The 2024 Cleric sees some big changes: its subclass selection is pushed to Level 3 (like all the other classes), subclass options are changed up, and some subclass options are moved into the main class. There are also some big shifts to the class’s spellcasting and spell availability.
Let’s get to it.
Core Class Features
Right off the bat, the Cleric’s Holy Domain (subclass) selection moves from 1st level to 3rd. That’s a fairly controversial change, but let’s set that aside for the moment and review what else changes.
The starting equipment set is reduced, similar to other classes, removing Warhammer, Scale Mail, Leather Armor, Light Crossbow, Simple Weapons, and Explorer’s Pack. That leaves a Mace, Chain Shirt, and Priest’s Pack - or take the gold and buy a different kit.
At first level, Clerics now choose a Divine Order:
- Protector - gain Proficiency with Martial weapons and Heavy Armor
- Thaumaturge - Learn an extra cantrip, add Wisdom modifier to Intelligence checks on Arcana and Religion
As full spellcasters, Clerics still get Spellcasting at 1st level. The formula for the Cleric’s number of prepared spells is no longer “Wisdom modifier + Cleric level” and is now a fixed number in a table. Preparing leveled spells is the same as before - at the end of a Long Rest - but changing cantrips is specifically only available when gaining Cleric levels.
Channel Divinity sees the number of available uses increased by one at all levels, and remains available at 2nd level. The options for use have expanded and changed:
- Divine Spark - as an Action, deal 1d8 of either healing or damage (choice of Necrotic or Radiant) to a target within 30 feet. The enemy takes half as much damage on a successful Constitution saving throw. This feature scales with additional Cleric levels, adding 1d8 at each of 7th, 13th, and 18 levels.
- Turn Undead now applies both the Frightened and Incapacitated conditions on undead with its area, rather than forcing them away with Dash and Dodge actions.
The 5th level Sear Undead replaces 2014’s Destroy Undead and, rather than a table of monster CRs that are outright destroyed, now deals bonus Radiant damage to undead in the area when activating Turn Undead. The damage is determined by a number of d8s equal to the Cleric’s Wisdom modifier, can be avoided by a saving throw, and the damage does not end the Turn Undead.
Clerics choose one feature of Blessed Strikes at 7th level, either:
- Divine Strike - add 1d8 Necrotic or Radiant once per turn to the damage of a weapon attack
- Potent Spellcasting - Add the Wisdom modifier to damage from cantrips
Divine Intervention at 10th level gets a more formal implementation and drops the requirement of a dice roll to take effect. It now casts, without components or expending a spell slot, a 5th level or lower spell, and its use is replenished by a Long Rest (rather than 7 days on a successful Intervention). At 20th level, the spell Wish is also available, though its use requires 2d4 Long Rests to restore use of the feature.
The 2014 Cleric’s 19th level Ability Score Improvement is replaced by the Epic Boon feature.
The following spells are added to the Cleric’s spellbook in PHB24 (though these are mostly imported from other source books):
- Toll the Dead
- Word of Radiance
- Aura of Vitality
- Aura of Life
- Aura of Purity
- Circle of Power
- Summon Celestial
- Sunbeam
- Power Word Fortify
- Sunburst
- Power Word Heal
Subclass Options (Domain)
The 2014 PHB had seven subclass options for the Cleric, this is reduced to four in PHB24 to align with other classes. The removed options are:
- Knowledge
- Nature
- Tempest
Life Domain
This subclass no longer receives a Bonus Proficiency
The Always Prepared spells get a few adjustments:
- 3rd level: Spiritual Weapon is removed
- 5th level: Beacon of Hope is replaced with Mass Healing Word
- 7th level: Guardian of Faith is replaced with Aura of Life
- 9th level: Raise Dead is replaced with Greater Restoration
The 3rd level Preserve Life feature sees the removal of its restriction against healing undead or constructs.
Divine Strike was a 7th level feature that was moved to the base Cleric class and made a Channel Divinity option.
Light Domain
Previously, this subclass got the Light cantrip as an always-prepared spell, but it does not in '24. Other changes to the always-prepared spells are:
- See Invisibility replaces Flaming Sphere at 3rd level
- Arcane Eye replaces Guardian of Faith at 7th level.
Warding Flare, a 3rd level feature, sees the removal of text excluding its effects on certain target immunities, making it applicable to a wider range of attackers. This feature scales at higher levels, picking up full replenishment on Rests at 6th level, as well as the ability to grant 2d6 +Wisdom of Temporary Hit Points to a target.
Potent Spellcasting is removed from this subclass, in favor of making it a core class option.
The 17th level Corona of Light is limited to a number of uses equal to the Wisdom modifier, but replenishes on Short or Long Rest.
Trickery Domain
Blessing of the Trickster gets a substantial boost to its duration: it now runs until it is used again or a Long Rest. Previously it was 1 hour. 3rd level.
Invoke Duplicity is now activated with a Bonus Action, rather than an Action, and the requirement to maintain Concentration is removed. 3rd level
Trickster spells get changed up:
- 3rd level: Invisibility replaces Mirror Image
- 5th level: Hypnotic Pattern and Non-Detection swap in for Blink and Dispel Magic
- 7th level: Confusion takes the place of Polymorph
A new feat, 6th level Tricksters gain Trickster’s Transposition, enabling them to swap position with the illusory copy made by Invoke Duplicity as a Bonus Action whenever they create or move it.
The Cloak of Shadows Channel Divinity feat is removed.
Previously, the 17th level Improved Duplicity created four illusions. This has been redesigned to grant Advantage to attackers when their target is within 5’ of the illusion. Additionally, allies within 5’ of the illusion gain Hit Points equal to the Cleric’s level when the illusion ends.
War Domain
The 3rd level Bonus Proficiency is removed, and the War Priest feature now unlocks at 3rd level.
Always=prepared spells get some changes:
- 3rd: Guiding Bolt replaces Divine Favor
- 7th: Fire Shield replaces Stoneskin
- 9th: Steel Wind Strike replaces Flame Strike
Guided Strike is replaced by the re-designed 6th level War God’s Blessing Channel Divinity. Before, it granted +10 to an attack within 30’, now it immediately casts - without components, expending a spell slot, or requiring Concentration to hold it - either Shield of Faith of Spiritual Weapon. The duration of the spell is reduced to 1 minute, though.
Lastly, the 17th level Avatar of Battle dropped the text excluding magical weapons from the Resistance it grants, so this now covers all Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage regardless of source.