Cleric

Player's Handbook 5.5e

A Miraculous Priest of Divine Power

Core Cleric Traits

Primary Ability	Wisdom
Hit Point Die	D8 per Cleric level
Saving Throw Proficiencies	Wisdom and Charisma
Skill Proficiencies	Choose 2: History, Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, or Religion
Weapon Proficiencies	Simple weapons
Armor Training	Light and Medium armor and Shields
Starting Equipment	Choose A or B: (A) Chain Shirt, Shield, Mace, Holy Symbol, Priest’s Pack, and 7 GP; or (B) 110 GP

Clerics draw power from the realms of the gods and harness it to work miracles. Blessed by a deity, a pantheon, or another immortal entity, a Cleric can reach out to the divine magic of the Outer Planes—where gods dwell—and channel it to bolster people and battle foes.

Because their power is a divine gift, Clerics typically associate themselves with temples dedicated to the deity or other immortal force that unlocked their magic. Harnessing divine magic doesn’t rely on specific training, yet Clerics might learn prayers and rites that help them draw on power from the Outer Planes.

Not every member of a temple or shrine is a Cleric. Some priests are called to a simple life of temple service, carrying out their devotion through prayer and rituals, not through magic. Many mortals claim to speak for the gods, but few can marshal the power of those gods the way a Cleric can.

Becoming a Cleric…

As a Level 1 Cleric

• Gain all the traits in the Core Cleric Traits table.
• Gain the Cleric’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Cleric Features table.

As a Multiclass Cleric

• Gain the following traits from the Core Cleric Traits table: Hit Point Die and training with Light and Medium armor and Shields.
• Gain the Cleric’s level 1 features, which are listed in the Cleric Features table. See the multiclassing rules to determine your available spell slots.

Cleric Class Features

As a Cleric, you gain the following class features when you reach the specified Cleric levels. These features are listed in the Cleric Features table.

Cleric Features

Level	Proficiency Bonus	Class Features	Channel Divinity	Cantrips	Prepared Spells	—Spell Slots per Spell Level—
						1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
1	+2	Spellcasting, Divine Order	—	3	4	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2	+2	Channel Divinity	2	3	5	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
3	+2	Cleric Subclass	2	3	6	4	2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4	+2	Ability Score Improvement	2	4	7	4	3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
5	+3	Sear Undead	2	4	9	4	3	2	—	—	—	—	—	—
6	+3	Subclass feature	3	4	10	4	3	3	—	—	—	—	—	—
7	+3	Blessed Strikes	3	4	11	4	3	3	1	—	—	—	—	—
8	+3	Ability Score Improvement	3	4	12	4	3	3	2	—	—	—	—	—
9	+4	—	3	4	14	4	3	3	3	1	—	—	—	—
10	+4	Divine Intervention	3	5	15	4	3	3	3	2	—	—	—	—
11	+4	—	3	5	16	4	3	3	3	2	1	—	—	—
12	+4	Ability Score Improvement	3	5	16	4	3	3	3	2	1	—	—	—
13	+5	—	3	5	17	4	3	3	3	2	1	1	—	—
14	+5	Improved Blessed Strikes	3	5	17	4	3	3	3	2	1	1	—	—
15	+5	—	3	5	18	4	3	3	3	2	1	1	1	—
16	+5	Ability Score Improvement	3	5	18	4	3	3	3	2	1	1	1	—
17	+6	Subclass feature	3	5	19	4	3	3	3	2	1	1	1	1
18	+6	—	4	5	20	4	3	3	3	3	1	1	1	1
19	+6	Epic Boon	4	5	21	4	3	3	3	3	2	1	1	1
20	+6	Greater Divine Intervention	4	5	22	4	3	3	3	3	2	2	1	1

Level 1: Spellcasting

You have learned to cast spells through prayer and meditation. See Spellcasting for the rules on spellcasting. The information below details how you use those rules with Cleric spells, which appear on the Cleric spell list later in the class’s description.

Cantrips. You know three cantrips of your choice from the Cleric spell list. Guidance, Sacred Flame, and Thaumaturgy are recommended.

Whenever you gain a Cleric level, you can replace one of your cantrips with another cantrip of your choice from the Cleric spell list.

When you reach Cleric levels 4 and 10, you learn another cantrip of your choice from the Cleric spell list, as shown in the Cantrips column of the Cleric Features table.

Spell Slots. The Cleric Features table shows how many spell slots you have to cast your level 1+ spells. You regain all expended slots when you finish a Long Rest.

Prepared Spells of Level 1+. You prepare the list of level 1+ spells that are available for you to cast with this feature. To start, choose four level 1 spells from the Cleric spell list. Bless, Cure Wounds, Guiding Bolt, and Shield of Faith are recommended.

The number of spells on your list increases as you gain Cleric levels, as shown in the Prepared Spells column of the Cleric Features table. Whenever that number increases, choose additional spells from the Cleric spell list until the number of spells on your list matches the number on the table. The chosen spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots. For example, if you’re a level 3 Cleric, your list of prepared spells can include six spells of levels 1 and 2 in any combination.

If another Cleric feature gives you spells that you always have prepared, those spells don’t count against the number of spells you can prepare with this feature, but those spells otherwise count as Cleric spells for you.

Changing Your Prepared Spells. Whenever you finish a Long Rest, you can change your list of prepared spells, replacing any of the spells there with other Cleric spells for which you have spell slots.

Spellcasting Ability. Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for your Cleric spells.

Spellcasting Focus. You can use a Holy Symbol as a Spellcasting Focus for your Cleric spells.

Level 1: Divine Order

You have dedicated yourself to one of the following sacred roles of your choice.

Protector. Trained for battle, you gain proficiency with Martial weapons and training with Heavy armor.

Thaumaturge. You know one extra cantrip from the Cleric spell list. In addition, your mystical connection to the divine gives you a bonus to your Intelligence (Arcana or Religion) checks. The bonus equals your Wisdom modifier (minimum of +1).

Level 2: Channel Divinity

You can channel divine energy directly from the Outer Planes to fuel magical effects. You start with two such effects: Divine Spark and Turn Undead, each of which is described below. Each time you use this class’s Channel Divinity, choose which Channel Divinity effect from this class to create. You gain additional effect options at higher Cleric levels.

You can use this class’s Channel Divinity twice. You regain one of its expended uses when you finish a Short Rest, and you regain all expended uses when you finish a Long Rest. You gain additional uses when you reach certain Cleric levels, as shown in the Channel Divinity column of the Cleric Features table.

If a Channel Divinity effect requires a saving throw, the DC equals the spell save DC from this class’s Spellcasting feature.

Divine Spark. As a Magic action, you point your Holy Symbol at another creature you can see within 30 feet of yourself and focus divine energy at it. Roll 1d8 and add your Wisdom modifier. You either restore Hit Points to the creature equal to that total or force the creature to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes Necrotic or Radiant damage (your choice) equal to that total. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much damage (round down).

You roll an additional d8 when you reach Cleric levels 7 (2d8), 13 (3d8), and 18 (4d8).

Turn Undead. As a Magic action, you present your Holy Symbol and censure Undead creatures. Each Undead of your choice within 30 feet of you must make a Wisdom saving throw. If the creature fails its save, it has the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions for 1 minute. For that duration, it tries to move as far from you as it can on its turns. This effect ends early on the creature if it takes any damage, if you have the Incapacitated condition, or if you die.

Level 3: Cleric Subclass

You gain a Cleric subclass of your choice. A subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Cleric levels. For the rest of your career, you gain each of your subclass’s features that are of your Cleric level or lower.

Level 4: Ability Score Improvement

You gain the Ability Score Improvement feat or another feat of your choice for which you qualify. You gain this feature again at Cleric levels 8, 12, and 16.

Level 5: Sear Undead

Whenever you use Turn Undead, you can roll a number of d8s equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1d8) and add the rolls together. Each Undead that fails its saving throw against that use of Turn Undead takes Radiant damage equal to the roll’s total. This damage doesn’t end the turn effect.

Level 7: Blessed Strikes

Divine power infuses you in battle. You gain one of the following options of your choice (if you get either option from a Cleric subclass in an older book, use only the option you choose for this feature).

Divine Strike. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with an attack roll using a weapon, you can cause the target to take an extra 1d8 Necrotic or Radiant damage (your choice).

Potent Spellcasting. Add your Wisdom modifier to the damage you deal with any Cleric cantrip.

Level 10: Divine Intervention

You can call on your deity or pantheon to intervene on your behalf. As a Magic action, choose any Cleric spell of level 5 or lower that doesn’t require a Reaction to cast. As part of the same action, you cast that spell without expending a spell slot or needing Material components. You can’t use this feature again until you finish a Long Rest.

Caption

A Cleric prays for the day’s spells

Level 14: Improved Blessed Strikes

The option you chose for Blessed Strikes grows more powerful.

Divine Strike. The extra damage of your Divine Strike increases to 2d8.

Potent Spellcasting. When you cast a Cleric cantrip and deal damage to a creature with it, you can give vitality to yourself or another creature within 60 feet of yourself, granting a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to twice your Wisdom modifier.

Level 19: Epic Boon

You gain an Epic Boon feator another feat of your choice for which you qualify. Boon of Fate is recommended.

Level 20: Greater Divine Intervention

You can call on even more powerful divine intervention. When you use your Divine Intervention feature, you can choose Wish when you select a spell. If you do so, you can’t use Divine Intervention again until you finish 2d4 Long Rests.

Cleric Spell List

This section presents the Cleric spell list. The spells are organized by spell level and then alphabetized, and each spell’s school of magic is listed. In the Special column, C means the spell requires Concentration, R means it’s a Ritual, and M means it requires a specific Material component. For unofficial spells, see Third Party Cleric Spells.

Cantrips (Level 0 Cleric Spells)

Name	School	Special	Source
Guidance	Divination	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Light	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Mending	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Resistance	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Sacred Flame	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Spare the Dying	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Thaumaturgy	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Toll the Dead	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Word of Radiance	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 1 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Bane	Enchantment	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Bless	Enchantment	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Ceremony	Abjuration	R, M	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Command	Enchantment	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Create or Destroy Water	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Cure Wounds	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Detect Evil and Good	Divination	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Detect Magic	Divination	C, R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Detect Poison and Disease	Divination	C, R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Guiding Bolt	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Healing Word	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Inflict Wounds	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Protection from Evil and Good	Abjuration	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Purify Food and Drink	Transmutation	R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Sanctuary	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Shield of Faith	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Wardaway	Abjuration	—	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn

Level 2 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Aid	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Augury	Divination	R, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Blindness/Deafness	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Borrowed Knowledge	Divination	M	Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
Calm Emotions	Enchantment	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Continual Flame	Evocation	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Deryan’s Helpful Homunculi	Conjuration	R, M	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Dueling Ground	Abjuration	R, M	Arcana Unleashed
Enhance Ability	Transmutation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Find Traps	Divination	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Gentle Repose	Necromancy	R, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Hold Person	Enchantment	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Lesser Restoration	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Locate Object	Divination	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Prayer of Healing	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Protection from Poison	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Searing Orb	Evocation	—	D&D Beyond Drops
Silence	Illusion	C, R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Spiritual Weapon	Evocation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Warding Bond	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Zone of Truth	Enchantment	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 3 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Animate Dead	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Astral Flood	Evocation	—	D&D Beyond Drops
Aura of Vitality	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Beacon of Hope	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Bestow Curse	Necromancy	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Clairvoyance	Divination	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Create Food and Water	Conjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Daylight	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Dispel Magic	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Fast Friends	Enchantment	C	Acquisitions Incorporated
Feign Death	Necromancy	R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Glyph of Warding	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Incite Greed	Enchantment	C, M	Acquisitions Incorporated
Laeral’s Silver Lance	Evocation	M	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Life Transference	Necromancy	—	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Magic Circle	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Mass Healing Word	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Meld into Stone	Transmutation	R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Motivational Speech	Enchantment	—	Acquisitions Incorporated
Protection from Energy	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Remove Curse	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Revivify	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Sending	Divination	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Speak with Dead	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Spirit Guardians	Conjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Spirit Shroud	Necromancy	C	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Tongues	Divination	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Water Walk	Transmutation	R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 4 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Aura of Life	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Aura of Purity	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Banishment	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Control Water	Transmutation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Death Ward	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Divination	Divination	R, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Doomtide	Conjuration	C	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Freedom of Movement	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Guardian of Faith	Conjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Locate Creature	Divination	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Sticks to Snakes	Transmutation	C	D&D Beyond Drops
Stone Shape	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 5 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Circle of Power	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Commune	Divination	R	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Contagion	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Dawn	Evocation	C, M	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Dispel Evil and Good	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Flame Strike	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Geas	Enchantment	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Grave Ground	Necromancy	C	Arcana Unleashed
Greater Restoration	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Hallow	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Holy Weapon	Evocation	C	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything
Insect Plague	Conjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Legend Lore	Divination	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Mass Cure Wounds	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Planar Binding	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Raise Dead	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Scrying	Divination	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Spirit Lantern	Necromancy	—	Arcana Unleashed
Summon Celestial	Conjuration	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 6 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Blade Barrier	Evocation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Create Undead	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Dirge	Enchantment	C	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Find the Path	Divination	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Forbiddance	Abjuration	R, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Harm	Necromancy	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Heal	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Heroes’ Feast	Conjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Planar Ally	Conjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Sunbeam	Evocation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
True Seeing	Divination	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Word of Recall	Conjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 7 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Conjure Celestial	Conjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Divine Word	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Etherealness	Conjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Fire Storm	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Plane Shift	Conjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Power Word Fortify	Enchantment	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Regenerate	Transmutation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Resurrection	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Reweave Fate	Divination	—	Arcana Unleashed
Symbol	Abjuration	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Temple of the Gods	Conjuration	M	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

Level 8 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Antimagic Field	Abjuration	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Control Weather	Transmutation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Earthquake	Transmutation	C	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Holy Aura	Abjuration	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Holy Star of Mystra	Evocation	C	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn
Sunburst	Evocation	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Level 9 Cleric Spells

Name	School	Special	Source
Astral Projection	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Gate	Conjuration	C, M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Mass Heal	Abjuration	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
Power Word Heal	Enchantment	—	Player’s Handbook 5.5e
True Resurrection	Necromancy	M	Player’s Handbook 5.5e

Cleric Subclasses

A Cleric subclass is a specialization that grants you features at certain Cleric levels, as specified in the subclass. Each Cleric subclass is named after a domain of existence that is favored by a god, pantheon, or religious order.

Official Cleric Subclasses

Name	Source	Edition
Arcana Domain	Arcana Unleashed	5.5e
Death Domain	Dungeon Master’s Guide 5e	5e
Forge Domain	Xanathar’s Guide to Everything	5e
Grave Domain	Ravenloft: The Horrors Within	5.5e
Knowledge Domain	Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn	5.5e
Life Domain	Player’s Handbook 5.5e	5.5e
Light Domain	Player’s Handbook 5.5e	5.5e
Nature Domain	Player’s Handbook 5e	5e
Order Domain	Guildmasters’ Guide to Ravnica	5e
Peace Domain	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything	5e
Tempest Domain	Player’s Handbook 5e	5e
Trickery Domain	Player’s Handbook 5.5e	5.5e
Twilight Domain	Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything	5e
War Domain	Player’s Handbook 5.5e	5.5e

Third Party Cleric Subclasses

Name	Source	Publisher	Edition
Apocalypse Domain	Cthulhu by Torchlight	Chaosium	5.5e
Astral Domain	The Griffon’s Saddlebag: Book One	The Griffon’s Saddlebag	5.5e
Blood Domain	Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn	Darrington Press	5e
Commerce Domain	Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone	Visionary	5.5e
Community Domain	Humblewood Campaign Setting	Hit Point Press	5e
Dragon Domain	Valda’s Spire of Secrets	Mage Hand Press	5.5e
Eldritch Domain	Grim Hollow: Player’s Guide	Ghostfire Gaming	5.5e
Festus Domain	The Griffon’s Saddlebag: Book Two	The Griffon’s Saddlebag	5e
Harvest Domain	The Crooked Moon	Avantris Entertainment	5.5e
Hunt Domain	Heliana’s Guide to Monster Hunting	Loot Tavern	5e
Inquisition Domain	Grim Hollow: Player’s Guide	Ghostfire Gaming	5.5e
Mind Domain	Exploring Eberron	Visionary	5.5e
Moon Domain	Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn	Darrington Press	5e
Night Domain	Humblewood Campaign Setting	Hit Point Press	5e
Nornbound	Northlands Worldbook	Kobold Press	5.5e
Purification Domain	Grim Hollow: Player’s Guide	Ghostfire Gaming	5.5e