Overlooked Baldur's Gate 3 class can deal absurd lightning damage with one simple spell

In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can create a ton of different builds. The game features twelve classes, each of which has at least four subclasses with different specializations. Let's add to this the option of multiclassing, lots of spells and traits, and we get a daunting array of possibilities. Choosing a class and subclass can therefore prove to be complicated, and many powerful options may be overlooked. According to statistics published by Larian some time after the release, the least popular class among players was the Cleric.

No wonder - Shadowheart, one of the first companions unlocked in the game, is already a Cleric, and the class itself is associated with healing - not a very appealing role for the main character. Clerics in Baldur's Gate 3 don't have to be just medics - one of the available subclasses will allow you to wear heavy armor and throw lightning like a combination of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, dealing massive damage in the process, and all it takes is just a bit of water.

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1. Baldur's Gate 3 - game guide

Lightning power of the Tempest Domain

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The Tempest Domain in Baldur’s Gate 3 is one of the Cleric subclasses, and it is the most offensively oriented among them. Already at the first level, you will get proficiency in heavy armor and military weapons, which will allow you to wield any type of weapon in the game, as well as a counterattack dealing lightning or thunder damage to the opponent who attacked you.

You will unlock your most important feature and the main reason for choosing this class at the second level. It is a unique Channel Divinity, Destructive Wrath. How does it work? So, when dealing damage from lightning, you can use a Channel Divinity to guarantee the maximum possible damage. As an example, the lightning summoning spell deals 3k10 electrical damage, which means from 3 to 30 points of damage. Use the Channel Divinity and you'll deal 30 points of damage.

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The Channel Divinity itself is a very useful effect, but only in symbiosis with a certain mechanism does it reach its maximum potential. If any character is wet, they take double damage from lightning and ice; you probably already know where this is going. Splash any opponent with water and you'll significantly increase the damage you deal.

Using the Channel Divinity on a wet enemy will increase the damage even more - summoning lightning will deal 60. The most powerful lightning spell in the game is the Chain Lightning - if you cast it on wet targets and use the Channel Divinity, you will deal 160 damage to four opponents at once with a single spell. To give context to the magnitude of this Channel Divinity, the statistically most powerful boss in the entire game has 666 health points.

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And how easy is it to soak the opponent? There are a few ways to do this. The first one is the water summoning spell. This is a first level spell, so you can use it from the very beginning of the game. The alternative method is a bit more primitive but still effective - just throw a bottle of water at the enemy.

The Tempest Domain is not, of course, a perfect class - its biggest issue is the low availability of lightning spells. Call Lightning is the only lightning spell you will learn. To cast more powerful lightning spells, such as Thunder and Chain Lightning, you will have to rely on scrolls and items.

In Act 3, head to Ramazith's Tower as quickly as possible and obtain the legendary Markoheshkir quarterstaff. It is equipped with several elemental modes - by activating the lightning mode, you will get the ability to throw lightning and a chain of thunders once per short rest, without using spell slots.

Shockingly good lighting build

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Despite the aforementioned flaw, the Tempest Cleric is a strong subclass that allows for wreaking havoc under very high voltage. However, there is a way to eliminate this flaw and reach the full potential of the subclass. The Tempest Cleric shines exceptionally bright not as a single class, but as a side choice for another class - the Storm Sorcerer. By choosing to level up ten levels as a Storm Sorcerer and two levels as a Tempest Cleric, you achieve the strongest combination of both classes.

By mixing the Sorcerer with the Cleric, you will gain access to almost the full list of Sorcerer spells and to metamagic, which allows you to modify cast spells. You'll be able to fly after casting a spell and automatically create a storm that deals damage when casting lightning or thunder spells. Most importantly, you will still have access to the Channel Divinity, which allows you to strike with the force of a million volts once per short rest.

The only downside is the lack of access to sixth-level spells, which means the inability to learn the Heart of the Storm. You will have to rely on scrolls or Markoheskir, but it should definitely be enough. The combination we provided is one of the simplest and most effective, so it's perfect for teaching you the basics of multiclassing. Remember about the water and shock the Cult of the Absolute with your power.

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Baldur's Gate 3

August 3, 2023

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