Summary
The Death Domain Cleric is just as much fun as it sounds. As one of the new subclasses added toBaldur’s Gate 3with Patch 8, players are still discovering all the dark details of this unique subclass that holds an equal power over both the living and the dead.
Every Cleric has some abilities that they can use regardless of their subclass choice, such as Turn Undead, Divine Intervention, and certain spells. The other spells in the Cleric’s repertoire are from their chosen Domain. Whether they’re general Cleric spells or assigned based on Domain, some are better than others for a Death Domain Cleric.
7Toll The Dead
Necromancy Cantrip
Warlocks and Wizards also have access to Toll the Dead, but scrolls with the spell have yet to be discovered in the game. Clerics choose their Domains at level 1, and can choose between one of three cantrips to learn depending on their Domain. Each has pros and cons, but Toll the Dead does a ridiculous amount of damage at this level and can wipe out severalAct 1 enemies with one blow.
At level 5, the cantrip’s damage doubles to 2d12 Necrotic, and at level 10 it rises to 3d12 Necrotic. Undamaged targets still take reduced damage with 2d8 and 3d8, but that’s not much of a reprieve.
6Blight
Necromancy Level 4
Blightis a situational spell that only works against certain targets, but it’s worth having in these situations just to lay waste. The Underdark in Act 2 is crawling with living plants and their minions, so this is a great spell to have when the Cleric reaches level 4.
The damage increases by an extra 1d8 for each level that the spell is upcast, and the targets have to succeed a saving throw against Constitution or be permanently wilted. Virtually every other casting class has access to this spell if they choose, and any character that has the Very Rare quarterstaff Woe equipped is also granted the power to cast this spell.
5Vampiric Touch
Necromancy Level 3
A handy spell for any Cleric that stays in melee range,Vampiric Touchis also a nice defensive move when an enemy gets too close to those with a healing or spellcasting build. It’s a wise addition to any Cleric build, but it makes evenmore sense for the Death Domain, which also has proficiency with martial weapons and can often be found in the thick of battle.
Once the spell is cast once, the Cleric can activate it once per turn for ten turns without using any spell slots, to suck the life out of anyone that comes within melee range. When upcast, this spell grows even more lethal, dealing an extra 1d6 Necrotic damage for every level.
4Contagion
Necromancy Level 5
Any target that fails its Constitution saving throw against this spell takes Disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks, plus they are afflicted with one of six debilitating conditions. These conditions not only deal even more damage, but can also compromise their attacks, spells, and other skills. If targets fail that Constitution saving throw twice more, they are afflicted with the Cleric’s disease of choice.
The choices are painful, horrible, and lower the enemy’s most important ability scores. Filth Fever lowers Strength, Mindfire damages Intelligence, Flesh Rot destroys Charisma, Slimy Doom decreases Constitution, Blinding Sickness is bad for Wisdom,and Seizure targets Dexterity.
3Cloudkill
Conjuration Level 5
A popular spell with other spellcasting classes as well,Cloudkillis an ideal choice when it comes to powerful AoE spells, coming in with other equally devastating choices like Fireball andSleet Storm. Clerics get Cloudkill at level 7, and the spell’s damage increases by 1d8 Poison for every level it is upcast.
The cloud of lingering poison lasts for 10 turns, has a 20-foot radius, and obscures the vision of those within it. After casting the spell once, the player can use their turn to move the cloud anywhere on the battlefield. Sorcerers, Wizards, and Druids of the Spore can also cast this spell, and it appears occasionally in scroll form.
2Death Ward
Abjuration Level 4
Clerics need some support spells, regardless of the Domain, andDeath Wardis one of the best choices to protect the melee fighters and defenders.Some races and classes, such as Half-orcs and Barbarians, have similar abilities, like Relentless Endurance and Relentless Rage.
The Cleric protects an ally from the Downed condition using this spell, but they can only cast it on someone within a five-foot radius. The Life Domain is the only other Cleric that uses this spell, and it’s also found in the spellbook of a College of Lore Bard.
1Animate Dead
The Cleric has a choiceregarding the kind of thing they want to raise, and includes a few variations on the usual monsters that include ghouls, zombies, and skeletons. As the Cleric gains higher-level spell slots with which to cast Animate Dead, they can summon more powerful undead minions, and several at once, to make this spell even more fearsome.
