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

The Tempest Domain Cleric is a storm-wielding warrior who calls upon thunder and lightning to devastate foes and control the battlefield. Introduced in the Player’s Handbook, this subclass is perfect for players who want to blend divine magic with raw elemental fury, striking down enemies with thunderous might while still supporting their allies.

Unlike other Cleric subclasses that focus on healing or defense, the Tempest Cleric excels at damage-dealing, battlefield control, and imposing fear on enemies. If you love the idea of a storm-calling battle priest who smites foes with divine lightning, this subclass is for you!

Why Play a Tempest Domain Cleric?

Key Benefits

• High Burst Damage – Deals massive thunder and lightning damage using divine magic.
• Tanky Frontline Presence – Gains martial weapon and heavy armor proficiency, making you durable in combat.
• Push and Control Enemies – Knock enemies away with Thunderwave, Wrath of the Storm, and Thunderbolt Strike.
• Channel Divinity: Maximize Lightning Damage – Automatically maximize damage for lightning and thunder spells like Call Lightning.
• Awesome Roleplay Opportunities – Play as a storm god’s chosen champion, a vengeful sea priest, or a wandering stormcaller.

Compared to other Clerics, Tempest Clerics combine divine spellcasting with martial power, making them one of the best battle-ready Clerics in D&D 5e.

Core Features

Key Mechanics and Abilities

Bonus Proficiencies (Level 1)

• Gain proficiency in martial weapons and heavy armor.
• Makes you much tankier than most Clerics, letting you survive in melee combat.
• Example: You can wear full plate armor and wield a warhammer, making you as durable as a Fighter.

Wrath of the Storm (Level 1)

• Use your reaction to deal thunder or lightning damage when an enemy hits you with a melee attack.
• Damage = 2d8 (scaling with Wisdom modifier), half damage if they succeed on a Dexterity save.
• Number of uses = Wisdom modifier per long rest.
• Example: A goblin slashes you with a dagger—you unleash Wrath of the Storm, electrocuting them on the spot!

Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath (Level 2)

• When you deal lightning or thunder damage, you can maximize the damage instead of rolling.
• Turns spells like Call Lightning and Thunderwave into devastating attacks.
• Example: Instead of rolling 3d10 for Call Lightning, you automatically deal 30 damage (before resistances or vulnerabilities).

Thunderbolt Strike (Level 6)

• When you deal lightning damage, you can push an enemy 10 feet away.
• Does not require a saving throw, making it a guaranteed battlefield control tool.
• Example: A bandit tries to charge you, but you blast them with Shocking Grasp and send them flying backward!

Divine Strike (Level 8)

• Once per turn, add 1d8 thunder damage to your weapon attacks.
• Increases to 2d8 at level 14.
• Example: If you're wielding a warhammer, your attack now deals 1d8 + Strength modifier + 1d8 thunder damage.

Stormborn (Level 17)

• Gain flying speed while outdoors equal to your walking speed.
• Allows you to hover over the battlefield like a storm god, unleashing lightning from above.

These features make Tempest Clerics feel powerful from start to finish, offering a mix of damage, tankiness, and battlefield control.

Suggested Ability Scores

• Primary: Wisdom – Boosts spellcasting power and Channel Divinity effectiveness.
• Secondary: Strength or Constitution – Choose Strength for melee combat or Constitution for survivability.
• Tertiary: Dexterity – Improves initiative and ranged spell accuracy.

Recommended Races

Since Tempest Clerics focus on durability and lightning damage, the best races include:

• Half-Orc – Relentless Endurance lets you survive a fatal hit, and Strength bonuses make you great in melee.
• Goliath – Stone’s Endurance reduces damage, and Strength bonuses make you a better frontline warrior.
• Aasimar (Protector or Scourge) – Radiant Soul boosts your damage, and resistance to radiant and necrotic fits the divine storm theme.
• Triton – Resistance to cold damage, gains spells like Gust of Wind, and fits the theme of a stormy sea cleric.

Playing as a Tempest Domain Cleric

Role in a Party

• Frontline Fighter & Damage Dealer – Can wear heavy armor, wield weapons, and still cast devastating spells.
• Crowd Control Caster – Push enemies away with Thunderwave and Wrath of the Storm.
• Support & Tank – Heals allies while absorbing damage on the frontlines.

Compared to other Clerics, Tempest Clerics are more aggressive and melee-oriented, excelling at both offense and defense.

Tips for New Players

• Use Wrath of the Storm frequently – Free damage whenever an enemy hits you.
• Save Channel Divinity for big damage – Destructive Wrath turns a spell like Call Lightning into an instant powerhouse.
• Position yourself wisely – Stay close enough to fight but far enough to avoid being overwhelmed.
• Use Thunderbolt Strike for battlefield control – Knocking enemies away disrupts enemy strategies.

Roleplay Suggestions

• The Stormbringer – A fierce warrior-priest chosen by a god of storms.
• The Sea Cleric – A guardian of the ocean, wielding the power of the storm to protect sailors and travelers.
• The Thunder Herald – A wandering priest who brings divine justice through lightning and thunder.

Gear and Dice Recommendations

Suggested Equipment

Weapons

• Warhammer – Great Strength-based weapon that fits the storm cleric theme.
• Quarterstaff – Pairs well with the Shillelagh cantrip for Wisdom-based attacks.

Armor

• Plate Armor – Best AC for survivability in melee.
• Shield – Boosts AC for maximum tankiness.

Magic Items

• Stormgirdle (Magic Belt) – Grants lightning resistance and extra lightning damage on melee hits.
• Wand of Lightning Bolts – Extra firepower to complement your storm magic.
• Cloak of the Stormcaller – Enhances lightning damage and provides resistance.

Dice Recommendations from Runic Dice

Enhance your storm-themed character with these Tempest-inspired dice sets:

• Stormcaller: For blue and white swirls resembling a raging storm, consider the Blue Glitter Liquid Core Sharp Edge Resin DND Dice Set. This set features vibrant blue hues with a dynamic liquid core, capturing the essence of a tempestuous sea.
• Lightning Surge: To match lightning magic with electric blue and silver 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 raw energy of a lightning storm.
• Tempest Fury: Reflecting divine power with dark clouds and gold accents, the Red and Gold Glitter Liquid Core Resin DND Dice Set offers shimmering red and gold tones with a dynamic liquid core, symbolizing the might of a storm deity.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

Optimization Strategies

• Feats:

  • War Caster – Helps with concentration checks when casting spells in melee.
  • Tough – Extra HP for survivability.
  • Elemental Adept (Lightning) – Ignores enemy resistance to lightning damage.

• Multiclassing:

  • Fighter (Champion or Battle Master) – Adds extra attacks and combat maneuvers.
  • Sorcerer (Storm Sorcery) – Expands lightning spells and adds mobility.

The Tempest Domain Cleric is a devastating spellcaster and frontline warrior, blending storm magic, heavy armor, and battlefield control. If you want to smite foes with divine lightning while standing firm as a frontline protector, this subclass is perfect for you.