Class Comparison · Updated August 2026
Cleric vs Wizard
Wizard deals more damage, while Cleric offers more spellcasting versatility.
Short answer
Pick Cleric for healing, buffs, and divine versatility. Pick Wizard for the widest spell selection of any class.
At a Glance
| Cleric | Wizard | |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Die | d8 | d6 |
| Primary Ability | WIS | INT |
| Spellcasting | Yes | Yes |
| Party Role | Support | Controller |
| Subclasses | 4 | 4 |
| Best Race | Aasimar | Elf |
Combat Comparison
Using Human as baseline race for fair comparison.
| Level | Cleric DPR | Wizard DPR | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 | 7.8 | 7.8 | Tie |
| Level 11 | 10.18 | 10.18 | Tie |
| Level 17 | 13.2 | 13.2 | Tie |
When to Choose Cleric
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Flexible build with room for customization
When to Choose Wizard
- ♦ Versatile spellcasting options
- ♦ Flexible build with room for customization
Best Builds for Each
Top Cleric Builds
Top Wizard Builds
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleric or Wizard better for beginners in D&D 5e?
Both work for a first character. Pick Cleric for healing, buffs, and divine versatility; pick Wizard for the widest spell selection of any class.
Cleric vs Wizard: which deals more damage?
At level 11 the Cleric deals more baseline damage (about 10.18 vs 10.18 per round before magic items), though party role usually matters more than raw damage.