Aasimar Trickery Domain Cleric Build Guide
Combine Aasimar's Celestial Revelation flight with Invoke Duplicity to dominate the battlefield from two angles while dropping Spirit Guardians on helpless targets.
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Why Trickery Domain?
An Aasimar Trickery Domain Cleric is a walking contradiction in the best way possible. You have the divine, radiant flavor of an Aasimar paired with the deceptive, disruptive mechanics of the Trickery Domain. With an abysmal Dexterity score of 8, you are not sneaking anywhere. Instead, you are a heavy-armor-clad controller who uses Blessing of the Trickster to turn your Rogue or Ranger into an undetectable ghost, while you warp the battlefield with illusions.
The defining synergy of this build is positioning. Aasimar's Celestial Revelation grants you temporary flight or localized area damage, letting you reposition effortlessly. Pair this with Invoke Duplicity at level 3, and you effectively control two vital points on the map. Because the 2024 version of Invoke Duplicity no longer requires concentration, you can maintain Spirit Guardians while your clone projects a second threat zone.
Your survivability is incredibly high. Celestial Resistance halves necrotic and radiant damage—two of the deadliest high-level damage types—while your 14 Strength allows you to wear Chain Mail (and eventually Plate) by taking the Protector choice at level 1. You aren't playing a fragile trickster; you are playing a heavily armored divine mirror-mage who dictates the flow of combat.
Trickery Domain Features
Blessing of the Trickster
Level 3As an action by magic, you can choose yourself or a willing creature within 30 feet of you. For 1 minute, whenever the target makes an attack roll, ability check, or saving throw, the target can roll a d4 and add the result to the roll.
Invoke Duplicity
Level 3As a Bonus Action, you can expend one use of your Channel Divinity to create an illusory duplicate of yourself within 30 feet of you. This duplicate lasts for 1 minute, and you can use your action to move it up to 30 feet. When you or the duplicate is seen by a creature, the creature can't distinguish you from the duplicate.
Trickery Domain Spells
Level 3Your connection to this divine domain ensures that you always have certain spells prepared.
Trickster's Transposition
Level 6Each time you take a Bonus Action to move your Invoke Duplicity duplicate, you can swap places with it as part of that action.
Improved Duplicity
Level 17The illusion of your Invoke Duplicity has become more powerful in the following ways. You can create a second illusory duplicate. You maintain both duplicates simultaneously.
Recommended Ability Scores
Aasimar Traits That Benefit Trickery Domain Cleric
Healing Hands
Additional healing ability supplements the Cleric's support capabilities.
Celestial Revelation
Flight provides incredible mobility, letting the Cleric reach otherwise inaccessible positions.
Celestial Resistance
Built-in damage resistance reduces incoming damage, keeping your Cleric alive longer in combat.
Darkvision
Aasimar Darkvision helps Clerics scout ahead and fight in darkness without needing a torch.
Combat Effectiveness
| Level | HP | Melee DPR | Spell DPR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 33 | 3.9 | 7.8 |
| Level 11 | 69 | 3.58 | 10.18 |
| Level 17 | 105 | 3.58 | 13.2 |
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Build Path (Levels 1-20)
Levels 1-4
At level 1, you absolutely must choose the Protector Divine Order to gain Heavy Armor proficiency; with 8 Dexterity, Medium Armor is a death sentence. Rely on Toll the Dead for damage. At level 3, your subclass comes online. You gain Trickery Domain Spells like Pass without Trace, and the core Invoke Duplicity feature. Since your duplicate doesn't require concentration, summon it on turn one to draw aggro or set up touch spells. At level 4, take the Fey Touched feat. Choose +1 Wisdom (bumping your 15 to 16) and grab Silvery Barbs to double down on your disruptive controller role.
Levels 5-10
Level 5 brings Spirit Guardians, the engine of your damage. Cast it, pop your Celestial Revelation for flight, and hover just out of melee reach while shredding enemies. At level 6, Trickster's Transposition changes the game. Being grappled or cornered is no longer an issue; simply use a Bonus Action to swap places with your duplicate. At level 8, take the Resilient (Constitution) feat to bump your 13 CON to 14, granting you proficiency in Constitution saving throws to protect your Spirit Guardians concentration.
Levels 11-16
By level 11, you are casting 6th-level spells like Heal. Your Aasimar Healing Hands also scales, giving you a potent, resource-free burst of healing to pick up downed allies. At level 12, take an Ability Score Improvement for +2 Wisdom to hit 18. Keep using Blessing of the Trickster on your stealthiest party member every hour. At level 16, cap your Wisdom at 20 to maximize your Spell Save DC.
Levels 17-20
Level 17 grants Improved Duplicity. Maintaining two duplicates simultaneously allows you to project spells from three different origins, effectively blanketing the entire battlefield. Drop a 9th-level Foresight or Mass Heal from safety while your duplicates deliver Inflict Wounds or block chokepoints. Your Celestial Resistance and heavy armor will ensure you survive long enough to see the campaign's end.
Recommended Spells
Cantrips
Take Toll the Dead for reliable d12 damage against damaged targets, Guidance for out-of-combat utility, and Word of Radiance to capitalize on enemies swarming you and your duplicate.
Level 1-2 Spells
Healing Word is mandatory for bonus action revivals. Bless remains a mathematically perfect buff. From your Domain, Pass without Trace is the best stealth spell in the game, completely offsetting your party's heavy armor clinking.
Level 3-5 Spells
Spirit Guardians is your bread and butter; upcast it whenever possible. Dispel Magic is vital for a controller. Your Domain provides Dimension Door, giving you an unparalleled escape tool when Trickster's Transposition isn't enough.
High-Level Spells
Heal is the gold standard for burst recovery. Holy Aura at 8th level forces disadvantage on all attacks against your party, synergizing beautifully with your illusionary tactics.
Recommended Feats
Fey Touched
Take this at level 4. It rounds your 15 Wisdom to a 16 and grants Misty Step and Silvery Barbs. A Trickery Cleric needs mobility and reaction-based control, making this the perfect half-feat.
Resilient (Constitution)
Take this at level 8. Your Constitution is stuck at an awkward 13. Bumping it to 14 and adding your proficiency bonus to CON saves ensures you almost never drop concentration on Spirit Guardians or Banishment.
War Caster
Take this at level 12. Combined with Resilient (CON), your concentration checks become practically unbreakable. It also lets you cast Toll the Dead as an opportunity attack when enemies try to flee your Spirit Guardians.
Gear Progression
Tier 1 (Levels 1-4)
Prioritize upgrading your starting gear to Chain Mail and a Shield immediately. With an 8 DEX, you need a baseline 18 AC. Look for an Amulet of Devotion +1 to boost your crucial spell save DC.
Tier 2 (Levels 5-10)
Save your gold for Plate Armor. A Cloak of Displacement is incredible on this build; combined with your duplicate from Invoke Duplicity, enemies will constantly swing at empty air.
Tier 3 (Levels 11-16)
Upgrade to an Amulet of Devotion +2. Seek out a Ring of Spell Storing to pass off Shield of Faith or Cure Wounds to a familiar or party member, freeing up your action economy.
Tier 4 (Levels 17-20)
Aim for an Amulet of Devotion +3 and +2 Plate Armor. A Tome of Understanding will push your Wisdom past 20, making your Trickery spell saves nearly impossible to resist.
Party Composition
As a Controller, your job is to dictate the flow of combat, lock down zones, and enable your strikers. You thrive in a party that has a dedicated melee bruiser and a dedicated stealth scout. Because your Dexterity is 8, you are not the infiltrator; you are the enabler.
Pair this build with an Assassin Rogue or Gloom Stalker Ranger. Your Blessing of the Trickster gives them a permanent 1d4 to stealth and attacks, guaranteeing they secure surprise rounds. Meanwhile, you sit back in heavy armor.
You also pair perfectly with an Oath of Conquest Paladin. They lock enemies in place with fear auras, allowing you to drop your Invoke Duplicity duplicate right next to the paralyzed foes and project touch spells with impunity.
Multiclass Options
Fighter 2 dip
Taking two levels of Fighter grants Action Surge. This allows you to cast Spirit Guardians and immediately use your action to Dodge, or cast a spell and use your Aasimar Healing Hands on a downed ally in the exact same turn. You also pick up the Defense fighting style for +1 AC.
Lunar Sorcerer 1 dip
A single level of Sorcerer gets you the Shield spell and Absorb Elements. Since you have 12 Charisma, you need to plan this ahead (you need 13 CHA to multiclass), but if you shuffle stats, access to the Shield spell patches your AC against massive late-game attacks.
Common Pitfalls
- Trying to be the scout: With 8 DEX, you will fail every Stealth check. Do not use Pass without Trace to make yourself stealthy; use Blessing of the Trickster to make the Rogue a god.
- Forgetting duplicate sight lines: You must be able to see the target OR your duplicate must be able to see the target to cast spells through it. Don't leave your duplicate in a fog cloud.
- Hoarding Trickster's Transposition: At level 6, swapping places is a Bonus Action. Use it aggressively to escape grapples or teleport across gaps, not just as a last resort.
- Over-relying on melee: Despite having 14 Strength, do not swing a mace. Your melee DPR is a pathetic 3.9 at level 5. Stick to Toll the Dead and spells.
More Questions
Does Invoke Duplicity require concentration?
How does Blessing of the Trickster work in 2024?
Can I cast Spirit Guardians through my duplicate?
Should I use Healing Hands in combat?
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
- ♦ Trickery Domain grants Blessing of the Trickster at level 3
- ♦ Strong species-class synergy enhances core abilities
- ♦ Darkvision for dungeon exploration
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Built-in damage resistance improves survivability
Weaknesses
- ♦ Low Dexterity means poor initiative and AC
- ♦ May require careful feat selection to optimize
Pro Tips
Always cast Pass without Trace before entering a dungeon to mask your clunky heavy armor.
Use Trickster's Transposition to teleport through barred gates if your clone can fit through.
Stack Celestial Revelation flight with Spirit Guardians to hover above melee enemies, damaging them safely.
Apply Blessing of the Trickster to your Rogue right before they pick a high-DC lock.
Take Protector at level 1; your 8 DEX makes Medium Armor unplayable.
Other Cleric Subclasses for Aasimar
Other Races for Trickery Domain Cleric
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trickery Domain a good subclass for Aasimar Cleric?
What makes Trickery Domain different from other Cleric subclasses?
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