Best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build, from race to subclass & spells

Best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build, from race to subclass & spells
Images via Larian Studios

Written by 

Tarran Stockton

Last updated 

4th Apr 2024 13:00

Contents

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.

Best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build

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

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build at level 1
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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
  • Strength: 14
  • Dexterity: 10
  • Constitution: 14
  • Intelligence: 8
  • Wisdom: 17
  • Charisma: 12

Level 2

a level 2 Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Spells Command

Level 3

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build at level 3
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Option Selection
Spells Silence, Spiritual Weapon

Level 4

a level 4 Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Cantrips Produce Flame
Spells Hold Person
Feat Ability Improvement. +2 Wisdom

Level 5

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build at level 5
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Option Selection
Spells Mass Healing Word, Remove Curse

Level 6

a level 6 Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Spells Spirit Guardians

Level 7

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build at level 7
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Option Selection
Spells Banishment

Level 8

a level 8 Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Spells Freedom of Movement
Feat War Caster

Level 9

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric build at level 9
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Option Selection
Spells Planar Binding

Level 10

a level 10 Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Cantrip Light
Spells Flame Strike

Level 11

Image of Level 11 in the Cleric best build in Baldur's Gate 3
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Option Selection
Spell Blade Barrier

Level 12

Image of level 12 in the Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric best build
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Option Selection
Spell Heroes' Feast
Feat Tough

Baldur's Gate 3 Cleric explained

an image of the Cleric class in Baldur's Gate 3
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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. 

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Not a fan of the Cleric build? Check out our recommendations for other best builds in Baldur's Gate 3:

All Cleric subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3

the Cleric subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3
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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

What is the best Cleric subclass?

a Cleric spell in Baldur's Gate 3
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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.

Tarran Stockton
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.
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