Death Domain FAQ
What is the Death Domain?
The Death Domain is a 2014 Dungeon Master's Guide Cleric subclass focused on necromancy, necrotic damage and supernatural death magic. It grants martial weapon proficiency, Reaper for splitting eligible necromancy cantrips between nearby targets, Channel Divinity: Touch of Death for burst necrotic damage, resistance penetration through Inescapable Destruction, necrotic Divine Strike and Improved Reaper for higher-level necromancy spells.
Publication context
Death Domain was published in the 2014 *Dungeon Master's Guide* among villainous class options rather than as a standard Player's Handbook player subclass. A campaign can allow it, but player availability is a campaign decision rather than something to assume.
Subclass progression
Like other 2014 Cleric Domains, it is chosen at 1st level and gains features at Cleric levels 1, 2, 6, 8 and 17.
Domain Spells
The Domain grants a fixed necromancy-heavy spell package at Cleric levels 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. Those spells are always prepared and do not count against ordinary Cleric preparation capacity.
Combat identity
Death Domain is far more offensively oriented than Life Domain. Reaper and Improved Reaper reward enemies standing near one another, while Touch of Death adds a large necrotic burst after a melee hit.
Death is not Grave
Death Domain and Grave Domain are separate published subclasses. Death emphasizes necromantic offense and deathly power, while Grave emphasizes guarding the boundary between life and death.