Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3 is underrated, but powerful. Our author Fabienne explains why she loves this class and what makes it particularly strong.
In Baldur’s Gate 3, there is a class that hides in the shadow of the popularity of others: the Cleric. A statistic from Larian Studios reveals that the Cleric is the least played class in the game:
The truth is, the Cleric is not just a weaker Paladin
. Personally, I love the Cleric, alongside the Druid, and consider this class one of the most powerful in the entire game.
Cleric is damn strong
Overall, you have seven subclasses to choose from. All are viable, but I find the Domain of Light and the Domain of Life stand out significantly.
What makes the two subclasses so strong?
Domain of Light: With the Domain of Light, you as a Cleric receive strong AOE spells early on, especially the Channel Divinity and later the Fireball, allowing you to deal massive damage. With Wall of Fire, you can make tactical plays by placing it wisely, causing enemies to take significant damage when they walk through it. Together with Hunger of Hadar (for example, from the Warlock), it’s a great combo.
Additionally, with the Domain of Light, you have free access to the spell Spirit Guardians
. This means you do not need to prepare the spell, as you have it available right away. With your reaction Protective Flicker
, you can impose disadvantage on the opponent, potentially leading to a failed attack. From level 5 onwards, you can also use the reaction for an ally.
Domain of Life: This domain is my personal favorite. To be honest, I also play healer in other games like the two MMORPGs WoW and FFXIV. I also enjoy playing supports in LoL and Overwatch, and in Valorant, I play Sage as my main character – so yes, I love the playstyle. It just feels so good when the group survives because of you or when you can turn the battle with supportive abilities. The impact of healers and supporters on the situation can be immense.
With the Life Cleric, you have the only class in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can really keep allies alive. It is the only class that can be considered a healer. Additionally, you are tanky due to the access to heavy armor.
Also, with the choice of this domain, you later gain free access to Spirit Guardians, which is an incredibly strong spell that you can have a lot of fun with, especially in Act 2.
With the Life Cleric, healing spells become very powerful. With the subclass passive Disciple of Life
, you heal additional hit points equal to 2 + spell level, which includes AOE healing spells like Mass Healing Word
and Mass Cure Wounds
. As Channel Divinity, you receive Preserve Life
– another strong AOE heal.
Together with the concentration spell Beacon of Hope
, you ensure that your allies receive the highest possible number of hit points from your next healing spells – as long as your concentration is not broken. This allows you to unleash strong healing combos.
Spirit Guardians
– such a cool spell
Spirit Guardians
is simply an outstanding spell that is incredibly fun and is considered one of the strongest in the game. For me, it’s also the Mario Kart spell
, because the spell feels like the shells from Mario Kart, which can annoy the opponents significantly.
Spirit Guardians is a 3rd-level conjuration spell that requires concentration. You summon spirits that protect you in the form of an aura. Nearby enemies take 3-24 radiant damage or 3-24 necrotic damage per turn, depending on which damage type you choose. Additionally, their movement speed is halved within the aura. On a saving throw, enemies still take half damage.
You receive the spell with all subclasses of the Cleric. With the Life Cleric, you can also deal strong damage with this spell by effectively walking through enemies
with the Spirit Guardians.
This aura is especially good at effectively defeating small enemies. In Act 2, this spell is worth its weight in gold. Just be careful not to provoke opportunity attacks.
Divine Guidance: Always a handy cantrip that is available to both Clerics and Druids. With Divine Guidance
, you receive a bonus of 1d4 on your ability checks. The cool thing about it is: You can also cast Divine Guidance on your allies. You can use the ability as often as you want without expending resources.
Spiritual Weapon: With this 2nd-level spell, you can conjure a floating spiritual weapon
as a Cleric (as a bonus action) that aids you in battle. You can choose from various weapons, including a two-handed axe, a greatsword, a halberd, a two-handed hammer, a spear, or a trident. All weapons deal 6-13 force damage, but each has its own special attack.
The summoned weapon acts independently of the Cleric with its own movement rate, its own action and bonus action – and it can also fly. The cool thing about this spell is: It is not a concentration spell. You use a spell slot, and the weapon is then available to you for 10 turns.
It is also practical that the weapon is seen as a team unit by the enemies, which means it sometimes draws the focus of their attacks, allowing the weapon to tank a few hits.
Although the Cleric is the least played class in Baldur’s Gate 3 (or as a standalone character), the lack of popularity is likely also influenced by the ever-popular companion Shadowheart, who is also a Cleric.
But for anyone unsure about their class choice and who doesn’t want Shadowheart in their party, I highly recommend the Cleric. I personally have not had two Clerics in a group yet, but I think it could also be strong if you choose two different subclasses.
Clerics should not be underestimated – the class is not just a supportive class, but can also deal substantial damage and watch over the group’s survival.
In the right hands, the Cleric becomes an invaluable member of any adventurer group in Baldur’s Gate 3. As always, class choice is a matter of taste.
What do you think of the Cleric? Which class do you love? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
Even an RPG pro has dealt with why Clerics are played so little: Baldur’s Gate 3: No one wants to play Clerics – an RPG pro knows why this is the case
