Baldur's Gate 3’s Light Domain Clerics are quite powerful, combining healing and intense magical damage. You can play it either ranged or melee, but in the case of Light Domain, ranged is honestly the better choice. Personally, melee feels better, but this build is more of a support class. With that in mind, you don’t want your Concentration breaking at inopportune moments.
In this article, we will go over the important parts of setting up a Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3. From ideal classes, stats, and important feats, we’ll highlight everything you need to know to prepare for this important support class.
Ideal race and stats for Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
Setup for Light Domain healer
- Race: Wood Elf
- Background: Folk Hero (Urchin also works)
- Primary Stats: Wisdom, Dexterity
- Skills: Medicine, survival, Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Insight, Sleight of Hand
- Weapons/Shield: Longbow/Shortsword, Shield
- Armor Type: Medium
Though Wood Elf is not one of my favorite races in Baldur's Gate 3 (or Dungeons & Dragons), I understand it’s one of the best-ranged options available to pick. Having access to the Longbow keeps your character safer, due to the increased range of your weapon instead of a shortbow.
Your goal for gear, is Scale Mail +1 or perhaps the Githyanki Half Plate, if you can unequip it from Lae’Zel. A Studded Shield will work fine until you can get the Adamantine Shield as well.
As far as accessories go, Herbalist’s Gloves can help an incredible amount. When you have them and heal an ally, they also cure poison. On the other hand, Broodmother’s Revenge adds poison to your attacks, so that’s another boon in your favor during combat.
Stat loadout
- Strength: 10 (+0)
- Dexterity: 16 (+3)
- Constitution: 14 (+2)
- Intelligence: 8 (-1)
- Wisdom: 16 (+3)
- Charisma: 10 (+0)
Since you’re going to equip Medium Armor, you can afford to have Dexterity in your build. Wisdom is your casting stat as a Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3, and you can easily hit 20 Wisdom by the time you’re done.
As a final note, if you aren’t happy with Wood Elf, another option, similar to how successful they are as Paladins, consider a Tiefling.
Abilities and Feats for Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3
As a Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3, you’ll be given a significant amount of spells to use. However, you have to prepare them, so you don’t have access to them all at once. Make sure you have prepared spells that will fit whatever situation you’re in.
However, some spells will simply be given to you as a part of the Light Domain. You have access to these without preparation, so don’t waste a slot on these spells once you unlock them on your Light Domain Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3.
Light Domain spells
- Level 1: Faerie Fire, Burning Hands
- Level 2: Warding Flare
- Level 3: Darkvision, Scorching Ray, Aid, Lesser Restoration
- Level 5: Daylight, Fireball
- Level 7: Guardian of Faith, Wall of Fire
- Level 9: Flame Strike, Scrying
Starting at level 2, you’ll gain Channel Divinity and Turn Undead, which are important Cleric abilities. The former lets you use the latter, and later, you’ll gain Destroy Undead as a feat. However, Turn Undead makes undead that can see or hear you will flee, provided they fail a Wisdom saving throw.
Then, at Level 5, you gain the Destroy Undead feat. Now, when you successfully turn undead, they now also take 4d6 Radiant Damage. This feat will improve two more times throughout your Baldur's Gate 3 adventure (Level 8, Level 11).
Level 6 grants you Improved Flare, which lets you use Warding Flare when you see an ally become the victim of an attack within 30 feet. That’s incredibly helpful. You also gain two chances to improve your wisdom - Level 4 and Level 8. I’d rather take Wisdom at Level 8 and scoop up War Caster at Level 12.
War Caster is a feat that lets you have Advantage when you roll to maintain Concentration. If you can keep out of range of enemies, it’s not an issue. If you find you’re suffering too many Concentration checks as a Cleric in Baldur's Gate 3, then pick it up at level 8 instead.
Useful Cleric spells
- Guidance
- Healing Word
- Command
- Bless
- Shield of Faith
- Guiding Bolt
- Bane
- Hold Person
- Aid
Unlike some other classes, Light Domain Clerics don’t have to juggle tons of Feats and Abilities. This class is all about picking the right spells for the job as you explore the world of Baldur's Gate 3. In particular, Bless is one of the best spells in the game.
Light Domain Clerics in Baldur's Gate 3 don’t always have to heal people. It’s all about learning when and how to heal. Sometimes, the best solution is going to be attacking, though—the best defense is a good offense, after all. If you want to let your allies do the heavy lifting and be supportive, this is the class for you.
