Which Cleric Domain and Deity Should You Choose in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Diego Perez

and

Christian Bognar

Published: Jan 15, 2024 11:26 am

Creating a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the most intimidating things for beginners because there are so many Domains and Deities to choose from. While Domains are more important since they act as your subclass, your chosen Deity is still essential for roleplaying purposes and dialogue.

All Baldur’s Gate 3 Cleric Domains Explained

There are 7 Domains to choose from in Baldur’s Gate 3. Each comes with its own list of spells and abilities that will be awarded as you level up. For starters, the BG3 Tempest Cleric Domain is a fan favorite.

Life Domain
Light Domain
Trickery Domain
Knowledge Domain
Nature Domain
Tempest Domain
War Domain

While some Domains are commonly associated with certain Deities (the Life Domain is usually associated with good Deities, for example) you can mix and match as you please.

Best Cleric Domain in Baldur’s Gate 3

If you ask me, the best Domain to choose for your Cleric is either the Life Domain or the War Domain. The former is the stereotypical choice for a Cleric, but with good reason, since it allows you to heal and buff allies on the field. Conversely, the latter is excellent for Clerics who don’t want to be shoehorned into a support role. The Tempest Domain also works for this purpose if you prefer lightning magic instead of traditional swordplay.

Life Domain

The Life Domain is associated with many good Deities. It focuses on protective and restorative spells, making it perfect for a support-oriented Cleric. In addition to Heavy Armor Proficiency, this Domain starts with Disciple of Life, which permanently buffs all healing spells by 2 HP.

Here’s what you’ll learn as you level up if you choose this Domain.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Bless, Cure Wounds)
Level 1 – Disciple of Life (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
Level 2 – Preserve Life (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Lesser Restoration, Aid)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Revivify, Beacon of Hope)
Level 6 – Blessed Healer (Subclass Feature)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Death Ward, Guardian of Faith)
Level 8 – Divine Strike: Life (Action)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Mass Cure Wounds, Greater Restoration)

Light Domain

According to the official in-game description, the Light Domain is centered around Deities of justice, majesty, and primordial flame. This Domain utilizes spells that can dispel darkness and are effective against undead creatures, which makes sense given the name. Warding Flare, this Domain’s unique spell, lets you force a Disadvantage on attackers.

Here’s what progression looks like for a Light Domain Cleric.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Faerie Fire, Burning Hands)
Level 1 – Warding Flare (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Light (Subclass Feature, Cantrip)
Level 2 – Radiance of the Dawn (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Flaming Sphere, Scorching Ray)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Daylight, Fireball)
Level 6 – Improved Warding Flare (Subclass Feature)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Wall of Fire, Guardian of Faith)
Level 8 – Potent Spellcasting (Subclass Feature)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Flame Strike, Destructive Wave)

Trickery Domain

The Trickery Domain is home to mischievous and chaotic Deities, perfect for Clerics who really wish they could play a Rogue or Bard. Their unique action is Blessing of the Trickster, which gives an Advantage on Stealth checks. Plus, they start out with Disguise Self and Charm Person too.

Here’s what you’ll learn as you level up as a Trickery Domain Cleric.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Disguise Self, Charm Person)
Level 1 – Blessing of the Trickster (Action)
Level 2 – Invoke Duplicity (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Mirror Image, Pass Without Trace)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Bestow Curse, Fear)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Polymorph, Dimension Door)
Level 8 – Divine Strike: Poison (Action)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Dominate Person, Seeming)

Knowledge Domain

The Knowledge Domain is the nerdiest of them all, designed for Clerics who wish to be proficient in language and academic skills. Blessings of Knowledge is its unique feature, letting you learn two additional languages at the start of the game. Plus, you can choose to be proficient in two of the following: Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. Your proficiency bonus will be doubled to +4 for any skill checks that use your chosen two!

Here’s what progression looks like for the Knowledge Domain.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Command, Sleep)
Level 2 – Knowledge of the Ages (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Calm Emotions, Hold Person)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Speak with Dead, Slow)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Confusion, Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere)
Level 8 – Potent Spellcasting (Subclass Feature)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Dominate Person, Telekinesis)

Baldurs-Gate-War-Domain-CLeric — Image: Attack of the Fanboy

Nature Domain

The Nature Domain is self-explanatory, letting you channel your inner Druid to focus on the great outdoors. Nature Domain Clerics are proficient with Heavy Armor, just like Life Domain Clerics, and their unique feature — Acolyte of Nature — lets them learn any Druid cantrip of their choosing and gain proficiency in Animal Handling, Nature, or Survival.

Here’s what the progression path looks like for a Nature Domain Cleric.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Speak with Animals, Animal Friendship)
Level 1 – Acolyte of Nature (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Shillelagh (Cantrip)
Level 2 – Charm Animals and Plants (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Spike Growth, Barkskin)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Plant Growth, Sleet Storm)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Dominate Beast, Grasping Vine)
Level 8 – Divine Strike: Elemental Fury (Action)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Insect Plague, Wall of Stone)

Tempest Domain

The BG3 Tempest Cleric Domain is centered around lightning, thunder, and storms. It’s mainly an offensive Domain that provides proficiency with Martial Weapons and Heavy Armor, so it’s perfect for Clerics who want to be on the front lines and deal massive damage. Its unique feature is Wrath of the Storm, a spell that strikes a foe and deals 2-16 Lightning damage (or half of that on a failed Saving Throw). I found the Wrath of the Storm feature to help me the most in the game’s brutal battles, so I highly recommend it.

Here are all the spells that a Tempest Domain Cleric learns as they level up.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Thunderwave, Fog Cloud)
Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Martial Weapon Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Wrath of the Storm (Subclass Feature)
Level 2 – Destructive Wrath (Subclass Feature)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Shatter, Gust of Wind)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Call Lightning, Sleet Storm)
Level 6 – Thunderous Strike (Subclass Feature)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Ice Storm, Freedom of Movement)
Level 8 – Divine Strike: Tempest (Action)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Insect Plague, Destructive Wave)

War Domain

Last but certainly not least, the War Domain is designed for Clerics who want to smite evildoers with holy powers. Choosing this Domain will make you proficient with Heavy Armor and Martial Weapons and grant you the War Priest ability, which grants you War Priest charges that can be spent to make additional attacks during your turn.

Here’s what progression looks like for the War Domain.

Level 1 – Domain Spells (Divine Favour, Shield of Faith)
Level 1 – Heavy Armour Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – Martial Weapon Proficiency (Subclass Feature)
Level 1 – War Priest (Subclass Feature)
Level 2 – Guided Strike (Action)
Level 3 – Domain Spells (Magic Weapon, Spiritual Weapon)
Level 5 – Domain Spells (Spirit Guardians, Crusader’s Mantle)
Level 6 – War God’s Blessing (Subclass Feature)
Level 7 – Domain Spells (Stoneskin, Freedom of Movement)
Level 8 – Divine Strike: Warmaster (Action)
Level 9 – Domain Spells (Flame Strike, Hold Monster)

What Does a Cleric Deity Do in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Baldurs-Gate-3-Cleric-Deity — Image: Attack of the Fanboy

There are a whopping 21 Deities to choose from when creating a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3. This choice doesn’t affect anything related to gameplay or combat but will affect your relationship with certain NPCs and your available dialogue options in specific scenarios. This is purely a roleplaying decision, so try to choose the one that sounds the coolest to you. My personal favorite is the BG3 Tempus Cleric Deity.

Here’s a list of all 21 Baldur’s Gate 3 Deities with a brief summary of each.

Selune: Goddess of the Moon, Stars, and Navigation
Bahamut: Dragon God of Justice
Tempus: Lord of Battles
Tyr: Blind God of Law and Justice
Helm: The Watcher, Eternal Sentry Among the Gods
Ilmater: Crying God of the Oppressed and Persecuted
Mystra: Mother of All Magic
Oghma: God of Inspiration and Invention
Kelemvor: Guides the Undead to the Afterlife
Moradin: Dwarven God of Smiths, Artisans, and Miners

Corellon Larethian: Creator of Elves and Overseer of Elven Pantheon, God of Art, Magic, and Nature
Garl Glittergold: King of the Gnomish Gods, Deity of Humor, Gem-Cutting, Protection, and Trickery
Yondalla: Mother of the Halfling Pantheon, Goddess of Home, Hearth, and Nature
Lolth: Matriarch of the Drow Pantheon, Goddess of Spiders and the Underdark, seeks to corrupt all Drow and turn them into cultists.
Gruumsh: Patron Deity of Orcs, God of War, Conquest, and Victory
Tiamat: Dragon God of Greed
Eilistraee: Goddess of Good Drow, Beauty, Song, and Freedom
Lathander: God of Dawn and Spring, Birth and New Beginnings
Talos: Uncaring and Destructive Force of Nature
Tymora: Goddess of Fortune and Gambling
Mielikki: Goddess of Forests

While most of these Deities can be chosen without affecting your character that much, be wary of selecting Deities like Lolth, who are reviled throughout Faerun. Lolth, for example, wishes to turn every Drow into a mindless servant. In addition, Tiamat is described as a “roiling mass of avarice and hate that is currently trapped within the Nine Hells.”

Openly worshiping some of these Deities might make some NPCs think less of you. However, nobody’s really going to care if you serve Garl Glittergold on the other hand. If you want to deepen your relationship with everyone’s favorite Wizard, Gale, you should choose Mystra to unlock some unique dialogue options with him at camp. Meanwhile, if you want NPCs to associate you with war and battles, select the BG3 Tempus Cleric Deity.

Speaking of deepening your relationship with Gale, check out our Gale romance guide for BG3.

Which Cleric Deity is Best in Baldur’s Gate 3?

As mentioned, choosing a Cleric Deity isn’t the most crucial decision in Baldur’s Gate 3, as they only change dialogue options. That said, it is recommended to pick one that can deepen a relationship with a party member or one that aligns well with the Clerics role.

For example, as stated in the last section, choosing Mystra, described as “Mother of all Magic,” will deepen your relationship with the Wizard Gale. Another great pick is Bahamut, described as the “Dragon God of Justice,” who is well regarded and looked at for their healing capabilities, which aligns well with the Cleric class.

Do Deities Matter in Baldur’s Gate 3?

Deities only matter if you care about the story of Baldur’s Gate 3. In other words, it depends on what you are trying to get out of the game. For example, deities don’t change how combat turns out or the game’s overall difficulty, but they do change the roleplaying nature of the game. You will get different dialogue options depending on the Deity you choose, so it’s smart to choose wisely if dialogue options are an important factor to you.

Considering Baldur’s Gate 3 is at its absolute best when role-playing and discovering the lore the game includes, I recommend you pick the Deity that sounds the coolest to you. You will find that BG3 can get incredibly in-depth regarding relationships with other characters, and each Deity can significantly impact how things pan out.

If you are unsure which one to choose, you can save before selecting the Deity and then load the game later if you get bored of your current pick. For example, I first selected the Bahamut Deity and didn’t like it, so I reloaded the save game and went with BG3 Tempest Deity instead, which was more my speed.

Which is the Best Race for a Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3?

The best race to choose for the Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is the Duegar. The Duegar is the best for a couple of reasons: they get a boost in proficiency with bludgeoning weapons and gain an advantage against being paralyzed or charmed. These two status effects can turn the tide in combat, so having a Duegar cleric can help counter this.

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