Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide

This guide will explain the best Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3, the Cleric Class, and the Knowledge Domain subclass, for the optimal setup.

This build page has been updated for the patch 6 version of Baldur’s Gate 3.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Class Introduction

The Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3 is a versatile and powerful class that can play a variety of roles in a party. Clerics are spellcasters who use divine magic to heal their allies, buff them for battle, and debuff their enemies. They can also deal significant damage with their offensive spells.

For this build, we will use the Knowledge Domain subclass.  The Knowledge domain unlocks additional skill proficiency and domain spells focused on crowd control.  While you don’t get heavy armour proficiency with this build, the Knowledge Domain Cleric still excels at healing, supporting, and debuffing enemies.  This build will focus on a support build with some extra damage when needed.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Class Mechanics and Features

The following list are key features and class mechanics of the Knowledge Domain Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3:

• Primary Ability: Wisdom
• Saving Throws: Charisma and Wisdom
• Subclass: Knowledge Domain
• Armour Proficiency: Light Armour, Medium Armour, and Shield
• Weapon Proficiency: Simple Weapons, Morningstars, Flails
• Deity: Oghma shares knowledge with the world through his bards and clerics.
• Preferred Weapon: Quarterstaff and Shield
• Preferred Armor: Medium
• Blessings of Knowledge: You gain Proficiency in your choice of two of the following skills: Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. Your Proficiency Bonus Proficiency Bonus is doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of these skills.
• Knowledge of the Ages: Gain Proficiency in all Skills of a chosen Ability.
• Read Thoughts: Using Channel Divinity Action, Read the thoughts of certain creatures while talking to them.
• Potent Spellcasting: You can add your Wisdom Modifier to the damage you deal with Cleric cantrips.

Cleric Spell Mechanics

• Cantrips: are like spells, but you can cast them infinitely, and they don’t take your spell slots. 
• Spell Slots: At each level, you gain access to more usage of spells and high-tier spells but only have a finite number of spells until a long rest.
• Prepared Spells: this allows you to flex in and out spells as long as you are not in combat.
• Concentration: is a spell mechanic that requires you to maintain concentration otherwise, the spell effect ends.

Knowledge Domain Subclass

The Knowledge Domain is the best subclass for roleplaying, dialogue, and crowd control for the Cleric class in Baldur’s Gate 3. Knowledge Domain helps provide two domain spells at various levels. These spells are always prepared, and will not take up slots in your spellbook. They are meant to aid your play style and expect them to be heavy crowd control.

The best part of the Knowledge subclass is gaining extra skill proficiency and expertise. You can then have one character that’s very strong in dialogue, exploration, and influencing quest. If you want a support class with good healing, crowd control, and extra benefits in questing, the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide is a great fit.

Below is a list of the Knowledge Domain Cleric subclass progression, features, and spells:

• Domain Spells (Level 1) – Command and Sleep 
• Subclass Feature (Level 1): +2 Expertise Skills, can choose from History, Nature, Religion, Arcana.
• Knowledge of the Ages (Level 2) – Gain Proficiency in all Skills of a chosen Ability.
• Domain Spells (Level 3) – Calm Emotions and Hold Person
• Domain Spells (Level 5) – Speak with Dead and Slow
• Domain Spells (Level 7) – Confusion and Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere
• Potent Spellcasting (Level 8) – Your god grants you even more intense power. You can add your Wisdom Modifier to the damage you deal with Cleric cantrips.
• Domain Spells (Level 9) – Dominate Person and Telekinesis

Recommended Backgrounds

Folk Hero is the best background for a Light Knowledge in Baldur’s Gate 3 because it gives two Wisdom-based skills that help in non-combat situations. But if you want to make the most out of the build, Clerics should choose at least a few of the following proficiencies: Animal Handling, Perception, Insight, Medicine, and Survival. Those proficiencies buff your Wisdom which is the class‘s primary statistic. You can also invest a little more into a Dexterity bonus to increase survivability. It all depends on your first playstyle choice.

Additional background choices are:

1. Folk Hero: Proficiency in Animal Handling (wisdom) and Survival (wisdom). You’re a champion of the common people, challenging tyrants, and monsters to protect the helpless. Folk Hero companions in BG3 are Minsc and Wyll.
2. Guild Artisan: Proficiency in Insight (wisdom) and Persuasion (charisma). Your skill in a particular craft has earned you membership in a mercantile guild, offering privileges and protection while engaging in your art. No Guild Artisan companions in BG3.
3. Acolyte:  Proficiency in Insight (wisdom) and Religion (intelligence). You have spent your life serving a temple, learning sacred rites, and providing sacrifices to the god or gods you worship. Shadowheart is an Acolyte.

Best Race Choice for Knowledge Cleric Build

The Githyanki is the best race for the Knowledge Cleric build because of the Astral Knowledge racial feature. For a subclass based on knowledge, the Githyanki provide proficiency in all skills of a chosen ability.  This helps create a diverse skill proficiency set for a knowledge and dialogue-focused build. Humans are another good choice because you get extra carry capacity and another skill proficiency. 

Githyanki	Human
Astral Knowledge	Extra Skill Proficiency
Misty Step	Increased Carry Capacity
Martial Prodigy	Civil Militia

The Cleric’s racial choice will not influence ability score, as race will get a +2 and +1 to spend regardless. This frees your race choice up to not completely hinder yourself based on ability score, but race features. Each of these races offers unique advantages that can enhance your combat prowess, survivability, or utility. Additionally, consider the roleplaying opportunities and character concepts that resonate with you.

Astral Knowledge Explained

The Astral Knowledge Githyanki race feature helps increase skill proficiency in an ability of your choice. This is a great option for dialogue-focused builds with lower ability scores in say intelligence. You can use this once per long rest, and change your ability to focus. This will give you a +2 for every skill in an ability tree. Since Wizards are the only intelligence-based class, the Githyanki make a great race for players wanting a unique experience in and outside of combat.

Recommended Skills for Knowledge Domain Cleric Build

Medicine and Persuasion are the best skills for our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide because they complement your class abilities and enhance your effectiveness in various situations. In Baldur’s Gate 3, skills represent the abilities and proficiencies of your character that allow them to perform various actions and interact with the game world. Skills are associated with specific attributes and are used to determine the success or effectiveness of certain actions or abilities. They can be edited during character creation or with companions, during respec or reroll screen.

Here are the skills for a Knowledge Domain Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. You get two skill proficiency +2
   • Religion – Intelligence skill helps succeed in religion checks.
   • Persuasion – is a Charisma Skill used entirely for dialogue Ability Checks.
2. You get two Expertise which is +4
   • Arcana – Intelligence skill helps to understand the Arcane.
   • Religion – Intelligence score helps succeed in religion checks.

Note these could be different depending on your racial and background selection for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide.

Best Knowledge Domain Cleric Ability Scores

Below is the best ability score to unlock the full potential of the best Knowledge Domain Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Ability	Score
Strength	8
Dexterity	14
Constitution	16
Intelligence	10
Wisdom	16
Charisma	10

The ability score for a Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide is 16 Wisdom, 16 Constitution, and 14 Dexterity. Wisdom is your spell effectiveness, constitution represents your hit points and concentration saving throws, and dexterity helps with initiative and Armour Class (AC) when wearing medium armour.

It’s important to land on even numbers and get at least 16 in Wisdom for optimal spell casting. In Baldur’s Gate 3, ability scores are the six core stats that determine a character’s capabilities. You can adjust for the optimal setup in character creation or reroll with Withers in your Camp.

During character creation, the game will automatically distribute your abilities in the character creation abilities tab. You will need to reprioritize the stats for the chart for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide. Simply use the plus-minus in the character creator and make sure you have the suggested race, or the numbers will be off.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Spell Slots

Here is a list of the Knowledge Domain Clerics’ Spell Slots as they progress:

Cleric Level	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
Level 1	2	0	0	0	0	0
Level 2	3	0	0	0	0	0
Level 3	4	2	0	0	0	0
Level 4	4	3	0	0	0	0
Level 5	4	3	2	0	0	0
Level 6	4	3	3	0	0	0
Level 7	4	3	3	1	0	0
Level 8	4	3	3	2	0	0
Level 9	4	3	3	3	1	0
Level 10	4	3	3	3	2	0
Level 11	4	3	3	3	2	1
Level 12	4	3	3	3	2	1

Knowledge Domain Cleric Illithid Powers

Illithid Powers are unlocked later in the game when you learn more about the Mind Flayers and tadpoles. You can gain jars of Mind Flayer Parasite Specimens, and consume them to gain one point. This is essentially another skill tree advancement with some very strong powers. If you decide to advance this skill line, these are the choices we suggest.

Here are the best Illithid Powers for our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide:

• Luck of the Far Realms: When you make a successful Attack Roll against a foe, you can change that hit into a Critical Hit.
• Cull of the Weak: When you bring a creature down to fewer hit points than your number of evolved Illithid powers, it dies and all nearby creatures take 1-4 Psychic damage.
• Psionic Backlash: When an enemy within 9m casts a spell, you can use your reaction to inflict ld4 Psychic damage to the caster per the spell’s level.
• Blackhole: Area-based suck-in that slows targets.
• Repulsor: Massive area knockback that can hit friendlies.
• Charm: Channel the dark allure of the tadpole to Charm an enemy that attacks you, preventing them from attacking you until their next turn.  This is the priority power you want to obtain because you can force enemies to attack something else.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level Progression

Level 1

Level one follow our character creator to pick all correct background, race, skills, and ability score focusing on Wisdom and Dexterity.  At level one, you will unlock three cantrips and pick three prepared spells. Cantrips are reusable and don’t require a spell slot resource. Prepared spells can be swapped in and out before combat, so make sure to use the loadout at the end of the level for a helpful guide. Look to wear medium armour and one-handed weapon like a mace or quarterstaff and shield. Act 3, the Helldusk Armour is the only exception because it grants you heavy armour proficiency. Outside of that, stick to medium armour.

Cantrips and Spells

Cantrip Selection

• Sacred Flame: Conjure a flame-like radiance that deals 1d8 Radiant. This Cantrip acts with a very low damage range ability that can be used without a spell slow.
• Guidance: Bestow guidance upon an ally. They gain a +1d4 bonus to Ability Checks.  This spell is critical during dialogue checks and is very useful outside of combat.
• Thaumaturgy: Gain Advantage on Intimidation and Performance Checks. This is another helpful noncombat-related cantrip.

Spell Selection

• Guiding Bolt: 4d6 Radiant damage that grants Advantage on the next Attack Roll against the target. This is very high damage early and helpful because of the Advantage component. Consider this your main offensive spell.
• Healing Word (Domain Spell): 1d4 Heal a creature you can see up to 18m away with bonus action. Since this a bonus action heal, you can combine with an action based heal like Cure Wounds or others to do two heals in one turn.
• Bless (Domain Spell): up to 3 creatures gain a +1d4 bonus to Attack Rolls and Saving Throws. This spell requires concentration which can be broken, but it can be but it can be pre-cast before combat with a long 10 turn duration. This drastically helps melee build land attacks like a Fighter and Barbarian.
• Cure Wounds: 1d8 heal requiring you to touch creature to heal it. A melee based heal that isn’t that powerful but at early levels it can be combined with Healing Word for two heals in one turn.
• Command (subclass spell): Command a creature to flee, move closer, freeze, drop to the ground or drop its weapon.
• Sleep (subclass spell):Put creatures into a magical slumber. Select targets up to a combined 24 hit points. Lasts 2 turns

Subclass Feature

• Skill Expertise: +2 Expertise Skills, you can choose from History, Nature, Religion, Arcana.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 1 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, and Healing Word.

Healing: The best healing combination at level 1 is Healing Word and Cure Wounds. Healing Word is a bonus action, while Cure Wounds is an action, so you can use both spells in one turn for powerful healing. Both spells also have enchanted versions at higher levels, so this combination will remain useful throughout the game.

Playstyle Tips

Damage: Guiding Bolt is a great damage spell in early levels, although Inflict Wounds deals slightly more damage. Guiding Bolt has a longer range and grants advantage on the next attack against the target, which allows an ally to roll two dice instead of one. You don’t need to use your spell slots on Guiding Bolt often, but it’s a good choice if you need to take down a specific target quickly. If you’re out of spell slots, rely on the Sacred Flame cantrip.

Subclass: You choose your Cleric subclass at level 1. Your subclass will grant you several always-prepared spells, which means you don’t have to use your spell slots to prepare them. This gives you more variety and versatility in your spell casting.  The Knowledge Domain subclass is heavy in “stuns” or crowd control spells.  Consider dropping or changing your prepared spells if you find too many in your arsenal.

Playstyle: Your goal at level 1 is to keep your party alive, provide buffs, and deal damage when everyone is topped off on health. This will continue to be your role throughout the game, as this is a support build setup. Wear medium armor and a shield to keep your Armor Class (AC) high, which will lower the enemy’s chance of hitting you. In early levels, rely on cantrips when your spell slots are low. You’ll get a big boost in power at levels 5 and 9 when you learn more powerful spells.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Gameplay & Priorities

During the early phase of BG3, your Cleric should equip a One-Handed weapon and Shield as soon as possible. Quarterstaffs can be combined with shields for extra free spells and Armour Class (AC). This will help your defensive potential immensely. Moreover, rely on cantrips for damage when out of spell slots like Sacred Flame. Spell casting can be tough at the start of Baldur’s Gate 3 with limited spell slots. Lastly, look to combine Elixir of Peerless Focus with Potion of Speed. Peerless will help with Advantage for spells that require it while Potion of Speed will give an additional action for 3 turns. These two stack together for a powerful effect early in BG3.

Your overall priority with the Knowledge Domain Cleric build is the following:

• Complete Prologue
• Recruit Companions
• Unlock Withers, respec companions to proper class/ability score
• Collect the Necromancy of Thay (important in Act 3)
• Reached Hollowed City/Druid Grove
• Sell, Stock up, complete quests
• Unlock summons, Scratch, Shovel
• Progress to level 5
• Reach Underdark and Grymforge
• Check all Permanent Bonuses in Act 1 and the best Gear
• Act 1 Checklist for step-by-step completion

Following these steps ensures a strong foundation, especially if you plan on playing solo or on Honour Mode difficulty.

Level 2

At Level 2 the Knowledge Cleric will gain a class action, subclass feature, channel divinity charges, and one prepared spell.

• Turn Undead (class action): Pray to Turn all undead that can see you.
• Knowledge of the Ages (subclass feature): Gain Proficiency in all Skills of a chosen Ability.
• Shield of Faith (spell selection): Protect a creature from attacks: increases its Armour Class by 2.

Your subclass will give you Knowledge of the Ages which mimics the Githyanki Astral Knowledge racial feature. You can combine this to increase both Intelligence and Charisma. This will increase your skill proficiency in your weakest ability scores, while Wisdom will be extremely high. This is a great combination of lore and quest-based gameplay.

Your class unlocks Turn Undead which is very useful in limited fights where all the enemies are undead. Make sure to click on them, and examine which will tell you if they are undead. Shield of Faith is also a great spell to pick up here because it increases AC by 2 and can be cast after a long rest. The downside is, that you need to keep either Blessed active or Shield of Faith. Consider your options, Blessed when you want your team to hit more reliably, and Shield of Faith if you have a “squishy” teammate who is constantly getting focused and killing. Cast Shield of Faith before combat starts, it’s not turn-limited so it’ll stay on them as long as you don’t cast another concentration spell.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 2 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, and Shield.

Level 3

Now at Level 3, you will unlock two Level 2 spells, two subclass spells, and one newly prepared spell.

• Githyanki Psionics Jump (race action): Jump in a long arc, depending on your strength modifier.
• Calm Emotions (subclass spell): Humanoids can’t be Charmed, Frightened, or become enraged.
• Hold Person (subclass spell): Hold a humanoid enemy still. They can’t move, act, or react. Attacks from within 3m are always Critical Hits.
• Spiritual Weapon (spell selection): Summon a floating, spectral weapon that attacks your enemies alongside you.

At this level, you add another crowd-control spell and Spiritual Weapon. Spiritual Weapon can be used as a bonus action, thus you can cast Blessed and this spell on turn one. It will summon an additional ally who can take damage, and do a lot of damage per turn. Consider this a very strong spell to use due to its bonus action cost, range, and damage early on. This spell also doesn’t cost concentration so expect to use it a lot early on.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 3 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, and Spiritual Weapon.

Level 4

At Level 4 you will unlock a single cantrip, one new prepared spell, and one feat.

• Light (cantrip selection): Infuse an object with an aura of light. Lasts until Long Rest.
• Lesser Restoration (spell selection): Cure a creature from disease, poison, paralysis, or blindness.
• Ability Improvement (feat selection): Wisdom +2.

Immediately after adding the Ability Improvement feat, you can prepare another spell due to increased Wisdom. Go with Silence. Lesser Restoration will help with general utility as will Light. More Wisdom at this level is helpful to expand your spellbook and increase the power of your spell casting. At level 8, we suggest War Caster which helps with concentration spells.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 4 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, and Lesser Restoration.

Level 5

Once you reach Level 5 you will unlock two level 3 spells, Destroy Undead, two subclass spells, one new prepared spell.

• Speak with Dead (subclass spell): Grant a semblance of life to a humanoid corpse, allowing it to answer up to 5 questions.
• Slow (subclass spell): Alter time around up to 6 enemies to Slow them. They won’t get far, they can’t do much, and they’re easier to hit.
• Destroy Undead (subclass spell): When you’ve successfully Turned an undead creature, it also takes 4~6 Radiant damage.
• Misty Step (Githyanki race spell): Surrounded by silver mist, you teleport to an unoccupied space you can see.
• Glyph of Warding (spell selection): Inscribe a circle of arcane glyphs on the ground. When stepped on by an enemy, the selected magical effect will trigger.

Level 5 is a massive spike in power due to subclass spells and level 3 spells. If you picked a Githyanki race like recommended, you get Misty Step one of the best mobility tools in the game. If you didn’t pick a Githyanki, you can still get this spell in Act 1 via a necklace or boots. We suggest a Glyph of Warding to aid in area-based damage. While this build isn’t a damage dealer, there will be turns where no one needs healing, and Guiding Bolt can only hit one target. Remember to flex in and out spells depending on the encounter and what your party composition lacks.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 5 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, and Mass Healing Word.

Level 6

When a Knowledge Domain Cleric reaches Level 6 they unlock one prepared spell and another Level 3 spell slot.

• Beacon of Hope: Your allies will regain the maximum hit points possible when healed. They also gain Advantage on Wisdom Saving Throws and Death Saving Throws

At level 6, we want to take Beacon of Hope because it maximizes our healing. This is useful when you expect an all-out battle, where your Cleric is likely to do nothing but heal. On higher difficulties, this can be life-saving, especially with the Clerics area-based healing abilities. If you find yourself not using it, flex in another spell but it comes in very handy on hard fights, cast turn one instead of Blessed.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 6 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, and Mass Healing Word.

Level 7

Unlock 1 level 4 spell slot, two subclass spells, and one prepared spell.

• Confusion (subclass spell): Befuddle a group of creatures, causing them to attack at random, wander around aimlessly, and occasionally skip turns in the stupor.
• Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere (subclass spell): Enclose a target in a sphere of shimmering force, reducing its movement speed by half, and blocking all incoming and outgoing damage.
• Guardian of Faith (spell selection): Call forth a divine guardian that attacks nearby enemies. Every time it deals damage, the guardian loses an equal amount of hit points.

At this level, Confusion is a massive up to 6 enemy crowd control spells. This is a must-use ability in larger encounters. Guardian of Faith is another summon type of spell that doesn’t require concentration, but also cannot be relocated. You can use Spiritual Weapon and Guardian of Faith in tendom. It is best to put Guardian of Faith in a choke point where enemies have to move in and out of the radius to take damage.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 7 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, and Guardian of Faith.

Level 8

Upon reaching Level 8 you unlock a subclass feature, feat, and one prepared spell.

• Banishment (spell selection): Temporarily Banish your target to another plane of existence.
• War Caster (feat selection): You gain Advantage on Saving Throws to maintain Concentration on a spell. You can also use a reaction to cast Shocking Grasp at a target moving out of melee range.
• Potent Spellcasting (subclass feature): You can add your Wisdom Modifier to the damage you deal with Cleric cantrips.

Your subclass unlocks an odd feature, Potent Spellcasting. This only aids your Sacred Flame, so don’t expect much. You want to take War Caster here because so many of your buffs, debuffs, and spells require concentration. This will help you keep them active for maximum effect (Blessed, Shield of Faith, etc.). Banishment is one of the best single-target stuns in the game. It removes a target for two turns and should be used against opponents with high damage that can wipe out your team in one turn. Cast this only with a higher percentage around 65% or so otherwise, it’s too risky.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 8 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, Guardian of Faith, and Banishment.

Level 9

When you reach Level 9 you’ll unlock one Level 5 spell slot, one newly prepared spell, and two subclass spells.

• Dominate Person (subclass spell): Make a humanoid fight alongside you. Every time the creature takes damage, it makes a Wisdom Saving Throw against your domination. Allies cannot be dominated.
• Telekinesis (subclass spell): Throw a creature or object up to 18m with a thought. Once per turn, you can use Telekinesis again without expending a spell slot.
• Mass Cure Wounds (spell selection): Unleash a soothing hum of energy that heals you and nearby allies for 7~28 HP.
• Flame Strike (spell selection): Make a pillar of divine fire roar down from the heavens like the wrath of affronted angels.

You should drop Banishment from your prepared spells since you have more crowd control now. Pick up another level 5 spell, but you only have one slot, take Flame Strike for a nice AoE. Mass Cure Wounds is an upgraded version that can be combined with Mass Healing Word for a two-spell per turn mega healing and up to 6 players. Dominate Person is another great crowd control ability and Telekinesis is a fun spell to throw enemies. You can chuck them off ledges and it is very powerful if you get creative.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 9 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, Guardian of Faith, Mass Cure Wounds, and Flame Strike.

Level 10

Reaching Level 10 will grant you Divine Intervention, one cantrip, and one prepared spell.

• Divine Intervention (class feature): You can cast Divine Intervention to invoke your God’s aid. Once used, this can never be used again.
• Produce Flame (cantrip selection): A flame in your hand sheds light in a 9m radius and deals 1~8 Fire damage damage when thrown. Throwing the flame immediately after you conjure it does not cost an action. Extinguishing or throwing it on subsequent turns costs an action.
• Greater Restoration (spell selection): Touch a creature and negate any Charm, Petrification, Stun, or curse afflicting it.

Unlocked here is another utility cantrip and spell that helps if your allies are crowd-controlled. Divine intervention is a once-per-game usage spell. The area damage version of this is the obvious choice on the hardest fight in the game.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 10 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, Guardian of Faith, Mass Cure Wounds, Flame Strike, and Greater Restoration.

Level 11

At Level 11 the Knowledge Domain Cleric will gain one level 6 spell slot and one prepared spell.

• Planar Ally (spell selection): Beseech one of these otherworldly entities for aid.

At level 11, you get only one level 6 spell slot for the rest of the game. There are two Quarterstaves that bypass this issue in Act 3: the  Staff of Spellpower or Markoheshki.  With either of these Quarterstaffs, you can negate a spell slot, essentially cheesing two level 6 spell slots. 

At this level, two amazing spells last until a long rest Planar Ally and Heroes’ Feast. Pick Planar Ally at this level and summon a Cambion that has good health, high movement speed, and big damage.  The best part of Planar Ally is it stacks with other summons; thus you can have a little team roaming with you until a long rest!  Free damage, utility, and distractions.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 11 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, Guardian of Faith, Mass Cure Wounds, Flame Strike, Greater Restoration, and Planar Ally.

Level 12

You’ve reached the max level in Baldur’s Gate 3, take another +2 to Wisdom to reach the max of 20.  Select the Hereoes’ Feast spell and try to obtain either Staff of Spellpower or Markoheshki to cast two level 6 spells that last until a long rest.  You should feel very powerful at this level.  The healing spell at level 6 is powerful, but single target, and isn’t as useful as the combo of healing words, and cure wounds in my opinion. This doesn’t only burst up one player, but your entire team.  And in tough fights, rarely is it just one player needing healing. 

• Heroes’ Feast (spell selection): You and everyone around can’t be poisoned, diseased, or frightened. Your HP increases, and you make Wisdom Saves with Advantage. Lasts until Long Rest.
• Ability Improvement (feat selection): Wisdom +2
• Death Ward (spell selection): Protect a creature from death. The next time damage would reduce it to 0 hit points, it remains conscious with 1 hit point left. Lasts until a Long Rest.

That’s the level progression but make sure to check the gear sections below for the Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Level 12 Prepared Spells: Guiding Bolt, Bless, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Shield, Spiritual Weapon, Lesser Restoration, Glyph of Warding, Mass Healing Word, Guardian of Faith, Mass Cure Wounds, Flame Strike, Greater Restoration, Planar Ally, and Heroes’ Feast.

Knowledge Domain Cleric Companions

For Cleric Build, we do not recommend another upfront damage dealer as both you and either Lae’zel or Karlach will fulfill that role. The premise of the build is to have one to two melee fights with a heavy damage dealer, your Cleric providing support. Having range casters and damage dealers will help with crowd control, area damage, and burst at range.

• Lae’zel (Fighter): damage, high survivability, and in-your-face aggression. 
• Gale (Wizard): range magic damage, crowd control, and utility spells.
• Astarion (Rogue): High Initiative, damage, lockpicking, and sneaking

When putting your party together, consider companions for not only their combat prowess but also their outside abilities and skills that can influence storytelling, dialogue, and exploration. A balanced party will fit the traditional RPG ‘holy trinity’: Tank, Healer, and DPS. Ideally, in Baldur’s Gate 3, you are going to want one tank, one healer, one melee DPS, and one range DPS. Some classes/subclasses can cover both roles, so feel free to experiment and find out what works best for you.

Recommended Gear

In Games like Baldur’s Gate 3, you’ll explore the world, loot chests and your enemies’ dead bodies, and complete quests and all those activities can reward you with useful items, potions, armor, weapons, scrolls, and much more. There are three Acts in BG3, and Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Build Guide includes suggested sets and alternatives for Act 1 and Act 3.

Beginner: Act 1

Here’s the best beginner gear for our Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Wapira’s Crown	Additional Healing
Cape	–
Chest	Adamantine Scale Armour	18 AC
Gloves	Hellrider’s Pride	Heals give resistance
Boots	Boots of Aid and Comfort	Additional Temporary HP
Necklace	Amulet of Misty Step	Misty Step Spell
Ring	Ring of Absolute Force	Thunderwave Spell
Ring	The Whispering Promise	Healing gives Blessed
Weapon 1 Main Hand	Staff of Arcane Blessing	Free Blessed Spell
Weapon 1 Off-Hand	Adamantine Shield	+2 AC
Weapon 2 Ranged	Bow of Awareness	+1 Initiative

• Wapira’s Crown: Reward from Zelvor for killing 3 leaders and the Goblin camp (alternative Haste Helm).
• Adamantine Scale Armour: Complete Adamantine Forge Quest (X: -593 Y: 309) (alternative Luminous Armour, or Githyanki Half Plate).
• Hellrider’s Pride: Can be bought, stolen, or earned from Zevolr (alternatives Gloves of Missile Snaring, or Gloves of Hail of Thorns).
• Boots of Aid and Comfort: Sold by Grat The Trader at the Goblin Camp (alternatives Disintegrating Night Walkers, or Boots of Striding).
• Amulet of Misty Step: Found in a Gilded Chest (X386 Y8) in a Defiled Temple (alternative Moondrop Pendant).
• Ring of Absolute Force: Dropped by Sergeant Thrinn in Grymforge (alternative Crusher Ring).
• The Whispering Promise: Volo in Druid’s Grove or from traders (alternative Ring of Colour Spray).
• Staff of Arcane Blessing: Obtained in Arcane Tower (alternatives The Watcher’s Guide,  Spellsparkler, or Staff of Crones).
• Adamantine Shield: Complete the Adamantine Forge Quest in Grymforge (alternatives Glowing Shield, or Wood Woad Shield).
• Bow of Awareness: Sold by Roah Moonglow in the Shattered Sanctum.

Advanced: Act 3 End Game

The following table presents the best advanced and end-game gear for Knowledge Domain Cleric Build in Baldur’s Gate 3:

Gear Slot	Best Gear Item	Effect
Head	Helm of Balduran	Cannot be Stunned
Cape	Mantle of the Holy Warrior	Free Crusader’s Mantle Spell
Chest	Helldusk Armour	21 AC, Grants Proficiency
Gloves	The Reviving Hands	Healed Gain Blade Ward
Boots	Helldusk Boots	Cannot be Moved
Necklace	Amulet of Greater Health	23 Constitution
Ring	Crypt Lord Ring	Free Create Undead
Ring	Till Death Do Us Part	Free Beacon of Hope
Weapon 1 Main Hand	The Blood of Lathander	Sunbeam and Healing
Weapon 1 Off-Hand	Viconia’s Walking Fortress	3 AC, Reflect Spell
Weapon 2	Darkfire Shortbow	Free Haste Spell

• Helm of Balduran: Found on an altar next to Ansur in The Wyrmway, Act 3. (Alternative Helldusk Helmet).
• Mantle of the Holy Warrior: Sold by Vicar Humbletoes in Stormshore Tabernacle (Alternative Cloak of the Weave, or Cloak of Protection).
• Helldusk Armour: Looted from Raphael in the House of Hope (Alternative Armour of Persistence).
• The Reviving Hands: Sold by Vicar Humbletoes (Alternative Jhannyl’s Gloves).
• Helldusk Boots: Chest on the top floor of Wyrm’s Rock Fortress (Alternative Disintegrating Night Walkers).
• Amulet of Greater Health: Archive in the House of Hope (Alternative Amulet of the Devout, or Spellcrux Amulet).
• Crypt Lord Ring: The Mystic Carrion’s Servant quest (Alternative Shifting Corpus Ring)
• Till Death Do Us Part: Looted from Lady Jannath, Act 3. (Alternative Ring of Free Action)
• The Blood of Lathander: The Blood of Lathander quest in Act 2 (Alternative Selûne’s Spear of Night, or Markoheshkir).
• Viconia’s Walking Fortress: Looted from Viconia DeVir during Shadowheart’s companion quest in Act 3 (Alternative Shield of Devotion).
• Darkfire Shortbow: Sold by Dammon Last Light Inn Act 2.

Consumables, Potions, and Items

Consumables are items that can be used once and then destroyed. They are typically used to restore health or other resources. Some common types of consumables include potions, scrolls, food, drinks, and arrows.

The following list represents the best individual use consumable items that will aid in our Knowledge Domain Cleric Build:

• Potion of Speed: 3 turns of an increased action via the Haste condition.
• Elixir of Peerless Focus: gain advantage on concentration saves (ingredients Sublimate of Belladona, and any ashes).
• Potion of Invisibility: Become invisible for 1 minute. Attacking or casting spells ends the status.
• Potion of Flying: 10 turns of flying.
• Potion of Angelic Slumber: fall asleep for two turns, then restore all spell slots, hit points, and abilities.
• Elixir of Vigilance: gain +5 bonus initiative and you cannot be surprised (ingredients sublimate of bloodstained hook, any ashes).
• Superior Elixir of Arcane Cultivation: gain a level 3 spell slot (ingredients Solution of Night Orchid, any Vitriol).
• Elixir of Viciousness: increase your critical hit chance (ingredients Vitriol of Shadowroot Sac, any Ashes).
• Elixir of Universal Resistance: gain resistance to all damage (ingredients Vitriol of Divine Miasma, any Sublimate).

Knowledge Domain Cleric Combat, Gameplay Tips, and Tricks

Here are 10 gameplay tips and tricks for playing a Knowledge Domain Cleric in Baldur’s Gate 3:

1. Heal Allies: focus on healing allies vs doing damage so your heavy hitters can spend actions and bonus action doing damage.
2. Bonus Action Heal: Make the most of your bonus action heal in conjunction with primary action-based heal.
3. Bless: Cast Bless outside of combat before engaging and get a lot of turns without having to use a turn in combat.
4. Crowd Control: CC opponents with Blind, and Command to take less damage overall.
5. Cantrips: Use these when lacking spell slots are you’re not committed to a major offensive spell to keep some spell slots in reserve.
6. Guiding Bolt: Early on this is your big nuke spell and it’s wise to use it on the first turn when teammates don’t need a heal.
7. Area vs Single Target: Make sure to get the most out of each spell and if you need multiple players healed, get in position, and use an area based heal.
8. Consumables: Take advantage of a Potion of Speed when you need multiple actions per turn.
9. Health Potions: Make sure teammates are stocked up on healing potions in case they are out of your line of sight or need massive healing themselves.
10. Range: Make sure to hang out at medium range where you can melee heal or do damage but not too far back to line of sight of your teammates.

Remember, this build guide serves as a foundation, and you can always adapt it to suit your preferences and the needs of your campaign. Enjoy playing as a formidable Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Domain Cleric Build Guide!

Build Summary – Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Knowledge Cleric Guide

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