BG3 Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer Build: A Guide to Divine Thunder

Bg3 tempest cleric storm sorcerer build – BG3 Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer build is a powerful combination that unleashes the fury of the storm upon your enemies. This build merges the divine magic of the Tempest Cleric with the raw power of the Storm Sorcerer, creating a force to be reckoned with.

The Tempest Cleric provides divine support and battlefield control, while the Storm Sorcerer delivers devastating elemental damage. The synergy between these two classes allows you to unleash a torrent of lightning and thunder, decimating foes and protecting your allies.

This guide delves into the intricacies of this build, exploring its strengths and weaknesses, optimal race and background choices, spell selection, and gameplay strategies. We will also discuss level progression, equipment recommendations, and variations to customize your playstyle. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to Baldur’s Gate 3, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to harness the power of the Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer build.

Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer

This build is a powerful and versatile combination in Baldur’s Gate 3, harnessing the raw power of the storm and divine magic. The Tempest Cleric provides potent healing and damage, while the Storm Sorcerer complements these abilities with electrifying spells and control over the elements.

This dynamic duo thrives in both combat and exploration, making it an excellent choice for players who want to unleash a devastating storm on their enemies.

Strengths

The Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer build benefits from several strengths:

• Powerful Damage Output:Both classes excel at dealing significant damage, with the Cleric’s Divine Strike and the Sorcerer’s Lightning Bolt and Thunderwave spells. This combination makes for a truly formidable force in combat.
• Effective Crowd Control:The Sorcerer’s spells like Thunderwave and Hold Person, combined with the Cleric’s Channel Divinity: Turn Undead, provide excellent crowd control options, allowing you to manage and control large groups of enemies.
• Exceptional Healing:The Cleric’s healing spells and Channel Divinity: Turn the Tide offer powerful restorative abilities, keeping your party alive and kicking throughout the campaign.
• Synergy Between Classes:The Tempest Cleric’s Divine Strike benefits from the Sorcerer’s spells that increase damage, while the Sorcerer’s spell slots can be replenished by the Cleric’s Channel Divinity: Channel Divinity: Turn the Tide.
• Versatility:This build can adapt to various situations, from close-quarters combat to long-range engagements. The Cleric’s Divine Strike and the Sorcerer’s ranged spells provide flexibility in different battle scenarios.

Weaknesses

Despite its strengths, this build also has some weaknesses:

• Low Armor Class:Both the Cleric and the Sorcerer have low Armor Class (AC), making them vulnerable to physical attacks. You’ll need to rely on spells like Shield or magic items to enhance your defenses.
• Limited Spell Slots:While the Cleric and Sorcerer have access to a decent number of spell slots, their limited number can be a challenge in prolonged battles or encounters with high-level enemies.
• Spellcasting Focus:The build relies heavily on spellcasting, making it less effective in situations where spellcasting is restricted or unavailable. You’ll need to be strategic about your spellcasting and consider alternative tactics in these situations.

Synergy

The Tempest Cleric and Storm Sorcerer complement each other perfectly, creating a devastating and versatile force:

• Divine Strike and Storm Sorcery:The Tempest Cleric’s Divine Strike adds extra damage to attacks, and the Storm Sorcerer’s spells like Lightning Bolt and Thunderwave can amplify this damage even further.
• Crowd Control and Healing:The Sorcerer’s crowd control spells like Thunderwave and Hold Person work in tandem with the Cleric’s Channel Divinity: Turn Undead, allowing you to control the battlefield and protect your allies.
• Spell Slot Management:The Cleric’s Channel Divinity: Turn the Tide can replenish the Sorcerer’s spell slots, ensuring that you have enough power to face even the toughest challenges.

Race and Background: Bg3 Tempest Cleric Storm Sorcerer Build

Choosing the right race and background for your Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer can significantly enhance your build’s effectiveness and flavour. You’ll want to select options that boost spellcasting, synergize with the domains, and fit the character’s backstory.The combination of race and background can create a compelling narrative and provide meaningful mechanical benefits.

Races

The best races for this build are those that offer bonuses to spellcasting ability scores or provide abilities that enhance your spellcasting. Here are some of the best options:

• High Elf:High Elves gain a +1 bonus to their Intelligence and Charisma scores, making them excellent spellcasters. They also gain proficiency in Perception and advantage on saving throws against being charmed.
• Half-Elf:Half-Elves gain a +1 bonus to two ability scores of your choice, including Intelligence and Charisma.

  They also have advantage on saving throws against being charmed and gain proficiency in two skills of your choice.

• Tiefling:Tieflings gain a +1 bonus to their Charisma and Intelligence scores and have darkvision. They also gain the Infernal Legacy feature, which grants them advantage on saving throws against being frightened.

• Variant Human:Variant Humans gain a +1 bonus to two ability scores of your choice, including Intelligence and Charisma. They also gain a feat of your choice, which can be used to further enhance your spellcasting abilities.

Backgrounds

Your background should reflect your character’s past and provide skills that are relevant to your build. Here are some backgrounds that align well with the Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer theme:

• Acolyte:Acolytes gain proficiency in Religion and Insight, and they can choose two other skills from the following list: History, Medicine, Persuasion, or Arcana. This background fits well with the cleric aspect of the build, and the skills can be useful for both spellcasting and social interactions.

• Sage:Sages gain proficiency in Arcana and History, and they can choose two other skills from the following list: Investigation, Nature, or Religion. This background is a good choice for characters who are knowledgeable about magic and the world around them.

• Hermit:Hermits gain proficiency in Nature and Survival, and they can choose two other skills from the following list: Insight, Medicine, Persuasion, or Religion. This background is a good choice for characters who have spent time in isolation, studying the natural world or honing their magical abilities.

• Outlander:Outlanders gain proficiency in Athletics and Survival, and they can choose two other skills from the following list: Animal Handling, Insight, Perception, or Stealth. This background is a good choice for characters who have lived in the wilderness and have a strong connection to nature.

Race/Background Combinations, Bg3 tempest cleric storm sorcerer build

Here are some specific race/background combinations that offer unique benefits and flavour:

• High Elf Acolyte:This combination provides a strong foundation for a spellcaster who is deeply connected to their deity. The High Elf’s racial bonuses to Intelligence and Charisma enhance spellcasting, while the Acolyte’s proficiency in Religion and Insight provides valuable skills for both in-game and roleplaying.

• Half-Elf Sage:This combination is a good choice for a character who has spent time studying ancient texts and lore. The Half-Elf’s racial bonuses to two ability scores of your choice, including Intelligence and Charisma, enhance spellcasting, while the Sage’s proficiency in Arcana and History provides valuable skills for both in-game and roleplaying.

• Tiefling Hermit:This combination is a good choice for a character who has been ostracized from society and has turned to magic for solace. The Tiefling’s racial bonuses to Charisma and Intelligence enhance spellcasting, while the Hermit’s proficiency in Nature and Survival provides valuable skills for both in-game and roleplaying.

• Variant Human Sage (with the Spellcasting feat):This combination provides a powerful boost to spellcasting. The Variant Human’s racial bonus to two ability scores of your choice, including Intelligence and Charisma, enhances spellcasting, while the Spellcasting feat provides additional cantrips and spells.

Cleric Domain

The Tempest domain is a powerful choice for a Storm Sorcerer/Cleric build, providing a synergistic blend of offensive and support abilities that enhance your character’s versatility and effectiveness in combat. This domain aligns perfectly with the elemental fury of the Storm Sorcerer, amplifying your spellcasting and empowering your attacks with the raw power of nature’s wrath.

Benefits of the Tempest Domain

The Tempest domain offers several benefits that amplify your Storm Sorcerer’s abilities and create a devastating force on the battlefield. These benefits include:

• Channel Divinity: Destructive Wrath: This ability empowers your attacks with the fury of a storm, dealing an additional 1d6 thunder damage to your target. This extra damage adds to your already potent Storm Sorcerer attacks, making you a formidable force in melee combat.

• Thunderous Smite: Similar to Divine Smite, this ability allows you to channel your divine power into your attacks, dealing an additional 2d8 thunder damage to your target. This ability synergizes perfectly with your Storm Sorcerer’s innate spellcasting, allowing you to unleash devastating attacks both at range and in melee.

• Bonus Proficiencies: The Tempest domain grants proficiency in Athletics and Persuasion skills, adding to your character’s versatility and allowing you to engage in a wider range of activities beyond combat.
• Enhanced Spellcasting: You gain access to powerful spells like -Thunderwave* and -Call Lightning*, further amplifying your elemental abilities and providing you with a wide range of options for controlling the battlefield and dealing damage.

Enhancing Offensive Capabilities

The Tempest domain’s abilities significantly enhance your build’s offensive capabilities, turning you into a whirlwind of elemental destruction.

• Thunderous Smite and Destructive Wrath: These abilities empower your attacks with thunder damage, adding to your Storm Sorcerer’s innate spellcasting capabilities. By combining these abilities with spells like -Lightning Bolt* or -Thunderclap*, you can unleash devastating attacks that can quickly overwhelm your enemies.

• Control the Battlefield: The Tempest domain’s spells, such as -Thunderwave* and -Call Lightning*, provide you with the means to control the battlefield and disrupt your enemies’ formations. This allows you to create opportunities for your allies to strike and dictate the flow of combat.

• Synergistic Spellcasting: The Tempest domain’s spells complement your Storm Sorcerer’s abilities, allowing you to create devastating combinations of spells and attacks. For example, you can cast -Thunderwave* to push enemies back, then follow up with a -Lightning Bolt* to strike them down.

Supporting Allies

While the Tempest domain primarily focuses on offense, it also provides support abilities that can benefit your allies:

• Channel Divinity: Disrupting Strike: This ability allows you to deal an extra 1d6 thunder damage to a creature and knock it prone. This can create opportunities for your allies to attack, or prevent enemies from reaching them.
• Enhanced Spellcasting: The Tempest domain grants you access to spells like -Protection from Energy*, which can protect your allies from specific types of damage. This allows you to provide a defensive layer for your team, ensuring their survival in combat.

Sorcerer Subclass

The Storm Sorcerer subclass is a powerful choice for a Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer multiclass build. This subclass brings the raw power of the elements to bear, complementing the Cleric’s divine magic with electrifying and tempestuous abilities.

Strengths of the Storm Sorcerer Subclass

The Storm Sorcerer’s strengths lie in its ability to deal significant damage with elemental magic and control the environment. The subclass’s features, like “Heart of the Storm” and “Lightning Bolt,” enhance the Cleric’s divine magic, creating a devastating combination of power.

Heart of the Storm

The “Heart of the Storm” feature allows the Storm Sorcerer to unleash a surge of elemental energy, granting them temporary hit points and advantage on attack rolls. This feature provides a powerful defensive boost while also enhancing the Storm Sorcerer’s offensive capabilities.

Lightning Bolt

The “Lightning Bolt” feature grants the Storm Sorcerer the ability to call down a bolt of lightning, dealing significant damage to a single target. This feature complements the Cleric’s divine magic, allowing the Storm Sorcerer to deliver a devastating blow from afar.

The Storm Sorcerer’s Role in Damage and Environmental Control

The Storm Sorcerer plays a crucial role in dealing significant damage and manipulating the environment. The subclass’s features allow it to unleash a barrage of elemental attacks, disrupting enemy formations and controlling the battlefield.

Damage

The Storm Sorcerer’s damage output is enhanced by its “Heart of the Storm” and “Lightning Bolt” features, allowing it to deal significant damage to enemies. The subclass’s ability to manipulate the elements further enhances its damage potential, allowing it to create damaging storms and summon thunderous strikes.

Environmental Control

The Storm Sorcerer’s ability to control the environment is a valuable asset. The subclass’s features allow it to summon storms, control the weather, and manipulate the elements, creating a chaotic and unpredictable battlefield. This ability allows the Storm Sorcerer to create advantageous positions for its allies and hinder the movement of its enemies.

Level Progression and Multiclassing

This build focuses on maximizing both the Tempest Cleric’s divine powers and the Storm Sorcerer’s elemental magic. We’ll be aiming for a balance between the two classes, ensuring that we can effectively unleash devastating attacks and support our allies with divine might.The key is to prioritize certain levels in each class to unlock crucial abilities and features.

This strategy allows us to build a powerful and versatile character who can adapt to various combat situations.

Level Progression

The following table Artikels the recommended level progression for this build, highlighting the key abilities gained at each level.

Reasons for Level Progression

This level progression allows us to maximize the benefits of both classes.

Levels 1-5

Cleric: We start as a Cleric to gain access to the Tempest Domain, which grants us powerful abilities like Destructive Wrath, Thunderous Smite, and Spirit Guardians. These abilities enhance our melee attacks and make us a formidable force on the battlefield.

Level 6

Sorcerer: At level 6, we multiclass into Sorcerer to gain access to spellcasting and Sorcery Points. This allows us to enhance our spells with Metamagic, making them even more potent.

Levels 7-10

Cleric: We continue to level up our Cleric to unlock additional abilities like Improved Divine Strike and further enhance our divine powers.

Levels 11-20

Sorcerer: We prioritize Sorcerer levels to unlock higher-level spells and Metamagic options, allowing us to unleash devastating magical attacks and control the battlefield with elemental magic.This progression ensures a balanced build that effectively utilizes both divine and magical abilities.

Spell Selection

Choosing the right spells is crucial for any build, but it’s especially important for a Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer, as you’ll be weaving together the power of both domains. The goal is to create a spell list that maximizes your offensive and supportive capabilities while staying true to your tempestuous theme.

Cleric Spells

Cleric spells offer a solid foundation for your build, providing essential support and control options.

• Bless: A classic buff that increases the attack rolls and saving throws of your allies, making them more resilient in combat.
• Cure Wounds: A versatile healing spell that can be used to quickly restore health to injured allies, ensuring they can keep fighting.
• Spiritual Weapon: A reliable damage spell that deals radiant damage and allows you to make attacks with a spectral weapon, giving you an extra attack option.
• Guiding Bolt: A powerful damage spell that deals radiant damage and grants advantage on the next attack roll against the target, allowing you to strike with precision.
• Protection from Energy: A defensive spell that protects a target from a specific type of energy damage, offering valuable protection against common threats.
• Dispel Magic: A crucial spell that allows you to end one magical effect on a creature or object, disrupting enemy spells or removing harmful enchantments from your allies.
• Freedom of Movement: A powerful control spell that allows you to break free from difficult terrain and restraints, giving you and your allies more tactical flexibility.

Sorcerer Spells

Storm Sorcerer spells add a chaotic and explosive element to your repertoire, unleashing devastating magical attacks and enhancing your control over the elements.

• Thunderwave: A versatile damage spell that deals thunder damage and pushes enemies back, providing both offensive and tactical advantages.
• Lightning Bolt: A devastating damage spell that deals lightning damage to a line of enemies, making it perfect for clearing out groups of foes.
• Shatter: A powerful area-of-effect spell that deals thunder damage to a 15-foot-radius sphere, capable of shattering objects and disrupting enemy formations.
• Ice Storm: A devastating area-of-effect spell that deals cold damage to a 40-foot-radius cone, capable of slowing and damaging enemies, making it ideal for crowd control.
• Cone of Cold: A highly damaging spell that deals cold damage to a 60-foot cone, capable of incapacitating enemies with a single blast.
• Hypnotic Pattern: A powerful control spell that allows you to charm and incapacitate a group of enemies, giving you and your allies a tactical advantage.
• Cloudkill: A devastating area-of-effect spell that deals poison damage to a 40-foot-radius sphere, capable of incapacitating and even killing enemies caught in its deadly cloud.

Equipment and Items

As a Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer, your gear plays a crucial role in unleashing the full fury of the storm. You need to equip yourself with items that enhance your spellcasting, amplify your damage, and ensure you stay alive in the thick of battle.You’ll be primarily relying on your spellcasting abilities, so enhancing your spellcasting prowess is a priority.

Items that increase your spell attack bonus, spell save DC, and spellcasting ability score are highly valuable.

Boosting Spellcasting

• Arcane Focus:A wand or staff that acts as a focus for your spellcasting. It provides a +1 bonus to your spell attack rolls and spell save DCs. This is a basic but essential item for any spellcaster.
• Component Pouch:This pouch contains all the necessary components for casting spells, eliminating the need to carry around individual components. It’s a must-have for any spellcaster, as it simplifies your spellcasting process and avoids potential complications.
• Rod of the Pact Keeper:A powerful magic item that grants a +2 bonus to spell attack rolls and spell save DCs, and also allows you to regain a spell slot of 1st level or higher. It’s a highly valuable item for any spellcaster, especially for those who rely on spellcasting for their primary damage output.

• Headband of Intellect:This headband provides a +2 bonus to your Intelligence score. It’s a valuable item for any spellcaster, especially for those who rely on their Intelligence score for spellcasting. It’s a more expensive option, but it can be worth the investment for the significant boost it provides to your spellcasting ability.

Gameplay Strategies

This build is a force of nature, capable of dishing out serious damage, controlling the battlefield, and keeping your allies safe. You’re a whirlwind of elemental fury, combining the power of the storm with divine might.

Maximizing Damage Potential

Your damage potential comes from a combination of your spells and divine strikes. To maximize your damage output, you’ll want to focus on using your spells and abilities in a way that maximizes their synergy.

• Maximize Spellcasting Ability:Your primary damage source comes from your spells. Since your spellcasting ability is Charisma, you’ll want to ensure you have a high Charisma score. Use items and feats to boost your Charisma, and consider multiclassing into a class that also uses Charisma for spellcasting, such as a Bard or Paladin.

• Utilize Elemental Advantage:The Tempest Cleric and Storm Sorcerer have a natural advantage against creatures vulnerable to lightning and thunder. Focus your attacks on creatures with these weaknesses, and use spells that exploit their vulnerabilities. Spells like -Thunderwave*, -Lightning Bolt*, and -Call Lightning* are ideal for maximizing damage against susceptible enemies.

• Combine Spells and Abilities:Combine your spells with your Channel Divinity abilities for maximum impact. For example, use -Thunderwave* to push enemies into a position where they are vulnerable to your -Divine Strike* attacks, or use -Call Lightning* to create a storm that enhances the damage of your subsequent attacks.

Controlling the Battlefield

As a Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer, you have the power to control the battlefield. Use your spells and abilities to manipulate the environment and create tactical advantages.

• Area-of-Effect Spells:Use area-of-effect spells like -Thunderwave*, -Lightning Bolt*, and -Call Lightning* to control large groups of enemies, preventing them from reaching your allies or forcing them into unfavorable positions.
• Crowd Control:Utilize spells like -Thunderwave*, -Hold Person*, and -Tasha’s Hideous Laughter* to disrupt enemy actions and give your allies time to regroup or maneuver.
• Environmental Manipulation:The -Control Weather* spell allows you to manipulate the environment to your advantage. You can create fog to obscure enemies, rain to extinguish fires, or even a raging storm to hinder enemy movement and deal damage.

Supporting Allies

You’re not just a damage dealer; you’re also a vital support character. Use your spells and abilities to protect your allies and enhance their performance.

• Healing and Buffs:Despite your focus on damage and control, you still have access to healing spells like -Cure Wounds* and -Healing Word*. Use these spells to keep your allies alive and fighting. Additionally, your -Bless* spell can provide your allies with an extra boost to their attack rolls and saving throws, enhancing their offensive and defensive capabilities.

• Protection:Use spells like -Shield of Faith* to enhance your allies’ AC, making them harder to hit. Additionally, the -Protection from Energy* spell can protect your allies from specific types of damage, such as lightning or fire.
• Empowerment:The -Inspiring Leader* feature of the Tempest Cleric allows you to empower your allies, increasing their attack rolls and saving throws. This can be particularly useful for melee characters who need a little extra boost to hit their targets or survive an encounter.

Navigating Specific Challenges

• Dealing with Flying Creatures:Flying creatures can be a challenge, but you have options. The -Thunderwave* spell can knock them out of the air, and spells like -Lightning Bolt* and -Call Lightning* can strike them effectively. Consider using the -Fly* spell to match their altitude and gain the advantage in combat.

• Facing Multiple Enemies:Area-of-effect spells are your best friend against multiple enemies. Use spells like -Thunderwave*, -Lightning Bolt*, and -Call Lightning* to hit multiple targets simultaneously, and consider using -Control Weather* to create a fog that obscures your enemies’ vision and makes it harder for them to target you.

• Dealing with Resistance:Some enemies might have resistance to lightning or thunder damage. To overcome this, consider using other damage types, such as fire or cold, or using spells that bypass resistance, like -Spiritual Weapon*. Alternatively, you can use spells that inflict conditions, such as -Hold Person* or -Tasha’s Hideous Laughter*, to incapacitate enemies.

FAQ Overview

What are the best races for a Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer build?

Races like Half-Elf, High Elf, and Tiefling provide excellent spellcasting bonuses and racial abilities that enhance the build’s effectiveness.

What are some good backgrounds for this build?

Backgrounds like Acolyte, Hermit, or Outlander offer relevant skills and themes that align with the build’s focus on divine magic and storm-based abilities.

Is there a specific level progression I should follow?

A common progression is to start with Cleric for the first few levels, gaining essential divine magic and domain abilities, and then multiclassing into Sorcerer at level 3 or 4 to unlock the Storm subclass’s powerful features.

What are some essential spells for this build?

Key spells include “Thunderwave,” “Lightning Bolt,” “Spiritual Weapon,” “Bless,” “Cure Wounds,” and “Dispel Magic,” which synergize with the build’s offensive and supportive capabilities.