Law Domain
The Law Domain represents supernatural order, binding codes, disciplined purpose and resistance to chaotic forces. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e share the name but not the same granted powers or 2nd-level domain spell, so their mechanics remain edition-separated.
At a Glance
| Divine Sphere | Order, law, discipline, binding codes and resistance to supernatural chaos |
|---|---|
| Typical Role | Reliability support and anti-chaos specialist in Pathfinder; law-descriptor caster in 3.5e |
| Published Rules | Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e |
| Modern D&D Status | Complete original 2024 and 2014 Law Domain campaign conversions (GM-approved), not official PHB subclasses; older editions retain their published alignment-domain rules. |
| Eligibility | Pathfinder alignment-domain rules require a cleric choosing Law to have a matching alignment. |
Edition Applicability
Four playable editions follow. The 2024 and 2014 Law subclasses are original campaign conversions requiring GM approval and use each edition’s Cleric level progression. Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e keep their distinct published alignment-domain rules and spell-slot progression; neither printed set is a same-named modern subclass.
Law Domain — D&D 5.5e / 2024
Rules status: original SpiralWorlds 2024 Cleric domain adaptation, for GM-approved campaigns; not an official Player’s Handbook subclass. Choose it at Cleric level 3. Follow the base 2024 Cleric for spellcasting, Channel Divinity, Divine Order and Blessed Strikes.
2024 Law Domain Spells
The spells are always prepared beginning at the Cleric levels shown. They do not count towards your ordinary preparations and are treated as Cleric spells for you.
| Cleric Level | Always-Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 3 | Command, Sanctuary, Hold Person, Zone of Truth |
| 5 | Dispel Magic, Slow |
| 7 | Banishment, Freedom of Movement |
| 9 | Geas, Hold Monster |
Level 3: Keeper of Oaths
You gain proficiency in Insight or Persuasion (your choice). If already proficient in both, gain proficiency in Religion instead. Once on each of your turns when you cast a Cleric spell with a spell slot that targets a willing creature, one willing creature affected by the spell gains Temporary Hit Points equal to your Proficiency Bonus.
Level 3: Channel Divinity — Binding Declaration
As a Magic action, expend one use of Channel Divinity. Choose up to your Wisdom modifier (minimum one) creatures you can see within 30 feet. Each must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Cleric spell save DC. On a failure, the creature’s Speed becomes 0 and it cannot take Reactions until the start of your next turn. On a success, it is unaffected. This power does not impose the Restrained condition or end a creature’s Concentration.
Level 6: Unbroken Formation
When a creature you can see within 30 feet fails a saving throw against the Charmed or Frightened condition, you can use your Reaction to let it reroll that saving throw and use the new result. You can use this Reaction a number of times equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum once), regaining expended uses after a Long Rest.
Level 17: Unassailable Order
As a Bonus Action, create a 30-foot Emanation centred on yourself for 1 minute. You and creatures you choose in it have Advantage on Wisdom saving throws. A hostile creature that starts its turn in this Emanation has its Speed reduced by 10 feet until the end of that turn (minimum 0 feet). The effect ends if you become Incapacitated. Once used, this feature cannot be used again until you finish a Long Rest.
Law Domain — D&D 5e / 2014
Rules status: original SpiralWorlds 2014 Cleric domain adaptation, for GM-approved campaigns, not a published PHB subclass. Choose this domain at Cleric level 1, and use the 2014 Cleric’s spellcasting, domain features and Channel Divinity progression.
2014 Law Domain Spells
The two spells listed at each Cleric level are always prepared once that level is reached. They do not count against your prepared spell limit and are Cleric spells for you.
| Cleric Level | Always-Prepared Spells |
|---|---|
| 1 | Command, Sanctuary |
| 3 | Hold Person, Zone of Truth |
| 5 | Dispel Magic, Slow |
| 7 | Banishment, Freedom of Movement |
| 9 | Geas, Hold Monster |
Level 1: Steadfast Oath
You gain proficiency in Insight or Persuasion (your choice); if already proficient in both, gain Religion instead. Once per long rest, when you fail a Wisdom saving throw against being charmed or frightened, you can immediately reroll it, using the new result.
Level 2: Channel Divinity — Binding Declaration
As an action, present your holy symbol and expend one use of Channel Divinity. Choose up to your Wisdom modifier (minimum one) creatures you can see within 30 feet. Each makes a Wisdom saving throw against your Cleric spell save DC. On a failure, its speed becomes 0 and it cannot take reactions until the start of your next turn. A successful save negates the effect.
Level 6: Order’s Aegis
When a creature you can see within 30 feet fails a saving throw against being charmed or frightened, you can use your reaction to allow that creature to reroll it, using the new result. Uses per long rest equal your Wisdom modifier (minimum one).
Level 8: Potent Spellcasting
Add your Wisdom modifier to the damage you deal with any Cleric cantrip, following the 2014 rules.
Level 17: Edict of Peace
As an action, create a 30-foot-radius aura centred on you for 1 minute. Allies of your choice in the aura have Advantage on saving throws against being Charmed or Frightened; hostile creatures there have their speed reduced by 10 feet, to a minimum of 0 feet. The aura ends if you are incapacitated. You regain its use after a long rest.
Law Domain — Pathfinder 1e
Rules status: published Pathfinder 1e Core Rulebook domain.
Touch of Law
As a standard action, touch one willing creature. For 1 round it treats each attack roll, skill check, ability check and saving throw as though the natural d20 roll were an 11. Uses per day equal 3 + your Wisdom modifier.
Staff of Order
At 8th level, touch a weapon to give it the axiomatic special weapon quality for a number of rounds equal to half your Cleric level. You can use this once per day at 8th level, plus one additional time per day for every four Cleric levels beyond 8th.
Pathfinder 1e Law Domain Spells
| 1st | Protection from Chaos |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Align Weapon (law only) |
| 3rd | Magic Circle against Chaos |
| 4th | Order’s Wrath |
| 5th | Dispel Chaos |
| 6th | Hold Monster |
| 7th | Dictum |
| 8th | Shield of Law |
| 9th | Summon Monster IX (law spell only) |
Law Domain — D&D 3.5e
Rules status: published D&D 3.5e SRD domain.
Granted Power
You cast spells with the law descriptor at +1 caster level.
D&D 3.5e Law Domain Spells
| 1st | Protection from Chaos |
|---|---|
| 2nd | Calm Emotions |
| 3rd | Magic Circle against Chaos |
| 4th | Order’s Wrath |
| 5th | Dispel Chaos |
| 6th | Hold Monster |
| 7th | Dictum |
| 8th | Shield of Law |
| 9th | Summon Monster IX (cast as a law spell only) |
How the Law Domain Plays
Pathfinder’s Touch of Law is about reliability: it can turn a risky roll into a predictable result, while Staff of Order supports weapon users against chaotic foes. D&D 3.5e instead gives a caster-level bonus to law-descriptor spells.
Who Should Grant the Law Domain?
Use Law where a deity’s established portfolio genuinely centres on order, oaths, judgement, civilisation, hierarchy or binding cosmic rules. Law does not automatically mean kindness, justice or good intentions; those concepts may overlap, but they are not interchangeable.
Priests, Temples and Rites
Law-domain cults might enforce contracts, preserve measured ritual, arbitrate disputes, guard borders or defend a cosmic order. Their institutions should reflect the patron culture rather than importing a generic religious hierarchy.
What Are Law Priests Doing Now?
Law priests are settling contested oaths, authenticating contracts, hunting oath-breakers empowered by magic, containing chaotic incursions and deciding whether an ancient rule still serves the order it was created to protect.
Related Domains and Character Options
Rules Sources and Licensing
- D&D 2024 / 2014: the Law Domain subclasses in these two panels are original SpiralWorlds campaign conversions, requiring GM approval; they are not official same-named PHB subclasses. Follow the chosen Cleric edition’s spell effects and base-class rules.
- Pathfinder 1e: published Core Rulebook domain; its 2nd-level spell is Align Weapon (law only).
- D&D 3.5e: published SRD domain; its 2nd-level spell is Calm Emotions.
- Edition rule: these lists are deliberately not merged.
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