I played the Forge Cleric one times not to in a one off session, and I fell in love with it pretty quickly. A free magic weapon starting at level 1, and you can change it each day? What's not to like? Of the ones from the basic rules, I'd say Life if the party is in need of a tank, and Knowledge if you also kinda want to play a "knows stuff" character. Knowledge is also a really good skill monkey.
The nature domain has one of the greatest defensive power: you can give resistance to some kind of elements as a reaction on 6th level. And this isn't a power that you use only between rests. When I make my Arcana cleric to Hoard of the Dragon Queen I almost get the Nature.
Why do I only have one choice for domain? I only have Life domain on my list to choose from. I'm stumped.
You have just the basic access, which is one subclass for each of the main classes, purchase the Player's Handbook or just the class section to be able to use them in the character editor.
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"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Honestly, I've only had the opportunity to play a Life or Knowledge Cleric. Life has allowed my party to survive meat grinder scenarios that arose solely because of a percentile die instead of actual Perception. But I've felt that it also enabled some more reckless behaviors from the party, since they knew my domain gave them a chance to recover. Knowledge has been great as a skill monkey in a more skill heavy game, but it's been great to just know that I could use my divinity to fill multiple roles. From emergency triage to infiltrating a thieves' guild, the Knowledge Cleric has been able to just do things.
If I'm going theoretical and pulling from Unearthed Arcana, I'd say a toss up between Tempest and Forge. I wanted to say Arcane, but in retrospect it is mostly picked for some cantrips and a very late game payoff. Tempest and Forge currently give plenty to offer at all stages of the game.
I have to confess: i've only ever played life. my party needed a serious healer, and i've certainly filled that position. she is badass, though. always fun to play. i've heard tempest is a blast! looking to try it sometime.
I Love the versatility that the different domains offer and have enjoyed playing a few already.
Currently running a Nature Cleric through ToA and I HIGHLY recommend it. Tons of control as undead, beasts, and plants are all heavily present. If ever interested in trying out that domain, ToA is the time!
I'm specifically using a shillelegh build with one lvl dip into wizard for a familiar (owl can scout, cast cure wound without me running around, and "help" depending on your DM) and SCAG wizard cantrips. Chose all ritual spells and shield as wizard spells. Playing as an Archeologist and flavored the wizard dip as a discovery of a ritual book that I was able to study and unlock. Familiar is a representative of my nature god and able to summon protection via my god by reflavoring wording of shield spell. Hill dwarf, dumped strength, (yay dwarf ignoring armor str requirements, of course I also can't be a pack mule but eh, floating disk ritual works just fine), so high con, wisdom, and Intellect. Decided to get wisdom to 20 prior to any feats, and felt that was best as I am single score dependent for offensive spells, control spells, healing, and melee attacks.
Knowledge is my choice if it's just from the PHB but if all other sources are allowed, I use the Grave domain. The choices are mainly from a roleplay aspect of the types of characters I play.
Of the options listed, I'd likely take light. The correct answer however, is arcana.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Shaping and altering reality, misleading and influence opinions, being everywhere and nowhere at the same time, let your enemies fight an illusion while you're doing something else. Trickery is a lot of fun if you've got fantasy enough, you can be whatever you want based on your mood.
Currently playing a know-it-all half-elf knowledge cleric in CoS. I think it's safe to say she's having a lot more fun in Ravenloft than the rest of the party. Lots of history and ruins to explore! And word has it Castle Ravenloft has a phenomenal library.
Nature does as well (for some reason) Aethelfryth, and I think some of the UA ones do as well but can't recall off the top of my head which do aside from Forge.
Can we acknowledge that the Arcana domain is actually just a wizard in disguise. My DM hates my domain because it reminds him of a wizard. We've also allowed multiclassing in your current class, so for me, that means I'm an Arcana and Tempest Cleric. It's a pretty great combo if you ever could try it.
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The nature domain has one of the greatest defensive power: you can give resistance to some kind of elements as a reaction on 6th level. And this isn't a power that you use only between rests. When I make my Arcana cleric to Hoard of the Dragon Queen I almost get the Nature.
Why do I only have one choice for domain? I only have Life domain on my list to choose from. I'm stumped.
"Where words fail, swords prevail. Where blood is spilled, my cup is filled" -Cartaphilus
"I have found the answer to the meaning of life. You ask me what the answer is? You already know what the answer to life is. You fear it more than the strike of a viper, the ravages of disease, the ire of a lover. The answer is always death. But death is a gentle mistress with a sweet embrace, and you owe her a debt of restitution. Life is not a gift, it is a loan."
Oh. Ok. Thank you.
Honestly, I've only had the opportunity to play a Life or Knowledge Cleric. Life has allowed my party to survive meat grinder scenarios that arose solely because of a percentile die instead of actual Perception. But I've felt that it also enabled some more reckless behaviors from the party, since they knew my domain gave them a chance to recover. Knowledge has been great as a skill monkey in a more skill heavy game, but it's been great to just know that I could use my divinity to fill multiple roles. From emergency triage to infiltrating a thieves' guild, the Knowledge Cleric has been able to just do things.
If I'm going theoretical and pulling from Unearthed Arcana, I'd say a toss up between Tempest and Forge. I wanted to say Arcane, but in retrospect it is mostly picked for some cantrips and a very late game payoff. Tempest and Forge currently give plenty to offer at all stages of the game.
I have to confess: i've only ever played life. my party needed a serious healer, and i've certainly filled that position. she is badass, though. always fun to play.
i've heard tempest is a blast! looking to try it sometime.
What? No Death Cleric option!
I Love the versatility that the different domains offer and have enjoyed playing a few already.
Currently running a Nature Cleric through ToA and I HIGHLY recommend it. Tons of control as undead, beasts, and plants are all heavily present. If ever interested in trying out that domain, ToA is the time!
I'm specifically using a shillelegh build with one lvl dip into wizard for a familiar (owl can scout, cast cure wound without me running around, and "help" depending on your DM) and SCAG wizard cantrips. Chose all ritual spells and shield as wizard spells. Playing as an Archeologist and flavored the wizard dip as a discovery of a ritual book that I was able to study and unlock. Familiar is a representative of my nature god and able to summon protection via my god by reflavoring wording of shield spell. Hill dwarf, dumped strength, (yay dwarf ignoring armor str requirements, of course I also can't be a pack mule but eh, floating disk ritual works just fine), so high con, wisdom, and Intellect. Decided to get wisdom to 20 prior to any feats, and felt that was best as I am single score dependent for offensive spells, control spells, healing, and melee attacks.
Death Domain is the best Domain.
I’m excited to play Grave domain if I ever get a chance to actually play again. I love being a DM, however I would like to play from time to time lol
Welcome to the Grand Illusion, come on in and see what's happening, pay the price, get your ticket for the show....
Knowledge is my choice if it's just from the PHB but if all other sources are allowed, I use the Grave domain. The choices are mainly from a roleplay aspect of the types of characters I play.
Of the options listed, I'd likely take light. The correct answer however, is arcana.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
Shaping and altering reality, misleading and influence opinions, being everywhere and nowhere at the same time, let your enemies fight an illusion while you're doing something else.
Trickery is a lot of fun if you've got fantasy enough, you can be whatever you want based on your mood.
Currently playing a know-it-all half-elf knowledge cleric in CoS. I think it's safe to say she's having a lot more fun in Ravenloft than the rest of the party. Lots of history and ruins to explore! And word has it Castle Ravenloft has a phenomenal library.
On my to-do list: Grave Domain Lizardfolk Cleric.
you can use healing word as a bonus action and if there was a healing cantrip i think it would be overpowered
Can we acknowledge that the Arcana domain is actually just a wizard in disguise. My DM hates my domain because it reminds him of a wizard. We've also allowed multiclassing in your current class, so for me, that means I'm an Arcana and Tempest Cleric. It's a pretty great combo if you ever could try it.