Clerics

Explore the Cleric class in Shadows of Doubt. Learn about base Cleric abilities, divine spellcasting, turning undead, and the unique kits like Priest of Talos, Helm, Lathander, Tyr, and Tempus.

Clerics in Shadows of Doubt are divine spellcasters with a focus on support and unique class features. They can wear any armor and helmets, and are proficient with flails, morning stars, maces, clubs, quarterstaffs, and slings. Clerics gain 8 HP per level for the first nine levels, and 2 HP per level thereafter. They possess the ability to turn undead, causing them to flee or be destroyed depending on the Cleric's level relative to the undead.

While Clerics are defensively strong, they are offensively weaker than pure fighters. They are often best utilized in multi-class or dual-class combinations, particularly with fighter classes. The Turn Undead ability can be situational; while it can destroy low-level undead, it often causes higher-level undead to flee, requiring pursuit that may lead to traps or more enemies. Dual-classing can allow for outright destruction of undead.

Evil-aligned clerics have the option to control undead instead of turning them.

Cleric Kits

Priest of Talos

Talos is an evil thunder god. This kit is restricted to Evil (any) and Chaotic Neutral alignments. Priests of Talos gain the ability to cast Lightning Bolt once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every five levels. They also gain Storm Shield (100% elemental resistance for 1 round per caster level) once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every ten levels. The Priest of Talos is generally considered a weak kit, with Storm Shield being only moderately useful and Lightning Bolt being poor.

Priest of Helm

Helm is a god of guardianship. This kit is restricted to Lawful (any) and True Neutral alignments. Priests of Helm can cast True Sight once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every five levels. They also gain Seeking Sword (+4 THAC0, +4 enchantment, 2-8 damage, 3 attacks per round for 1 round per 3 caster levels) once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every ten levels. True Sight is a situational high-level spell, and Seeking Sword offers decent attack bonuses but suppresses spellcasting, making Fighter/Cleric or Paladin multiclasses often more appealing.

Priest of Lathander

Lathander is a god of renewal. This kit is restricted to Good (any) and True Neutral alignments. Priests of Lathander can cast Hold Undead once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every five levels. They also gain Boon of Lathander (+1 THAC0, +1 damage, +1 saves, +1 attack per round for 1 round per level) once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every ten levels. This is considered the best Cleric kit due to the powerful Boon of Lathander ability, though Fighter/Cleric or Paladin multiclasses are still often superior.

Priest of Tyr

Tyr is a god of justice. This kit is restricted to Lawful Good, Neutral Good, and Lawful Neutral alignments. Priests of Tyr can cast Exaltation once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every five levels. They also gain Divine Favor (+1 THAC0 and damage per three caster levels for 2 rounds) once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every ten levels. The short duration of Divine Favor makes this kit less effective.

Priest of Tempus

Tempus is a god of war. This kit is restricted to Chaotic (any) and True Neutral alignments. Priests of Tempus can cast Holy Power once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every five levels. They also gain Chaos of Battle (random boosts to allies and penalties to enemies for 1 turn) once per day at level 1, with an additional casting every ten levels. These abilities lean towards a Cleric/Fighter hybrid, making it one of the better Cleric kits.

Cleric Spell Progression

The following table details the number of spells available per spell level, not including bonus spells from high Wisdom.