Subclass Cleric Death Domain

What Is the Death Domain?

The Death Domain is a Cleric subclass built around Necrotic damage. At Level 3, Reaper grants a cantrip from a fixed list of four and extends three of them (Chill Touch, Poison Spray, Toll the Dead) to two targets simultaneously, while Touch of Death deals extra Necrotic damage to a nearby creature when one of your spells kills. Inescapable Destruction at Level 6 makes your Necrotic damage bypass resistance entirely.

Class Features

Progression Overview

LEVEL	FEATURE
3	Death Domain Spells, Reaper, Touch of Death
6	Inescapable Destruction

Level 3

Death Domain Spells The following spells are always prepared and don't count against your prepared spell limit.

Level 3: False Life, Ray of Sickness
Level 5: Blindness/Deafness, Ray of Enfeeblement
Level 7: Animate Dead, Vampiric Touch
Level 9: Blight, Death Ward

Reaper You learn one cantrip of your choice from a fixed list: Bursting Sinew, Chill Touch, Poison Spray, or Toll the Dead. If you choose Chill Touch, Poison Spray, or Toll the Dead, that cantrip permanently targets two creatures within range instead of one, with a separate attack roll or saving throw for each. Bursting Sinew doesn't get this second-target bonus.

Touch of Death When you kill a creature with a spell or Channel Divinity option, you can cause necrotic energy to arc from that creature to another creature of your choice that you can see within 60 feet of the first creature. The second creature takes Necrotic damage equal to your Cleric level.

Level 6

Inescapable Destruction Necrotic damage dealt by your spells and Channel Divinity options ignores resistance to Necrotic damage.

Playstyle Notes

The Death Domain is the necromantic offensive Cleric subclass. Reaper at Level 3 grants a free cantrip pick, and if you pick Chill Touch, Poison Spray, or Toll the Dead it doubles that cantrip's target count — both targets roll independently, meaning the damage applies twice from one action. Touch of Death punishes kills with a free Necrotic burst on a nearby enemy, turning enemy deaths into chain damage.

Inescapable Destruction at Level 6 removes the ceiling on Necrotic damage against resistant creatures — monsters with Necrotic resistance (many undead, devils, and death-adjacent creatures) take full damage from your spells. Combined with Blight at Level 9 (4d6 direct damage Necrotic) and Vampiric Touch at Level 7 (self-healing Necrotic melee), the Death Domain Cleric functions as a sustained Necrotic damage dealer while maintaining the Cleric's spell support role.