Baldur's Gate 3: Best Death Domain Cleric Build

Baldur's Gate 3 Patch 8 introduces the Death Cleric, a versatile subclass excelling in diverse battlefield roles. This Necrotic powerhouse excels at both destruction and revival, commanding undead minions and manipulating enemy strategies.

The Death Cleric's ability to raise fallen foes to fight alongside you is a key strength. Necromantic powers can also disrupt enemy healing or outright eliminate threats. However, frontline tanking is best left to your undead army.

Optimal Race and Background Choices

The Death Cleric thrives as a mid-range controller, relying on summoned undead for heavy lifting while utilizing necromantic abilities to control the battlefield. Ideal races include:

• Drow: Fey Ancestry and superior Darkvision provide significant advantages.
• Elf or Half-Elf (Any): Elven Weapon Training and Fey Ancestry offer beneficial skills.
• Halfling: Lucky and Brave feats enhance survivability and combat prowess.

Backgrounds that emphasize Wisdom skills are highly recommended:

• Acolyte (Insight and Religion)
• Outlander (Survival and Athletics)
• Folk Hero (Survival and Animal Handling)
• Guild Artisan (Insight and Persuasion)
• Haunted One (Intimidation and Medicine)

Multiclassing Options

While Necromancer Wizard might seem appealing, it presents both advantages and disadvantages:

Pro	Con
Summon additional undead, increased health	Requires 6 levels in Wizard, sacrificing higher-level spell access.
Greater spell and attack variety	No unique Necromancy spells unavailable to the Death Cleric.
Grim Harvest feat (health on kill)	Less crucial for a Cleric with bonus action healing; poor Wizard HP growth.

The Wizard class relies on Intelligence, forcing a potential sacrifice in Strength, Dexterity, or Charisma to achieve a viable Intelligence score (unless using items like the Warped Headband of Intellect).

A more effective multiclass option is the Fighter class (Battlemaster or Champion). An 8:4 Cleric/Fighter ratio (favoring Cleric) offers:

1. Action Surge
2. Archery Fighting Style
3. An additional Ability Improvement/Feat

Essential Spells

The Death Cleric's spell choices are largely predetermined, with Bone Chill, Vampiric Touch, Animate Dead, and Blight readily available. Prioritize these spells:

Spell Level	Best Spell Choices
Cantrips	Toll the Dead, Guidance, Bursting Sinew
One	Inflict Wounds, Shield of Faith, Command
Two	Spiritual Weapon, Hold Person, Lesser Restoration
Three	Spirit Guardians, Bestow Curse, Glyph of Warding
Four	Freedom of Movement, Guardian of Faith
Five	Insect Plague, Mass Cure Wounds
Six	Create Undead, Blade Barrier

Key Spell Considerations:

1. Toll the Dead: Ranged Necromancy cantrip, increased damage against injured foes.
2. Inflict Wounds: Melee Necromancy spell, devastating at higher levels.
3. Bursting Sinew: Area damage using corpses, mitigating the Cleric's action economy limitations.
4. Spirit Guardians: Powerful shielding spell, versatile Necrotic and Radiant damage.

While healing spells like Cure Wounds and Healing Word are vital, higher-level spells beyond level 4 offer less benefit. Create Undead is useful, but the Crypt Lord Ring provides it without spell slot cost.

Act Two presents a challenge: many enemies are immune to Necrotic damage. Spirit Guardians (Radiant), Sacred Flame, Glyph of Warding, and a reliable melee weapon are crucial for overcoming this.

Ability Scores and Feats

Ability	Base Score	Goal Scores	Method Achieved
Strength	11	12	Heavily Armoured Feat ( 1)
Dexterity	13	14	Auntie Ethel's Hair (or Athlete instead of 2 Wis)
Constitution	16	16	-
Intelligence	8	8	-
Wisdom	16	20	x2 Ability Score 2 Upgrades
Charisma	10	10	-

The Death Cleric is a Wisdom-based caster, but Constitution is also important for Concentration checks. A detailed breakdown of recommended equipment and their benefits is omitted for brevity. However, the table shows several items that can significantly enhance the Death Cleric's capabilities.

The above is the detailed content of Baldur's Gate 3: Best Death Domain Cleric Build. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!