Baldur's Gate 3 can be a tough game for someone new to the series, or new to CRPG Dungeons and Dragons-like games in general. A well-balanced party composition should have some kind of support class, which the Cleric happens to excel at. The best Cleric builds aren't necessarily those that deal the most damage, but those that make full use of this class' unique quirks.
The Life Domain is one of four Domains players can choose in BG3, and it's a fantastic way to build a Cleric thanks to its variety of always-prepared support spells. This leaves players open to pick up other spells when leveling, giving the Cleric more variety, and making it one of the most versatile classes in Baldur's Gate 3.
Updated August 4, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: With the full release of Baldur's Gate 3 a lot of things have changed from the Early Access version. Thanks to the new subclasses and expanded maximum level, players' ideas about the best Cleric build in BG3 have changed, and will very likely continue to evolve as fans get deeper into the game. This guide has been updated to be accurate to the full release version of Baldur's Gate 3, but it doesn't recommend build choices past Level 5. Check back regularly for more advice on how to make the best Cleric build as the Baldur's Gate 3 community continues to learn more about how the class plays at higher levels.
As a guide-in-progress, this build will be continually updated with more information about choices in the mid to late game as players make their way through the expansive Baldur's Gate 3.
Best Cleric Build Overview
"The Life domain is an aspect of many good deities, offering spells that protect and restore the mind, body, and soul."
The Life Domain Cleric isn't the most powerful Cleric build when it comes to raw damage output. But when one considers the breadth of buffs and support skills available to this subclass, it's easy to see its benefits and its ability to get a party to get through otherwise overwhelming foes, where extra damage wouldn't help.
As a support sub-class, the Life Domain Cleric can deal damage when it needs to, but most of the time players will stay far from enemies and close to their teammates, ready with a buff or a heal when needed. The Disciple of Life passive gives a bit of extra healing with each spell cast, and its Channel Divinity spell Preserve Life is useful for healing groups of allies who are close by.
The build is notably proficient in Heavy Armor, a proficiency granted by the Life Domain subclass itself. It also has several Cantrips that keep allies alive and enemies weak when their relatively limited spell slots are expended – but their Domain Spells are always prepared, leaving room for other spells to diversify options.
Life Domain Cleric Character Creation
Best Cleric Race: Drow
The Drow, in general, are a considerably strong race in Baldur's Gate 3 thanks to their Fey Ancestry passive, proficiency in Perception, extra-strong Darkvision, and free spells at Level 1, 3, and 5.
Their Fey Ancestry provides Advantage against being Charmed and immunity to the Sleep status effect, preventing crowd control during situations when the Cleric is needed.
Superior Darkvision is handy in the game's many underground and darkened areas.
At Level 1, players get the Dancing Lights cantrip. Then, at Level 3, Faerie Fire is granted as a Level 1 spell. Finally, at Level 5, Drow gain the Darkness spell, a level 2 spell. Both of these non-cantrip spells can only be cast once per long rest.
Best Cleric Subclass: Life
The best Cleric subclass is Life because of the domain's always-prepared spells. At several levels, players are given free spells that don't need to be slotted in and out of the spellbook. These spells include Bless and Cure Wounds at Level 1, Aid and Lesser Restoration at Level 3, and Revivify and Beacon of Hope at Level 5.
These are some of the most powerful healing and support-oriented skills in the game, not to mention the AoE heal in the form of Preserve Life, a Channel Divinity skill gained at Level 2. The Life Domain also gains Heavy Armor proficiency, making it much more defensive than the other two subclass options.
Best Cleric Proficiencies and Background: Folk Hero
The Folk Hero background can be useful for Clerics because it gives proficiencies to the Animal Handling and Survival skills, both of which rely on the Cleric's main stat Wisdom. This puts them over the edge and makes virtually every Animal Handling and Survival Check pass. However, it can also be useful to pick up the Guild Artisan background instead because the bonuses to Insight and Persuasion can be extremely helpful in dialogue and RP encounters throughout Baldur's Gate 3.
Best Life Cleric Cantrips
Level 1: Guidance, Resistance, Sacred Flame
Level 4: Light
Best Life Cleric Spells
Level 1: Bane, Command, Shield of Faith – Bless and Cure Wounds are granted by Life Domain
Level 2: Protection from Evil and Good
Level 3: Silence, Hold Person – Aid and Lesser Restoration are granted by Life Domain
Level 4: Blindness
Level 5: Mass Healing Word, Remove Curse (replace Command) – Revivify and Beacon of Hope are granted by Life Domain
Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC on August 3, 2023 and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.