for you.
Changing Your Prepared Spells. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can change your list of prepared spells, replacing any of the spells there with other Cleric spells for which you have spell slots.
Spellcasting Ability. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your Cleric spells.
Spellcasting Focus. You can use a Holy Symbol as a Spellcasting Focus for your Cleric spells.
Level 1: Divine Order
You have dedicated yourself to one of the following sacred roles of your choice.
Protector. Trained for battle, you gain proficiency with Martial weapons and training with Heavy armor.
Thaumaturge. You know one extra cantrip from the Cleric spell list. In addition, your mystical connection to the divine gives you a bonus to your Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks. The bonus equals your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1).
Level 2: Channel Divinity
You can channel divine energy directly from the Outer Planes to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Divine Spark and Turn Undead, each of which is described below. Each time you use your Channel Divinity, choose which Channel Divinity effect from this class to create. You gain additional effect options at higher Cleric levels.
You can use this class's Channel Divinity twice. You regain one of its expended uses when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest. You gain additional uses when you reach certain Cleric levels, as shown in the Channel Divinity column of the Cleric Features table.
If a Channel Divinity effect requires a saving throw, the DC equals the spell save DC from this class’s Spellcasting feature.
Divine Spark. As a Magic action, you point your Holy Symbol at another creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself and focus divine energy at it. Roll 1d8 and add your Wisdom modifier. You either restore Hit Points to the creature equal to that total or force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes Necrotic or Radiant damage (your choice) equal to that total. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage (round down).
You roll an additional d8 when you reach Cleric levels 7 (2d8), 13 (3d8), and 18 (4d8).
Turn Undead. As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and censure Undead creatures. Each Undead within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its save, it has the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions for 1 minute. For that duration, it tries to move as far from you as it can on its turns. This effect ends early on the creature if it takes any damage, if you have the Incapacitated condition, or if you die.
Level 3: Cleric Subclass
You gain a Cleric subclass of your choice. The Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, and War Domain subclasses are detailed after this class’s description. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Cleric levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass’s features that are of your Cleric level or lower.
Level 4: Ability Score Improvement
You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at Cleric levels 8, 12, and 16.
Level 5: Sear Undead
Whenever you use Turn Undead, you can roll a number of d8s equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1d8) and add the rolls together. Each Undead that fails its saving throw against that use of Turn Undead takes Radiant damage equal to the roll’s total. This damage doesn’t end the turn effect.
Level 7: Blessed Strikes
Divine power infuses you in battle. You gain one of the following options of your choice (if you get either option from a Cleric subclass in an older book, use only the option you choose for this feature).
Divine Strike. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with an attack roll using a weapon, you can cause the target to take an extra 1d8 Necrotic or Radiant damage (your choice).
Potent Spellcasting. Add your Wisdom modifier to the damage you deal with any Cleric cantrip.
Level 10: Divine Intervention
You can call on your deity or pantheon to intervene on your behalf. As a Magic action, choose any Cleric spell of level 5 or lower that doesn’t require a Reaction to cast. As part of the same action, you cast that spell without expending a spell slot or needing Material components. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a Long Rest.
Level 14: Improved Blessed Strikes
The option you chose for Blessed Strikes grows more powerful.
Divine Strike. The extra damage of your Divine Strike increases to 2d8.
Potent Spellcasting. When you cast a Cleric cantrip and deal damage to a creature with it, you can give vitality to yourself or another creature within 60 feet of yourself, granting a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to twice your Wisdom modifier.
Level 19: Epic Boon
You gain an Epic Boon feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Fate is recommended.
Level 20: Greater Divine Intervention
You can call on even more powerful divine intervention. When you use your Divine Intervention feature, you can choose Wish when you select a spell. If you do so, you can’t use Divine Intervention again until you finish 2d4 Long Rests.
Cleric Subclasses
A Cleric subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Cleric levels, as specified in the subclass. Each Cleric subclass is named after a domain of existence that is favored by a god, pantheon, or religious order. This section presents the Life Domain, Light Domain, Trickery Domain, and War Domain subclasses.
Life Domain
The Life Domain focuses on the positive energy that helps sustain all life in the multiverse. Clerics who tap into this domain are masters of healing, using that life force to cure many hurts.
Existence itself relies on the positive energy associated with this domain, so a Cleric of almost any religious tradition might choose it. This domain is particularly associated with agricultural deities, gods of healing or endurance, and gods of home and community. Religious orders of healing also seek the magic of this domain.
Level 3: Disciple of Life
When a spell you cast with a spell slot restores Hit Points to a creature, that creature regains additional Hit Points on the turn you cast the spell. The additional Hit Points equal 2 plus the spell slot’s level.
Level 3: Life Domain Spells
Your connection to this divine domain ensures you always have certain spells ready. When you reach a Cleric level specified in the Life Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.
Life Domain Spells
| Cleric Level | Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Aid, Bless, Cure Wounds, Lesser Restoration |
| 5 | Mass Healing Word, Revivify |
| 7 | Aura of Life, Death Ward |
| 9 | Greater Restoration, Mass Cure Wounds |
Level 3: Preserve Life
As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and expend a use of your Channel Divinity to evoke healing energy that can restore a number of Hit Points equal to five times your Cleric level. Choose Bloodied creatures within 30 feet of yourself (which can include you), and divide those Hit Points among them. This feature can restore a creature to no more than half its Hit Point maximum.
Level 6: Blessed Healer
The healing spells you cast on others heal you as well. Immediately after you cast a spell with a spell slot that restores Hit Points to one or more creatures other than yourself, you regain Hit Points equal to 2 plus the spell slot’s level.
Level 17: Supreme Healing
When you would normally roll one or more dice to restore Hit Points to a creature with a spell or Channel Divinity, don’t roll those dice for the healing; instead use the highest number possible for each die. For example, instead of restoring 2d6 Hit Points to a creature with a spell, you restore 12.
Light Domain
This is the Light Domain according to the information WotC released so far, not yet the official 2024 version.
The Light Domain emphasizes the divine power to bring about blazing fire and revelation. Clerics who wield this power are enlightened souls infused with radiance and the power of their deities’ discerning vision, charged with chasing away lies and burning away darkness.
The Light Domain is associated with gods of truth, vigilance, beauty, insight, and renewal. Some of these gods are identified with the sun or as charioteers who guide the sun across the sky. Others are sentinels who pierce every shadow and deception. Some are deities of beauty and artistry, who teach that art is a vehicle for the soul’s improvement. Religious orders focused on combating the Undead also draw on the power of this domain.
Level 3: Light Domain Spells
Your connection to this divine domain ensures you always have certain spells ready. When you reach a Cleric level specified in the Light Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.
Light Domain Spells
| Cleric Level | Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Burning Hands, Faerie Fire, Scorching Ray, See Invisibility |
| 5 | Daylight, Fireball |
| 7 | Arcane Eye, Wall of Fire |
| 9 | Flame Strike, Scrying |
Level 3: Radiance of the Dawn
As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and expend a use of your Channel Divinity to emit sunlight in a 30-foot-radius sphere centered on yourself. Any magical darkness—such as that created by the Darkness spell—in the sphere is dispelled. Additionally, each creature of your choice in the sphere must make a Constitution saving throw, taking Radiant damage equal to 2d10 + your Cleric level on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Level 3: Warding Flare
When a creature that you can see within 30 feet of you makes an attack roll, you can use your Reaction to impose Disadvantage on the attack roll, causing light to flare before the attacker before it hits or misses.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest.
Level 6: Improved Warding Flare
When you use Warding Flare to protect somebody, you now also can give them temporary Hit Points.
Also, you regain all uses of Wardnig Flare whenever you finish a Short or a Long Rest.
Level 17: Corona of Light
As a Magic action, you cause yourself to emit an aura of sunlight that lasts for 1 minute or until you dismiss it (no action required). You emit Bright Light in a 60-foot radius and Dim Light for an additional 30 feet. Your enemies in the Bright Light have Disadvantage on saving throws against your Radiance of the Dawn and any spell that deals Fire or Radiant damage.
Trickery Domain
This is the Trickery Domain according to the information WotC released so far, not yet the official 2024 version.
The Trickery Domain offers magic of deception, illusion, and stealth. Clerics who wield this magic are a disruptive force in the world, puncturing pride, mocking tyrants, stealing from the rich, freeing captives, and flouting hollow traditions. They prefer subterfuge, pranks, and theft rather than direct confrontation.
Gods of trickery are mischief-makers and instigators who stand as a constant challenge to the accepted order among both gods and mortals. They embody the forces of change and social upheaval, and they’re patrons of thieves, scoundrels, gamblers, rebels, and liberators. Religious orders that operate in secret, especially those that seek to undermine oppressive governments or hierarchies, also draw on the power of the Trickery Domain.
Level 3: Blessing of the Trickster
As a Magic action, you can choose yourself or a willing creature within 30 feet of yourself to have Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks. This blessing lasts until you finish a Long Rest or you use this feature again.
Level 3: Invoke Duplicity
You can use your Channel Divinity to create an illusory duplicate of yourself.
As a Bonus Action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see, and you create a perfect visual illusion of yourself in the space you left. The illusion lasts for 1 minute, but it ends early if you have the Incapacitated condition or dismiss it as a Bonus Action.
While the illusion persists, you gain the following benefits:
Cast Spells. You can cast spells as though you were in the illusion’s space, but you must use your own senses.
Distract. When both you and your illusion are within 5 feet of a creature that can see the illusion, you have Advantage on attack rolls against that creature, given how distracting the illusion is to the target.
Move. As a Bonus Action, you can move the illusion up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space you can see that is within 120 feet of yourself.
Level 3: Trickery Domain Spells
Your connection to this divine domain ensures you always have certain spells ready. When you reach a Cleric level specified in the Trickery Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.
Trickery Domain Spells
| Cleric Level | Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Charm Person, Disguise Self, Invisibility, Pass without Trace |
| 5 | Hypnotic Pattern, Nondetection |
| 7 | Confusion, Dimension Door |
| 9 | Dominate Person, Modify Memory |
Level 6: Trickster's Transposition
Whenever you take the Bonus Action to create or move the illusion of your Invoke Duplicity, you can teleport, swapping places with the illusion.
Level 17: Improved Duplicity
The illusion of your Invoke Duplicity has grown more powerful. When you create it, you can teleport up to 120 feet rather than 30 feet, and when you move it, you can move it up to 60 feet rather than 30 feet. In addition, when you and your allies make attack rolls against a creature within 5 feet of the illusion, the attack rolls have Advantage. Finally, when the illusion ends, you or a creature of your choice within 5 feet of it regains a number of Hit Points equal to your Cleric level.
War Domain
This is the War Domain according to the information WotC released so far, not yet the official 2024 version.
War has many manifestations. It can make heroes of ordinary people. It can be desperate and horrific, with acts of cruelty and cowardice eclipsing instances of excellence and courage. Clerics who tap into the magic of the War Domain excel in battle, inspiring others to fight the good fight or offering acts of violence as prayers.
Gods of the War Domain watch over warriors and reward them for their great deeds. They include champions of honor and chivalry as well as gods of destruction and pillage. Other war gods take a more neutral stance, promoting war in all its manifestations and supporting warriors in any circumstance.
Level 3: Guided Strike
When you or a creature within 30 feet of you misses with an attack roll, you can use your Reaction to expend one use of your Channel Divinity and give that roll a +10 bonus, potentially causing it to hit.
Level 3: War Domain Spells
Your connection to this divine domain ensures you always have certain spells ready. When you reach a Cleric level specified in the War Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.
War Domain Spells
| Cleric Level | Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Guiding Bolt, Magic Weapon, Shield of Faith, Spiritual Weapon |
| 5 | Crusader’s Mantle, Spirit Guardians |
| 7 | Fire Shield, Freedom of Movement |
| 9 | Hold Monster, Steel Wind Strike |
Level 3: War Priest
Your training with weapons allows you to use the Mastery property of one kind of Simple or Martial weapon with which you have proficiency. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can change the kind of weapon you chose to another eligible kind.
In addition, you can make one weapon attack or unarmed strike as a Bonus Action. You can use this Bonus Action a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of once). You regain all expended uses when you finish a Short Rest or Long Rest.¡
Level 6: War God's Blessing
You can expend a use of your Channel Divinity to cast Shield of Faith or Spiritual Weapon rather than expending a spell slot. Without requiring Concentration, for up to 1 minute.
Level 17: Avatar of Battle
You gain resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage.