Cleric

Champions of the divine who heal allies and smite enemies with radiant power.

The cleric is one of the standard playable character classes in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Clerics are versatile figures, both capable in combat and skilled in the use of divine magic, a form of theurgy or thaumaturgy. Clerics are powerful healers due to the large number of healing and curative magics available to them. With divinely-granted abilities over life or death, they are also able to repel or control undead creatures. Clerics also have specific 'domains' which usually align with the character's alignment and the god that cleric serves. Whether the cleric repels or controls undead is dependent on the cleric's alignment. It is the only class to be included in every edition of Dungeons & Dragons without a name change.

Quick Facts

Source: Men and Magic; Basic Set; Player's Handbook (1978, 1989, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2014, 2024)
First: Dungeons & Dragons (1974)

Lore & Background

The cleric character class first appeared in the original edition of Dungeons & Dragons. In the original edition, the class is described as gaining 'some of the advantages from both of the other two classes (Fighting-Men and Magic-Users) in that they have the use of magic armor and all non-edged magic weapons (no arrows!), as well as a number of their own spells. In addition, they are able to use more of the magical items than are the Fighting-Men.'

The cleric character class began as a simulation of vampire hunting clergy, such as seen in B grade 'Hammer Horror' films, specifically created to oppose a vampire player character called 'Sir Fang'. 'The cleric's power to repel the undead had its roots in Dracula, which coined the popular term 'undead' and established a vampire hunter's ability to turn away vampires by the presentation of a crucifix (a holy symbol)'. Gary Gygax added the restriction on weapon types, influenced by a popular interpretation of the Bayeux Tapestry where Odo of Bayeux is depicted with a mace in hand, though this is sometimes conflated with Archbishop Turpin of Chanson de Roland fame, who actually wields both spear and a sword called 'Almace'.

When the paladin character class was introduced in Supplement I – Greyhawk (1975), the potential for confusion between the roles of the two classes arose. The clearest way to understand the distinction is to envision the archetypes as relating primarily to Archbishop Turpin and Roland as models.

Reader's Guide

Clerics are defined by their Wisdom score, which dictates the potency of their spells and their ability to perceive divine truths. Unlike other casters, they wear heavy armor and wield shields, allowing them to act as durable front-line defenders while maintaining a spellbook-free list of prepared magic. Their unique feature, Channel Divinity, allows them to perform extraordinary feats once or twice per rest, such as turning undead or demanding the attention of a deity.

This class excels in campaigns requiring sustained support, offering powerful healing, buffs, and area-of-effect control spells that can turn the tide of battle. Choosing a Domain is crucial early on, as it grants specific weapon proficiencies and additional spells tailored to the cleric's role. Whether acting as a battlefield tank with the War domain or a mystical guardian with the Life domain, clerics provide essential utility that keeps the party alive.