Quick Links
The Humblewood campaign setting for fifth editionDungeons & Dragonsoffers a unique array of different character options, including species, backgrounds, and subclasses. Most of these will prove most useful in the Humblewood campaign setting itself, but there’s no reason why you’re able to’t port these character options over into your normal table. One of these that is really worth considering using is the community domain subclass for clerics.
This subclass is highly unique and provides great abilities as well as interesting roleplay opportunities for your cleric build. But you might be wondering where to start. Here’s what you need to know to build a community domain cleric.
Community Domain Cleric Subclass Overview
The community domain is all about bringing people together, andusing your cleric abilities for the pursuit of a common good.
Above all else, community domain clericsvalue unity and togetherness.
Here’s a breakdown of the subclass’s features and abilities, as well as what level you earn each one of these abilities at.
Domain Spells
1
At first level, you gain access to two cleric domain-specific spells:Goodberry and Bless.
You alsogain more spells at various levels, including third, fifth, seventh, and ninth.
Blessing of the Hearth
You cancreate a hearth or firefor your compatriots to rest beside during a short rest.
When taking a short rest, your hearth can be used to provide nutritious meals andgrants extra rerolls for hit dice spent during a short rest.
Magnificent Feast
2
At second level, you mayuse your Channel Divinity to conjure a spiritual feastby spending ten minutes.
You can create a number of delicious food items equal to your Wisdom modifier, which last for eight hours, allowing any who consumes them toregain HP and remove either the frightened or poisoned conditions.
Community Watch
6
At sixth level, you canuse your Channel Divinity to protect your allies.
You grant yourself and a number of your allies, equivalent to your Wisdom modifier, a boon from your deity, allowing them toadd a d6 to their rolls.
Divine Strike
8 and 14
you may infuse your weapon with anextra 1d8 psychic damage,which increases to 2d8 at level 14.
Paragon of the People
17
Your Community Watch feature now grants an additional d6to each ally you have targeted and immunity to fear.
You alsoproduce double the amount of food with your Magnificent Feast feature, and each item can remove a curse or disease from the creature.
Keep in mind that theHumblewood level progression for subclasses works differentlythan in the 2024 Player’s Handbook.
Talk to your DM about balancing Humblewoodsubclass progression with other players at your table.
Best Ability Scores For A Community Domain Cleric
As is the case with most clerics,Wisdom is going to be your primary stat. Clerics can also get into close combat range with their weapons, so other physical stats can prove useful.
Details
Wisdom
Because your spell save DC and many of your domain features are empowered by this stat,make Wisdom your highest stat.
Constitution
It’s important that clerics stay up in battle to heal their party, somake Constitution your second-highest stat.
Charisma
Charisma is one of your saving throw proficiencies, so you’ll want to capitalize on this andmake Charisma your third-highest stat.
Dexterity
Dexterity can improve your ability to use your weapons as well as your initiative rolls, soplace a decent stat in Dexterity.
Strength
Strength can determine your ability to use some weapons, but ultimately isn’t that important, soplace a low stat in Strength.
Intelligence
Intelligence matters very little to a cleric, especially a community domain cleric, soplace your lowest stat in Intelligence.
Best Species For A Community Domain Cleric
While you may port this subclass over to your regular table,this subclass is best for the Humblewood setting.
Two species in this module work well for this subclass, as well as anothernon-Humblewood speciesthat can synergize well.
Gallus
Gallus are chicken-like birdfolk that live in Humblewood. Theygain a +2 to their Wisdom scorefrom the jump, making them ideal clerics.
Mapach
Mapach are raccoon-like creatures from Humblewood. Theygain a +2 to their Wisdom and a +1 to their Constitution, two ideal stats for a cleric.
Orc
Orcs from the 2024 Player’s Handbook can alsomake great clerics thanks to their naturally sturdy constitutionand movement abilities, meaning you’re able to reach allies faster on the battlefield of battle.
Before selecting this subclass, make sure youtalk to your DM about whether Humblewood species are allowedin your normal campaign setting.
Best Backgrounds For A Community Domain Cleric
Lastly,there are a few backgrounds that work better than mostfor a community domain cleric, one of which comes from the Humblewood campaign setting.
Wind-Touched
This background grants no ability score improvements, but its key feature, called Supernatural Presence,inspires worship and reverence in those around you.
This synergizes great with clerics andcan create unique roleplay opportunities.
Acolyte
When using backgrounds to increase ability scores,your DM may ask you to forgo an ability score improvement granted by your species.
In this case,the acolyte background allows for improvements to Wisdom and Charisma, both helpful for bolstering your saving throws.
Hermit
If you choose to forgo the species stat boosts granted by the Humblewood campaign setting, you canuse this background to increase your Constitution, Wisdom, or Charisma, all helpful for clerics.
