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

The War Domain Cleric is a divine warrior, a champion of battle who wields the power of the gods to crush enemies, inspire allies, and lead the charge into war. Introduced in the Player’s Handbook, this subclass is ideal for players who want to combine divine magic with martial prowess, excelling in both melee combat and spellcasting.

Unlike traditional Clerics who focus on healing and defense, War Clerics specialize in enhancing their combat abilities, striking with divine fury, and ensuring victory on the battlefield. If you love the idea of a heavily armored warrior-priest who smites enemies with both steel and divine wrath, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a War Domain Cleric?

Key Benefits

• Strong Melee Combatant – Proficiency in martial weapons and heavy armor makes you a frontline fighter.
• Extra Attacks from Divine Power – Use War Priest to make additional weapon attacks.
• Battlefield Leader & Support – Buff allies with spells like Bless, Shield of Faith, and Spirit Guardians.
• Burst Damage with Channel Divinity – Guided Strike ensures key attacks land, while War God’s Blessing helps allies hit harder.
• Great for Roleplay as a Holy Warrior – Be a divine champion of justice, conquest, or vengeance.

Compared to other Clerics, War Clerics are one of the best at melee combat, dealing high damage while still providing divine support.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Bonus Proficiencies (Level 1)

• Gain proficiency in martial weapons and heavy armor, making you as tough as a Fighter or Paladin.
• Example: Wield a greatsword or warhammer while wearing full plate armor.

War Priest (Level 1)

• When you take the Attack action, you can make an extra weapon attack as a bonus action.
• Uses equal to your Wisdom modifier per long rest.
• Example: At level 1, you can attack twice in one turn, making you an excellent early-game combatant.

Channel Divinity: Guided Strike (Level 2)

• Add +10 to an attack roll before knowing if it hits.
• Example: You roll a 10 and need a 17 to hit—use Guided Strike to ensure the attack lands.

War God’s Blessing (Level 6)

• Use Guided Strike on an ally’s attack, granting them +10 to hit.
• Example: A Rogue’s Sneak Attack barely misses? You make sure it hits, dealing massive damage.

Divine Strike (Level 8)

• Once per turn, add 1d8 extra damage to a weapon attack (increases to 2d8 at level 14).
• Example: Your greataxe now deals 1d12 + Strength + 1d8 divine damage.

Avatar of Battle (Level 17)

• Gain resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage from non-magical weapons.
• Example: Enemies without magic weapons deal half damage to you, making you a near-unstoppable tank.

These abilities make War Clerics incredibly strong in melee combat, allowing them to fight alongside Fighters and Paladins while still casting powerful support spells.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Wisdom – Boosts spellcasting effectiveness and divine abilities.
• Secondary: Strength or Dexterity – Determines melee or ranged combat effectiveness.
• Tertiary: Constitution – Increases survivability on the front lines.

Recommended Races

Since War Clerics focus on melee combat and battlefield control, the best races include:

• Half-Orc – Extra Strength, Relentless Endurance, and bonus melee damage.
• Goliath – Stone’s Endurance reduces incoming damage, making you even tankier.
• Dwarf (Mountain) – Heavy armor proficiency and Constitution bonus for frontline durability.
• Variant Human – Gain a free feat at level 1, such as Great Weapon Master or War Caster.

Playing as a War Domain Cleric

Role in a Party

• Frontline Tank & Damage Dealer – Heavy armor, extra attacks, and divine strikes make you a melee powerhouse.
• Battlefield Leader & Support – Buff allies, heal when needed, and protect key teammates.
• Divine Enforcer – Use spells like Hold Person and Guiding Bolt to disable enemies.

Compared to other Clerics, War Clerics excel at combat while still offering divine support, making them one of the most aggressive Cleric subclasses.

Tips for New Players

• Use War Priest attacks early – The extra attacks make you more effective in low-level combat.
• Save Guided Strike for critical moments – A +10 to hit ensures your key attacks land when you need them most.
• Use Spirit Guardians – Slows and damages enemies around you, making you even stronger in melee combat.
• Pick up a shield for defense – You can tank better while still dealing high damage.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Holy Crusader – A divine warrior on a mission of righteousness and conquest.
• The Battle Priest – A soldier-cleric who leads armies into battle with divine inspiration.
• The Avenging Champion – A warrior of faith who smites enemies of their god.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Greatsword or Warhammer – Best for Strength-based melee combat.
• Mace or Spear – Useful if wielding a shield.

Armor

• Plate Armor – Max AC for melee survivability.
• Shield – Boosts AC by +2, making you even harder to hit.

Magic Items

• Gauntlets of Ogre Power – Sets Strength to 19, making you hit harder in melee.
• Cloak of Protection – +1 AC and saving throws.
• Amulet of the Devout – Boosts spell save DC and grants extra Channel Divinity uses.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your divine warrior aesthetic with these battle-themed dice sets:

• Crimson Crusader: For red and gold hues evoking a warrior’s holy fury, 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 a fervent crusader.
• Stormforged Steel: To resemble a divine war hammer with metallic gray and black 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, embodying the power and resilience of a storm-forged weapon.
• Holy Avenger: For white and gold colors representing divine judgment, the Gemstone Opalite (Gold Font) DND Dice Set offers a luminous quality, symbolizing purity and righteous authority.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • Great Weapon Master – Boosts melee damage when using a greatsword or greataxe.
  • War Caster – Enhances concentration checks and spellcasting in melee.
  • Sentinel – Locks enemies in melee, preventing them from escaping your attacks.

• Multiclassing:

  • Fighter (Champion or Battle Master) – Adds extra attacks and combat maneuvers.
  • Paladin (Oath of Conquest or Devotion) – Combines smites with divine combat abilities.

The War Domain Cleric is one of the best frontline battle Clerics in D&D 5e, combining heavy armor, powerful melee attacks, and divine magic. If you want to be a divine warrior who fights for their god while leading the charge into battle, this subclass is for you.