Storm Sorc or Temp Cleric?

[HouNDDoG]

Hi, im new to dnd so not sure which class is more what I’m lookin for. I want something to fling around elemental magic, fire lightning wind etc..probably more along the lines of a Sorc im guessing, but I heard sorcerers don’t get really good till high level and BG is only going to level 12. I just don’t want to be gimped.

Is a tempest cleric a magic caster too? Lightning spells and stuff? Any tips appreciated, thanks!

[Recjawjind]

Sorcs are excellent at basically all levels, and likely, because of the rule changes compared to regular 5e, the most powerful class in the game. Though we'll have to see.

[Foolswalkin]

For completion, Tempest Cleric can blast a bit from range, but it also comfortable on the front line, melting faces with Spirit Guardians (one of the best spells in 5e). Unless they get changed a bit from the default 5e, they're weirdly short on spells to apply their love of lightning and thunder damage to, but depending on how Call Lightning is implemented and how much enemies keep insisting on standing close to ledges, they may still have everything they need and then some.

Finally - Light Cleric is no slouch, either. They've got fan favorites Burning Hands (without fear of melee), Scorching Ray, Flaming Sphere, Fireball, and Wall of Fire, and they can temporarily blind enemies on reaction to make it much harder to hit them or their allies. Probably a better classical blaster than the Tempest Cleric, and still fits with your elemental theme, while also having a cleric's good access to radiant damage to slap around those pesky outsiders who aren't bothered by being set on fire.

[HouNDDoG]

Blast it! Light cleric does sound good, I want less options not more! Are temp/light clerics more melee fighters or ranged magic users? Like which would be their main preferred way to battle.

With a bunch of magic options what really makes a sorcerer stand out from a cleric?

[Lord Adorable]

Since OP is asking about Clerics & Sorcerers:
https://youtu.be/y84OYRwzZU8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHJGJL40cQs

A bit on the sillier side but they do explain the differences between the classes.

[Yojo0o]

Casters not getting good until late levels is a holdover from earlier editions of DnD. They're a bit slow in the first very few levels, sure, but by level 5-ish they're gonna be great.

Most clerics are going to primarily be casting spells, but up close. They're not melee combatants in the sense that they want to swing weapons, but they're comfortable and effective in melee range.

[[Heretic]Rivga]

Originally posted by HouNDDoG:

Hi, im new to dnd so not sure which class is more what I’m lookin for. I want something to fling around elemental magic, fire lightning wind etc..probably more along the lines of a Sorc im guessing, but I heard sorcerers don’t get really good till high level and BG is only going to level 12. I just don’t want to be gimped.

Is a tempest cleric a magic caster too? Lightning spells and stuff? Any tips appreciated, thanks!

Cleric has better abilities and Armour, but very limited Lightening and Thunder spells.

Sorc Storm subclass is weak - almost to the point that a Blue Dragon Draconic Sorc path may be better. But the amount of elemental spells is much more impressive than Cleric and Metamagic is amazing.

[Foolswalkin]

Clerics are main casters. Temps are a little more comfy in melee, with retaliatory damage for hitting them, access to heavy armor and martial weapons, and a minor buff to their melee damage, but they don't get extra attacks in melee so definitely still want to be blasting.

Light clerics cap out at medium armor, and at 8th level their cantrip damage goes up, so they are a bit more castery. Also their blinding ability can be used to protect allies after 6th level, so they don't need to expose themselves to melee danger to use their abilities.

Sorcerers have metamagic. Metamagic is *very* good. But so is Guardian Spirits, and the ability to automatically know all the spells available to you at a given level and then prepare different ones to mix up your loadout as circumstances change (a 1st level Cleric knows more spells than a 12th level Sorcerer), so it's still going to be a judgement call rather than a "this is just better than that at casting."

[Ephemerant]

Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer is actually a fantastic multiclass. Maybe look into getting the best of both worlds.

[Rainnd]

Originally posted by Ephemerant:

Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer is actually a fantastic multiclass. Maybe look into getting the best of both worlds.

Interesting idea. How does it work? 6|6? Give up 1 metamagic and ASI from sorcerer to pickup destructive wrath and thunderous strike from cleric?

[Rallek25]

I'd personally do Tempest Cleric 2/ Draconic Sorcerer 10. Choose either Blue or Bronze dragon as your ancestor for lightning focus.
Lvl 2 Tempest Cleric lets you max lightning or thunder damage when you channel divinity (once per long rest).
Lvl 6 in draconic sorcerer lets you add your Cha modifier when you deal lightning damage.
Storm sorcerer also works, but I like the extra damage from draconic bloodline.

[Foolswalkin]

Giving up Chain Lightning is ruff tho.

[Rallek25]

Originally posted by Foolswalkin:

Giving up Chain Lightning is ruff tho.

It is, but the 2 tempest cleric gives you an "in case of emergency" button.
Plus do a heightened spell, lightning bolt, & channel divinity, you got a deadly CC option.
Definitely pros & cons.

[Ephemerant]

Originally posted by Rainnd:

Originally posted by Ephemerant:

Tempest Cleric/Storm Sorcerer is actually a fantastic multiclass. Maybe look into getting the best of both worlds.

Interesting idea. How does it work? 6|6? Give up 1 metamagic and ASI from sorcerer to pickup destructive wrath and thunderous strike from cleric?

Basically, the idea is to start Sorcerer 1, Cleric for 2 levels, then keep going Sorcerer. Wear some good armor, pick up as many thunder or lightning spells as you can, and use destructive wrath to pump big damage.

Obviously without a complete knowledge of how BG3 is handling those two subclasses or a full list of spells coming at launch, it's hard to know how well this multiclass will do, but in 5e, it's a good choice.