D&D 5E Arcana Domain

[shadowoflameth]

Has anyone tried a cleric in the Arcana domain from SCAG? The spell list looks pretty loaded. How are people finding it in play? advice?

 

[rgoodbb]

I'm playing a level 5 Arcana Cleric/Level 1 Monk Variant Human with Defensive Duellist. Green-Flame Blade on my Khopesh (short sword) and a bare chested AC of 17/20 means that I'm enjoying a good amount of time in melee. Only my second game with him so haven't really used many specialist spells bar GFB and Mould Earth cantrips.

We are in Barovia so I'm anticipating enjoying the use of Arcane Eye as soon as I can get it.

Some of the other spells do seem a tad niche, but when I get the chance, I'll certainly be looking out for when I can use them.

 

[Ersley Johnson]

Never considered a dip into Monk, yet that does sound quite fun. We are starting a new campaign & the Arcana Cleric was my choice. Not to mention, it will also be in Barovia "Curse of Strahd.

 

[maxed]

My level 8 rogue (Thief) took 1 level in Cleric (Arcana) because we lost our party cleric, so I picked up the slack so we would have at least some healing. Besides the healing spells being handy for the party (including Spare the Dying), I'm also happy having Mage Hand (as a Wizard cantrip I chose), Detect Magic and Sacred Flame (for some magical ranged damage). I've also used Dancing Lights to distract/lure away groups of enemies.

 

[Ersley Johnson]

That sounds like a great dip for a Rogue & quite handy having some heals, Mage hand especially & Sacred Flame. I never realized how handy cantrips could be

 

[Kobold Stew]

I played one for a while (levels 1-8?) and quite enjoyed it. It was by no means overpowered, but it was fun.

The main benefit of the Arcana domain (which is why I chose it, and what made it interesting for me; so this is confirmation rather than discovery) is that it allows a cleric to cast attack cantrips that require a roll by the player. I like rolling to hit -- that tactile experience is denied to most clerics, since their cantrips have a save-against-damage rather than an attack roll. The former are powerful -- they bypass cover, etc. -- but for me as a player they are not as fun.

(I avoided GFB and the like, so your play experience would be different in any case.)

 

[FlyingChihuahua]

I haven't played them yet, but I had an idea for an Arcana Cleric that I try to make as SAD as possible.

Variant Human to grab Magic Initiate (Druid) to grab Shillelagh and a few other spells (I went with Thorn Whip and Faerie Fire personally, but as long as you grab Shillelagh, your good) use your free Wizard cantrips to grab Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade and use a Quarterstaff for your melee weapon so you can use Shillelagh and make it a d8 and use your Wisdom for it's attack rolls and damage. Depending on if the DM signs off on it, you could have some fun with Potent Cantrip as well, but that's not really required to make the build go, it's just a good little bonus if your DM swings it.

Like I said, haven't really played it, but it certainly sounds fun to me.

 

[TwoSix]

I haven't played them yet, but I had an idea for an Arcana Cleric that I try to make as SAD as possible.

Variant Human to grab Magic Initiate (Druid) to grab Shillelagh and a few other spells (I went with Thorn Whip and Faerie Fire personally, but as long as you grab Shillelagh, your good) use your free Wizard cantrips to grab Green-Flame Blade and Booming Blade and use a Quarterstaff for your melee weapon so you can use Shillelagh and make it a d8 and use your Wisdom for it's attack rolls and damage. Depending on if the DM signs off on it, you could have some fun with Potent Cantrip as well, but that's not really required to make the build go, it's just a good little bonus if your DM swings it.

Like I said, haven't really played it, but it certainly sounds fun to me.

Potent Cantrip should definitely work on BB/GFB for an Arcana Cleric unless the DM specifically bans it. Shillelagh/BB for a 20 Wis 8th level Arcana cleric should be doing 2d8+10, plus the 2d8 on enemy movement. That's almost S&B fighter/paladin level, which isn't bad for a full caster.

 

[Zardnaar]

Arcana cleric plus shillagh I have seen in play and it let's you triple dip your wisdom.

Throw in spiritual guardians more lol damage.

 

[Mistwell]

What source has arcana cleric?