[5e] [Build] [Homebrew] Building a homebrew death cleric for Curse of Strahd

D&D 5e Original/2014

Hi folks! I will be playing Curse of Strahd for the first time, and I'm trying to plan my character. In terms of theme, I really want to play a death cleric that's inspired by the Diablo series necromancers, so people dedicated to maintaining the balance between life and death, good and evil, and who use the dark arts to do so. I'm toying with the idea of going reborn because I feel it would be a good fit thematically. Besically, someone who regains consciousness after having been undead, and is now exploring what that means, though reborn doesn't seem like a great fit for that build. So, I might just go high half-elf (perhaps homebrewing it so I take on some of the Deathless Nature bonuses (no sleeping (4 hour "trance" thung), eating, or breathing) instead of Fey Ancestry. And this brings me to build.

I saw a revised version of the death cleric which matches the playstyle I am looking for:

"The Death domain is concerned with the forces that cause death, as well as the negative energy that gives rise to undead creatures. Deities such as Chemosh, Myrkul, and Wee Jas are patrons of necromancers, death knights, liches, mummy lords, and vampires. Gods of the Death domain also embody murder (Anubis, Bhaal, and Pyremius), pain (Iuz or Loviatar), disease or poison (Incabulos, Talona, or Morgion), and the underworld (Hades and Hel).

Death Domain Spells

Cleric Level

Spells

1st

False Life, Cause Fear

3rd

Blindness/Deafness, Wither and Bloom

5th

Animate Dead, Vampiric Touch

7th

Blight, Death Ward

9th

Cloudkill, Negative Energy Flood

Bonus Proficiency

When you choose this domain at 1st level, you gain proficiency with martial weapons.

Reaper (FIFY)

At 1st level, you learn one necromancy cantrip of your choice from any spell list. When you cast a necromancy cantrip that normally targets only one creature, the spell can instead target two creatures within 30 ft. of each other, within range. At 14th level, the creatures no longer have to be within 30 ft. of each other as long as both creatures are within the range of the spell.

Channel Divinity: Touch of Death (FIFY)

Starting at 2nd level, you can use Channel Divinity to destroy another creature's life force by touch. When you hit a creature with a melee attack, you can use your Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage to the target. The damage equals a number of d12s equal to half your cleric level (rounded up) plus your Wisdom modifier (minimum 1).

Inescapable Destruction (FIFY)

Starting at 6th level, your ability to channel negative energy becomes more potent. You ignore resistance to necrotic damage.

Extra Attack (FIFY)

Also at 6th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.

Divine Strike

At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse your weapon strikes with necrotic energy. Once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you can cause the attack to deal  1d8 necrotic damage to the target. When you reach 14th level, the extra damage increases to 2d8.

Improved Reaper (FIFY)

Starting at 17th level, when you cast a necromancy spell of 1st through 5th level that targets only one creature, the spell can instead target two creatures within 30 ft. of each other, within range. If the spell consumes its material components, you must provide them for each target."

(https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/homebrew-house-rules/159241-fify-wotc-death-domain)

I would take 1 or 2 levels in fighter and most likely go for a strength build (15/16, 10, 16, 8, 17, 8) and go two-handed weapon, though I am very much open to suggestion. Anyone has suggestions on how to build such a character in terms of feats or suggestions for a different build with that homebrew subclass?

Thanks in advance!

Posted Aug 10, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC

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