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Cleric Spell List 5e: Delving into the diverse and powerful spellcasting options available to clerics in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is crucial for crafting a compelling and effective character. This guide explores the nuances of cleric spell lists across all levels, examining domain-specific spells, strategic spell combinations, and the impact of spell choices on gameplay. We will analyze both low-level utility spells and high-level game-changing abilities, providing practical examples and insights to enhance your understanding and mastery of the cleric class.

From cantrips to level 9 spells, we will dissect the strategic advantages and disadvantages of various spell selections, offering practical advice on optimizing your cleric’s spell list for different playstyles and campaign scenarios. We’ll explore how different cleric domains influence spell access and how these spells synergize to overcome various challenges encountered during adventuring. This exploration will provide a thorough understanding of the versatility and power inherent within the cleric spell list.

Introduction to 5e Cleric Spell Lists: Cleric Spell List 5e

The Cleric, a powerful spellcaster in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, derives their magical abilities from a divine source, typically a deity or a powerful nature force. Unlike wizards who learn spells through study, clerics receive their spells as a gift from their deity, reflecting their faith and devotion. This divine connection profoundly shapes their spellcasting capabilities, granting access to a unique and potent repertoire of spells tailored to their chosen domain.

Cleric spellcasting is a crucial element of their effectiveness in combat and support roles.Cleric spellcasting differs from other spellcasters in several key ways. First, clerics prepare their spells each day, selecting from a list of spells they know. This preparation allows for flexibility and adaptation to different situations. Second, clerics typically have access to a broader range of spells that encompass healing, protection, and offensive capabilities.

Finally, the cleric’s chosen domain significantly impacts the spells available to them, shaping their overall capabilities and playstyle.

Cleric Domains and Their Spell Lists

Cleric domains represent different aspects of the divine, each granting access to a unique selection of spells. These spells often reflect the domain’s thematic focus, enhancing a cleric’s effectiveness within a specific role. For example, a cleric of the Life domain will have access to potent healing spells, while a cleric of the War domain will possess powerful offensive spells.

The selection of a domain is a critical decision that significantly influences a cleric’s overall character build and effectiveness throughout the campaign. Choosing a domain should align with the character’s personality, backstory, and intended role within the party.

The Importance of Spell Selection for Cleric Character Builds

Careful consideration of spell selection is paramount for building an effective cleric character. The spells a cleric chooses to prepare each day directly impact their ability to contribute to the party’s success. A cleric focusing on healing should prioritize spells like

• Cure Wounds* and
• Healing Word*, while a cleric focused on combat might prefer spells like
• Guiding Bolt* and
• Spiritual Weapon*. A well-rounded cleric will balance offensive, defensive, and healing spells to adapt to various challenges. Furthermore, understanding the limitations of spell slots and the different spell levels is crucial for effective spell management. Over-reliance on high-level spells can leave a cleric vulnerable when these resources are depleted. Conversely, neglecting higher-level spells can limit the cleric’s effectiveness against powerful foes.

  Effective spell selection, therefore, requires strategic planning and a deep understanding of the cleric’s role within the party dynamic.

Analyzing Low-Level Cleric Spells (Cantrips & Levels 1-3)

A cleric’s effectiveness in the early levels of a Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition campaign hinges significantly on the judicious selection and application of their cantrips and low-level spells. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for success in both combat and exploration. This analysis will examine the utility of common cleric cantrips and essential spells at levels 1-3, culminating in a sample combat encounter showcasing effective spell usage.Cleric cantrips offer consistent, low-resource options for damage, healing, and utility, shaping a cleric’s role in the party.

Choosing the right cantrips complements a cleric’s chosen domain and overall playstyle.

Cleric Cantrip Utility Comparison

The most common cleric cantrips are Guidance, Light, Sacred Flame, and Thaumaturgy. Guidance provides a minor bonus to ability checks, useful for skill challenges and crucial moments. Light offers a simple, reliable light source, invaluable in dark environments. Sacred Flame deals radiant damage, effective against undead and fiends, while Thaumaturgy creates minor magical effects for subtle communication or intimidation.

The choice between these depends heavily on the cleric’s role within the party and their preferred approach to adventuring. A cleric focused on support might prioritize Guidance and Light, while a more combat-oriented cleric might favor Sacred Flame. Thaumaturgy provides utility in social encounters and exploration, making it a valuable option regardless of specialization.

Essential Level 1 Cleric Spells

Three spells stand out as essential for a level 1 cleric: Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, and Bless. Cure Wounds is the foundational healing spell, offering immediate relief to injured allies. Its consistent healing output makes it indispensable in any party. Guiding Bolt provides both radiant damage and advantage on the next attack against the target, increasing the party’s offensive capabilities.

Choosing spells for your cleric in 5e can be a strategic decision, impacting your party’s overall effectiveness. After a long day of planning your character’s build and poring over the cleric spell list 5e, you might find yourself craving a hearty meal; perhaps a quick search for the best soup near me would be a welcome break.

Returning to the cleric spell list 5e, remember to consider both offensive and supportive options to best serve your party’s needs.

Finally, Bless enhances the party’s attacks and saving throws, providing a significant boost to combat effectiveness for the entire party. These three spells cover the core needs of a level 1 cleric: healing, damage, and party support.

Level 3 Cleric Combat Encounter

Consider a level 3 cleric facing three ghouls in a dimly lit crypt. The cleric, having chosen the Light domain, begins by casting Light on a nearby torch, illuminating the area and providing visibility for their allies. They then use Guiding Bolt to strike a ghoul, dealing radiant damage and giving an ally advantage on their next attack.

As the ghouls close in, the cleric uses Spiritual Weapon, summoning a spectral weapon to attack one of the ghouls while they continue to support their allies with cantrips like Sacred Flame. Finally, if an ally is injured, the cleric can use Cure Wounds to quickly restore their health. This encounter showcases the cleric’s ability to control the battlefield with light, deal damage, support allies, and heal effectively, highlighting the versatility of their spell list at level 3.

The combination of offensive and supportive spells allows the cleric to contribute meaningfully in combat, making them a valuable asset to any adventuring party.

Mid-Level Cleric Spells (Levels 4-7)

Reaching the mid-levels in a cleric’s spellcasting progression marks a significant shift in strategic capabilities. Access to spells of 4th to 7th level grants the cleric a greater degree of battlefield control and survivability, allowing for more impactful interventions and a broader range of tactical options. This phase sees the cleric transition from primarily supporting roles to potentially becoming a significant damage dealer and battlefield manipulator.The strategic implications of higher-level spells are multifaceted.

Clerics gain access to spells that can significantly impact large groups of enemies, providing area-of-effect control and damage. Simultaneously, they acquire powerful healing and protective spells capable of turning the tide of even the most challenging encounters. This increased versatility allows clerics to adapt to a wider range of situations and play a more decisive role in combat and out-of-combat scenarios.

Furthermore, higher-level spells often offer unique effects beyond simple damage or healing, allowing for creative problem-solving and tactical maneuvers.

Examples of Spell Combinations to Overcome Challenges

A cleric might combine the area-of-effect damage of

• Fire Storm* (level 5) with the battlefield control of
• Hold Person* (level 2) to effectively neutralize a group of enemies. First, using
• Hold Person* to incapacitate a powerful enemy or spellcaster prevents them from interfering while the cleric unleashes
• Fire Storm* on the remaining threats. Alternatively, a cleric facing a heavily armored foe could use
• Divine Word* (level 7) to deal significant damage, bypassing armor, and then follow up with
• Guardian of Faith* (level 1) to protect allies from potential retaliation. In a situation requiring escape or strategic repositioning, a cleric could utilize
• Dimension Door* (level 4) for rapid tactical relocation, followed by a healing spell to restore health after the maneuver. These are just a few examples of how a cleric can creatively combine spells to achieve tactical advantage.

Comparison of Level 5 Cleric Spells

The following table compares three level 5 cleric spells, highlighting their damage output and utility:

Spell Name	School	Description	Use Case
Fire Storm	Evocation	Summons a storm of fire that engulfs a 20-foot-radius sphere. Deals significant fire damage to creatures in the area.	Ideal for clearing out groups of weaker enemies or dealing significant damage to a cluster of foes.
Hold Monster	Enchantment	Paralyzes a large creature for a duration, rendering it unable to act.	Excellent for neutralizing a powerful single target, allowing allies to focus on other threats or giving the cleric time to prepare a more powerful attack.
Raise Dead	Necromancy	Resurrects a deceased creature, restoring it to full health.	Crucial for recovering fallen allies, preserving party strength and maintaining overall combat effectiveness.

High-Level Cleric Spells (Levels 8+)

High-level cleric spells represent a dramatic shift in power, transforming the cleric from a capable support character into a potent force capable of influencing the very fabric of reality. These spells are not simply stronger versions of their lower-level counterparts; they introduce entirely new tactical options and the potential to dramatically alter the outcome of even the most challenging encounters.

Their strategic deployment can mean the difference between victory and utter defeat for the party.The sheer power of these spells allows for creative solutions to problems previously insurmountable. Clerics wielding such abilities can effectively reshape the battlefield, bolster their allies’ defenses to an incredible degree, and unleash devastating offensive capabilities. Understanding these spells is crucial for any high-level cleric player or Dungeon Master.

The Impact of High-Level Cleric Spells on Campaign Progression

High-level cleric spells fundamentally alter the strategic landscape of a campaign. They can overcome obstacles that previously seemed insurmountable. For instance, a party facing a seemingly impenetrable fortress might utilize a spell like

• Gate* to bypass the defenses entirely, transporting the party directly to the heart of the enemy stronghold. Similarly, a powerful healing spell like
• Divine Word* can instantly decimate a horde of lesser enemies, allowing the party to focus on more formidable threats. The availability of such spells changes the risk/reward calculus of adventuring, allowing for bolder strategies and a greater capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. This is especially impactful in long-term campaigns where the stakes are continuously raised. A single well-placed high-level spell can completely redefine the trajectory of a campaign arc.

Mechanics and Effects of Three Powerful Level 9 Cleric Spells, Cleric spell list 5e

Three particularly potent level 9 cleric spells showcase the breadth of power available at this level:

• Gate*,
• Divine Word*, and
• Mass Heal*.

*Gate* instantly transports the caster and up to eight willing creatures to a specified location within a range of up to 100 miles. This allows for tactical repositioning, rapid escape from dangerous situations, or even surprise attacks from unexpected angles. Imagine the party facing a powerful dragon in a cramped cave system.

Gate* could provide an immediate escape or reposition the party to a more advantageous location, potentially changing the battle’s outcome drastically.

*Divine Word* is a devastating area-of-effect spell that targets all creatures within a 30-foot radius. Any creature that fails a Constitution saving throw is instantly slain. This spell offers unparalleled crowd control and allows the cleric to quickly eliminate large numbers of weaker enemies. This can dramatically streamline encounters and protect the party from overwhelming numbers. Consider a dungeon crawl with waves of lesser minions protecting a powerful boss;

Divine Word* could clear the path to the boss, significantly reducing the party’s overall risk.

*Mass Heal* is a potent healing spell capable of restoring a massive amount of hit points to multiple creatures. It can instantly revive fallen allies and bolster the party’s survivability in the face of overwhelming odds. This ensures the party can continue fighting even after suffering heavy casualties. In a grueling dungeon crawl where the party faces multiple challenging encounters,

Mass Heal* can be the difference between surviving and total party kill.

Supporting a Party in a Challenging Dungeon Crawl with High-Level Cleric Spells

A high-level cleric can leverage their spellcasting prowess to provide comprehensive support during a dungeon crawl. Before entering a particularly dangerous section of the dungeon, the cleric might cast

• Gate* to create a quick escape route. Facing a horde of enemies in a narrow corridor?
• Divine Word* clears the way, minimizing risk. After a brutal encounter,
• Mass Heal* quickly restores the party to full fighting capacity. The cleric’s tactical flexibility and the potent nature of their high-level spells allow them to proactively mitigate risks, overcome obstacles, and dramatically increase the party’s chances of success. Their spells can not only heal and protect but also reshape the battlefield to the party’s advantage, creating opportunities where none previously existed.

Domain-Specific Spell Lists

Cleric domains offer significant variations in spellcasting capabilities, shaping the character’s role within a party. Understanding these differences is crucial for effective character building and strategic gameplay. By examining the thematic elements and practical implications of specific domain spell lists, players can make informed choices aligning with their desired playstyle and party composition.

Life Domain Spell List Analysis

The Life domain focuses on healing and preservation of life. Its spell list reflects this through a heavy emphasis on healing spells and spells that enhance the party’s survivability. The inclusion of spells like

• Bless*,
• Healing Word*, and
• Revivify* at lower levels highlights the domain’s commitment to immediate and impactful healing. At higher levels, spells such as
• Guardian Angel* and
• Mass Heal* further solidify this focus, providing substantial support in challenging encounters.

• Advantages: Exceptional healing capabilities, strong party support, reliable survivability through buffs and healing spells.
• Disadvantages: Limited offensive capabilities, reliance on maintaining party health, less versatility in combat situations outside of healing.

Trickery Domain Spell List Analysis

The Trickery domain provides a blend of deception and utility spells. Unlike the Life domain’s direct healing focus, Trickery emphasizes manipulation and tactical advantage. Spells such as

• Disguise Self*,
• Mirror Image*, and
• Blur* at lower levels demonstrate this focus on deception and evasion. Higher-level spells like
• Dimension Door* and
• Dominate Person* showcase the domain’s ability to control the battlefield and manipulate opponents.

• Advantages: High versatility, strong tactical options, exceptional control over battlefield and opponents, potential for powerful deception strategies.
• Disadvantages: Fewer direct healing options, reliance on strategic planning and positioning, less effective in direct combat situations without proper setup.

War Domain Spell List Analysis

The War domain is characterized by its focus on offensive capabilities and battlefield control. Its spell list reflects this through a selection of spells that bolster the cleric’s combat prowess and enhance the party’s ability to engage in direct conflict. Spells like

• Divine Favor*,
• Spiritual Weapon*, and
• Shield of Faith* provide immediate offensive and defensive support at lower levels. Higher-level spells such as
• Wrath of the Righteous* and
• Flame Strike* significantly increase the domain’s damage output and area-of-effect control.

• Advantages: Strong offensive capabilities, significant battlefield control, ability to directly engage and damage enemies, enhances party combat effectiveness.
• Disadvantages: Fewer healing and support options compared to Life domain, less versatile in non-combat situations, heavily reliant on direct confrontation.

Cleric Spell List Optimization

Optimizing a cleric’s spell list is crucial for effective gameplay. A well-chosen selection of spells allows a cleric to excel in their chosen role, whether that’s battlefield control, healing, or support. This involves understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different spells, considering the cleric’s subclass abilities, and anticipating the challenges of the specific campaign setting.Effective spell combinations leverage synergies between spells and cleric abilities.

Careful planning ensures that the cleric’s spell slots are used to maximum effect, addressing a variety of potential encounters.

Effective Spell Combinations for Different Cleric Subclasses

The optimal spell selection varies significantly depending on the cleric subclass. For example, a Life Domain cleric will prioritize healing and protective spells, while a Trickery Domain cleric might focus on deception and battlefield control.

• Life Domain: A Life Domain cleric might include Healing Word, Bless, Spiritual Weapon, and Revivify. Healing Word provides quick healing at range, Bless boosts the party’s attack rolls and saving throws, Spiritual Weapon provides consistent damage, and Revivify offers crucial resurrection capabilities. This combination focuses on immediate healing and battlefield support, reflecting the domain’s emphasis on life and preservation.

• Trickery Domain: A Trickery Domain cleric could use Disguise Self, Mirror Image, Blur, and Shadow Step. These spells enhance deception and mobility, allowing for infiltration, evasion, and tactical repositioning. This combination plays to the domain’s emphasis on subterfuge and illusion.
• War Domain: A War Domain cleric might select Divine Favor, Spiritual Weapon, Shield of Faith, and Wrathful Smite. This combination focuses on enhancing combat prowess, boosting both offensive and defensive capabilities. The synergy between these spells creates a powerful combat support character.

Factors to Consider When Optimizing a Cleric’s Spell List for a Specific Campaign Setting

The campaign setting significantly influences optimal spell selection. A campaign heavy on undead encounters would benefit from spells like Turn Undead and Destroy Undead. Conversely, a campaign focused on wilderness exploration might favor spells like Guidance, Create Food and Water, and Protection from Energy.

• Campaign Environment: Spells effective in a dungeon crawl might be less useful in a wilderness setting. Consider the types of terrains and environments the party will face.
• Enemy Types: The predominant enemy types (undead, fiends, beasts, etc.) dictate which spells will be most effective.
• Party Composition: The party’s strengths and weaknesses inform the cleric’s spell choices. If the party lacks strong damage dealers, the cleric might choose more offensive spells. If the party lacks healing, the cleric should prioritize healing spells.
• Campaign Goals: The overall objectives of the campaign will influence the cleric’s spell selection. A campaign focused on investigation might benefit from spells that enhance perception or provide information.

Sample Optimized Cleric Character Sheet

This example showcases a Life Domain cleric optimized for healing and support in a dungeon-crawl setting.

Name	Seraphina
Class	Cleric (Life Domain)
Level	5
Cantrips	Guidance, Light, Sacred Flame
1st Level	Cure Wounds, Bless, Healing Word
2nd Level	Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration
3rd Level	Revivify

This spell selection prioritizes healing and battlefield support. Cure Wounds and Healing Word provide immediate healing, while Bless enhances the party’s combat effectiveness. Spiritual Weapon provides consistent damage, and Revivify offers crucial resurrection capabilities. Lesser Restoration addresses conditions that might hinder the party. This combination effectively addresses the needs of a party in a dungeon setting, providing both immediate and long-term support.

Illustrative Examples of Cleric Spell Usage

Cleric spells, in the hands of a skilled practitioner, can dramatically alter the course of combat and overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The versatility of the cleric class lies in its ability to heal, control, and provide utility, often making the difference between victory and defeat. The following examples demonstrate the potent impact of specific spells in various scenarios.

A Healing Spell Turning the Tide of Battle

The battle raged. Goblins swarmed the small band of adventurers, their crude weapons finding purchase against weary flesh. Anya, the party’s cleric, stood amidst the chaos, her face grim but determined. Two of her companions lay wounded, bleeding profusely, their fighting spirit waning. One, a halfling rogue named Pip, had taken a nasty gash across his arm, severely limiting his mobility.

The other, a human fighter named Gareth, gasped for breath, a goblin spear protruding from his shoulder. Anya knew she had to act quickly. With a whispered prayer to her deity, she channeled divine energy, casting

• Mass Cure Wounds*. A brilliant golden light enveloped the wounded adventurers, the wounds closing visibly. Pip, his pain momentarily forgotten, sprang back to his feet, while Gareth, though still wincing, managed to pull the spear free. The renewed vigor of her allies turned the tide of battle; emboldened by the cleric’s intervention, the adventurers routed the remaining goblins, securing a hard-fought victory.

  The sheer power of

• Mass Cure Wounds* in restoring the party’s combat effectiveness is clearly illustrated in this example.

Using a Control Spell to Incapacitate a Dangerous Enemy

A hulking ogre, its eyes blazing with rage, charged towards the party, its massive club poised to strike. The ogre, a brute of immense strength and surprisingly quick reflexes, had already felled one of the adventurers. Fear threatened to grip the remaining party members, but Elara, their cleric, remained calm. She understood that a direct confrontation would be suicidal.

Instead, she raised her holy symbol, focusing her will, and unleashed a

• Hold Person* spell. A wave of divine energy washed over the ogre, its powerful muscles seizing as its body became rigid. The ogre froze mid-stride, its club clattering harmlessly to the ground. The sudden incapacitation gave the party a precious opportunity to regroup and devise a strategy. While the ogre remained paralyzed, they were able to safely maneuver around it, avoiding further harm and ultimately defeating it with carefully placed attacks.

  This demonstrates how a control spell like

• Hold Person* can drastically alter the balance of power in combat, transforming a seemingly insurmountable threat into a manageable obstacle.

Employing a Utility Spell to Overcome a Significant Obstacle

The party found themselves trapped in a flooded cave system, the water rising rapidly. Escape seemed impossible. Panic began to set in. Then, Liam, the cleric, remembered theCreate or Destroy Water* spell. He focused his energy, chanting the sacred words, and a shimmering wave of divine power swept through the cave.

With precise control, he caused a section of the cave wall to crumble, creating a new passage that allowed them to escape the rising waters. The timely use of this utility spell transformed a life-threatening situation into a manageable challenge, showcasing the problem-solving capabilities of the cleric class beyond simple healing and combat. The cleric’s ability to think creatively and adapt their spells to various situations proved to be crucial for the party’s survival.

Last Recap

Mastering the cleric spell list in D&D 5e is a journey of understanding both the tactical implications of individual spells and the synergistic potential of combining them. This guide has provided a framework for exploring this complex yet rewarding aspect of the cleric class. By carefully considering your domain, playstyle, and the specific challenges of your campaign, you can effectively optimize your spell selection and become a truly indispensable member of your adventuring party.

Remember, the best spell list is the one that best suits your character’s role and the needs of your party.