Choose your playstyle at level 1, independent of domain:
- Protector: Heavy armor + martial weapons proficiency (frontline clerics)
- Thaumaturge: Extra cantrip + add Wisdom modifier to Arcana/Religion checks (spellcasting clerics)
- Prepared spells are now a fixed number based on level (not calculated from level + Wisdom modifier)
- Can swap out cantrips when gaining a Cleric level
- Scales to 4 uses instead of 3
Divine Spark (NEW): Versatile option alongside Turn Undead
- Heal OR harm a creature within 30 feet
- Starts at 1d8 + Wisdom modifier, scales with level
- Essentially Cure Wounds at range without a spell slot
Turn Undead:
- Undead now get Frightened AND Incapacitated conditions (clarification)
- No longer uses their action to Dash (due to Incapacitated)
- 2014: Level 1
- 2024: Level 3 (matches all other classes)
Replaces Destroy Undead:
- When undead fail their save against Turn Undead, they take (Wisdom modifier)d8 radiant damage
- Can damage multiple undead simultaneously
- Much more useful than the old CR-based destroy mechanic
- Now a base class feature (was level 8). Choose one:
- Divine Strike: +1d8 radiant or necrotic damage to weapon attacks (once per turn)
- Potent Spellcasting: Add Wisdom modifier to cantrip damage
- Cast any level 5 or lower spell without components or spell slots
- Works once per long rest (no more failed percentile rolls)
- Can cast Raise Dead/Revivify without diamond components
- Divine Strike → increases to 2d8
- Potent Spellcasting → grant temp HP equal to 2x Wisdom modifier when dealing cantrip damage
Replaces ability score improvement. Recommended: Boon of Fate.
Can now cast Wish using Divine Intervention (must wait 2d4 long rests before using again)
New Spells Added:
- Circle of Power
- Power Word Fortify
- Sunburst
Healing Spell Buffs (HUGE):
- Cure Wounds: 2d8 + modifier (was 1d8), scales by 2d8 per slot level
- Healing Word: 2d4 + modifier (was 1d4), scales by 2d4 per slot level
- Mass Cure Wounds: Similar scaling improvements
- Prayer of Healing: Also grants benefits of a Short Rest to up to 5 creatures
- Aura of Vitality: Healing is now a free action (not bonus action) — massively more efficient
Healing Now Works on Undead & Constructs
Important for Warforged, Reborn, or undead summons.
Spiritual Weapon - NERFED:
- Now requires concentration
- Scales better with upcasting
- Cannot stack with Spirit Guardians anymore (most controversial change)
Conjure Spells Simplified:
Conjure Animals and similar spells now summon spirits with fixed stats rather than requiring creature stat block lookups.
¶ Domain-Specific Changes
¶ Life Domain
- Added to domain spells: Aid, Mass Healing Word, Aura of Life, Greater Restoration
- Removed: Spiritual Weapon, Beacon of Hope, Guardian of Faith, Raise Dead
- Disciple of Life: Only applies on the turn you cast the spell (no more Goodberry combo)
- Preserve Life: Can now target Undead and Constructs, but only Bloodied creatures
- No longer gets Heavy Armor proficiency by default (use Divine Order: Protector)
¶ Light Domain
- Added: See Invisibility, Arcane Eye to domain spells
- Removed: Flaming Sphere, Guardian of Faith
- Warding Flare: Now works on attacks against you OR allies (not just you)
- Improved Warding Flare: Replenishes on short rest; grants temp HP to attack target
¶ War Domain
- Added: Guiding Bolt, Fire Shield, Steel Wind Strike to domain spells
- Removed: Divine Favor, Stoneskin, Flame Strike
- War Priest: Can now be used for unarmed strikes; regains uses on short rest
- War God's Blessing (Level 6): Spend Channel Divinity to cast Shield of Faith OR Spiritual Weapon without concentration or spell slot
- Avatar of Battle (Level 17): Resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, slashing damage
- No longer gets Heavy Armor proficiency by default
¶ Trickery Domain
- Blessing of the Trickster: Lasts until end of next long rest; can affect self or others
- Invoke Duplicity: Cast as bonus action, no concentration required
- Trickster's Transposition (NEW): Replaces Cloak of Shadows
Added:
- Divine Order (build flexibility at level 1)
- Divine Spark (ranged heal/harm without spell slots)
- Sear Undead (replaces weak Destroy Undead)
- Improved Blessed Strikes
- Reliable Divine Intervention (no percentile roll)
- Greater Divine Intervention (Wish at level 20)
- Massively stronger healing spells across the board
- Epic Boons at 19
Nerfed:
- Spiritual Weapon now requires concentration (can't stack with Spirit Guardians)
- Subclass delayed to level 3
- Various domain spells reshuffled
Verdict: The 2024 Cleric is significantly buffed overall. More flexible builds, much stronger healing, and a reliable Divine Intervention. The Spiritual Weapon nerf is the main loss, but War Clerics can still use it concentration-free through War God's Blessing.