The Trickery domain in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is a unique and intriguing choice for players. With worship of gods associated with deception and thievery, Trickery clerics bring a mischievous and cunning approach to combat and roleplaying. In this comprehensive Trickery Cleric 5E guide, we will explore the rules, tips, builds, and more to help you maximize your potential as a Trickery cleric.
Joke’s on You: Trickery Cleric 5E
The Trickery Cleric is a domain that is full of flavor and interesting abilities. While its domain powers are not the strongest, the Trickery domain shines with its spell list, which includes a variety of disruptive and versatile spells. These spells give the Trickery Cleric a unique edge on the battlefield.
Trickery Domain Spells
The spell list for Trickery clerics is the main reason to choose this domain. Borrowing many spells from the wizard class, Trickery clerics have access to a wide range of disruptive and powerful spells.
Some key spells to highlight include Charm Person, which can save a failed Persuasion roll, and Disguise Self, which can lead to creative and unexpected situations. Mirror Image is one of the best defensive spells in the game, providing a high chance of avoiding attacks. Blink provides a 50% chance of being missed between turns, offering excellent survivability. Pass without Trace is useful for stealthy parties, and spells like Dispel Magic, Polymorph, and Dimension Door provide versatile solutions to various challenges.
The Trickery domain’s spell list not only offers strength but also allows the cleric to creatively utilize spells outside their typical class abilities. Overall, this domain provides a strong foundation for a Trickery cleric.
Blessing of the Trickster
The first ability of the Trickery domain, Blessing of the Trickster, allows the cleric to grant advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to a willing creature other than themselves. While this ability cannot be used on the cleric themselves, it offers a permanent increase in stealth for the chosen ally. This ability has no limit and lasts for one hour or until the cleric uses it on another creature.
Blessing of the Trickster is a valuable utility ability, particularly when combined with heavily armored or stealth-focused allies. However, it may have limited use outside of combat situations.
Channel Divinity: Invoke Duplicity
Channel Divinity can be a lifesaver for Trickery clerics, providing versatility and additional combat options. At level 2, the cleric can summon a duplicate of themselves as a perfect illusion.
This ability offers several benefits. The illusion can be used for scouting, checking for ambushes, and exploring dangerous areas. It can also be used to deliver touch spells or angle spells around corners more easily. Additionally, when the cleric and the illusion are within 5 feet of a creature that can see the illusion, the cleric gains advantage on attack rolls against that creature.
Invoke Duplicity is a powerful support ability that allows the Trickery cleric to be in two places at once. It can be used strategically to deceive enemies and maximize the cleric’s effectiveness in combat.
Channel Divinity: Cloak of Shadows
At level 6, Trickery clerics gain Cloak of Shadows as their Channel Divinity ability. This ability allows the cleric to become invisible as an action until the end of their next turn. However, the invisibility is broken if the cleric attacks or casts a spell.
While Cloak of Shadows offers potent defensive capabilities, it has limitations. The invisibility only lasts for a short duration, and the cleric cannot attack or cast spells without revealing themselves. As a result, this ability is often more effective in non-combat situations or used as a last resort in emergencies.
Divine Strike
At level 8, Trickery clerics gain Divine Strike, which allows them to infuse their weapon strikes with poison damage. The damage starts at an additional 1d8 poison damage and increases to 2d8 at level 14.
While the flavor of Divine Strike is unique, the practicality is limited. Poison damage is highly resisted among creatures, and few creatures are weak to it. However, Trickery clerics can still make effective use of Divine Strike by utilizing stealth, advantage from Invoke Duplicity, and high Dexterity. Additionally, the flavor of receiving poison as a gift from their deity adds an interesting twist to this ability.
Improved Duplicity
At level 17, Trickery clerics gain Improved Duplicity, allowing them to create up to four duplicates of themselves when using Invoke Duplicity. The cleric can move these duplicates up to 30 feet as a bonus action.
This ability offers both utility and creative possibilities. With multiple duplicates, the cleric can provide support to multiple allies simultaneously or confuse enemies with the distractions. The clones can also be used strategically to create advantage for touch spells or enhance the cleric’s overall effectiveness in combat.
Best Race for Trickery Clerics
While Trickery Clerics benefit from Wisdom for their spellcasting, focusing on Dexterity or Strength can also be advantageous, particularly for utilizing Divine Strike. Here are a few race options to consider:
Ghostwise Halfling
Ghostwise Halflings from the Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide are an excellent choice for Trickery clerics. With boons to Dexterity and Wisdom, telepathy, and a natural affinity for stealth and mischief, Ghostwise Halflings perfectly embody the trickster archetype.
Wood Elf
Wood Elves are a more traditional option, offering proficiency with shortswords and an increased movement speed. With the Mask of the Wild feature, they also gain additional benefits for hiding and sneaking, which complements the Trickery domain’s focus.
Race Notes: Everyone’s a Clown
As Trickery clerics have no reliance on Wisdom for class features, there is room for flexibility when choosing a race. Consider experimenting with different race options, exploring unique combinations, and embracing creative character concepts. Trickery clerics can be found in various forms, from bugbear tricksters to warforged manipulators; the choice is yours to create a memorable and unique character.
Trickery Domain Cleric Gods
Trickery gods can be found in various pantheons, with each offering a unique flavor and focus. Here are a few examples of gods that can be suitable for Trickery clerics:
Beshaba (Forgotten Realms)
Beshaba, the goddess of misfortune and random luck, is a perfect fit for Trickery clerics who embrace chaos. Her worshipers defend the world from misery and bad luck, using underhanded tactics and curses to punish their enemies. Beshaba’s clerics are masters of escaping justice and excel at using trickery to manipulate situations.
Garl Glittergold (Forgotten Realms)
Garl Glittergold, the god of gnomes and trickery, is a patron saint of joy and jest. His clerics embrace art, music, and staying true to oneself. Garl Glittergold’s clerics bring happiness and laughter to those around them, using their trickery magic to make others happy and protect the innocent.
Loki (Norse)
Loki, the Norse god of tricksters, is renowned for his cunning and shape-shifting abilities. His clerics embrace his chaotic nature and use their intelligence to outwit their enemies. Loki’s clerics excel at deception and manipulation, employing their trickery magic to achieve their goals.
Olidammara (Greyhawk)
Olidammara, the god of revelry and merriment, encourages his worshipers to embrace chaos and enjoy life to the fullest. His clerics are known for their party-loving and mischievous nature, using their trickery magic to bring joy to others and disrupt the lives of the serious and orderly.
The Traveler (Eberron)
The Traveler, the god of chaos and change, embodies unpredictability and alterity. The god’s clerics are always prepared for change and seek to manipulate events to their advantage. The Traveler’s clerics are excellent planners and use their trickery magic to adapt to new situations and solve problems creatively.
Tymora (Forgotten Realms)
Tymora, the goddess of luck and fortune, is a patron saint of risk-takers and adventurers. Her clerics embrace boldness and luck as forces of good, aiding those who help themselves and taking risks to make the world a better place. Tymora’s clerics possess insane self-confidence and often find themselves blessed with good fortune in their endeavors.
Best Feats for Trickery Clerics
When considering feats for a Trickery cleric, it is essential to prioritize increasing your primary ability scores. However, if your ability scores are already high, here are a few feats that can enhance your character:
Fey Touched
Fey Touched is an incredibly powerful feat for clerics. It provides a bonus to Wisdom, adds the Misty Step spell to your spell list, and grants an additional 1st-level divination or enchantment spell. Misty Step offers excellent teleportation capabilities, and the additional spell provides versatility and utility in various situations.
Gift of the Chromatic Dragon
The Gift of the Chromatic Dragon feat from Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons allows you to imbue your weapon with elemental damage. The feat also provides resistance to elemental damage as a reaction, offering defensive capabilities. This feat can enhance your damage and survivability in combat.
Heavily Armored
Heavily Armored is an excellent choice if your Trickery cleric lacks heavy armor proficiency. This feat provides proficiency in heavy armor, allowing you to wear full plate and significantly increase your AC. This feat is particularly beneficial for strength-based Trickery clerics.
Lucky
The Lucky feat can be a strong defensive option for Trickery clerics. It allows you to reroll attack rolls, saving throws, or skill checks three times per day. This feat provides extra chances to succeed or avoid critical failures, enhancing your survivability in dangerous situations.
Resilient
The Resilient feat can be advantageous for Trickery clerics, particularly when choosing Constitution as the affected attribute. This feat improves your Constitution score by 1 and grants proficiency in Constitution saving throws, enhancing your concentration and resistance against poisons.
Shadow Touched
Shadow Touched is similar to Fey Touched, offering a bonus to Wisdom and providing access to the Invisibility spell. This feat allows you to obtain a more flexible version of Cloak of Shadows, enhancing your stealth and defensive capabilities. The additional 1st-level Necromancy or Illusion spell provides utility and versatility.
War Caster
War Caster is a versatile feat that offers several benefits for Trickery clerics. It grants advantage on concentration saving throws, allows you to make opportunity attacks with spells, and provides options for spellcasting with a weapon and shield. This feat is particularly useful for Trickery clerics who rely heavily on concentration spells and want to capitalize on opportunity attacks.
Multiclassing for Trickery Clerics
Trickery clerics can benefit from multiclassing with certain classes to enhance their combat and utility capabilities. Here are three options to consider:
Fighter
Multiclassing into Fighter can provide several benefits for Trickery clerics. Taking Fighter to level 2 grants access to a Fighting Style, such as Defense or Dueling, which can improve your survivability or damage output. The Second Wind feature provides additional healing, and the Action Surge ability allows you to cast two spells or make two attacks in a turn.
Ranger
Multiclassing into Ranger can provide additional weapon training and utility for Trickery clerics. Opting for the Optional Class Features of Rangers can enhance their combat abilities. At level 2, Rangers gain access to additional damage against specific targets, such as favored enemies (using the optional rule), Fighting Style options, and utility spells. However, it is recommended not to go beyond level 2, as the Ranger’s archetypes do not provide significant benefits for Trickery clerics.
Rogue
While Rogue may not provide significant combat benefits for Trickery clerics, it can add flavor and utility to their character. Taking a few levels in Rogue can grant Sneak Attack damage, expertise in skills, and the Cunning Action feature for bonus action Dashing, Disengaging, or Hiding. Additionally, taking levels in the Arcane Trickster archetype can provide spell slots and access to wizard spells, enabling the cleric to cast touch spells through their illusions.
How to Play a Trickery Cleric
Playing a Trickery cleric requires a flexible and creative approach. Here are a few tips to help you maximize your potential:
Out of Combat
- Utilize your domain spells, such as Charm Person, Disguise Self, and Dimension Door, to create unique opportunities and solve non-combat challenges.
- Always make use of Blessing of the Trickster outside of combat, granting advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to a worthy ally.
- Use Invoke Duplicity creatively outside of combat for scouting, distraction, and exploration.
In Combat
- Invoke Duplicity can provide advantage on attack rolls, increasing your combat effectiveness. Strategically position your illusion to optimize your attacks.
- Cloak of Shadows offers powerful defensive capabilities. Use it wisely to become invisible and reposition yourself, but be mindful of its short duration and limitations.
- Divine Strike should be a primary focus. Utilize your weapon attacks, taking advantage of stealth, Invoke Duplicity, and high Dexterity to maximize damage output.
Trickery Cleric FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about Trickery clerics:
Can a Trickery Domain Cleric Heal?
Yes, Trickery clerics are capable healers. They have access to the full cleric spell list, which includes a variety of healing spells. However, the Trickery domain does not have specific subclass benefits related to healing, unlike the Peace domain, for example.
How Often Can I Use Blessing of the Trickster?
Blessing of the Trickster has unlimited uses, but it can only be granted to one creature at a time. The blessing lasts for one hour or until the cleric uses the ability on another creature. It is a valuable utility ability, particularly outside of combat situations.
Conclusion – Unleash Your Deceptive Powers
The Trickery domain offers a unique and enjoyable playstyle for clerics. With a diverse spell list, potent support abilities, and creative opportunities for roleplaying, Trickery clerics are capable of deceiving enemies and achieving their goals with finesse.
While the domain abilities may seem lackluster at first glance, with the right creativity and understanding, Trickery clerics can be a powerful force on the battlefield and a valuable asset in any party. Embrace your mischievous nature, unleash your deceptive powers, and watch as your enemies fall for your clever tricks and strategies.
