Rules edition: This build uses the 2014 Cleric and Divine Domain rules from the 2014 Basic Rules, paired with the legacy Aasimar from Volo’s Guide to Monsters. It uses the original Protector, Scourge, and Fallen subraces. Optional ability-score reassignment from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything applies only if your DM allows it. The 2024 Aasimar and Cleric are different rules.
How the legacy Aasimar fits a 2014 Cleric
Aasimar traits can add resilience and a once-per-long-rest healing option, while a Cleric supplies prepared spells, armor, and a Divine Domain. Under the legacy Volo’s Guide rules, the base Aasimar has a +2 Charisma increase, resistance to necrotic and radiant damage, darkvision, Healing Hands, Light Bearer, and Celestial Resistance. The subrace adds a separate +1 ability increase: Protector adds Wisdom, Scourge adds Constitution, and Fallen adds Strength. Do not treat +1 Wisdom as a trait shared by all Aasimar.
Healing Hands takes an action to touch a creature and restore hit points equal to your character level. You can use it once per long rest. It is useful when you want to conserve a spell slot, but it is not a spell and does not receive bonuses that specifically improve healing spells. The Light cantrip is a practical utility option; it does not determine your faith or personality.
Choose a subrace for the feature you want to use
- Protector: The Wisdom increase supports Cleric spellcasting. Starting at character level 3, Radiant Soul lets you transform for up to one minute once per long rest, gaining flight and adding your character level to one damage roll on each of your turns. The extra damage is not a healing bonus.
- Scourge: The Constitution increase supports durability and concentration. Radiant Consumption surrounds you with light and damages you and nearby creatures at the end of your turns while active. It also adds your character level to one damage roll on each of your turns. Close positioning can put allies at risk, so consider who will be within 10 feet before activating it.
- Fallen: The Strength increase may suit a character who expects to make weapon attacks. Necrotic Shroud can frighten nearby creatures when you transform, and its damage rider is once per turn. The subrace does not require an evil alignment or a redemption story.
These features come from the legacy source and do not describe the revised 2022 Aasimar or the 2024 Player’s Handbook species. Use one source’s complete rules package unless your DM approves a deliberate conversion.
Build for spells before secondary traits
Wisdom is your 2014 Cleric spellcasting ability. Put it first, then consider Constitution for hit points and concentration. Strength matters if you want heavy armor whose listed requirement you do not meet; Dexterity helps initiative and saving throws, especially in lighter armor. A legacy Aasimar’s Charisma increase can support social checks, but it does not improve Cleric spell attacks or save DCs.
Your Divine Domain is a major part of the build, not a fixed consequence of your species. Life offers heavy armor and healing features; Light emphasizes defensive reactions and radiant magic; Knowledge, Grave, and other options support different campaign roles. Check each subclass’s source and feature levels rather than assuming every Cleric feature appears at the same level in every edition. In the 2014 rules, you choose a Divine Domain at Cleric level 1.
Prepare a flexible spell list
2014 Clerics prepare a selection of Cleric spells after a long rest; they are not limited to a fixed spells-known list. Domain spells are always prepared and do not count against the number you prepare. A useful list balances concentration, recovery, and utility. Bless can help several allies, Healing Word restores an ally at range as a bonus action, and Cure Wounds trades range and action economy for more healing at touch distance. At higher levels, Spirit Guardians can control space and damage nearby foes, while 2014 Spiritual Weapon does not require concentration.
Healing is only one way to support a party. A defensive spell, control effect, or well-timed attack can prevent more harm than trying to restore every lost hit point. Use Healing Hands when its action and limited use fit the moment; save spell slots for the encounters and utility challenges ahead.
Choose an identity beyond “celestial healer”
Aasimar heritage does not require a character to be a temple-raised saint, a party’s permanent medic, or a spokesperson for a celestial. Decide how your character understands their ancestry and whether it matters to them at all. A Protector might distrust the idea that flight makes them a natural leader; a Scourge might plan carefully around the risks of their aura; a Fallen Aasimar might be content with who they are rather than seeking redemption.
For a focused subrace build, see the Protector Aasimar Cleric guide or the Fallen Aasimar Cleric guide. For current rules, use our 2024 Aasimar Cleric build and 2024 Aasimar Cleric spell strategy.
