Divine Eminence. As a bonus action, the priest can expend a spell slot to cause its melee weapon attacks to magically deal an extra 10 (3d6) radiant damage to a target on a hit. This benefit lasts until the end of the turn. If the priest expends a spell slot of 2nd level or higher, the extra damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.
Spellcasting. The priest is a 5th-level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is Wisdom (spell save DC 13, +5 to hit with spell attacks). The priest has the following cleric spells prepared:
- Cantrips (at will): light, sacred flame, thaumaturgy
- 1st level (4 slots): cure wounds, guiding bolt, sanctuary
- 2nd level (3 slots): lesser restoration, spiritual weapon
- 3rd level (2 slots): dispel magic, spirit guardians
Actions
Mace. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage.
How many priests for a fight?
A priest is worth 450 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many priests fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
2nd
—
1
1
3rd
1
2
3
4th
2
3
4
5th
4
6
9
6th
5
8
12
7th
6
11
12+
8th
8
12+
12+
9th
11
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the priest compares at CR 2
Against the 42 other challenge 2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the priest has more hit points than 1 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 2 monster.
Statistic
Priest
CR 2 average
Armor Class
13
12.9
Hit points
27
47
Best attack bonus
+2
+5
Priest 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the priest, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Hit points: 27 → 38.
Speed: 25 ft. → 30 ft..
Ability scores: STR 10 → 16.
New in its stat block: Multiattack, Radiant Flame and Divine Aid.
Gone from it: Divine Eminence.
Armor Class
13 (chain shirt)
Hit Points
38 (7d8 + 7)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
2 (450 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
10 (+0)
12 (+1)
13 (+1)
16 (+3)
13 (+1)
Senses
passive Perception 15
Languages
Common plus one other language
Gear
Chain Shirt, Holy Symbol, Mace
Actions
Multiattack. The priest makes two attacks, using Mace or Radiant Flame in any combination.
Mace. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage plus 5 (2d4) Radiant damage.
Radiant Flame. Ranged Attack Roll: +5, range 60 ft. Hit: 11 (2d10) Radiant damage.
Spellcasting. The priest casts one of the following spells, using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 13):
At Will: Light, Thaumaturgy
1/Day: Spirit Guardians
Bonus actions
Divine Aid (3/Day). The priest casts Bless, Dispel Magic, Healing Word, or Lesser Restoration, using the same spellcasting ability as Spellcasting.
