A 2024 Gnome Cleric is a sturdy support caster with strong defenses against many mental effects and lineage magic that can add practical utility. The build does not need a legacy Intelligence bonus or a special domain to work: prioritize Wisdom for Cleric spells, choose a background that supports your scores, and select Forest or Rock Gnome for the traits you want.
Rules edition: This guide uses the Gnome species and Cleric class from the 2024 rules. The 2014 Gnome subraces have different traits and fixed ability-score increases. Keep those legacy options separate and use background-based ability-score increases for a 2024 character.
Current Gnome traits
The 2024 Gnome is a Small Humanoid with a 30-foot Speed. It has Darkvision with a 60-foot range, Gnomish Cunning, and Gnomish Lineage:
- Gnomish Cunning: You have Advantage on Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws.
- Forest Gnome: You know the Minor Illusion cantrip and always have Speak with Animals prepared. You can cast Speak with Animals without a spell slot a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest, or cast it using spell slots.
- Rock Gnome: You know Mending and Prestidigitation. You can spend 10 minutes creating a Tiny clockwork device that produces an effect you selected from Prestidigitation; another creature can activate it with a touch as a Bonus Action. You can have up to three devices, and each lasts 8 hours unless dismantled first.
For lineage spells, choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as the spellcasting ability when you select the lineage. Choosing Wisdom keeps the ability aligned with Cleric spellcasting, but the lineage magic remains separate from the Cleric’s class spells and features.
Ability scores and background
Wisdom is the Cleric’s spellcasting ability. Constitution helps with durability and Concentration; Strength or Dexterity depends on your armor, weapons, and role. In 2024 character creation, the background lists three ability scores. Increase one by 2 and another by 1, or increase all three by 1. Backgrounds also provide an Origin feat, skill proficiencies, a tool, and equipment. Do not add the old Gnome +2 Intelligence bonus to these increases.
Choose skills with the party in mind. Insight, Medicine, Perception, Religion, and skills from your background can all be useful. Forest Gnome supports a nature-connected concept; Rock Gnome brings a small magical craft device. Neither lineage grants a Cleric domain or makes a particular build mandatory.
Cleric domain and class progression
The revised Cleric gets Divine Order at level 1 and chooses a subclass at level 3. The 2024 Player’s Handbook domains are Life, Light, Trickery, and War. Life supports a dedicated healer; Light adds radiant and fire magic; Trickery leans into misdirection; War suits a more martial role. Other domains may be permitted from additional books, but use the exact source and level progression your DM approves.
Choose spells for the campaign rather than copying an old mandatory list. Prepare a mix of support, defense, exploration, and damage as appropriate to your level and the rest of the party. Review each spell’s range, components, action, and Concentration. The revised Cleric differs from the 2014 class; check the 2024 class table instead of relying on older level-by-level advice.
Practical play and character hooks
Gnomish Cunning can help against effects that require Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma saving throws, but it is not immunity to magic or every mental condition. Darkvision does not reveal color in darkness or overcome magical darkness. Rock Gnome’s device produces a chosen Prestidigitation effect rather than an unrestricted invention, while Forest Gnome’s Speak with Animals does not make beasts automatically friendly or knowledgeable.
A Gnome Cleric might maintain a shrine, travel as a village mediator, document local spirits, or repair small machines between adventures. Ask what the character’s faith means to them and how their community shaped it. Choose a tone that fits your group; the species does not dictate whimsy, comic relief, age, or personality.
Official Rules Sources
- 2024 D&D Basic Rules: Character Origins — Gnome traits, lineages, and backgrounds.
- 2024 D&D Basic Rules: Character Classes — revised Cleric features and subclass timing.
- 2024 D&D Basic Rules: Creating a Character — background-based ability-score increases.