Was curious about what people think about this as a viable tankish build.

My build is Aereni Wood Elf Arcana Cleric. Dex based, no melee weapon.

I was thinking of using a shield with this build, but no melee weapon, and substitute any melee weapon attacks for melee spell attacks. I believe it could work out well if i abuse spiritual weapon or spirit guardians?

Looks good, not sure if you mean with dex based very high dex or just +2 dex modifier for medium armor.

Yes, this is viable, especially with the Warcaster feat.  After you have Spirit Guardians going, run up to an enemy, and use your action to dodge.  The monster can then either attack you at disadvantage, eating the Spirit Guardians damage, or it can flee from you, and you get to cast a spell on it as a reaction.  Win-win!

currently this character is using light armor, a shield, no melee weapon. was originally thinking of using finesse weapons, but not much options from the simple list. This character has a low STR score, was trying to optimize a little bit.

Clerics need more melee spell attacks.

You might wanna go medium armor +2 dex and focus max wisdom first since all your attack gonna be based on that.

You can always use a dagger if you want a weapon for Booming Blade or Green-Flame Blade.  Otherwise, Shocking Grasp or Inflict Wounds will have to be your go-to melee spell attacks.

Why light armor over medium armor?

my reason for light armor is because i have a low str and high dex. Medium armor weighs too much for him and would only get the +2 dex benefit.

i did try asking my DM if i could use unarmed strikes for booming blade and green-flame blade. No dice as it really kinda breaks things. Allows me to avoid the warcaster feat and changes the details of the spells.

im undecided that i should take a dagger -just- for those spells, or keep to my idea of unarmed and use shocking grasp and/or inflict wounds.

i suppose i might be able to get around taking warcaster if i had a divine emblem on my shield right?

You using variant: encubarence rule? if so what your lb limit before you enter encumbarence a half plate (40lb) with +2 dex the same ac as a studded leather (13lb) +5 dex. if that to heavy breastplate (20lb) still as good as studded leather +4 dex.

current weight is 92 lbs with full gear. Carry Capacity 180.

Trying to avoid hitting any penalty from weight carried. Im also unable to afford a breasplate or half-plate at 1st level. Im also unsure about being the target of a heat metal spell. I assume breastplate or half-plate could be a target, but not studded leather?

I suppose i could get my AC slightly higher if i took the Medium Armor Mastery feat. But that seems a bit of a waste for this character. I would consider it if i have nothing else of interest to grab.

I think i just found it a bit fun to try a light armor tank. Ive succeeded at an unarmored barbarian tank already.

The Warcaster feat is also so you can cast spells as an opportunity attack.

It totaly possible with studded leather it just in the early levels you gonn have to choose between taking DEX for defense or WIS for offense. And yeah you can paint your holy symbol on your shield or something to use it as spellcasting focus.

Dagger really isn't a bad weapon.  Is there any reason to take Aereni wood elf over a Valenar wood elf?  A Valenar woodelf gets scimitars and the same stats which seems much better than the tool proficiency that Aereni elves get.  That would upgrade you to the D6 over the D4.  if you're wedded to the idea of no weapons, you can always go shocking grasp.  I personally would go valenar with a scimitar and shield, and use greenflame blade and booming blade.

Another alternative would be to use a dagger until you can pick up a feat, then go with the magic initiate: druid to pick up shillelagh.  Then you can turn your club (please do not get me started on one handed staves) into a D8 weapon that uses your WIS for attack and damage rolls...with your booming blade/greenflame blade.  You an do it at level 1 as a variant human.

I believe its effectively an expertise in a tool or skill. I chose persuasion. If i went weaponless there wouldnt be any benefit of being the other kind of elf.

Just trying to go for something a little more interesting. But battling the idea of a dagger or none at all. And yes i know about the huge potential of shillelagh and arcane clerics.

Weaponless, shocking grasp is your best bet.  You can't use the scag melee cantrips without a melee weapon attack.  Shocking grasp is quite solid though.