InBaldur’s Gate 3, the Tempest Cleric offers a thrilling mix of divine power and elemental fury. Unlike more traditional healing-focused builds, the Tempest Domain channels the raw forces of storms lightning and thunder to bring devastation to the battlefield. With high burst damage potential, powerful crowd control spells, and strong frontline durability, the Tempest Cleric is a standout choice for players who want to be both a divine protector and a wrathful force of nature. This build excels at punishing enemies with thunderous retribution while still providing essential support to the party.
Overview of the Tempest Cleric
Domain Features and Playstyle
The Tempest Cleric’s unique domain features unlock a variety of elemental powers that complement both melee and spellcasting. Their core ability,Wrath of the Storm, allows them to deal lightning or thunder damage to attackers as a reaction, making them deadly even when on the defensive. This subclass also gains bonus spells focused on storm-based destruction, allowing for both direct damage and battlefield control.
Playstyle-wise, a Tempest Cleric can serve as an off-tank, blaster, or support. You can stride into melee and punish foes who target you, or stay back and unleash spells that disrupt enemy formations and deal area-of-effect damage.
Ability Score Priorities
Primary Stats
- Wisdom: This is your main casting stat. It boosts spell attack rolls, spell save DCs, and healing spells. Always max this first.
- Constitution: Increases your hit points and concentration checks. Essential for survivability.
- Strength or Dexterity: Depending on whether you want to wield melee weapons or stick with ranged spells. Strength is great if using heavy armor and melee weapons; Dexterity is useful for initiative and ranged defense.
Recommended starting stat distribution (before racial bonuses):
- Wisdom: 16 or 17
- Constitution: 14
- Strength: 14 (if melee-focused)
- Dexterity: 1012
- Intelligence and Charisma: Dump stats
Race and Background Choices
Optimal Race Options
- Wood Elf: Bonus to Wisdom and movement speed. Great for staying mobile.
- Half-Orc: Combines durability with melee potential, andRelentless Endurancegives you a second chance if dropped to 0 HP.
- Gold Dwarf: High Constitution and bonus hit points make you tanky and hard to kill.
Recommended Backgrounds
- Acolyte: Roleplay-friendly and grants useful Insight and Religion skills.
- Soldier: Fits well for a more militant Tempest Cleric and provides Athletics and Intimidation.
- Hermit: Offers Medicine and Religion, useful for a divine caster archetype.
Class Progression and Spells
Domain Spell Highlights
Tempest Clerics automatically learn certain spells that are always prepared:
- Thunderwave (Level 1): A great AoE spell that synergizes with your Tempest abilities.
- Shatter (Level 2): A powerful thunder-based AoE spell that benefits from your Channel Divinity.
- Call Lightning (Level 3): A strong spell that deals recurring lightning damage and scales well.
Core Spells to Prepare
- Guiding Bolt: High single-target radiant damage and helps your allies with advantage on the next attack.
- Healing Word: Bonus action healing, great for emergencies.
- Bless: Excellent early-level buff for improving your party’s success in combat.
- Spiritual Weapon: Bonus action damage that doesn’t require concentration.
- Spirit Guardians (Level 3): Devastating area-of-effect spell, especially with your tanky frontliner playstyle.
Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath
Maximizing Thunder and Lightning Damage
Your defining feature isDestructive Wrath, which lets you deal maximum damage instead of rolling for lightning or thunder damage. This ability shines when used with spells likeThunderwave,Shatter, orCall Lightning, turning them into guaranteed nukes.
For example,Shatternormally deals 3d8 thunder damage. With Destructive Wrath, that becomes a flat 24 damage to each enemy in the radius an enormous boost when clearing mobs or softening enemy casters.
Equipment Recommendations
Weapons and Shields
- Warhammer or Mace: Fits thematically and can be used for melee if needed.
- Shield: Always equip one for the added Armor Class, unless you are focusing solely on spellcasting.
Armor
- Heavy Armor: Take the Heavy Armor Proficiency feat if not already proficient; otherwise, pick a race or background that grants it. Aim for Chain Mail or Plate Mail as soon as possible.
Magic Items
Keep an eye out for gear that boosts Wisdom, increases spell save DC, or enhances thunder/lightning damage. Items that grant resistance or healing boosts are also beneficial for a Tempest Cleric who often finds themselves in the thick of battle.
Feats and Multiclass Options
Feats to Consider
- War Caster: Helps maintain concentration on key spells likeSpirit GuardiansorCall Lightning.
- Resilient (Constitution): Increases your concentration saves and durability.
- Tough: Grants additional hit points to stay in combat longer.
Multiclassing Ideas
- Cleric 10 / Sorcerer 2 (Storm Sorcerer): Grants Metamagic for spell customization and additional lightning synergy.
- Cleric 11 / Fighter 1: For Action Surge and heavy armor access.
While pure Cleric is entirely viable, a well-timed dip into another class can add flexibility and increased power in both combat and spellcasting utility.
Combat Strategy
Opening Turns
- CastBlessorShield of Faithon turn one if expecting a prolonged fight.
- Engage withThunderwaveorShatterearly, especially if enemies are clustered.
- ActivateSpirit Guardiansbefore wading into enemies to deal passive damage.
Mid-Combat Tactics
- UseWrath of the Stormreaction when enemies hit you in melee.
- UseDestructive Wrathduring a critical spell turn to maximize damage.
- DeploySpiritual Weaponto continue attacking without spending spell slots or concentration.
Support Role
Even as a damage dealer, you’re still a Cleric. KeepHealing WordorMass Healing Wordready to pick up downed allies, and don’t neglect utility spells likeCommand,Silence, orSanctuarywhen the situation calls for them.
Party Composition Tips
Tempest Clerics pair well with frontliners like Fighters or Barbarians who can pin enemies down while you blast them. Rogues and Rangers benefit from buffs and advantage-generating spells. Wizards or Sorcerers allow for magical synergy, especially when you’re clearing the battlefield with area spells.
You function well in any party due to your adaptability. Whether as a secondary healer, off-tank, or stormy spellcaster, the Tempest Cleric brings both style and substance.
The Tempest Cleric inBaldur’s Gate 3is a rewarding and explosive subclass that balances divine support with elemental destruction. Its signature lightning and thunder spells provide flashy, high-impact options in combat, while its innate tankiness and healing ensure survivability. With the right build, you can crush enemies with divine storms while still aiding your allies when it matters most. Whether you lean into the role of righteous destroyer or protective stormcaller, the Tempest Cleric offers a unique experience that stands out in every encounter.
#kebawah#