Embrace the Shadows: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing a Twilight Cleric in D&D 5e

The Twilight Domain Cleric in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition offers a unique blend of protective magic and shadowy power, making them a potent and versatile class. They are guardians of the threshold between light and darkness, offering solace in the deepest night and standing as a bulwark against the encroaching horrors that lurk there. This guide will provide you with a detailed walkthrough of how to build, play, and master the Twilight Cleric, from character creation to high-level gameplay. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned adventurer, this guide will illuminate the path to wielding the power of the twilight.

Understanding the Twilight Domain

Before diving into the specifics, let’s understand the core concepts of the Twilight Domain. This domain, introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, focuses on:

• Protection: Twilight Clerics are dedicated to protecting the vulnerable and offer sanctuary in the darkest hours.
• Transition: They are attuned to the liminal spaces between light and darkness, day and night, and life and death.
• Hope: Even in the face of despair, they strive to bring comfort, solace, and ultimately hope to those around them.
• Shadowy Power: They wield the magic of the twilight, manipulating shadows and darkness to aid their allies and hinder their enemies.

This domain encourages a playstyle focused on support and utility, making them a crucial asset to any party.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Twilight Cleric

Step 1: Choosing Your Race

The choice of race can significantly impact your Twilight Cleric’s effectiveness. Here are some recommendations and considerations:

• Hill Dwarf: With a bonus to Wisdom and Constitution, Hill Dwarves are an excellent choice for a hardy Cleric. Their bonus hit point each level is a significant benefit.
• Variant Human: The flexibility of a feat at level 1 can be invaluable. Consider options like Resilient (Constitution) or War Caster.
• Half-Elf: Bonuses to Charisma, plus two other ability scores of your choice, along with darkvision make them a strong contender. A good choice to take a skill proficiency other than religion or insight which are granted by the class.
• Loxodon: With a bonus to Constitution and Wisdom, the Loxodon is a fantastic choice for a tanky cleric. Their natural armor and ability to use their trunk for object interactions make them quite versatile.
• Other Races: Races with bonuses to Wisdom and Constitution are generally good picks. Races with Darkvision will also be useful for navigating dark spaces.

Ultimately, pick a race that you find interesting and fits your character concept. The bonuses are helpful, but your roleplaying is more important.

Step 2: Determining Ability Scores

Ability scores are crucial for your effectiveness as a Cleric. Prioritize the following:

• Wisdom: Your spellcasting ability. Aim for the highest score possible. Ideally, this would be a 16 or 17 at character creation to account for point buy or standard array.
• Constitution: Important for hit points and maintaining concentration on spells. A good second score to aim for. Ideally this would be a 14 or 15.
• Strength/Dexterity: Choose whichever will be better for your weapon choice. Most likely you will be using simple weapons and potentially a shield to improve AC, so consider whether you would prefer having a higher Strength for melee attacks or higher dexterity for finesse attacks and dexterity saves.
• Intelligence/Charisma: These are generally your lowest priorities, although a point or two in Charisma for social encounters may be beneficial.

Suggested Standard Array: 15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8. Assign the 15 to Wisdom, the 14 to Constitution, 13 to Dexterity or Strength and so on. If using point buy, consider starting with an 17 in Wisdom and 14 in constitution and putting any other points into Dexterity or Strength.

Step 3: Choosing Background

Backgrounds offer roleplaying flavor and additional skill and tool proficiencies. Some useful background options for a Twilight Cleric include:

• Acolyte: Provides proficiency in Insight and Religion, both highly thematic and useful.
• Hermit: Good for roleplaying the more withdrawn aspects of the domain, providing proficiency in Medicine and Religion.
• Sage: Great if your cleric is scholarly and studious, providing proficiency in Arcana and History.
• Folk Hero: If you plan to play a cleric who is more connected to the people, providing proficiency in animal handling and survival.
• Outlander: Proficiency in athletics and survival, useful if your cleric has spent time outside the city walls.

Again, choose a background that fits your character’s story and enhances the roleplaying experience.

Step 4: Selecting Your Starting Equipment

As a Cleric, you’ll have a few options for starting equipment. Consider:

• Weapons: A mace, warhammer (if you are proficient), or a simple weapon like a light crossbow can be beneficial.
• Armor: Scale mail or leather armor (depending on your dexterity and armor proficiency) is essential for protection. A shield is almost always a great choice.
• Holy Symbol: The symbol of your deity, crucial for spellcasting.
• Other Items: Consider a backpack, component pouch, or explorer’s pack for essential adventuring gear.

Remember that the Twilight Domain does grant martial weapon proficiency at level 1, which opens up some stronger weapon options.

Step 5: Choosing Your Deity

While the Twilight Domain isn’t tied to a specific god, consider deities related to:

• The Night: Deities of darkness or the night sky.
• Travel/Transitions: Gods of journeys, the threshold, or the spaces between.
• Protection/Hope: Deities of protection, healing, or finding hope in dark times.
• Balance/Duality: Deities that represent balance between light and dark or other dualities.

Choosing a deity that aligns with your character’s personality and beliefs will add depth to your roleplaying.

Leveling Up Your Twilight Cleric

Now that you’ve created your character, let’s explore how your abilities grow with each level.

Level 1: Divine Domain and Domain Spells

At level 1, you gain the following:

• Twilight Domain Features:
  • Domain Spells: Gaining access to powerful domain spells which are always prepared. The early-game ones include Faerie Fire, Sleep, Moonbeam and See Invisibility.
  • Eyes of Night: Gain darkvision or extend your darkvision out to 300 feet. You also gain advantage on initiative rolls.
  • Vigilant Blessing: Give advantage on an initiative roll to a creature within 30 feet.
• Spellcasting: Begin with spell slots, Cleric spell list access, and the ability to prepare spells.

At this point, your domain spells are crucial. Faerie Fire is great for granting advantage on attack rolls, while Sleep can be used to incapacitate weaker foes. Your Eyes of Night combined with Vigilant Blessing will allow you to more consistently act earlier in a combat.

Level 2: Channel Divinity

At level 2, you gain access to Channel Divinity. You gain Turn Undead which may be useful from time to time but the really useful one is Twilight Sanctuary. This is a crucial feature that allows you to provide temporary hit points to allies at the beginning and end of their turn and advantage on saving throws against charms and frightens. It is a staple ability for twilight clerics, and you will use it often. Make sure to use your bonus action to activate it every combat.

Level 3: Domain Spells

You gain two new domain spells, Darkvision and Misty Step. Darkvision will rarely be used since you already have a way to provide darkvision, but it may still be useful for a party member who does not have it. Misty Step on the other hand is a very useful spell to have. It allows you to teleport away and can be used to escape an area or get within casting range for a spell or Channel Divinity.

Level 4: Ability Score Improvement or Feat

At this level, you can choose to improve an ability score or select a feat. Some good choices include:

• Wisdom: Increase to improve spellcasting.
• Resilient (Constitution): Important to ensure concentration is not broken.
• War Caster: Gives advantage on concentration saving throws and allows you to cast spells as an opportunity attack.
• Fey Touched: Gain the Misty Step spell and an additional 1st level spell from the Enchantment or Divination School. Misty Step is useful for extra mobility and the additional spell can fill in gaps in your kit.

Level 5: Destroy Undead

Your Destroy Undead feature will improve as you continue to level. Also you gain access to 3rd level spells. Some powerful spells include Spirit Guardians, Revivify, Dispel Magic and Mass Healing Word.

Level 6: Steps of the Night

Your Steps of the Night feature allows you to fly for one minute as a bonus action. This is an extremely powerful feature, and should be used in almost every combat. It lets you maneuver to a better position or get out of a tricky situation. You also gain an additional use of your Channel Divinity.

Level 7: Domain Spells

You gain two new domain spells, Aura of Life and Greater Invisibility. Aura of Life prevents unconscious allies from falling, which can keep party members up when they are downed by a strong attack. Greater Invisibility is another powerful option that lets you become invisible for up to a minute, and gives you advantage on attacks and allows you to escape danger.

Level 8: Ability Score Improvement or Feat and Divine Strike

Another ASI/Feat and you also gain Divine Strike which adds 1d8 radiant damage to your weapon attacks, though it is unlikely you will be making regular attacks with a weapon. Consider taking another ASI or feat as described above in level 4.

Level 9: 5th Level Spells

You gain access to some extremely powerful spells at level 9. Some of the best options are Mass Cure Wounds, Greater Restoration, Holy Weapon, Scrying, and Wall of Stone.

Level 10: Divine Intervention

You gain Divine Intervention, allowing you to petition your deity for aid. The chances of success are low, but it is worth a try in a pinch.

Level 11: Improved Divine Strike

Your Divine Strike feature improves to 2d8 radiant damage, although still unlikely to be your main course of action.

Level 12: Ability Score Improvement or Feat

Another ASI or Feat. You can choose from any of the suggestions made earlier or make a different choice as needed.

Level 13: 7th Level Spells

You gain access to 7th level spells. Some good options include Divine Word, Regenerate, Resurrection, and Plane Shift.

Level 14: Twilight Shroud

Your Twilight Shroud ability allows you to give half cover to your allies in your Twilight Sanctuary. The effects of the sanctuary make this the best cleric subclass feature. The temporary hit points can make a party very tanky while the saving throw advantage can help prevent the party from getting knocked out of commission.

Level 15:

You gain access to 8th level spells. Some good spells are Holy Aura, Control Weather and Earthquake.

Level 16: Ability Score Improvement or Feat

Your final Ability score improvement. If you have not maxed out Wisdom yet, be sure to do that here. Otherwise you may pick a different feat.

Level 17: 9th Level Spells

You gain access to 9th level spells. The best options are Mass Heal and True Resurrection.

Level 18: Channel Divinity Improvement

Your channel divinity can be used twice between short or long rests.

Level 19: Ability Score Improvement or Feat

The final ASI or feat you can get from class levels.

Level 20: Divine Intervention Improvement

Your Divine Intervention now always succeeds when you use it.

Tips and Strategies for Playing a Twilight Cleric

• Use Twilight Sanctuary early and often: This ability is your bread and butter. Use it every single combat unless your are certain you do not need it.
• Take advantage of advantage on initiative: Because of Eyes of Night, you are more likely to act first, giving you the ability to set up the field and use Twilight Sanctuary earlier in the fight.
• Prioritize Concentration Spells: Your Constitution proficiency and access to feats like War Caster will help you maintain concentration on key spells like Spirit Guardians, Bless and others.
• Focus on Support and Utility: While you can deal some damage, you’re more effective as a support character. Use spells to enhance your allies, hinder enemies and keep everyone healthy.
• Utilize your flying ability: At level 6, the ability to fly will allow you to stay out of danger and to position yourself in advantageous positions to cast spells.
• Be Versatile: Be prepared to adapt to any situation. Having a range of spells prepared allows you to handle most problems effectively.
• Consider your positioning: As a medium armor user, you may need to be careful about where you are positioned.
• Roleplay the Theme: Embrace your role as a guardian of the threshold. Remember that you are a beacon of hope in the darkest times, and roleplay that aspect to the fullest.

Example Builds

Here are a few example builds to inspire you:

The Tanky Defender

• Race: Loxodon or Hill Dwarf
• Abilities: High Wisdom and Constitution
• Feats: Resilient (Constitution), War Caster
• Playstyle: Focus on front-line support, using your abilities to protect allies and stay in the fight for as long as possible.

The Flexible Caster

• Race: Variant Human or Half-Elf
• Abilities: High Wisdom, good Constitution, and some dexterity for skill checks
• Feats: Fey Touched, War Caster
• Playstyle: Adaptable, focusing on a mix of support, control, and damage spells, with Misty Step for mobility.

The Frontline Supporter

• Race: Half-Orc
• Abilities: High Strength, Wisdom and Constitution
• Feats: War Caster, Martial Adept
• Playstyle: A melee-based support character, using a combination of weapon attacks, spellcasting and support, jumping into the fray but still focusing on keeping the party healthy and buffed.

Conclusion

The Twilight Domain Cleric is a powerful and versatile class that offers a unique play experience. With its focus on protection, mobility, and versatility, this subclass is extremely useful in any party composition. From level 1 to 20, the Twilight Cleric has some of the best class features in the game, making them one of the best choices for anyone looking for a strong support character. By following this guide, you can craft a powerful and engaging Twilight Cleric that brings hope to your party and the world.