Rules edition: 2024 Player’s Handbook Dragonborn species and Cleric class. This guide uses the 2024 rules throughout. The 2014 Dragonborn has different ability-score traits and a different Breath Weapon; see the separate 2014 Green Dragonborn Cleric build for that legacy option.
A 2024 Dragonborn Cleric combines divine spellcasting with a damage resistance, Darkvision, temporary flight, and a limited-use Breath Weapon. The species does not assign ability-score increases, so the background you choose helps shape the character’s starting abilities. The build works as a support-focused caster or as a more durable front-line cleric, depending on your Divine Order and domain choices.
Choose a Draconic Ancestry
Your ancestry sets your Breath Weapon damage type and matching resistance. It does not lock you into a breath shape: each time you use the trait, choose a 15-foot cone or a 30-foot line that is 5 feet wide.
| Ancestry | Damage type |
|---|---|
| Black or Copper | Acid |
| Blue or Bronze | Lightning |
| Brass, Gold, or Red | Fire |
| Green | Poison |
| Silver or White | Cold |
Choose the type that fits your campaign and character. A resistance halves only damage of its matching type; it does not make you immune or protect allies caught in your Breath Weapon’s area.
Set your ability scores and background
Wisdom is the Cleric’s spellcasting ability. Constitution supports hit points and concentration on spells, while Dexterity helps with initiative and the Armor Class of lighter armor. The 2024 standard-array suggestion for a Cleric is Strength 14, Dexterity 8, Constitution 13, Intelligence 10, Wisdom 15, and Charisma 12 before background increases.
Sage is a practical choice for a durable caster because it lets you increase Constitution, Intelligence, and Wisdom. Put +2 in Wisdom and +1 in Constitution for Wisdom 17 and Constitution 14. Acolyte is another thematic option and permits increases to Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma; choose +2 Wisdom and +1 Charisma if you want stronger social skills. Neither Dragonborn ancestry nor the 2024 species adds a fixed Strength or Charisma bonus.
Choose your Divine Order
At level 1, the 2024 Cleric chooses a Divine Order. Protector grants Martial weapon proficiency and Heavy armor training, which supports a front-line character. Thaumaturge grants an extra Cleric cantrip and adds your Wisdom modifier to certain Arcana or Religion checks, making it a natural fit for a scholar or temple investigator. Clerics already have Light and Medium armor training and can use Shields.
Your Cleric subclass arrives at level 3 under the 2024 rules. The 2024 Basic Rules include Life Domain, which emphasizes healing. If your table uses other 2024 Player’s Handbook domains, choose according to the role you want; domain features and spell lists are specific to their rules version.
Use the Breath Weapon as an option, not a rotation
When you take the Attack action, you can replace one of its attacks with the Breath Weapon. A Cleric does not normally gain Extra Attack, so this usually means using your action to breathe instead of making a weapon attack. Its value is that it can affect several creatures, uses your Constitution-based save DC, and does not spend a spell slot. At character level 5 it also deals 2d10 damage, then scales to 3d10 at level 11 and 4d10 at level 17. You can use it a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus, regaining all uses after a Long Rest.
Compare the breath with your other actions. If a spell can solve the encounter better, cast it; if several enemies line up or you want to preserve spell slots, the cone or line may be the stronger choice. Check where your allies are before exhaling, because they are affected by the area like other creatures.
Use flight and spells to support the party
At character level 5, Draconic Flight lets you manifest spectral wings as a Bonus Action. You gain a Fly Speed equal to your Speed for up to 10 minutes, and the trait returns after a Long Rest. Use it to reach an elevated ally, cross a gap, or take a safer position. Because it uses a Bonus Action, plan around any other Bonus Action feature you want to activate on that turn.
Keep Wisdom high when selecting and preparing spells. Your spells are the main way to heal, protect, and control the battlefield; you do not need to turn the Dragonborn traits into your primary damage plan. Use the resistance when the matching damage type appears, and treat flight and breath as situational tools that add choices to your Cleric’s normal toolkit.
