Game Guides

Best Cleric Spells 5E (2014)

Best Cleric spells in D&D 5E: Guidance, Bless, Healing Word, Spiritual Weapon, Spirit Guardians, Revivify, and domain preparation tips.

Edition note: This guide targets 2014 5E (legacy PHB-style rules). If your table uses the 2024 Player's Handbook, confirm spell lists and domain features before locking a build.

Clerics prepare from the whole list — so the best Cleric spells 5E are the ones you should almost always prepare, then flex the rest for the day’s dungeon.

Cantrips

Cantrip Job
Guidance Out-of-combat party tax
Sacred Flame Radiant save; ignores cover
Toll the Dead Necrotic DPR when foes are hurt

Level 1 forever prepares

  • Bless — concentration buff that wins long fights
  • Healing Word — bonus-action triage from range
  • Guiding Bolt — nova + advantage setup
  • Detect Magic — if you can ritual it, keep access
  • Cure Wounds — touch heal when Word is not enough HP
  • Shield of Faith — +2 AC when Bless is not the plan

Level 2 staples

Spell Why
Spiritual Weapon Bonus-action damage, no concentration
Hold Person Humanoid fights
Silence Anti-caster / stealth plays
Enhance Ability Scene-long skill support
Blindness/Deafness No concentration shutdown

Level 3 identity package

  1. Spirit Guardians — your lawnmower aura
  2. Revivify — keep the diamond ready
  3. Aura of Vitality — bonus-action heal pool
  4. Counterspell — if your domain / multiclass grants it; otherwise lean on Silence and positioning
  5. Dispel Magic — prepare when cursed loot / enemy buffs appear

Classic turn: Spirit Guardians up, Spiritual Weapon bonking, Dodge or cantrip as needed.

Higher levels worth planning for

  • Banishment
  • Greater Invisibility (if available via domain / multiclass)
  • Domain spells always count as prepared — lean into them instead of duplicating

Related hubs

Frequently Asked Questions

Bless or Spirit Guardians?

Once you have Spirit Guardians, it is usually the combat concentration. Bless shines before that spike and in fights where aura damage is awkward.

Do I always prepare Revivify?

Once diamonds and deadly fights exist, yes — even if you hope not to cast it.

Healing Word or Cure Wounds?

Healing Word for in-combat pickups. Cure Wounds for out-of-combat or when you need a bigger single heal and can afford the Action.