Hey, Board N' Byte family! It's Kevin again, your friendly neighborhood Dungeon Master. Today, we're diving deep into the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons, specifically focusing on creating a character using the resources available in the Player's Handbook on DND Beyond. We're constructing Alara, a human War Cleric, as a perfect example to illustrate the richness and depth of character creation in D&D.
Getting Started Making Your Cleric
In our second instalment of Dungeons and Dragons Class guides we are going to keep with the theme of simple. I am going to over-explain quite a bit, so if you think you have a portion of this guide down, feel free to skip to the next section if you think I am rambling.
Disclaimer: Let's clear the air first. These guides aren't about crafting the "perfect" D&D character. There's no such thing! Instead, my aim is to help you understand two key aspects: the mechanics of building a character and the sheer joy and variety that come with creating a unique persona. These elements can significantly impact your gameplay and how you roleplay your character.
Accessing D&D Resources: To follow this guide, you’ll need a free account at www.dndbeyond.com. We’re not affiliated with them, but it’s a fantastic resource for players. We’ll only use the free resources from the Player’s Handbook (PHB), accessible to everyone with a free account on DND Beyond.
So, with that said, let's get started.
Getting Started Making Your Cleric
To get started, you need to log into your D&D Beyond account. Once you have done that, navigate to the "My Characters" section under Collections.
Once you have done that you will want to tap "Create A Character" on that screen, see image below for reference.
For the purposes of this guide, click on "Start Building" under the standard option and leave the "BEGINNER? SHOW HELP TEXT" box unchecked. We are going to help you get through this with flying colors!
At the top of your screen, you are going to see seven options. We are starting with Home. You will see the first two things from working top down is that you can choose a character profile image and your character name. D&D Beyond offers some basic profile images that can be used, or you can of course provide your own.
A Character name can seem overwhelming, but I am going to name
my Cleric Alara for now. We may change it, but let's just call her Alara for now.
After that, we don't want to ignore the Character Preferences on the D&D Beyond Character Creator tool, but that is best discussed with your Dungeon Master for your campaign. We won't touch on this really, so let's go ahead and go to RACE options now.
What Are The Best Cleric Class Races?
Selecting a race in D&D is the first step in defining your character's journey. For Clerics, the Player's Handbook offers a variety of compelling choices:
Hill Dwarf: They're known for their resilience and are an ideal choice for Clerics due to their Wisdom score increase and extra HP, essential for those who find themselves in the fray of battle.
Key Traits:
Darkvision: See in low light up to 60 feet.
Dwarven Resilience: Advantage on saving throws against poison, and resistance against poison damage.
Dwarven Toughness: Extra hit points make them hardier than other races.
Wood Elf: These fleet-footed elves offer an agility and wisdom boost, making them ideal for a cleric who values swiftness and insight.
Key Traits:
Darkvision: Essential for seeing in the dark up to 60 feet.
Keen Senses: Proficiency in the Perception skill.
Elf Weapon Training: Proficiency with longbows and shortswords, useful for a cleric who might engage in ranged combat.
Half-Orc: Known for their intimidating stature and brute strength, Half-Orcs bring
a unique aspect to the Cleric class.
Key Traits:
Darkvision: Allows them to see in dim conditions up to 60 feet.
Menacing: Grants proficiency in the Intimidation skill, perfect for a cleric who wants to be persuasive in a more direct manner.
Relentless Endurance: This ability enables a Half-Orc to drop to 1 hit point instead of 0, making them incredibly tough to take down. It’s a boon in battles where every hit point counts.
Savage Attacks: When they score a critical hit with a melee weapon, they can roll one of the weapon’s damage dice one additional time. This trait ensures that their hits are devastatingly effective.
For Alara, we've chosen human for its adaptability and all-around ability score increase, essential for a character transitioning from a soldier to a divine warrior.
Alara’s Backstory: The Human War Cleric
Alara's story begins on the battlefield as a soldier. Her life takes a dramatic turn when a war deity chooses her, transforming her into a War Cleric. This new role marries her martial skills with newfound divine powers, making her a versatile and powerful character.
The War Domain: Alara’s Divine Path
The War Domain in the Player's Handbook is ideal for clerics who engage in physical combat. It grants martial abilities and spells like divine favor and shield of faith, turning Alara into a divine force on the battlefield. This domain symbolizes her transition from mere soldier to a conduit of her deity's warlike might, blending physical combat with potent spells.
Ability Scores: Building Alara’s Foundation
Strength (STR): Crucial for her effectiveness in melee combat.
Constitution (CON): Ensures durability and endurance on the front lines.
Wisdom (WIS): The heart of her divine spellcasting power.
Secondary Abilities: Adding Depth to Roleplaying
While STR, CON, and WIS are primary focuses for Alara, the other ability scores – Dexterity (DEX), Intelligence (INT), and Charisma (CHA) – add layers to her character:
Dexterity (DEX): Important for maneuverability in combat and avoiding danger.
Intelligence (INT): Reflects her strategic thinking and knowledge from her days as a soldier.
Charisma (CHA): Essential for leadership, enabling her to inspire allies and intimidate foes.
Soldier Background: A Rich Narrative Tapestry
Choosing the Soldier background from the Player's Handbook adds a rich backstory to Alara, implying a life of discipline, tactical experience, and exposure to the horrors and camaraderie of war. These elements shape her personality, motivations, and how she interacts with the world and her deity.
Level 1 Spells: Equipping Alara for Battle
Alara's initial spell selection, based on the Player's Handbook, includes:
Offensive Spells:
Inflict Wounds: A devastating touch spell for close combat.
Guiding Bolt: A ranged attack that also aids allies.
Buff Spells:
Bless: Enhances allies' abilities.
Shield of Faith: Boosts defense, vital in combat.
Utility Cantrips:
Sacred Flame: Offers ranged attack options.
Light: Critical for exploring dark environments.
Guidance: Aids allies in skill checks.
Equipment: Arming a Divine Warrior
Alara’s gear, as per the Player's Handbook, includes:
Primary Weapon: A warhammer, symbolic of her martial and divine strength.
Armor: Heavy armor for protection in melee combat.
Shield: Adds an extra layer of defense, crucial for a frontline fighter. Must use a one handed weapon so it might be good to find one early on in the game incase you need a little higher Armor Class. You can pick a simple weapon at your character creation, Alara has a mace to pair with her shield.
Holy Symbol: The channel for her divine power, a crucial tool for casting cleric spells.
Background Skills and Traits from the Soldier Background
The Soldier background provides Alara with skills and traits that reflect her past life and add depth to her character:
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics and Intimidation, showcasing her physical prowess and commanding presence.
Military Rank: Offering narrative hooks for interacting with soldiers and military organizations, this can lead to unique roleplaying opportunities and plot developments.
Alara’s Future: Character Growth and Development
As Alara levels up, her divine powers will grow, granting her access to more potent spells and abilities. Picture her at higher levels, calling down holy fire, resurrecting fallen comrades, or even turning the tide of an entire battle with divine intervention.
Roleplaying Alara: A Dynamic Character
Alara is more than her class and ability scores. Consider her personal goals, fears, and how her experiences as a soldier and a cleric shape her worldview. How does she feel about the deity she serves? How does she reconcile the horrors of war with her faith? These questions add layers to Alara that go beyond combat statistics and spell lists.
Incorporating Alara Into Your Campaign
When introducing Alara into your campaign, think about how her background and skills can influence the storyline. Her military contacts might provide crucial information or aid, and her religious insights could be key in certain quests. Her development can be closely tied to the campaign's major events, offering numerous roleplaying opportunities.
Conclusion: Your Journey with Alara
Remember, building Alara is just the start. How you play her, integrate her into the campaign, and develop her story will bring her to life. Alara can evolve based on the adventures she undertakes, the challenges she faces, and the choices you make as a player.
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