There are tons of cool Cleric subclasses to choose from, one of them being the Knowledge Domain. We’ll outline the best Knowledge Domain Cleric build in Baldur’s Gate 3.
If you’re respecing Shadowheart into the Knowledge Domain, or your Tav is choosing this subclass, I can help you understand how to create the best build.
Baldur’s Gate 3: Best Knowledge Domain Cleric build (BG3)
This subclass specializes in Enchantments, Transmutation spells, and all sorts of arcane magic. Clerics are vital to have in the party, as they help buff and heal allies. Let’s go over the best Ability Scores, Skills, Feats, and Spells to prepare.
Best Knowledge Domain Cleric Ability Scores
When looking at which Ability Scores to focus on, you should make Wisdom your highest, while having Constitution and Dexterity just under that. Wisdom is the skill you’ll use when spellcasting. A high Constitution helps you pass concentration checks, and Dexterity affects your AC. You won’t be using your Strength, Charisma, or Intelligence often, so keep those low.
| Ability | Score |
|---|---|
| Strength | 10 |
| Dexterity | 15 |
| Constitution | 15 (+1) |
| Intelligence | 8 |
| Wisdom | 17 (+2) |
| Charisma | 8 |
Best Knowledge Domain Cleric Skills
As a Cleric, the Skills you’ll be relying on most are Medicine, Arcana, Religion, and History. You get two Skills to be Proficient in, and two for Expertise. In my opinion, you should be Proficient in History and Medicine, while having Expertise in Arcana and Religion.
If you’re playing and making skill checks as this character, you’ll want their best Ability Scores to correlate with Skills for the best bonuses. Since Medicine is a Wisdom Skill, you’ll gain a +5 bonus if you’re Proficient in it.
Best Knowledge Domain Cleric Feats
- War Caster
- Spell Sniper
- Tough
- Shield Master
Since most Cleric spells require maintaining concentration, I always recommend the feat War Caster. It’ll give you advantage on concentration checks, which can help keep your spells from breaking. Then there’s Spell Sniper, which allows you to learn a Cantrip, and the number needed for a Critical Hit is reduced by 1.
I’ll also recommend Tough, as it can increase your Hit Point maximum by two per level. You’ll want your Cleric to stay alive as long as possible. Finally, Shield Master gives your Cleric a +2 bonus to DEX saving throws while using a shield. You can also use your Reaction to only take half damage on a failed save, while taking no damage of a success.
Related: Best Cleric subclasses in Baldur’s Gate 3, ranked (BG3)
Best Knowledge Domain Cleric Spells
While Clerics can know a plethora of Spells, they still only have so many they can prepare at a time. You should also know which Spells you get with the Knowledge Domain, which are always prepared. Here are all the features you get with this subclass:
| Level | Spell/Feature |
|---|---|
| 1 | – Blessings of Knowledge feature: Gain Proficiency in your choice of the following skills: Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion. – Domain Spells: Command: Order target to flee, come closer, freeze etc. Sleep: Makes conscious creatures fall asleep. |
| 2 | – Knowledge of the Ages feature: Gain Proficiency in all Skills of a chosen Ability until the next Long Rest. |
| 3 | – Domain Spells: Calm Emotions: Calm intense emotions in a creature. Hold Person: Holds target frozen in place. |
| 5 | – Domain Spells: Slow: Reduces movement speed, AC, DEX saving throws, and limits actions. Speak with Dead: Ask questions to a corpse. |
| 6 | – Read Thoughts feature: Read thoughts of certain creatures while talking to them. |
| 7 | – Domain Spells: Confusion: Befuddles creatures and causes them to wander, attack at random etc. Otiluke’s Resilient Sphere: Enclose target in sphere to reduce movement by half and block all outgoing/incoming damage. |
| 8 | – Potent Spellcasting feature: Allows you to add Wisdom modifier to damage you deal with Cleric Cantrips. |
| 9 | – Domain Spells: Dominate Person: Forces humanoid to fight as an ally. Telekinesis: Can throw creatures/objects around with mind. |
There are a ton of cool features with the Knowledge Domain. Being able to read people’s mind while in conversation is a super unique feature that I don’t think many players know about. This Domain seems to also want you to use Cantrips more often, as the damage you deal with them increases at level 8. Now let’s go over the best Spells to prepare as a Knowledge Domain Cleric.
- Cantrips:
- Guidance
- Sacred Flame
- Produce Flame
- Resistance
- Level 1 Spells:
- Guiding Bolt
- Shield of Faith
- Inflict Wounds
- Level 2 Spells:
- Prayer of Healing
- Spiritual Weapon
- Level 3 Spells:
- Mass Healing Word
- Revivify
- Spirit Guardians
- Level 4 Spells:
- Level 5 Spells:
- Mass Cure Wounds
- Flame Strike
- Insect Plague
- Level 6 Spells:
- Harm
- Heal
- Heroes’ Feast
Sacred Flame and Produce Flame can become quite destructive just as Cantrips alone. I also love Guiding Bolt and Inflict Wounds for damage spells, even at level 1. Spiritual Weapon is great for lower-levels, but it’s not as useful once you reach late Act 2 and Act 3. Spirit Guardians is extremely useful, as it makes anyone close to Shadowheart get hit with Necrotic or Radiant damage.
Flame Strike is an excellent AoE spell that can deal a whopping 5d6 Fire and Radiant damage. Finally, in the endgame, use Heroes’ Feast and Death Ward before you enter a big battle. Death Ward can protect an ally from death, while Heroes’ Feast protects everyone from Poison, Disease, and Frighten abilities, increases HP maximum by 12, and gives advantage to WIS saving throws.
If you love playing a Cleric, but are interested in multiclassing, check out our guide on the best Cleric multiclass build in Baldur’s Gate 3.