[Top 5] D&D Best Cleric Race

Updated:

16 May 2022

There really is no single best race for clerics. Each domain is so drastically different from one another, so the best race for you will change depending on which subclass you’re interested in.

The Custom Lineage option was recently introduced in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything makes this especially true, not just for clerics but for all classes. This alternative treats the default racial ability score bonuses as suggestions and instead allows the player to customize their character's abilities, skills, and tool proficiencies.

But if you want to play by the default rules, then there are definitely some things to consider when choosing your cleric’s race. Here are some of the best options for a powerful cleric multiclass.

5. Hill Dwarf

Dwarves are the classic cleric race. Specifically, the hill dwarf subrace is a common choice because of its bonuses to Wisdom and Constitution.

Why Hill Dwarf is Great for Cleric

The base dwarf race gives you a +2 to Constitution and the hill dwarf subrace gives a +1 to Wisdom – some very synergetic bonuses for a cleric.
You get Dwarven Toughness in addition to your CON bonus, which increases your hit point maximum by 1 each time you level up.
This is one of the races with Darkvision, a useful feature.
Your speed is not reduced by wearing heavy armor.
Dwarves also get Dwarven Resilience, which gives you advantage on saving throws against poison and resistance against poison damage

4. Tortle

Tortles are a good option for tougher, more resilient clerics. This tortoise-based race has bonuses to Wisdom and Strength, making them a good fit for more martial domains. They also have some great race-specific features that increase their defense and make them harder to take down.

Why Tortle is Great for Cleric

With a +2 to Strength and a +1 to Wisdom, tortles have a decent bonus to their spellcasting modifier and a great boost for martial clerics who might need a higher STR than usual.
The biggest appeal here is the tortle’s Natural Armor, which makes your base AC 17. You don't need to put points into Dexterity to fill out medium armor's dexterity cap, which will allow you to invest points elsewhere to support skill-based roles.
You also get Shell Defense, which is the ability to withdraw into your shell as an action. Until you emerge, you gain a +4 bonus to AC and advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws.
Some other minor bonuses are proficiency in the Survival skill and the ability to hold your breath for up to an hour and to use your claws as natural weapons.

3. Kalashtar

This unique race is a combination of spirits from the dream plane and humans. They have a rare +2 to Wisdom, but the drawback is that their Charisma bonus is largely useless for clerics.

Why Kalashtar is Great for Cleric

With Dual Mind, Kalashtar’s get advantage on all Wisdom saving throws. These are pretty common, so it's always useful regardless of class or subclass.
The Mental Discipline gives them resistance to psychic damage. While this isn’t a super common damage type, resistance to it is exceedingly rare.
Kalashtar’s have an ability called Mind Link that lets them communicate telepathically. t can be used This comes in handy when you want to coordinate attacks, create backup plans, come up with a convincing lie, or secretly tell allies necessary information you don’t want anyone to overhear.

2. Firbolg

These cow-eared half-giants are usually stereotyped as druids, but their bonus to Wisdom also makes them great clerics.

Why Firbolg is Great for Cleric

This is another race with a rare +2 to Wisdom. Your Strength score also increases by 1 which can be useful or not, depending on your domain.
Firbolg’s have innate magic that lets you cast Detect Magic and Disguise Self once every short rest.
Their ability Hidden Step will definitely save you in at least one dicey situation. Once per short rest, you can use a bonus action to magically turn invisible until the start of your next turn or until you attack, make a damage roll, or force someone to make a saving throw.
If the campaign you’re playing in uses carrying capacity rules, then the firbolg’s Powerful Build lets you count as one size larger when determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can push, drag, or lift.
You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts and plants. They can understand the meaning of your words and you have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.

1. Githzerai

Previously enslaved for generations by the Mind Flayers, the Gith are divided into two subraces, the Githyanki and Githzerai. Githzerai gives you a bonus to your Wisdom in addition to the races Intelligence bonus, advantage on saving throws against the charmed and frightened conditions, and psionics.

Why Githzerai is Great for Cleric

Githzerai also have a +2 to Wisdom, the best ability score increase for a cleric. They also get a +1 to Intelligence, which will be useful or not depending on your domain. The best fit would be for a Knowledge domain cleric.
This subrace also has the Mental Discipline feature, which gives you advantage on saving throws against being charmed or frightened.
You also get innate magic that help free up your prepared spells for other options. The Githzerai Psionics let you cast the Mage Hand cantrip and the hand is invisible. It also lets you cast the Shield spell once per long rest at 3rd level, which is a great defense option for wizards to have. When you reach 5th level, you can cast the Detect Thoughts spell.