D&D 5E Cleric Tier Ratings

[Zardnaar]

I have decided to rate the cleric archetypes on a tier list. They ratings are S through to D tier.

The ratings are only comparing the clerics to other clerics.

The archetypes are mostly judged on levels 1-10, how effective they are in game and do the mechanics back up the theme of the archetype.

S tier. Best of the best.
A tier excellent archetype.
B good archetype
C. Below average archetype
D fails at what it's trying to achieve.

Note no cleric is truly bad done are just better than others.

I'll go through the PHB, then SCAG then Xanathars and list the archetypes here. I may do the Midgard Heroes Handbook as an added bonus.

S Tier: Death, Light

A: Tier Forge, Knowledge domain,Life Order,

B tier: Arcana, Nature, Tempest Domain.

C tier: Trickery.

D tier: War.

 

[Zardnaar]

1st Up
Knowledge Domain.

The knowledge Domain kind of implies some sort of sage, Oracle or diviner type cleric.

The starting package is quite impressive IMHO. It's spell list has several wizard divination spells in its domain. Blessing of knowledge grants two languages and expertise of two skills from a pre selected list.

You channel divinity grants you proficiency in any tool or skill for 10 minutes.

I thought the Rogue was supposed to be the skill monkey? Throw in guidance and a typical knowledge cleric is a competitive skill monkey right out the gate.

At level 6 you can read minds via your channel divinity.
So far high marks thematically and mechanically.

At level 8 you get potent cantrip. This adds your wisdom modifier to cantrip damage. Since a smart cleric under the default array should probably focus on casting spells vs trying to fight with weapons.

Overall I would rate the knowledge cleric highly. I'm going to put it in A tier.

 

[Seramus]

Death Domain is a solid A tier. Potentially amazing cantrip damage, and strong nova potential. The only thing that slightly hinders it is some close combat features but only medium armor.

 

[auburn2]

I think that is tough. I think most of them are pretty balanced and depends what kind of build you want. I will say I am not too fond of life but other than that they are all pretty good.

 

[Zardnaar]

Death Domain is a solid A tier. Potentially amazing cantrip damage, and strong nova potential. The only thing that slightly hinders it is some close combat features but only medium armor.

Death cleric will get an A or S. They can melee fine, they can smite with inflict wounds.

Key to going melee with a cleric is key everything off wisdom.

 

[Mort]

I think that is tough. I think most of them are pretty balanced and depends what kind of build you want. I will say I am not too fond of life but other than that they are all pretty good.

Not to too fond because it's underpowered, overpowered, boring?

I've been in a group with a life cleric and currently DM for a group with a life cleric - the extra healing adds amazing staying power. It's not top tier, but it's not near the bottom either.

 

[auburn2]

Not to too fond because it's underpowered, overpowered, boring?

I've been in a group with a life cleric and currently DM for a group with a life cleric - the extra healing adds amazing staying power. It's not top tier, but it's not near the bottom either.

Meh .... there is plenty of healing available without using the cleric. As such underpowered would be my assessment.

 

[Zardnaar]

Life Domain.

The life domain is a great domain. It passes it's intended role of being good at healing. A single dip in this domain is also great for classes such as Druids and Valor bards due to disciple of life plus good berry and spirit guardians.

It's domain spells are full of healing type magic, unfortunately they're mostly clerical spells already. You also pick up heavy armor, probably better off not using it though without high score to back it up.

Disciple of life is a fairly big buff to healing magic and is abusable with Druid spells.

Preserve life is nice as it's more healing preserving your spell slots. Unfortunately you can only restore beings up to a maximum of half their hit points.

Blessed healer is also cute. Free healing for yourself if you heal others. Means you can risk yourself on the front lines occasionally.

Divine strike. I wish this was potent cantrip instead but it is what it is. Still it deals radiant damage which is great. Few creature resist it or are immune and various undead have issues with radiant damage.

Overall a great package specialized in healing with more healing. I'm going to rate it in A tier. Might be a little boring ymmv but mechanically not much wrong with the class except I would prefer potent cantrip over Divine Strike.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Are you including multi-classing potential in your ratings, or sticking with single class analysis? I prefer analyses that don't include multi-classing myself, but you brought up multi-classing, so I'm not sure which angle you're taking.

 

[Zardnaar]

Are you including multi-classing potential in your ratings, or sticking with single class analysis? I prefer analyses that don't include multi-classing myself, but you brought up multi-classing, so I'm not sure which angle you're taking.

I'm not including multiclassing in my rating. I will mention something if it stands out in multiclassing but it doesn't effect the tier ranking.