February 11, 2025

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

The Arcana Domain Cleric blends divine magic with arcane knowledge, serving as a bridge between deities and the secrets of wizardry. Introduced in Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide, this subclass grants expanded spellcasting, magical versatility, and enhanced anti-magic capabilities.

Unlike traditional Clerics, Arcana Clerics gain access to Wizard spells, improved cantrip power, and the ability to turn away extraplanar beings. If you love the idea of a divine scholar wielding both divine and arcane magic, this subclass is for you!

Why Play an Arcana Domain Cleric?

Key Benefits

Expanded Spell List – Gain extra Wizard spells on top of Cleric spells.
Improved Cantrip Power – Deal extra damage with Potent Spellcasting.
Anti-Magic Utility – Dispel enemy magic and banish extraplanar creatures.
Highly Versatile – Play as a support, damage dealer, or battlefield controller.
Great Roleplay Potential – Be a mystic scholar, a god-touched wizard, or a divine librarian.

Compared to other Clerics, Arcana Clerics excel at spellcasting flexibility, arcane power, and controlling magical enemies.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Arcane Initiate (Level 1)

Gain two Wizard cantrips of your choice.
Uses Wisdom as your spellcasting ability (instead of Intelligence).
Example: Choose Fire Bolt for damage or Prestidigitation for utility.

Channel Divinity: Arcane Abjuration (Level 2)

As an action, force celestials, fiends, elementals, and fey to flee for 1 minute.
At level 5, banished creatures stay gone for 24 hours.
Example: A demon invades your town—you banish it back to the Abyss with divine authority.

Spell Breaker (Level 6)

Whenever you cast healing magic on an ally, it removes one spell effect (like Dispel Magic).
Example: A Fighter hit by Hold Person can be freed by your healing spell.

Potent Spellcasting (Level 8)

Add your Wisdom modifier to your Cleric cantrip damage.
Example: Sacred Flame now deals 1d8 + 4 radiant damage at level 8.

Arcane Mastery (Level 17)

Gain four Wizard spells of 6th level or lower, permanently preparing them.
Example: Pick Counterspell, Teleport, Chain Lightning, and Wall of Force for ultimate versatility.

These features make Arcana Clerics highly adaptable, blending divine wisdom with arcane might.

Suggested Ability Scores

Primary: Wisdom – Boosts spell effectiveness and save DCs.
Secondary: Constitution – Increases survivability in combat.
Tertiary: Dexterity – Improves AC and initiative for battlefield control.

Recommended Races

Since Arcana Clerics focus on spell versatility and Wisdom-based casting, the best races include:

High Elf – Free Wizard cantrip and Dexterity bonus for AC.
Tiefling (Zariel or Asmodeus) – Resistance to fire and extra arcane spells.
Firbolg – +2 Wisdom and innate magic detection.
Variant Human – Free feat at level 1, such as War Caster or Magic Initiate.

Playing as an Arcana Domain Cleric

Role in a Party

Support & Utility Caster – Remove enemy buffs, dispel effects, and provide healing.
Damage Dealer – Use cantrips and Wizard spells to deal consistent damage.
Anti-Magic Specialist – Turn or banish magical creatures with Arcane Abjuration.

Compared to other Clerics, Arcana Clerics excel at removing magical threats while offering strong offensive and defensive spellcasting.

Tips for New Players

Pick versatile Wizard spells – Choose ones that Clerics don’t normally get (like Counterspell or Haste).
Use Spell Breaker to remove debuffs – Heal allies while dispelling effects like Charm or Paralysis.
Use Arcane Abjuration against magical enemies – Great for fighting demons, elementals, and fey.
Stay back and cast – You are more of a spellcaster than a frontline warrior.

Roleplay Suggestions

The Scholar-Priest – A divine researcher who studies arcane and divine texts.
The Celestial Archivist – A librarian of lost magical knowledge, preserving ancient spells.
The Mystic Hunter – A mage-slayer devoted to purging dark magic.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

Quarterstaff or Mace – Thematic for a scholar-warrior.
Dagger – Useful for utility and thematically fits a spellcaster.

Armor

Scale Mail or Half Plate – Good AC while still allowing some stealth.
Shield – Boosts AC for better survivability.

Magic Items

Wand of the War Mage – Increases spell attack rolls.
Amulet of the Devout – Boosts spell save DC and gives extra Channel Divinity uses.
Cloak of Protection – +1 AC and saving throws.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your mystical, arcane scholar character with these magic-themed dice sets:

Mystic Arcana: For swirling blue and purple hues representing magical energy, consider the Blue Smoke Resin DND Dice Set. This set features deep blue tones with swirling patterns, capturing the essence of arcane power.
Runic Sage: To evoke an ancient wizard’s tome with gold and deep blue colors, the Blue Glitter Liquid Core Sharp Edge Resin DND Dice Set is an excellent choice. It showcases vibrant blue hues with a dynamic liquid core, reflecting the wisdom of a seasoned mage.
Celestial Scholar: For silver and translucent hues fitting a divine academic, the Gemstone Opalite (Gold Font) DND Dice Set offers a luminous quality, symbolizing celestial insight and scholarly pursuits.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

Feats:
- War Caster – Helps with concentration spells like Haste and Spirit Guardians.
- Resilient (Constitution) – Boosts concentration checks to keep spells active.
- Magic Initiate (Wizard) – Learn an extra 1st-level Wizard spell, such as Shield.
Multiclassing:
- Wizard (Abjuration or Divination) – Expands spell list and improves spell defenses.
- Sorcerer (Divine Soul) – Adds Metamagic to enhance spellcasting.

The Arcana Domain Cleric is one of the most versatile Clerics in D&D 5e, blending arcane and divine magic for powerful support, spell damage, and utility. If you want to play as a divine mage with incredible spellcasting options, this subclass is for you.