What is The Death Divine Domain: Clerics in Dungeons & Dragons

[@cornkopp2985]

I'm currently watching a ton of videos about the death domain cleric and I'm glad you made the distinction that the subclass isn't necessarily evil. I have this idea for a (tiefling or human variant idk yet) death domain cleric who is basically a lawful good necromancer. The idea is that necromancy is really the about studying life, and views death as an intrinsic part of life just as much as birth. Necromancy is the manipulation of life force, whether to prolong or shorten a creatures existence in this world. She doesn't see undead as an abomination, but someone who still has a purpose in this world that they are fated to complete before they pass on truly, like say you draw spirits and undead who weren't able to pass on and ask for help either with things like info or combat and then help them pass on in thanks.

[@TheRPGDaily]

That's a really great way to use the domain! It honestly bugs me that Wotc went and put this and Oath breaker paladin in the DMG as "Villainous class options"

[@cornkopp2985]

@@TheRPGDaily Thanks! I definitely think that wotc can be too quick to ascribe certain things as inherently villainous, like necromancy, I think that it's all about how you use the magic, and how you view it. I was actually inspired a lot by the book Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, and the main character of the book, Zélie Adebola. I'd highly recommend it if you're interested in a different take on magic that isn't based off of Tolkien/european mythology

[@hectorcornejo1468]

You know, based on your statement....I guess you could call your character a fate manipulator, changing the life balances of people - shortening or extending their existence on their planet...Maybe like the Greek fates and the strings they cut for example. Lots of story potential Dont get a stone to focus your powers though; Dr.Strange has that gig going and you dont want to mess with that lol.

[@jasoncash5724]

The view count on this video is criminal, you should be in the hundred thousands, very nice video!

[@TheRPGDaily]

Thank you so much!

[@SteveSilverskull]

I play a good aligned death cleric by reskinning the class into a tribal shaman whose power comes from a connection to my ancestors. Don't even need a god. My arcane focus is a decorated wooden tribal mask I hold over my face while casting

[@TheRPGDaily]

That's brilliant! I love seeing how people see the "evil" subclasses and just say "nope, I'm gonna make this one good"

[@anthonygonzalez1203]

One thing that I think most people overlook on a Death Cleric is that you can use your Channel Divinity: Touch of Death in tandem with your Spiritual Weapon. It’s incredible that you can deal a ton of damage with your Spiritual Weapon + that Channel Divinity on your bonus action, and then your action is free to potentially deal even more damage.

[@TheRPGDaily]

That is a very good observation! I hadn't noticed that but it does look like that's the case!

[@Bluu6293]

My death cleric due to background and backstory is a dedicated healer. Hiding her necromantic abilities are a part of her character. She needs to grow up and learn that power isn't inherently evil but until she is there she is a great archer and has all her friend's back. Any damage will be undone.

[@thereaIitsybitsyspider]

This domain is disappointing as written. The goal was to make cleric a grim reaper. The result was a cleric that can really only hit two enemies with Chill touch.

[@TheRPGDaily]

I agree that its just kind of "meh". I Feel like iIve been seeing that with at least one subclass for each class. but more research is needed.

[@flavorgod]

Toll of the Dead from XCG and Spirit Shroud from Tashas is going to be strong with this Domain.

[@thereaIitsybitsyspider]

Spirit Shroud will be generally inferior to Spirit Guardians

[@JangboFett]

Nice video again, and I agree with you on this one I think. It’s not a very good domain. I tried one out in Curse of Strahd, but after a few levels I asked my dm if I could change to another one. I wanted a Kelemvoor worshipper, a hunter of the undead. Funny enough, Life suites me better than Death in this case (this was before Grave domain was out).

[@TheRPGDaily]

Yeah it sounds like grave domain would have been perfect for you! What about the death domain did you find least enjoyable?

[@JangboFett]

Well, the channel divinity was not very helpful in my fight against the undead. In fact, nothing in the subclass gave me anything that made me feel better vs undead. My own fault for not reading it through properly, but I just assumed it would be good either with or against undead. He could hurt stuff with his channel, that was it.

[@thegentlemangamemaster8507]

Super helpful as always!

[@YngolSonofYsgramor]

Sick Orcus shirt bro

[@belrevan1986]

The Raven Queen is also a Death Deity

[@thorney0921]

I read somewhere that a cleric can be a better necromancer than a wizard, I've looked over the domains and in my mind I cannot see it. What is your opinion?

[@TheRPGDaily]

My opinion is that this needs some more research! I think its a really interesting idea. But I will need to read up on it.

[@aaronbrown244]

@@TheRPGDaily 11 months later, any answer?

[@harrysarso]

i mean the cristian god, is a god of death not to mention necromancy is study of life/death basicly the "domain" of the doctor

[@TheRPGDaily]

i guess that's why some people look at it kind of funny then tend to go with the grave domain for the life/death properties of that. I really think Wizards of the Coast made to many domains at this point hahah!

[@LrdRvrnd]

Ba'al is pronounced "Ba All".

[@TheRPGDaily]

That seems most likely, but theres something fun about telling players they are fighting a bunch of "ball" worshipers.

[@josephdouglas5242]

Disliked for having a giant blank section just to push it over the 10 minute mark.

[@TheRPGDaily]

Thanks for calling that out, That was a screw up, definitely not my intention. The edit getting rid of that is processing.

[@josephdouglas5242]

@@TheRPGDaily Thanks for the humility, and I apologize for the meanness my comment likely conveyed. I'll turn that thumb the other way around.

[@TheRPGDaily]

@@josephdouglas5242 no worries! I've been annoyed enough when people do that so I understood the frustration 👍

[@kylemendoza8860]

I don't mind the idea of a deathcleric being good and a death deity just doing it's job. But that's going to have to be some Homebrew. By the standard of D&D death cleric is going to have to be evil.