How I Built My Death Cleric from Scratch
First thing I did was pick a race. Went with Drow because that extra Darkness spell is super handy early on when everything wants to stab you. Grabbed Scale Mail and a shield immediately – survival before style, ya know? For stats, I dumped Intelligence and Charisma since we ain’t here to make friends.
Leveling Up That Spooky Priest
At level 1, I took Chill Touch and Sacred Flame cantrips. That Chill Touch saved my bacon against those pesky goblins near Emerald Grove – stops their healing when you nail ’em with it. Chose Inflict Wounds as my prepared spell. Messy business when that lands, just chunks enemy HP like nobody’s business.
Sweet Level 2 Upgrades
Channel Divinity unlocked! Turn Undead is garbage for this build but Touch of Death? Oh man. Stacked that with Inflict Wounds and one-shot the gnoll boss near Waukeen’s Rest. Felt dirty but amazing. Also grabbed Bane – makes enemies whiff attacks constantly. Super satisfying watching that big ogre swing at air like an idiot.
Level 3 Absolute Power Move
This is where it gets fun. Got Animate Dead! Ran around digging up every dead thing I could find. That zombie pal saved Lae’zel when she got surrounded by gnolls. Also prepared Spiritual Weapon shaped like a giant scythe – extra spooky points. Combined with my rotting sidekick, fights became gloriously chaotic.
Gear That Made Me Unkillable
- Adamantine Shield from Grymforge – makes archers useless against you
- Amulet of Restoration for free Healing Words
- Any staff with +1 Spell DC – makes all those saving throws stick
By level 5 I’m walking around with a zombie entourage, slapping fools with necrotic damage. The best part? How shocked my multiplayer buddies were when I tanked the entire goblin camp without breaking a sweat. That Death Cleric life ain’t for the weak-willed though – spend half your time looting graves and collecting bones. Totally worth it.