Baldur’s Gate 3 has recently expanded its gameplay options with Patch 8, introducing various new subclasses, including the intriguing Death Domain Cleric. Unlike traditional clerics who oppose the undead, Death Domain Clerics embrace this theme, using necromancy to their advantage. These clerics stand out for their versatility as Necromancers, excelling in tanking, damage dealing, and providing critical utility in party play.
Understanding the Death Domain Cleric
The Death Domain Cleric shines in melee combat due to supplemental necrotic damage on strikes, an ability derived from their Channel Divinity and Level 8 features. Remarkably, these clerics can bypass resistance to necrotic damage, making them invaluable in specific encounters. Their arsenal includes spells that support a Drain Tank strategy, such as Vampiric Touch, further enhancing their combat effectiveness.
In addition to casting prowess, this subclass gains proficiency with martial weapons, a trait often reserved for classes like Fighters and Rangers. This allows the Death Domain Cleric to utilize high-damage weapons effectively. However, one must navigate a significant drawback: the class lacks proficiency in heavy armor, which could expose them to frequent hits and concentration loss unless mitigated by acquiring heavy armor proficiency or investing in high Dexterity with medium armor choices.
Combat Strategy for the Death Domain Cleric
A well-constructed Death Domain Cleric focuses on maintaining concentration on essential necrotic spells such as Spirit Guardians or Vampiric Touch, necessitating robust survivability through high AC and Constitution saves. Once concentration is established, players can concentrate on summoning undead allies, commanding them efficiently, and casting damaging spells like Inflict Wounds, Toll the Dead, and Chill Touch. This build particularly excels starting from level 6, unlocking significant power thresholds.
Optimal Character Creation for the Death Domain Cleric
When crafting a formidable Death Domain Cleric, the journey begins at character creation. Essential considerations include an appropriate distribution of Ability Scores and the decision to pursue either a pure Cleric build or a multiclass combination. Both options eventually provide access to similar items but differ in combat strengths. A multiclass approach sacrifices spell power for Constitution saving throw proficiency and heavy armor abilities, while a pure Cleric achieves quicker access to higher spell levels and retains all Ability Score Improvements (ASIs) available to characters.
This build advocates for a multiclass setup, initiating with a level in Fighter to gain Heavy Armor Proficiency, Second Wind, and Constitution saving throws, followed by 11 levels in the Death Domain Cleric to maintain access to high-level spells.
Best Races for the Death Domain Cleric
Choosing the right race for this character isn’t critical, but Humans can provide significant advantages. They offer increased carrying capacity and an extra proficiency, making them particularly useful since Clerics often struggle with encumbrance due to prioritizing Wisdom over Strength. Furthermore, having an additional proficiency enhances the character’s versatility.
Favorable Backgrounds for the Death Domain Cleric
When selecting a background, aim for those that confer unique proficiencies not replicated in the character’s other abilities. Focus on proficiencies aligned with Wisdom and Strength categories. Suitable options include Acolyte, Haunted One (ideal for Dark Urge characters), or Outlander.
In this context, Acolyte proves beneficial due to the character’s Fighter start, allowing players to choose from a separate proficiency list instead of overlapping clerical options.
Optimal Ability Scores for the Death Domain Cleric
Establishing Ability Scores is crucial for a Death Domain Cleric. Begin by prioritizing Wisdom, as it affects the success rate of Cleric spells and vital perception modifiers. Aim for a maximum of 17 in Wisdom, as this will be a key factor in gameplay.
Next, Constitution should also be prioritized for this build. This score dictates the character’s overall hit points and plays a pivotal role in concentration saves for spells like Faerie Fire, Banish, or Bless. Aiming for a score of at least 14 is prudent, with 15 allowing for greater flexibility in ASI distributions.
Lastly, select an attack focus, whether Strength or Dexterity, depending on weapon usage and armor alignment. Typically, choosing Dexterity is advisable unless heavy armor proficiency is acquired, making Strength the preferred stat in this build.
Act One Leveling & Gear Choices (Levels 1-6)
By level 5 or 6, players should be well-prepared to exit Act One with essential early gear and skills. Below is a brief overview of the Cleric’s early-level features.
|
Character Level |
Class Level |
Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Fighter 1 |
|
|
2 |
Cleric 1 |
|
|
3 |
Cleric 2 |
|
|
4 |
Cleric 3 |
|
|
5 |
Cleric 4 |
|
|
6 |
Cleric 5 |
|
Recommended Feat for 4th Level Cleric
At level 4, players should select an Ability Score Improvement to significantly boost their effectiveness, especially focusing on reaching 16 Constitution and 18 Wisdom, enhancing both survivability and spellcasting.
Top Low-Level Spells for the Death Domain Cleric
The Death Domain’s intrinsic spells already equip players with excellent tools for necromancy. However, the Cleric’s broad spell access allows for additional combat and utility spells. Notable spells include:
- Protection from Evil and Good: Effective against multiple enemy types, though concentration-hindered later spells.
Learning Chill Touch is also advisable, especially for Elf or Half-Elf players, as it synergizes well with the Reaper feature the Death Clerics gain at level one, despite its disadvantage when threatened.
Recommended Act One Armor for the Death Domain Cleric
During Act One, players should focus on acquiring magical medium armor rather than heavy armor due to the limited options available. The best pieces include:
- +1 Breastplate available from Dammon in the Grove
- Chain Shirt situated in the Festering Cove of the Underdark
Pair these with a shield, such as the Safeguard Shield, from the Grove to enhance defense further.
Optimal Act One Weapon for the Death Domain Cleric
The top weapon available in Act One for this build is the Lifebane Dagger, purchasable from Trader Grat in the Goblin Camp. This weapon not only leverages martial proficiency but also hampers enemy healing and imposes disadvantage on undead, making it particularly valuable as players approach Act Two.
Best Act One Jewelry Options for the Death Domain Cleric
While jewelry options in Act One are limited, several rings provide fantastic benefits across various builds. Prioritize these:
- Ring of Jumping: Acquired from Crusher in the Goblin Camp, enhances mobility.
- Bonewalker Ring: Available in Ebonlake Grotto from Derryth Bonecloak, assisting in accessing hidden treasures.
For amulets, consider the Amulet of Lost Voices from the Spectator in the Underdark for additional utility.
Act Two Leveling & Gear Choices (Levels 7-10)
As players enter Act Two, most characters will reach levels 7-10. Here are optimal leveling paths, gear, and spell selections for a Death Domain Cleric during this phase.
|
Character Level |
Class Level |
Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
|
7 |
Cleric 6 |
|
|
8 |
Cleric 7 |
|
|
9 |
Cleric 8 |
|
|
10 |
Cleric 9 |
|
Recommended Feat for 8th Level Cleric
As this build reaches its significant power milestones, the best options include another Ability Score Improvement to elevate Wisdom to 20, impacting hit probabilities and Spell Save DC, while Warcaster provides advantageous Concentration saves as another great option.
Essential 4th & 5th Level Spells for a Death Domain Cleric
The Domain Spells continue to impress for the Death Domain Cleric. Players can effectively manage encounters by merely enhancing lower-level spells. However, notable general Cleric spells during Act 2 include:
- Mass Cure Wounds
Best Act Two Armor for the Death Domain Cleric
During Act Two, players will access some of the best gear for their build. Aim for a combination of components from Dark Justiciar Gear and legendary items from Ketheric. The Dark Justiciar set adds extra necrotic damage on weapon hits and various bonuses based on rarity. Moreover, pieces like Ketheric’s Shield enhance spellcasting and offer decent armor class. Aim to acquire:
- Reaper’s Embrace from the Gauntlet of Shar
- Ketheric’s Shield for bonus spell attack and Save DC
Optimal Act Two Weapons for the Death Domain Cleric
Act Two features multiple compelling weapons suited to this build. Depending on playstyle, consider:
- Staff of Cherished Necromancy: Located in Philgrave’s Mansion, this weapon significantly enhances spellcasting capabilities, granting disadvantage on saving throws for necromancy spells.
- Wrath of Wills: Ideal for those who prefer physical combat while concentrating, setting Strength to 18 greatly improves attack reliability.
- Wizard’s Grasp: This legendary weapon allows a free spell cast each day and raises Spell Save DC and Attack Bonus by +1, retrieved from Ramazith’s Tower.
- Woe: Rewarded for defeating Cazador Szarr, it boosts survivability by healing against failed saving throws.
Best Act Two Jewelry & Accessories for the Death Domain Cleric
While Act One jewelry remains useful, players can secure great items from Moonrise Towers and the Mausoleum. Key options include:
- Circle of Bones: Obtained from the roof of Moonrise, vital for summoning undead and bolstering your army.
- Ring of Exalted Marrow: Awarded by defeating Balthazar, enhances defense for your summoned undead.
- Crypt Lord Ring: Useful for conjuring mummy followers.
- Vivacious Cloak: Found in the Grand Mausoleum, offers crucial resistances and bonuses.
Act Three Leveling & Gear Choices (Levels 11-12)
Upon entering Act Three, players will approach the game’s final level thresholds. The last two levels are crucial for this build, providing access to level 6 spells.
|
Character Level |
Class Level |
Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
|
11 |
Cleric 10 |
|
|
12 |
Cleric 11 |
|
Best 6th Level Spells for a Death Domain Cleric
Players should continue upcasting Spirit Guardians and Vampiric Touch, but the spell Harm is essential for maximizing damage, leveraging the Death Domain’s strengths by ignoring necrotic resistances. Additionally, Create Undead allows players to bolster their ranks, with synergy from the Crypt Lord Ring.
Best Act Three Armor for the Death Domain Cleric
Act Three offers enhancements to your earlier armor setup. The focus should be on acquiring better boots and gloves to boost survivability and casting efficiency. Key components include:
- Gloves of Baneful Striking, allowing for dual necromancy strikes per round, available from Rolan or Lorrokan’s Projection.
- Boots of Persistence from Dammon, facilitating increased mobility.
Best Act Three Weapon for the Death Domain Cleric
In the final act, players can acquire a selection of formidable weapons tailored to the Death Domain Cleric’s needs. Each option serves a different playstyle:
- The Staff of Cherished Necromancy: A spell-focused option retrieved from Philgrave’s Mansion, offering substantial boosts to necromancy spells.
- Wrath of Wills: A powerful melee-focused weapon that boosts Strength significantly.
- Wizard’s Grasp: This legendary artifact offers daily free spellcasting advantages and bolstered spell attributes.
- Woe: A strategic choice for those seeking spell synergy and enhanced survivability.
Jewelry & Accessories for the Death Domain Cleric in Act Three
Many jewelry options from previous acts remain highly relevant, but significant updates become available in Act Three:
The Amulet of Lost Voices emerges as an excellent find, enabling spell slot restoration, a crucial asset for maintaining a cleric’s defensive and offensive capabilities.
