A Comprehensive Guide to Cleric Spells in Dungeons & Dragons 5e

Introduction

Clerics are a versatile and powerful class in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, known for their healing abilities, divine magic, and strong connection to their deities. Their spellcasting prowess grants them access to a wide range of spells that can alter the course of battles, support their allies, and inflict harm upon their enemies. This guide will provide an in-depth analysis of cleric spells in 5e, covering everything from cantrips to powerful 9th-level spells.

Types of Cleric Spells

Clerics have access to three types of spells:

Cantrips

• Guidance (Verbal): Grants an ally a +1d4 bonus to an ability check.
• Light (Verbal): Creates a small orb of light.
• Sacred Flame (Verbal, Somatic): Deals 1d8 radiant damage to a creature within 60 feet.
• Thaumaturgy (Verbal): Performs minor magical effects, such as making a small object glow or causing a minor tremor.

Domain Spells

• Clerics gain access to a set of domain spells based on their chosen deity.
• These spells are always prepared and count against the cleric's total number of prepared spells.
• Examples include Bless (Life domain), Command (Order domain), and Inflict Wounds (Death domain).

Prepared Spells

• Clerics prepare a number of spells each day equal to their Wisdom modifier + their cleric level.
• These spells can be chosen from the cleric spell list or any domain spell list they have access to.
• Examples include Cure Wounds, Spiritual Weapon, and Guiding Bolt.

Spell Levels and Slots

Clerics gain access to higher-level spell slots as they level up, allowing them to cast more powerful spells. The number of spell slots available at each level is as follows:

How to Choose Cleric Spells

When choosing cleric spells, consider the following factors:

• Deity and Domain: Some spells are exclusive to certain deities or domains.
• Party Composition: Select spells that complement the abilities of your party members.
• Role in the Party: Are you primarily a healer, support caster, or damage dealer?
• Encounter Type: Consider the type of encounters you are likely to face and choose spells accordingly.

Useful Cleric Spells

1st Level

• Bless: Grants an ally a +1d4 bonus to attack rolls or saving throws.
• Cure Wounds: Heals an ally for 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier.
• Guiding Bolt: Fires a ray of radiant light that deals 4d6 radiant damage and grants an ally advantage on their next attack roll against the target.
• Sanctuary: Designates an ally as a sanctuary, granting them resistance to damage and advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.

2nd Level

• Hold Person: Paralyzes a creature with a Wisdom save.
• Prayer of Healing: Heals up to 6 creatures for 2d8 + your Wisdom modifier each.
• Spiritual Weapon: Creates a floating weapon that deals 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier force damage on hit.
• Zone of Truth: Compels a creature within 30 feet to tell the truth when questioned.

3rd Level

• Dispel Magic: Ends a spell or magical effect on a creature or object.
• Mass Healing Word: Heals up to 6 creatures for 1d4 + your Wisdom modifier each.
• Revivify: Brings a creature with a Wisdom save back from the dead.
• Spirit Guardians: Creates a 15-foot radius area of spirits that deal 3d8 radiant damage to creatures ending their turn in the area.

4th Level

• Banishment: Sends a creature to another plane of existence until your next turn.
• Control Water: Controls water within 100 feet, allowing you to manipulate its flow, create walls, and deal damage.
• Death Ward: Grants an ally a +10 bonus to saving throws against death effects.
• Greater Invisibility: Renders a creature invisible until it attacks, casts a spell, or its concentration ends.

5th Level

• Flame Strike: Calls down a bolt of fire that deals 6d6 fire damage and an additional 3d6 fire damage to creatures within 5 feet of the target.
• Mass Cure Wounds: Heals up to 6 creatures for 8d8 + your Wisdom modifier each.
• Raise Dead: Brings a creature back from the dead, restoring it to full health.
• Scrying: Allows you to see and hear a person or creature you know within 1,000 feet.

6th Level

• Harm: Reduces a creature's hit points to 1.
• Heal: Heals an ally for 70 hit points.
• True Seeing: Grants you the ability to see invisible creatures, identify illusions, and see through disguises.
• Word of Recall: Teleports you and up to 8 willing creatures to a designated sanctuary.

7th Level

• Divine Intervention: Calls upon your deity to intervene in a situation.
• Etherealness: Allows you and up to 8 willing creatures to move through the Ethereal Plane for 1 hour.
• Plane Shift: Teleports you and up to 8 willing creatures to another plane of existence.
• Regenerate: Heals a creature for 7d8 hit points each turn for 10 turns.

8th Level

• Antimagic Field: Creates a 10-foot radius area where spells and magical effects are suppressed.
• Earthquake: Causes an earthquake that deals 8d6 bludgeoning damage to creatures in a 50-foot radius.
• Holy Aura: Grants you and creatures within 30 feet advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
• Mass Heal: Heals up to 6 creatures for 5d8 + your Wisdom modifier each.

9th Level

• Gate: Opens a portal to another plane of existence, allowing creatures to travel between them.
• True Resurrection: Brings a creature back from the dead, restoring it to full health and removing any curses or other negative effects.
• Wish: Allows you to cast any spell of 8th level or lower without expending a spell slot.

Tips and Tricks for Cleric Spells

• Use Bless and Guidance to Boost Party Members: These spells can significantly increase the chances of successful attacks, ability checks, and saving throws.
• Combine Spiritual Weapon with Spirit Guardians: Spiritual Weapon provides constant damage, while Spirit Guardians deals damage to multiple creatures in an area.
• Utilize Divine Intervention Wisely: This powerful ability can turn the tide of battle or resolve a difficult situation.
• Maximize Healing Output: Use Healing Word for quick heals, Prayer of Healing for group healing, and Mass Healing Word for large-scale healing.
• Prepare for Multiple Encounter Types: Have a mix of damage, support, and healing spells prepared to handle different scenarios.

Table of Cleric Cantrips

Table of Cleric Domain Spells