Tempest Cleric Build BG3

The Best Cleric Build for Baldur’s Gate 3, that is using the Tempest Domain to heal your party but also strike down your enemies in BG3! The Cleric is a support Class that can keep your team alive with ease but also debuff and attack opponents. A relatively easy Class to play in Baldur’s Gate 3 as a beginner that can help you understand how spell casting works in the game. Their core gameplay is that of healing and supporting your group but it is possible to play more offensively as a Cleric with the right Domain. This Tempest Cleric Guide will show you the best options for this Class, so you can create a strong character!

Table of Contents

• Cleric Class Mechanics Guide
• Cleric Build Subclass
• Cleric Build Race
• Cleric Build Abilities
• Cleric Build Background
  • Cleric Build Skills
• Cleric Build Leveling
  • Level 1
  • Level 2
  • Level 3
  • Level 4
  • Level 5
  • Level 6
  • Level 7
  • Level 8
  • Level 9
  • Level 10
  • Level 11
  • Level 12
• Best Gear
  • Best Weapon
  • Best Armor
• Gameplay Tips

Cleric Class Mechanics Guide BG3

The Cleric is a support Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 that is focusing on Healing your party! Clerics gain access to powerful heals but also support spells that can buff your allies or debuff your enemies. Depending on the Subclass you will choose, you can play Cleric as a pure Healer or a more offensive support character that can use powerful spells against your enemies. The Subclasses of Cleric are called Domains and they are:

• Life
• Light
• Trickery
• Knowledge
• Nature
• Tempest
• War

Life Domain is focusing on Healing and offers an additional Heavy Armor proficiency, Light is using spells to light the way and harm enemies, Trickery allows you to charm enemies and trick them with illusions, Knowledge offers spells that can crowd control enemies, Nature also adds Heavy Armor proficiency, lets you speak to animals and use the power of nature to deal damage. Tempest adds Martial Weapons and Heavy Armor proficiencies, as well as Lightning and Thunder damage spells to defeat your enemies. War Domain finally adds Martial Weapons and Heavy Armor proficiencies, as well as a few offensive spells. A quite flexible and easy Class to play if you enjoy the support role more.

Best Subclass for Cleric Build in BG3

The Best Subclass for the Cleric is Tempest Domain! Tempest adds Martial Weapons and Heavy Armor proficiencies to your Cleric but also allows you to use some powerful Spells(Domain Spells are always prepared) as you gain levels. The Tempest Domain is the best option if you wish to play a more offensive Cleric Build! As you level up you will unlock the following:

• Level 1 – Wrath of the Storm reaction and two Domain Spells(Thunderwave, Fog Cloud)
• Level 2 – Destructive Wrath Reaction
• Level 3 – two Domain Spells(Gust of Wind, Shatter)
• Level 5 – two Domain Spells(Call Lighting, Sleet Storm)
• Level 6 – Thunderbolt Strike Passive
• Level 7 – two Domain Spells(Freedom of Movement, Ice Storm)
• Level 8 – Divine Strike: Tempest
• Level 9 – two Domain Spells(Destructive Wave, Insect Plague)

Best Race for Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Best Race for the Tempest Cleric Build in BG3 is the High Half Elf or High Elf! Both races make great spell caster Builds in Baldur’s Gate 3 and offer an extra Cantrip to start the game with. This extra Cantrip can help early in the game, since it provides you with an extra source of damage. For the free Cantrip you get from them you can pick the Fire Bolt! It is the strongest Cantrip available and can use it to set surfaces with flammable elements alight!

Another good and flexible race you can pick for your Cleric Build is Human! You can pick any of the eleven available Races in BG3 and still have success with the Build! To find out more about all Baldur’s Gate 3 Races and their Sub Races, you can read my Baldur’s Gate 3 Best Race Guide!

Best Abilities for Cleric Tempest Build in BG3

Wisdom is the main Ability for Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3. What that means is that the higher Wisdom is, the more effective your Cleric Build will be in BG3! Constitution and Dexterity are also important abilities that will help you stay alive but also get better initiative in battle! You can use the recommended abilities setup or adjust them to get high Wisdom and good enough Dexterity and Constitution. For a reliable Cleric Build that also has good initiative and survivability, you can use the following abilities setup:

• Strength – 10
• Dexterity – 14
• Constitution – 14
• Intelligence – 8
• Wisdom – 17
• Charisma – 11

Best Background for Tempest Cleric Build BG3

The most important ability for the Tempest Cleric is Wisdom. To maximize the efficiency of the build you should pick a background that gives access to Skills that rely on Wisdom! The Best Background for the Cleric Build in BG3 is Folk Hero! Folk Hero gives you access to Animal Handling(Wisdom) and Survival(Wisdom). Both skills can be helpful in your playthrough. A few more good Backgrounds you can use with the Build are:

• Acolyte
• Guild Artisan
• Outlander

To find more about all available Backgrounds you can read my Baldur’s Gate 3 Backgrounds Guide!

Best Skills for Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3

Skill proficiencies allow you to pursue different paths when picking dialogue option and can help you solve situations in a variety of ways. When you create your character you can pick two more skills to increase your proficiency with them. Medicine, Survival, Perception and Insight are useful skills to have. You can follow this example or boost the skills of your choice. Skills do not matter in combat but they are always nice to have to advance storytelling.

Cleric Build Leveling Guide in Baldur’s Gate 3

Below you can find the Best options for the Cleric Tempest Build in BG3 for every Level! There are 12 Levels in total and each one unlocks new powerful spells and passives for your Cleric Build!

Level 1 Best Options

Level 1 is basically Character Creation for your Cleric Build in BG3! Pick your Race, Background, Abilities and Skills as shown above. You can even pick a Deity of your choice(depending on race). At this level you gain your Subclass Wrath of the Storm Reaction, the two Domain Spells Thunderwave and Fog Cloud but can also pick three Cantrips and Prepare four spells. For your three Cantrips get:

• Guidance
• Blade Ward
• Light

Guidance offers great assistance to ability checks, Blade Ward protects from Bludgeoning, Piercing and Slashing attacks and Light can help you illuminate an area. Finally prepare the following Spells:

• Guiding Bolt – Deals Radiant damage and gives advantage against a target.
• Bless – Grants bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws to your chosen allies.
• Cure Wounds – Heal a target in melee range
• Healing Word – Ranged Healing Spell

Level 2 Best Options

At level 2 you unlock the Turn Undead spell and your Destructive Wrath Subclass reaction. You can also prepare five spells. Prepare the following Spells:

• Guiding Bolt
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Sanctuary

Level 3 Best Options

At Level 3 you unlock level 2 Spells, get your two Domain Spells Shatter and Gust of Wind and can prepare the following Six Spells:

• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Guiding Bolt

Aid increases the maximum Hit Points of your party while Prayer of Healing offers a strong heal out of combat!

Level 4 Best Options

When you hit level 4 you unlock your first Feat. Feats are powerful passive effects that can enhance your play style or help you alter your build! You can pick 3 Feats for your Cleric Build at levels 4, 8 and 12! Picking Feats is quite important for the effectiveness of your Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. For the first Feat, pick Ability Improvement and add 2 points to Wisdom. Like this your Wisdom score will rise up to 19 if you have followed the above recommendations and your Tempest Cleric will be more effective.

You can also pick one more Cantrip and prepare Seven Spells at this level. For your new Cantrip take Sacred Flame. An offensive option that will offer one more attack. Finally prepare the following seven spells:

• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Guiding Bolt
• Hold Person

Level 5 Best Options

When you hit level 5 you unlock level 3 Spells, get the Destroy Undead Class Spell and your two Domain Spells, Call Lightning and Sleet Storm. You can now Prepare nine Spells:

• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word

Spirit Guardians summons spirits that protect you and deal damage to enemies. Mass Healing Word heals your allies nearby and Revivify revives a fallen companion!

Level 6 Best Options

At level 6 you unlock your Thunderbolt Strike passive that pushes back targets when you deal Lightning or Thunder damage to them. You can now prepare the following ten Spells:

• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Remove Curse

Level 7 Best Options

At level 7 you unlock powerful level 4 Spells and get Ice Storm and Freedom of Movement as your two Domain Spells. Ice Storm is an especially helpful spell that deals massive damage but also crowd controls enemies with prone! You can now prepare eleven Spells. Pick the following:

• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Remove Curse
• Guardian of Faith

Level 8 Best Options

When you hit level 8 you can pick a second Feat. Get War Caster that will allow you to keep your concentration and assist your party! You can also use the Shocking Grasp Cantrip as a reaction. At this level you also unlock the Divine Strike: Thunder action, that adds Thunder damage to your weapon attacks and can prepare twelve Spells. Prepare the following Spells:

• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Cure Wounds
• Healing Word
• Remove Curse
• Guardian of Faith
• Death Ward

Level 9 Best Options

At level 9 you unlock level 5 Spells and gain your two Domain Spells Destructive Wave and Insect Plague. At this point you have access to some powerful support and offensive spells that can help you party! You can now prepare thirteen spells:

• Flame Strike
• Mass Cure Wounds
• Guardian of Faith
• Death Ward
• Remove Curse
• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Hold Person
• Prayer of Healing
• Bless
• Healing Word

Flame Strike deals massive Radiant and Fire damage to enemies while Mass Cure Wounds provides a massive heal to your party.

Level 10 Best Options

At level 10 you unlock Divine Intervention that can invoke your God’s Aid, gain one more Cantrip and prepare fourteen Spells. For your new Cantrip get Resistance that makes a target more resistant to spell effects and conditions. Prepare the following Spells:

• Flame Strike
• Mass Cure Wounds
• Guardian of Faith
• Death Ward
• Remove Curse
• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Hold Person
• Prayer of Healing
• Bless
• Healing Word
• Cure Wounds

Level 11 Best Options

When you reach Level 11 you unlock massive level 6 Spells and can prepare fifteen Spells:

• Heal
• Heroes’ Feast
• Mass Cure Wounds
• Flame Strike
• Guardian of Faith
• Death Ward
• Remove Curse
• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Healing Word

Heal is a massive healing ability that can restore health, remove Blindness and any diseases. Heroes’ Feast protects you and your allies from Poison, Disease and Fear while increases your HP and give advantage to your Wisdom Saves.

Level 12 Best Options

Finally at level 12 you get your final Feat. For your third Feat pick Shield Master! Shield Master grants a +2 bonus to Dexterity Saving Throws while wielding a Shield. If a spell forces you to make a Dexterity Saving Throw, you can use a reaction to shield yourself and diminish the effect’s damage. On a failed Saving Throw, you only take half damage. On a successful Saving Throw you do not take any damage. You can also prepare sixteen Spells:

• Heal
• Heroes’ Feast
• Mass Cure Wounds
• Flame Strike
• Guardian of Faith
• Death Ward
• Remove Curse
• Spirit Guardians
• Mass Healing Word
• Revivify
• Aid
• Prayer of Healing
• Hold Person
• Bless
• Healing Word
• Cure Wounds

Best Gear for Cleric Build BG3

Below you can find the Best Gear for the Tempest Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. The Best Weapons and Armor for the Cleric, as well as alternative options that can help you early in the game!

What is the Best Weapon for Cleric in BG3

The Best Weapon for the Tempest Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3, is The Blood of Lathander! A Legendary Mace that deals Bludgeoning and Radiant Damage, that also offers:

• Lathander’s Blessing – Once per Long Rest, when your hit points are reduced to 0, you regain 2-12 hit points. Allies within 9m also regain 1-6 hit points.
• Lathander’s Light – Sheds holy light in a 6m radius. In combat, fiends and undead standing in the light are Blinded, unless they succeed a Constitution Saving Throw.
• Weapon Enchantment +3
• Sunbeam Level 6 Evocation Spell

A powerful Weapon for the Cleric Tempest Build that you can find early in the game(Githyanki Creche, Act 1) and use until the end! To complement The Blood of Lathander use the Viconia’s Walking Fortress Shield! A Legendary Shield that you can get from Viconia DeVir in Act 3! Viconia’s Walking Fortress offers:

• Rebuke of the Mighty: When a foe hits you with a melee attack, you can use your reaction to deal force damage and knock them prone unless they succeed a Dexterity Saving Throw.
• Spellguard: You gain advantage on Saving Throws against Spells. Spell Attack Rolls against you have Disadvantage.
• Reflective Shell
• Warding Bond

Early in the game you can use the Adamantine Shield by crafting it at the Adamantine Forge in Act 1! Complement the Build with a Ranged Weapon of your choice if you wish! The table below shows you the best Gear for the Tempest Cleric Build, as well as good alternative options to use early in BG3!

Piece	Best	Early Game
Head	Helm of Balduran/Hood of the Weave	Wapira’s Crown
Cape	Cloak of the Weave	Cloak of Protection
Chest	Helldusk Armor	Adamantine Splint Armor
Gloves	Helldusk Gloves	Hellrider’s Pride
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Vital Conduit Boots
Necklace	Spellcrux Amulet	Amulet of Misty Step
Ring	Killer’s Sweetheart	The Whispering Promise
Ring	Ring of Regeneration	Ring of Protection
Melee Weapon	The Blood of Lathander	The Blood of Lathander
Shield	Viconia’s Walking Fortress	Adamantine Shield
Ranged Weapon	Any	Any

What is the Best Armor for Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3

The Helm of Balduran is a great head Armor for the Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3. You can get it by completing the Wyrmway Trials, along with the Balduran’s Giantslayer! This Helmet offers:

• Balduran’s Vitality: The helmet heals you 2 hit points at the beginning of every turn.
• Balduran’s Favour: You have a +1 bonus to Armour Class and Saving throws.
• Stun Immunity: You can’t be Stunned.
• Attackers can’t land Critical Hits on the wearer.

Another great alternative is the Hood of the Weave. A Very Rare armor that you can get from Mystic Carrion in Baldur’s Gate, in Act 3 and offers the Arcane Enchantment Effect. Arcane Enchantment grants you a +2 bonus to Spell Save DC and Spell attack rolls.

The Helldusk Armor is the best Armor option for Chest! A legendary Heavy Armor that you can loot from Raphael in House of Hope(Act 3). The Armor offers:

• Helldusk Armor: You are considered Proficient with this armor while wearing it.
• Infernal Retribution: When you succeed a Saving Throw, the caster receives Burning for 3 turns.
• Prime Aegis of Fire: You have resistance to Fire damage and cannot be Burned. You take 3 less damage from all sources.
• Fly level 3 Spell

The Helldusk Gloves and Boots complement the Build well! You can loot the Helldusk Gloves from Haarlap in the House of Hope again in Act 3. They offer:

• Infernal Acuity: You gain a +1 bonus to Spell Attack Rolls and Spell Save DC.
• Infernal Touch: Your weapon attacks deal an additional 1-6 Fire damage. Your unarmed attacks deal an additional 1-6 Necrotic damage, and can possibly inflict Bleeding.
• Strength Saving Throws +1

You can get the Helldusk Boots by looting a gilded chest in Gortash’s room on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress. With them you get:

• Steadfast: You cannot be forcibly moved by a foe’s spells or actions, and you ignore the effects of Difficult Terrain.
• Infernal Evasion: When you fail a Saving Throw, you may use your reaction to succeed instead.
• Hellcrawler Class Action

The Spellcrux Amulet is the best Amulet in BG3 for the Cleric Build, thanks to its Spell Slot Restoration Class Action, that allows you to restore a Spell Slot once every Long Rest! You can get the Amulet by defeating and looting the Warden in Moonrise Towers Prison during Act 2.

Killer’s Sweatheart and Ring of Regeneration are finally the best ring options for the Cleric Tempest Build in Baldur’s Gate 3! You can get the Killer’s Sweatheart ring by defeating yourself in the Self-Same Trial inside the Gauntlet of Shar(Act 2). The ring grants you the Executioner effect: When you kill a creature, your next Attack Roll will be a Critical Hit. Once spent, this effect refreshes after a Long Rest. You can buy the Ring of Regeneration from Rolan at the Sorcerous Sundries in Act 3 and get Combat Regeneration: At the beginning of your turn, the ring activates and heals you for 1-4 hitpoints.

There are a few great alternative items that you can get early and will help you advance your game until you can get one of the Best Armor pieces above.

• Wapira’s Crown gives you back hit points when you heal another. You receive the Helmet from Zevlor as a reward during the Save the Refugees Quest in Act 1.
• Cloak of Protection offers a +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throw and is a nice Cape Armor that you can get from Quartermaster Talli(loot or buy) in the Last Light Inn in Act 2.
• Adamantine Splint Armor is an excellent Heavy Armor that you can craft at the Adamantine Forge. It reduces incoming damage, sends enemies reeling and attackers cannot land Critical Hits on the wearer.
• Hellrider’s Pride gives resistance to Bludgeoning, Piercing and Slashing damage to a target when you heal them. You can buy or loot it from Zevlor in the Druid Grove, Act 1.
• Vital Conduit Boots grant you temporary Hit Points when you cast a spell that requires Concentration. You can buy them from A’jak’nir Jeera in the Creche(Act 1).
• Amulet of Misty Step provides the Misty Step spell and you can get it from a gilded chest next to the bed behind Polma in Defiled Temple.
• The Whispering Promise grants a bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws to a target when you heal them. You can buy it from Volo after completing the Rescue Volo Quest.
• Ring of Protection grants +1 to Armor Class and Saving Throw and you can get it as a reward from Mol for stealing the Druids’ Idol(Act 1).

Cleric Tempest Build Gameplay Tips in BG3

The Cleric is a Support Class in Baldur’s Gate 3 that can also assist with offensive Spells. Clerics with the Tempest Domain as their subclass have access to some powerful spells that can deal massive damage and crowd control enemies. Your primary focus is to buff allies with Bless and heal them when they are wounded with your many healing spells. Spirit Guardians is a powerful spell that can deal with multiple enemies but requires concentration. Use your Lightning and Ice Spells to deal massive AOE damage and finish enemies low on Health. When facing mages you can cast Sleet Storm to disrupt them.