Baldurs Gate 3: Cleric - best build Baldurs Gate 3 guide, walkthrough

Last update: 01 December 2023

Although in popular belief, the spiritual Cleric is most often associated with the role of the team healer, this class has many more tricks up its sleeve that will come in handy in various situations. On this page of our Baldur's Gate 3 guide, we provide a variety of tips and build recommendations that will help your Cleric attain greatness and become a being of sheer power.

• Character creation wizard
• Class progression
• Ilithild Powers
• Allies, their skills and spells
• Equipment and bonuses from it
• Consumables

Character creation wizard

When in choice for a race viable for a Cleric (especially if you're considering wearing heavy armor), seriously consider Gold Dwarf. This race receives one extra hit point with each level, which as time progresses will translate into a hefty bonus.

Alternative choices include any variant of an Elf. Many Elven subraces (e.g. High Elf or Drow) receive additional cantrips or spells at the beginning of their adventure that will surely diversify your magic arsenal.

When choosing a Background, we recommend Acolyte who receives Proficiencies in Insight and Religion that work well with high Wisdom expected of this class. Alternatives include Folk Hero or Sailor.

Class progression

1. Cleric starts his adventure by choosing a subclass. For the purpose of this build, we decided on Life Domain. The Disciple of Life feature received with choosing this subclass will additionally empower your healing spells. It is also worth mentioning that Life Domain Clerics are proficient in Heavy Armor from the very beginning, which makes them suitable for the role of a tank. When it comes to Domain Spells, on level 1 your Cleric will automatically learn Bless and Cure Wounds. Domain Spells are always prepared. Additionally, when choosing standard tier 1 spells, consider Guidance, Guiding Bolt, Inflict Wounds, Healing Word, or Sanctuary.

1. Level 2 unlocks access to Cleric's trademark ability - Channel Divinity. It allows the class to perform a special action. All representatives of the class regardless of the patron deity receive access to Turn Undead, which is an action that forces all undead creatures in the area to flee. Additionally, with Life Domain subclass, you receive Preserve Life, which heals the caster and nearby allies by the amount of hit points equal to three times the Cleric's level. Finally, at this stage, you also receive Channel Divinity Charge (x1) that is replenished after a short or long rest.
2. At level 3, you'll automatically receive following Domain spells: Lesser Restoration, Aid. In addition, when choosing tier 2 spells, consider: Spiritual Weapon, Hold Person, and Warding Bond.
3. Level 4 means choosing your first Feat. As was the case with remaining caster classes, we recommend Ability Improvements. In the case of Cleric, you should invest it in Wisdom - more points in this attribute will make your spells more powerful.
4. On level 5, your Turn Undead will become a more powerful version called Destroy Undead. From now on, fleeing undead will receive a little Radiant damage. On this level, Clerics of Life Domain receive access to new spells: Revivify and Beacon of Hope. When it comes to choosing tier 3 spells, consider Mass Healing Word, Glyph of Warding, and Spirit Guardians.

1. At level 6, you'll receive an additional Channel Divinity charge. Blessed Healer feature from Life Domain subclass will make your healing spells targeted at allies also heal the Cleric.
2. Level 7 means new Life Domain spells - Death Ward, Guardian of Faith Additionally, you can choose your first tier 4 spell - choose Freedom of Movement which when cast improves the mobility and breaks the stun on a targeted ally.
3. On level 8, Life Domain clerics receive Divine Strike: Radiant that deals extra Radiant damage when striking an enemy with a melee weapon. You'll also be able to choose another Feat - we recommend Ability Improvements invested in Wisdom (to reach max 20 of Wisdom ability) or War Caster that will help in maintaining concentration during battles.
4. At level 9, you'll unlock access to new Domain spells - in the case of Life Domain, these will be Mass Cure Wounds and Greater Restoration. Additionally, tier 5 spells are unlocked, but you can only choose one spell now - consider Dispel Evil and Good, or Flame Strike.
5. Level 10 means a major skill - Divine Intervention - is unlocked. This is a unique ability - can only be used once for the entire game and there are 4 versions of it. We recommend considering Arm Thy Servant that gives access to Devotee's Mace weapon. Alternatively, you can hold off with using Divine Intervention up to the last possible moment and decide on Opulent Revival that resurrects allies and replenishes their health and spells as they would use a Long Rest.
6. Level 11 means introduction to the final, tier 6, of spells. Here we especially recommend: Heal, Harm and Planar Ally.
7. Finally, level 12, means choosing another Feat. If you already have Wisdom maxed out, consider the aforementioned War Caster.

Ilithild Powers

If during the game you decided to harness the powers by consuming the tadpole, consider Charm, Repulsor, and Concentrated Blast. However, the universal nature of the Illithid tree means that almost every ability has a tactical use.

Party members - their skills and spells

A heavy-armored Life Domain Cleric can fulfill two separate roles in his party. He can be a Tank, soaking damage and making sure that no one other than him is hurt, or a Healer, who thanks to his wide range of healing spells, can heal, or even resurrect downed allies. As a Cleric, don't be afraid of attacking enemies head on and this way distracting them from attacking remaining allies who may not have such high survivability as you (Wizards, Sorcerers, or Bards).

Cleric's supporting spells (e.g. Bless, or Freedom of Movement) will additionally unleash the potential of melee-oriented allies e.g. Fighters, Barbarians, or Monks.

Despite the default role of Cleric as a team healer, prepare some contingencies - a few healing spells in your Druid or Bard's repertoire will help you get out of a tight spot.

Equipment and bonuses from it

If in Act 1, you've decided to help the refugees in Druid Grove, Zelvor will reward you with Wapira's Crown - special headwear that gives a slight bonus activated with each casting of a healing spell. Further items improving your healing spells are Boots of Aid and Comfort available for purchase in Goblin Camp.

Obtainable towards the end of the game Helm of Balduran will provide a bonus to AC and help you survive in combat. Don't forget that thanks to your Heavy Armor Proficiency, you can wear the most formidable armors such as Reaper's Embrace.

Consumables

Here is a list of useful consumable items that you as a Cleric should have at your disposal:

1. All kinds of healing potions - useful both for you and your companions.
2. Oil of Accuracy - provides +2 to Attack Rolls.
3. All kinds of resistance potions - they will help you when fighting opponents who specialize in specific types of attacks.