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What Class in D&D is Best for Healing?

The short answer, and the one most D&D veterans would agree on, is the Cleric. However, the “best” class for healing in D&D 5th Edition (5e) isn’t as cut-and-dried as it might seem. While Clerics are undeniably the kings and queens of healing, several other classes can contribute significantly to a party’s longevity and well-being. The best healing class for you depends on your preferred playstyle, the specific needs of your party, and what you want to achieve beyond just keeping everyone alive. Let’s delve into why Clerics are often considered the top healers and explore other viable options.

Why Clerics Reign Supreme in Healing

The Life Domain: Unrivaled Healing Expertise

The Life Domain Cleric is the quintessential healer in D&D 5e. They are divinely empowered individuals devoted to preserving life and mending the wounded. What makes them stand out?

Bonus Proficiency and Heavy Armor: Life Domain Clerics are proficient with heavy armor, granting them excellent survivability while they’re on the frontlines healing their companions.
Disciple of Life: This channel divinity feature provides a powerful boost to healing spells, making even low-level spells incredibly potent. This is where a Life Cleric truly shines, making their healing more efficient than any other class.
Blessed Healer: Further enhancing their healing prowess, this feature lets them gain health back when they heal others, making them both a healer and a resilient battlefield presence.
Divine Intervention: This higher-level ability provides an option to call upon their god for a direct miracle, potentially reviving the fallen or curing diseases instantly.
Access to Key Healing Spells: Life Domain Clerics automatically learn crucial healing spells like Cure Wounds, Revivify, and Raise Dead, making them prepared for any healing emergency.

Beyond the Life Domain

While the Life Domain is the healing specialist, other Cleric Domains also offer potent healing capabilities, alongside unique roleplaying opportunities and tactical options:

Grave Domain: While focusing on the balance between life and death, Grave Domain Clerics are incredibly potent against undead and can prevent allies from going down quickly, providing an indirect means of healing.
Light Domain: The Light Cleric’s focus on radiant damage, but they also gain healing spells. Their abilities may also prevent damage.
Nature Domain: Nature Domain Clerics have great healing spells, and spells to aid in other areas of the game.
Trickery Domain: While the trickery domain is not a domain known for direct healing, their spells and abilities can allow for allies to have a better position or be harder to attack.

Clerics, regardless of their domain, have access to a broad range of healing spells, making them exceptionally versatile and effective healers.

Other Classes that Contribute to Healing

While Clerics are the kings of direct healing, other classes offer healing options that complement a well-rounded party.

Bards: The Supportive Healers

Bards, particularly those of the College of Lore or College of Valor, can be invaluable healers and supporters:

Healing Word: Bards get access to Healing Word, a bonus action healing spell that allows them to get allies back on their feet without sacrificing their own action.
Inspiration and Support: Bards can inspire their allies with Bardic Inspiration, giving them advantage on rolls, thereby preventing damage before it occurs.
Versatile Spellcasting: Bards have a flexible spell list and can gain access to more powerful healing spells.
Magical Secrets: At higher levels, Lore Bards can take any spells from other classes, including potent healing spells.

Druids: Nature’s Healers

Druids, especially those of the Circle of the Land or Circle of the Shepherd, are another source of potent healing and support:

Healing Spells: Druids have access to healing spells such as Cure Wounds, Healing Word and Mass Healing Word, allowing them to keep allies going.
Wild Shape: Druids can use Wild Shape to scout the area or be on the frontlines to take damage.
Strong Support Spells: Druids have a great spell list allowing them to control the battlefield, and hinder their opponents.

Paladins: The Durable Healers

Paladins are known for their damage output but also offer significant healing capabilities:

Lay on Hands: This ability allows Paladins to heal a considerable amount of health points with a touch and even cure diseases.
Auras: Paladin auras, such as the Aura of Devotion, can prevent conditions.
Divine Smite: A Paladin’s ability to deal extra damage will help end combats quickly, which is also a form of healing.

Rangers: The Versatile Healers

Rangers often get looked over for healing, but they have some solid options:

Goodberry: A potent low-level healing spell that provides several berries to heal the party.
Healing Spirit: A very useful area of effect healing spell, that can heal multiple people.
Animal Companion: The Ranger’s pet can assist in combat to take damage and help focus fire on an enemy.

Artificers: The Magical Crafters

Artificers, particularly the Alchemist or Artillerist subclasses, can provide a unique brand of healing:

Healing Spells: Artificers have access to spells like Cure Wounds and Revivify.
Infusions and Gadgets: Artificers can create magical items that provide healing or support to the party.
Potent Healing Potions: Alchemist Artificers excel at creating powerful potions that can provide an extra boost of healing.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Healer

While Clerics, especially those of the Life Domain, are the best direct healers, the “best” healing class ultimately depends on your playstyle and party needs. If you want the most potent healing output and want to excel as a healer, then a Life Domain Cleric is the best choice. However, if you desire versatility and additional utility, then Bards, Druids, Paladins, Rangers, or Artificers offer effective ways to keep your party healthy while contributing in other ways.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the most popular healing class in D&D 5e?

The Cleric, especially the Life Domain subclass, is the most popular healing class due to its unparalleled healing capabilities.

2. Do all Cleric Domains have good healing?

While all Clerics can heal, the Life Domain is specifically designed for healing and offers the most potent healing abilities. Other domains, such as Grave, Light, and Nature, also have valuable healing spells.

3. What is the easiest class to play as a healer?

Clerics are generally considered to be the easiest class to play as a healer due to their straightforward healing spells and the Life Domain’s beneficial abilities.

4. Can a Paladin be a good healer?

Yes, Paladins can be very good healers, especially with their Lay on Hands ability. However, they are not as focused on healing as Clerics.

5. How does the Bard’s healing compare to a Cleric’s?

Bards are more supportive healers, using spells like Healing Word to quickly get allies back on their feet, however they aren’t as strong as Clerics at healing. Clerics have better base healing capabilities, and access to more powerful healing magic.

6. What race is best for a healing Cleric?

Races that provide bonuses to Wisdom are excellent choices for Clerics. The Hill Dwarf, Variant Human, and Aasimar are all great options.

7. What is the best spell for healing in combat?

Healing Word is a great spell due to its low-level spell slot and that it is a bonus action, allowing you to heal and take an action on the same turn.

8. What are the most effective healing spells in D&D 5e?

Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Prayer of Healing, Mass Cure Wounds, Revivify, and Heal are some of the most effective healing spells available.

9. Is healing always the best option in D&D?

No, sometimes it’s better to focus on preventing damage rather than healing it. Buffing allies, hindering enemies, and quickly defeating enemies can often be a more effective way to keep your party alive.

10. What is the most underrated healing class?

Rangers are often overlooked for their healing abilities, but they have access to very useful healing spells and abilities.

11. Is it better to focus on healing or damage as a cleric?

The optimal playstyle will be a balance between the two. Clerics can be great damage dealers as well as fantastic healers. Life Clerics, will be more focused on healing due to their class abilities.

12. Do healers only focus on healing?

No, healers should be involved in all aspects of the game, using their spells, and abilities to aid the party beyond healing.

13. How important is it to have a dedicated healer?

Having a dedicated healer is beneficial, but a party can survive and thrive with multiple characters who have some healing capabilities.

14. What are some tips for effective healing in D&D 5e?

Be proactive and anticipate damage, use your spells strategically, focus on healing downed allies first, and don’t forget to use your other support spells to protect your party.

15. Is there only one “correct” way to play a healer?

Absolutely not! Experiment with different classes and subclasses to find the playstyle that you enjoy the most. The goal is to be effective and have fun.

What class in DND is best for healing?