Forge Domain Cleric Guide for Beginners: Mastering the Forge Cleric in D&D 5e

The Forge Domain Cleric is a divine smith, channeling the power of the gods of creation, fire, and craftsmanship. Introduced in Xanathar’s Guide to Everything, this subclass is one of the most durable Cleric options, offering heavy armor, fire resistance, and the ability to craft magical weapons and armor.

Unlike other Clerics, Forge Clerics excel in durability, melee combat, and magical crafting, making them perfect for players who want to stand strong on the battlefield while enhancing their gear and their allies' equipment. If you love the idea of a battle-hardened blacksmith who turns divine magic into powerful weapons and armor, the Forge Domain Cleric is for you!

Why Play a Forge Domain Cleric?

Key Benefits

• Incredible Durability – Heavy armor, fire resistance, and AC-boosting abilities make Forge Clerics incredibly hard to kill.
• Magical Weapon & Armor Crafting – Turn ordinary gear into +1 magical weapons or armor at level 1.
• Strong Melee & Spell Balance – Proficiency in martial weapons, buffing magic, and fire-based spells.
• Fire Themed Abilities – Get resistance to fire and access to powerful spells like Heat Metal and Wall of Fire.
• Great Roleplay Opportunities – Play as a divine blacksmith, a sacred artisan, or a battle-hardened craftsman.

Compared to other Cleric subclasses, Forge Clerics are the best at creating magical gear while also being durable frontline warriors.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Bonus Proficiencies (Level 1)

• Gain proficiency in heavy armor and smith’s tools.
• Example: You can wear full plate armor and wield a warhammer, making you just as tanky as a Paladin or Fighter.

Blessing of the Forge (Level 1)

• At the end of a long rest, imbue a nonmagical weapon or armor with a +1 bonus.
• Lasts until your next long rest and can be given to an ally.
• Example: If your Barbarian has a normal greataxe, you can turn it into a +1 magical weapon.

Channel Divinity: Artisan’s Blessing (Level 2)

• Create simple metal items like weapons, armor, or tools in an hour.
• Example: Need an extra shield, dagger, or set of manacles? You can forge one without a forge or materials.

Soul of the Forge (Level 6)

• Gain fire resistance.
• +1 AC while wearing heavy armor, making you one of the tankiest Clerics.
• Example: Wearing plate armor with a shield means you now have AC 21 (without magic items).

Divine Strike (Level 8)

• Once per turn, add 1d8 fire damage to a weapon attack (increases to 2d8 at level 14).
• Example: Your warhammer now deals 1d8 bludgeoning + 1d8 fire damage, making you a formidable melee combatant.

Saint of Forge and Fire (Level 17)

• Become immune to fire damage.
• Resistant to nonmagical weapon attacks while wearing heavy armor.
• Example: You can walk through lava, ignore dragon fire breath, and shrug off enemy sword strikes.

These features make Forge Clerics some of the best tanks in the game, offering magical enhancements and heavy-duty durability.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Wisdom – Boosts spellcasting and healing power.
• Secondary: Constitution – Increases hit points for frontline survivability.
• Tertiary: Strength – Enhances melee combat effectiveness.

Recommended Races

Since Forge Clerics focus on durability and crafting, the best races include:

• Mountain Dwarf – +2 Strength, +2 Constitution, and proficiency in smith’s tools.
• Warforged – +1 AC, resistance to poison, and no need to sleep.
• Goliath – +2 Strength, Stone’s Endurance (damage reduction), and cold resistance.
• Variant Human – A free feat like Tough or War Caster at level 1.

Playing as a Forge Domain Cleric

Role in a Party

• Frontline Tank & Damage Dealer – Heavy armor and +1 magic weapon boosts melee combat.
• Magical Gear Crafter – Create +1 weapons and armor for yourself or allies.
• Fire-Themed Caster – Heat Metal, Wall of Fire, and flaming weapons enhance combat.

Compared to other Clerics, Forge Clerics excel at blending melee combat, durability, and magical crafting.

Tips for New Players

• Always use Blessing of the Forge – Boost your AC or an ally’s weapon every day.
• Use Heat Metal against armored enemies – Instant disadvantage and auto-damage each turn.
• Position yourself on the frontlines – Heavy armor and fire resistance keep you in the fight.
• Craft equipment before combat – Prepare shields, daggers, or tools when needed.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Holy Smith – A blacksmith blessed by the gods to forge legendary weapons.
• The Fire-Forged Warrior – A battle-hardened cleric wielding divine flame.
• The Artificer Priest – A divine crafter who creates magic-infused armor and tools.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Warhammer or Battleaxe – Best Strength-based weapons for melee Forge Clerics.
• Mace – A simple but effective weapon that fits the blacksmith aesthetic.

Armor

• Plate Armor – Best AC for melee durability.
• Shield – +2 AC to maximize survivability.

Magic Items

• Gauntlets of Ogre Power – Sets Strength to 19, great for melee attacks.
• Armor of Resistance (Fire) – Grants extra protection against fire-based enemies.
• Hammer of Thunderbolts – A legendary weapon that fits the Forge Cleric theme.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your blacksmith warrior aesthetic with these Forge-themed dice sets:

• Molten Core: For red and black hues resembling smoldering lava, consider the Blood Red Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set. This set features deep red tones with a dynamic liquid core, capturing the essence of molten magma within the forge.
• Hammerstrike Metal: To mimic forged steel with metallic gray and bronze tones, the Black Inked Lightning Cracked Glass DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. It showcases a striking cracked glass design with black inked numerals, evoking the resilience and craftsmanship of a master blacksmith.
• Infernal Forge: For orange and gold hues evoking the flames of creation, the Red and Gold Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set offers shimmering red and gold tones with a dynamic liquid core, symbolizing the fiery heart of the forge.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • War Caster – Helps with concentration spells like Spirit Guardians.
  • Tough – Extra HP for maximum survivability.
  • Shield Master – Improves AC and adds battlefield control.
    
    

• Multiclassing:

  • Paladin (Oath of the Forge) – Combines divine smites with tankiness.
  • Fighter (Champion or Battle Master) – Extra attacks and combat maneuvers.

The Forge Domain Cleric is an incredible tank, melee warrior, and magical craftsman, offering powerful durability and fire-based magic. If you want to stand strong in battle while forging legendary weapons and armor, this subclass is for you.