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SRD5:Cleric

Disambiguation.png
Cleric exists in other D&D editions see:

Cleric (disambiguation).

This material from the 5th edition (2014) SRD v5.1 is published under the OGL and CC-BY
Cleric is a class in 5th edition and part of the SRD.

Class FeaturesEdit

As a cleric, you gain the following class features. As a Cleric, you gain the following class features.

Hit PointsEdit

Hit Dice: 18 per Cleric level
Hit Points at 1st Level: 8 + your Constitution modifier
Hit Points at Higher Levels: 18 + your Constitution modifier

ProficienciesEdit

Armor: Light armor, medium armor and shields
Weapons: Simple weapons
Tools: None
Saving Throws: Wisdom, Charisma
Skills: Choose two from History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, Religion.

EquipmentEdit

You start with the following equipment, in addition to the equipment granted by your background:


Cleric Overview TableEdit

The Cleric

Level Proficiency
Bonus
Features Spell Slots per Spell Level
Cantrips
Known
 1st  2nd  3rd  4th  5th  6th  7th  8th  9th
1st +2 Spellcasting, Divine Domain 3 2
2nd +2 Channel Divinity (1/rest), Divine Domain feature 3 3
3rd +2 3 4 2
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement 4 4 3
5th +3 Destroy Undead (CR 1/2) 4 4 3 2
6th +3 Channel Divinity (2/rest), Divine Domain feature 4 4 3 2
7th +3 4 4 3 3 1
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement, Destroy Undead (CR 1), Divine Domain feature 4 4 3 3 2
9th +4 4 4 3 3 3 1
10th +4 Divine Intervention 5 4 3 3 3 2
11th +4 Destroy Undead (CR 2) 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 2 1
13th +5 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
14th +5 Destroy Undead (CR 3) 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1
15th +5 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
16th +5 Ability Score Improvemnet 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
17th +6 Destroy Undead (CR 4), Divine Domain Feature 5 4 3 3 3 2 1 1 1 1
18th +6 Channel Divinity (3/rest) 5 4 3 3 3 3 1 1 1 1
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1
20th +6 Divine Intervention improvement 5 4 3 3 3 3 2 1 1 1

SpellcastingEdit

As a conduit for divine power, you can cast cleric spells.

CantripsEdit

At 1st level, you know three cantrips of your choice from the cleric spell list. You learn additional cleric cantrips of your choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Cleric table.

Preparing and Casting SpellsEdit

The Cleric table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast one of these spells, you must expend a slot of the spell’s level or higher. You regain all expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.

You prepare the list of cleric spells that are available for you to cast, choosing from the cleric spell list. When you do so, choose a number of cleric spells equal to your Wisdom modifier + your cleric level (minimum of one spell). The spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.

For example, if you are a 3rd-­level cleric, you have four 1st-­level and two 2nd-­level spell slots. With a Wisdom of 16, your list of prepared spells can include six spells of 1st or 2nd level, in any combination. If you prepare the 1st-­level spell cure wounds, you can cast it using a 1st-­level or 2nd-­level slot. Casting the spell doesn’t remove it from your list of prepared spells.

You can change your list of prepared spells when you finish a long rest. Preparing a new list of cleric spells requires time spent in prayer and meditation: at least 1 minute per spell level for each spell on your list.

Spellcasting AbilityEdit

Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your cleric spells. The power of your spells comes from your devotion to your deity. You use your Wisdom whenever a cleric spell refers to your spellcasting ability. In addition, you use your Wisdom modifier when setting the saving throw DC for a cleric spell you cast and when making an attack roll with one.

Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + your Wisdom modifier

Ritual CastingEdit

You can cast a cleric spell as a ritual if that spell has the ritual tag and you have the spell prepared.

Spellcasting FocusEdit

You can use a holy symbol (see “Equipment”) as a spellcasting focus for your cleric spells.

Divine DomainEdit

Choose one domain related to your deity.

Your choice grants you domain spells and other features when you choose it at 1st level. It also grants you additional ways to use challen divinity when you gain that feature at 2nd level, and additional benefits at 6th, 8th, and 17th levels.

Divine DomainsEdit

This section exceeds the text of the SRD

The SRD lists only the Life Domain. Below is a list of divine domains, official and unofficial.
(24 official and unofficial divine domains).

Divine DomainFeaturesSummarySource
5e Divine Domain Preload 
Arcana DomainArcane Initiate, Channel Divinity: Arcane Abjuration, Spell Breaker, Potent Spellcasting, Arcane MasteryDomain for deities who's divine domain is magicSword Coast Adventurer's Guide
Celestial DomainYou draw divine power from the hope-giving light in the night sky - And the darkness in between.Zhenra-Khal
City DomainBonus Cantrip, Bonus Proficiencies, Heart of the City, Channel Divinity: Spirits of the City, Block Watch, Divine Strike, Express TransitDivine domain that focuses on modern (21st century) cities and their welfareUA Modern Magic
Death DomainDomain Spells, Bonus Proficiency, Reaper, Channel Divinity: Touch of Death, Inescapable Destruction, Divine Strike, Improved ReaperThis domain deals with death and undeadDungeon Master's Guide (5e)
Fate Domain UADomain Spells, Omens and Portents, Ties That Bind, Channel Divinity: Strands of Fate, Insightful Striking, Potent Spellcasting, Visions of the FutureThis domain focus on destiny or fate.UA 2022 Wonders of the Multiverse
Forge DomainDomain Spells, Bonus Proficiencies, Blessing of the Forge, Channel Divinity: Artisan’s Blessing, Soul of the Forge, Divine Strike, Saint of Forge and FireThe divine domain of working with metal, from digging the ore to finished productXanathar's Guide to Everything
Grave DomainDomain Spells, Circle of Mortality, Eyes of the Grave, Channel Divinity: Path to the Grave, Sentinel at Death’s Door, Potent Spellcasting, Keeper of SoulsDivine domain of the respect of the dead and afterlife.Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Knowledge DomainDomain Spells, Blessings of Knowledge, Channel Divinity: Knowledge of Ages, Channel Divinity: Read Thoughts, Potent Spellcasting, Visions of the PastThe domain of knowledge and information.Player's Handbook (5e)
Life DomainBonus Proficiencies, Disciple of Life, Channel Divinity, Blessed Healer, Divine Strike, Supreme HealingThe Life domain focuses on the positive energy that sustains all life.SRD-CC v5.1, SRD-OGL v5.1
Light DomainDomain Spell, Bonus Cantrip, Warding Flame, Channel Divinity: Radiance of the Dawn, Improved Flare, Potent Spellcasting, Corona of LightThis domain includes truth, beauty, and revealing.Player's Handbook (5e)
Luck DomainDomain Spells, Pendulum of the Lucky, Channel Divinity: Invoke Chance, Skew the Dice, Divine Strike, Master of LuckA cleric who worships a god of fortune, seeking to control the force of luck.Stryker
Nature DomainNature Domain Spells, Acolyte of Nature, Bonus Proficiency, Channel Divinity: Charm Animals and Plants, Dampen Elements, Divine Strike, Master of NatureDomain of naturePlayer's Handbook (5e)
Night DomainDomain Spells, Bonus Cantrip, Shadow Ward, Channel Divinity: Cloak of Night, Shield of Shadows, Potent Spellcasting, Cloying DarknessThis domain promotes the ideals of darkness, concealing, and secrets.Rlyehable
Order DomainBonus Proficiencies, Voice of Authority, Channel Divinity: Order's Demand, Embodiment of the Law, Divine Strike, Order's Wrath, Domain SpellsDomain of discipline and lawVaried, GGtR, TCoE
Peace DomainImplement of Peace, Emboldening Bond, Channel Divinity: Balm of Peace, Protective Bond, Potent Spellcasting, Expansive BondDomain of peaceTasha's Cauldron of Everything
Protection DomainBonus Proficiency, Shield of the Faithful, Channel Divinity: Radiant Defense, Blessed Healer, Divine Strike, Indomitable DefenseDomain of focused on protecting the faithfulUA Cleric
Tempest DomainBonus Proficiencies, Wrath of the Storm, Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath, Thunderbolt Strike, Divine Strike, StormbornDomain of storms.Player's Handbook (5e)
Travel DomainDomain Spells, Bonus Proficiencies, Blessing of the Traveler, Channel Divinity: Ward, Channel Divinity: Tongues, Inexhaustible, Potent SpellcastingDomain of travelers, explorers, and adventurers.Rlyehable
Trickery DomainDomain Spells, Blessings of the Trickster, Channel Divinity: Invoke Duplicity, Channel Divinity: Cloak of Shadows, Divine Strike, Improved DuplicityDomain of tricks, pranks, and misdirection.Player's Handbook (5e)
Twilight DomainBonus Proficiencies, Eyes of Night, Vigilant Blessing, Channel Divinity: Twilight Sanctuary, Steps of Night, Divine Strike, Twilight Shroud, Domain SpellsDomain focuses on the change from light to dark.Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
Unity DomainDomain Spells, Emboldening Bond, Channel Divinity: Shared Burden, Protective Bond, Potent SpellcastingClerics who's deity has the aspect of Unity.UA 2020 Subclasses Part 2
Virtue DomainA follower of The Mana, seeking enlightenmentMax7238
War DomainBonus Proficiencies, War Priest, Channel Divinity: Guided Strike, Channel Divinity: War God's Blessing, Divine Strike, Avatar of BattleDomain of war, warfare, and warriors.Player's Handbook (5e)

Rule Tip: Divine Strike vs. Potent Spellcasting [1]
The Divine Domains in the Player's Handbook (5e) each give a cleric one of two features at 8th level: either Divine Strike or Potent Spellcasting. If the clerics of a domain typically rely on weapon use, those clerics get Divine Strike. Other clerics get Potent Spellcasting.


Domain SpellsEdit

Each domain has a list of spells — its domain spells - that you gain at the cleric levels noted in the domain description. Once you gain a domain spell, you always have it prepared, and it doesn't count against the number of spells you can prepare each day.

If you have a domain spell that doesn't appear on the cleric spell list, the spell is nonetheless a cleric spell for you.

Channel DivinityEdit

At 2nd level, you gain the ability to channel divine energy directly from your deity, using that energy to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Turn Undead and an effect determined by your domain. Some domains grant you additional effects as you advance in levels, as noted in the domain description.

When you use your Channel Divinity, you choose which effect to create. You must then finish a short or long rest to use your Channel Divinity again.

Some Channel Divinity effects require saving throws. When you use such an effect from this class, the DC equals your cleric spell save DC.

Beginning at 6th level, you can use your Channel Divinity twice between rests, and beginning at 18th level, you can use it three times between rests. When you finish a short or long rest, you regain your expended uses.

Channel Divinity: Turn UndeadEdit

As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead that can see or hear you within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any damage.

A turned creature must spend its turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the dash action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the dodge action.

Ability Score ImprovementEdit

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.

Destroy UndeadEdit

Starting at 5th level, when an undead fails its saving throw against your Turn Undead feature, the creature is instantly destroyed if its challenge rating is at or below a certain threshold, as shown in the Destroy Undead table.

Destroy Undead
Cleric Level Destroys Undead of CR ...
5th 1/2 or lower
8th 1 or lower
11th 2 or lower
14th 3 or lower
17th 4 or lower

Divine InterventionEdit

Beginning at 10th level, you can call on your deity to intervene on your behalf when your need is great.

Imploring your deity’s aid requires you to use your action. Describe the assistance you seek, and roll percentile dice. If you roll a number equal to or lower than your cleric level, your deity intervenes. The GM chooses the nature of the intervention; the effect of any cleric spell or cleric domain spell would be appropriate.

If your deity intervenes, you can’t use this feature again for 7 days. Otherwise, you can use it again after you finish a long rest.

At 20th level, your call for intervention succeeds automatically, no roll required.

End of the SRD5 material

Optional Class FeaturesEdit

When you reach certain levels you may, with your DM's permission, acquire these features:

Additional Cleric Spells

[2] 1st level. Unofficial Description: Gain an additional spells.


Harness Divine Power

[2] 2nd level. Unofficial Description: Regain a spell slot.


Cantrip Versatility

[3] 4th level. Unofficial Description: Replace cantrip at 4th, 8th, 12th, 16th, and 19th levels.


Blessed Strikes

[3] 8th level. Unofficial Description: Bonus damage from cantrips.


List of Clerics as CreaturesEdit

(16 official and unofficial Clerics)

Name Type Subtype Size HP CR (XP) Alignment Habitat Source
Drow Matron Mother Humanoid Elf, Drow, Cleric Medium 262 20 (25,000) Neutral Evil Underdark Varied, MToF, MotM
Drow Priestess of Lolth Humanoid Elf, Drow, Cleric Medium 71 8 (3,900) Neutral Evil Underdark Monster Manual (5e)
Eclavdra (Individual) Humanoid Elf, Cleric, Drow, Drow Priestess of Lolth Medium 71 8 (3,900) Chaotic Evil, Neutral Evil Underdark Tales from the Yawning Portal
Astral Elf Star Priest Humanoid Elf, Astral Elf, Cleric Medium 90 5 (1,800) Any Alignment Wildspace, Astral Sea Boo's Astral Menagerie
Ixitxachitl Cleric Aberration Ixitxachitl, Cleric Small 18 1/4 (50) Chaotic Evil Coastal, Underwater Out of the Abyss
Vampiric Ixitxachitl Cleric Aberration Ixitxachitl, Cleric Medium 2 (450) Chaotic Evil Coastal, Underwater Out of the Abyss
Janore Stormswake (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cleric Medium 27 2 (450) Urban GoS, SRD5
Kansaldi Fire-Eyes (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cleric Medium 172 11 (7,200) Lawful Evil Dragonlance Shadow of the Dragon Queen
Odium (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cultist, Cult Fanatic, Cleric Medium 33 2, 3 (450, 700) Neutral Evil Urban GoS, SRD5
Orc Eye of Gruumsh Humanoid Orc, Cleric Medium 45 2 (450) Chaotic Evil Arctic, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underdark, Underground Monster Manual (5e)
Ozymandias (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cleric, Priest Medium 27 2, 5 (450, 1,800) Neutral Evil Urban GoS, SRD5
Priest Humanoid Any Race, Cleric Medium 27 2 (450) Any Alignment Urban SRD-CC v5.1, SRD-OGL v5.1
Refrum (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cleric, Priest Medium 27 2 (450) Lawful Good Urban GoS, SRD5
Sahuagin Priestess Humanoid Sahuagin, Cleric Medium 33 2 (450) Lawful Evil Coastal, Underwater Monster Manual (5e)
Thadrah (Individual) Humanoid Sahuagin, Sahuagin High Priestess, Cleric Medium 71 5 (1,800) Lawful Evil Ghosts of Saltmarsh
Verminaard (Individual) Humanoid Human, Cleric Medium 143 17 (18,000) Lawful Evil Monstrous Compendium (5e)/Vol 2 Dragonlance Creatures

SourcesEdit

  • SRD-OGL v5.1 - 5th edition SRD/OGL document published Jan. 2016 by WotC



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