Druid Multiclassing D&D 5e: 🌺 Best Practices, Character Concepts, and Inspirational Mulch 🍄💩

[@beardietwitch]

One of my favorite characters I played in a one-shot was moon druid and bear totem barbarian. He would turn into a cave bear then go bananas. It was a ton of fun.

[@FlutesLoot]

It's such a fun combination that connects with many players' styles!

[@CaffeinatedGiraffe]

Did the same exact thing! Too good!

[@dragoninthewest1]

2:00 their number of ways to get around this while still following RAW for druids. Caduceus Clay for example while he's a grave cleric has armor and shield made out of chitin, a nonmetallic material. You could also do proto Kevlar by way of gambison with an internal ceramic plate.

[@TheRobversion1]

While i don't find alot of your multiclass combinations optimal enough for my standards, i do like the way you've presented your builds and agree with your conclusion that druids aren't pre-disposed to multiclassing. this is due to 5 reasons: 1. they have the best capstone in the game 2. they don't have alot early level abilities that work well with abilities with other classes 3. most people who are looking for something from the druid spell list typically find it on the cleric or on the ranger or obviously on the bard 4. the armor restrictions 5. alot of the druid's best abilities, like wild shape, scale with druid levels Here's my multiclassing assessment of each druid subclass: dreams-meh subclass. low multiclassing synergy. land-meh subclass. that extra spell list doesn't really have alot of standouts and the standouts are typically accessible through feats, races or background spell lists. low multiclassing synergy. moon-arguably the best druid subclass. good multiclassing synergy. multiple paths to go such as either focusing on being a striker or controller or tank. shepherd-good subclass. good multiclassing synergy. the bear totem in particular is great on summon grappler control builds. spores-meh subclass. trap multiclassing synergy. on paper, symbiotic entity makes this an attractive 2 level dip for sustained strikers. however, what most fail to realize is that it costs an action to setup and the duration is reliant on them keeping a paltry amount of temp hp. The only way to increase that temp hp is by taking more spore levels which become dead levels to a striker. plus the bonus dmg is poison dmg, the most commonly resisted/immune dmg type in the game. so in reality, there's low multiclassing synergy here. stars-good subclass. good multiclassing synergy. archer starry form is good on classes that want a wis based bonus action attack but don't want to use spiritual weapon. dragon starry form is my favorite as this can be combined with abjurer 10 for one of the best if not the best counterspeller in the game. if for some weird reason that a wizard decides not to use wall of force with it's 5th level slots, dragon starry form also makes this combo one of the best telekinesis users in the game. wildfire-good subclass. good multiclassing synergy. fiery teleportation is a good way to force enemies to move with booming blade. since the wildfire spirit flies, this is a good dip early game for anyone who wants access to flight early on without picking a flying race. You can ask the wildfire spirit to grapple+drag you to the air essentially giving you flight as well.

[@FlutesLoot]

Fantastic summaries!

[@connormcmyne3329]

The one I'm working on right now is a level 17 Land Druid (Grasslands) with 3 levels of rogue to get Scout. It's such a versatile build both on and off the battlefield. So many skills to be useful out of battle with lots of options on the battlefield with the rogue bonus action stuff. Causing difficult terrain and then dashing out of it is *chef's kiss*

[@FlutesLoot]

That just feels good

[@clintjohnson1045]

I’ve played a Swarmkeeper/Wildfire mix pretty powerful also reflavored the fire elemental as a bear…. Perfection Also Spores/Grave Gloomstalker/Shepherd Dream/Fey Wanderer Wildfire/Purple Dragon

[@justinmravunac7162]

Playing a lvl 5 Life Domain cleric currently. Planning on dipping into 2 lvls of druid for Star Circle. I think their abilities mesh well from a mechanics point of view as well as flavour.

[@FlutesLoot]

Definitely!

[@jamesbolt1003]

Great video and article, I'd add stars druid X swarm keeper ranger 4 to consideration. You could have a swarm of bioluminescent water bears bullying the enemy into well placed spike growth or moon beams via the archer constellation bonus action smack down. I'm working on that with my Yuan-Ti librarian stars druid (she has a headband of intellect) to play a hyper intelligent blaster Druid. So far, Himari is an absolute menace on the battlefield.

[@FlutesLoot]

The narrative and mechanics of the Swarmkeeper Ranger make it an easy sell for me to play it, especially with a Druid!

[@guardiantree8879]

Need to clear it with DM, but Armorer artificer could technically allow you to create your own (non metal) armor that can shape to fit your wild shapes. Not that the armor is too major of a boost, though that infusion to keep concentration up for spells whilst in wild shape could be extremely useful.

[@FlutesLoot]

I think that's cool!

[@llillian4055]

Nice succinct and useful video.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you!

[@morganpetros9635]

I really like the idea of a Circle of Stars druid with just a two-or-three-level dip into Divination wizard, as both subclasses focus on foretelling the future in different ways. This is another combo that doesn't have to be particularly MAD, since the wizard spell list could focus on spells that aren't dependent on casting ability (Shield, Magic Missile, Mirror Image, rituals). I also think a bugbear Wildfire druid with 3-4 levels of Gloom Stalker ranger would make an excellent striker using the Scorching Ray spell between the bugbear's extra 2d6 damage per attack against monsters that haven't taken their turn yet and the Gloom Stalker's initiative bonus and invisibility in darkness. But the druid multiclass I *REALLY* want to try is Way of Four Elements monk (5 or 6 levels) combined with Wildfire druid, as I think this would make a far better "elemental bender" class than any single-class monk could ever manage.

[@FlutesLoot]

3 fantastic concepts!

[@tillfangohr9286]

Flutes, did you miss out on Twilight-Cleric/Stars Druid? It's self-explanatory, right? Also, I like my Hexblood-Mercy-Monk-Moon-Druid, Witch Doctor with Lycanthropy. Although you have to discuss with your DM what the damage of Flurry of blows is when in Animal Form. I think, at low levels the 2d6+4 from the brown bear's claws might be overpowered, and I should be the monk's martial arts damage.

[@FlutesLoot]

That's quite a combination, haha! Lycanthrope witch doctor sounds wild. Yeah, Twlight Cleric would make a fine dip for pretty much any Druid, especially if using metal armor is acceptable.

[@Qualman701]

@@FlutesLoot here's an interesting idea I saw in a meme, if players don't want metal heavy armor, have it made of ironwood.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@Qualman701 an excellent substitute

[@epitaph4606]

I’m playing an Owlin moon Druid and I’m thinking of dipping into fighter but I don’t know what subclass I’d pick. I’m thinking either samurai or rune or champion. When not wildshaped I’m throwing magic stones from up high and using battlefield control and I’d like some suggestion

[@FlutesLoot]

Out of those options, I'd go with Rune Knight Fighter for the growth abilities while Wildshaped. Sounds fun. I'd also consider the Echo Knight or the Psi Warrior. It might depend on what you want to get out of the multiclass instead of going full Druid. :)

[@epitaph4606]

@@FlutesLoot I don’t like the elemental wild shapes for the character so I was thinking of taking another class. I guess I could just “ignore” the elemental transformations but that just feels stupid. I also don’t want to cross class into a class my party already has things like monk and ranger are off the table. And lastly and sadly I built the character poorly so no barbarian

[@FlutesLoot]

@@epitaph4606 makes sense. Have you thought about dipping Cleric?

[@epitaph4606]

@@FlutesLoot OH! I’ve never tried multi-classing two spellcasters together so I’d probably have to do some research, and subclasses you suggest?

[@FlutesLoot]

@@epitaph4606 Twilight is a powerful one-level dip, but you'd also do fine with Peace, Tempest (two levels to max a lightning spell's damage), and honestly most of them would do well for you. It depends if you want 1, 2, or 3+ levels of Cleric. Some of them have great level-six features. If you don't multiclass more than 3 levels, you can still get your level-9 Druid spells (you'll have level-9 spell slots either way with Cleric levels).

[@Oberontreetraveler91]

a build that I'm doing is a circle spores druid with gloom Hunter Ranger stealth combat build it as an experiment I've been testing out for the last couple months and he has four levels right now into Ranger and four levels into druid and he's also a water genisa

[@FlutesLoot]

Nice! Have you enjoyed it so far?

[@scottburns4458]

I rarely get to play which is okay as I prefer to DM but I do love the druid if I get to play I played a halfling cannibal druid in Darksun, a druid/mage half elf in another 2e game and I played in a 5e one shot a druid to check out 5e as my table was still using 3.5e then Druids have a special place in my heart along with mages Some very interesting combos in here I particularly liked the idea of the barbarian druid Thanks

[@FlutesLoot]

As I understand it, Druids have been consistently strong since 2e. I remember playing Icewind Dale on the computer and trying to play the whole game without a party, just a Druid. I made it about halfway through the game successfully before I got tired of it haha.

[@scottburns4458]

@@FlutesLoot Druids have gotten stronger over the edition’s, especially their wild shape ability Okay that would have been interesting playing a druid solo in the game

[@FlutesLoot]

@@scottburns4458 I used a lot of tidal waves to stun enemies while shapeshifting a lot. I also had to run around so enemies would chase me and group up haha.

[@scottburns4458]

@@FlutesLoot That sounds like fun

[@hakonatli]

Thanks, great video :) I have to wonder, though, why dnd content creators keep talking about level 20 builds. Class A 14 levels + Class B 6 levels has so little practical value. Apologies for the hyperbole but NOBODY plays level 20 characters. Barely anyone plays above, say 12 or 14. I'd say that play above level 7 or 8 is already rare. It would be really useful to hear suggestions for multiclassing that focus on the levels where it kicks in. Like "put levels into X at level 4"

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you! I usually play to level 20. As a result, I make content that encourages people to play to higher levels. Extrapolating for lower-level multiclassing is straightforward, in my opinion.

[@hakonatli]

@@FlutesLoot Thanks :) I appreciate the response

[@syvajarvi2289]

There are tables that do go to lvl 20. My table in particular sometimes starts at lvl 15 and we build the campaign BBEGs….. yes…. Multiple are operating at an epic level so they have the potential to TPK a lvl 20 party. Takes some work, but it’s a fun time.

[@THESHADOWMASTER9]

But with the beast barb/moon druid do you use your wildshapes strength instead of your own with the barbarian claws damage? What about the hit modifier?

[@FlutesLoot]

Wild Shape uses the Strength modifier of the beast form. "Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, but you retain your alignment, personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores."

[@THESHADOWMASTER9]

@Flutes Loot but I've also heard you keep your proficiencies, and you're proficient with those new strikes. So you use your normal hit modifier but then use the beasts str for the damage rolls, right?

[@FlutesLoot]

@@THESHADOWMASTER9 you would use the to-hit and damage modifiers listed in a beast's statblock

[@THESHADOWMASTER9]

@@FlutesLoot so then you would add your proficiency modifier to the str of the creature to calculate the hit modifier? But also it's a class feature so doesn't that factor in somewhere? I really like this combo for a character idea but the math seems extremely confusing.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@THESHADOWMASTER9 The game is very confusing on the topic. Easiest way to settle is to present to your DM how you'd like it to work and see what they say.

[@jamessberna1330]

I have been playing a moon druid 3, rogue 1 for a little bit and rather enjoy him. I wanted survival and slight of hand to be up a bit and figure a dip in rogue would be nice. We started at lvl 3 he was 2 druid 1 rogue. The neat thing is magic stone and sling combo but that's a starting point til I get to close combat. I know the sneak attack isn't translated to Wildshape at all but the dip was more for the con artist orphan living off the land theme that I wanted for him. I also got to use the ua fairy so flying bear is cool, not to mention Pegasus without wings......

[@FlutesLoot]

That's fantastic! I think a little Rogue is fun to have, but I'm biased as I enjoy the Rogue playstyle.

[@jamessberna1330]

@@FlutesLoot I like rogue too. They are the second most versatile class right after bard (and for some reason I'm not a fan of the bard tho I'll be playing "Edward Munnson" this Sunday). So my druid collects bottles from taverns and the trash then uses seeds and dirt with druidcraft to make little terrariums to sell for 1gp each (they also make great "plant growth bombs or Spike Growth bombs" when the dm decides we are too far into a cave or we are in a place with no plants). Selling them has gotten me more gold than the noble of the group, not to mention our rogue doesn't Loot a whole lot so I get whatever we find. There is another player that is playing my sibling and we come up with combo moves like "dark web" that she casts a spell to shroud the web & plant/Spike Growth then I Wildshape into a giant spider giving me advantage on bites and basically making everyone else immobile. Or Valkyrie where I Wildshape into a horse and she uses me for cover as I fly up and she rains spells down. This campaign we have made our dm cus us out more than once for the silliness we come up with. He said our combo moves he wants to be surprised the first time we use them then we can talk about how often we use them if they are too op. So far he hasn't limited us but once we get a to level 6 or 7 (can't remember) I'm going to bust out lava mephits and she is going to cone of cold so..... that might get nerfed for the sheer amount of damage it can do.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@jamessberna1330 I love the player-to-player synergies and the terrariums :D

[@jamesbolt1003]

It's a long while but you can sneak attack with wild shapes that use Dex to attack. With moon druids the best example is fire or air elementals at lv 10. They attack with dexterity. I'd definitely work with your DM to integrate some big cats into your portfolio as well. Tigers, mountain lions, saber tooths all would attack with Dex as well as the giant eagle.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@jamesbolt1003 I hadn't thought about the elemental attacks with Sneak Attack! That's clever. It might still be lawyered since the conditions for Sneak Attack involve finesse weapons or ranged attacks, but I think it's an easy sell for a DM since it's not a big deal.

[@giraffedragon6110]

I’ve always felt that Druids were better without multiclassing. Because your wildshape will always improve as you progress the class, Druid spells alone are AMAZING even if you took away their ability choose a new list every day. It’s not like Rangers and Paladins taking a 2 level dip in either fighter or rogue because at certain levels that is ABSOLUTELY a good idea. (Great for one shots at odd levels)

[@FlutesLoot]

That's a great way to think about it. Druids are full spellcasters with useful scaling and a good capstone at level 20. Some multiclassing can be fun depending on a campaign's scope, but Druids are very self-sufficient.

[@jamesbolt1003]

Yes, I'd multiclass with a Druid for one of two reasons. Your party desperately needs something that the multiclass will provide in this case a strong frontliner via druid/barbarian or if you know that this character will not reach lv 20.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@jamesbolt1003 yeah knowing the campaign's scope is important

[@BW022]

I tend to agree. However, there are cases when it still might be beneficial. 1. In a low-level campaign or with few PCs, druid + anything else is still a fantastically versatile build. 2. For low-level survival, even two levels of moon druid is probably good until 5th or 6th-level. More so if you have defensive spells from other classes -- armor of agythus, mirror image, etc. Even at levels where it a bear might be underpowered, it can still be useful to escape, block, hide, etc. 3. At any level, normal wildshape (even at CR 1/4) is still insanely good for scouting, escape, hiding, travel, etc. 4. Gaining even 1st-level druid spells is useful as you can ritual cast, pray for different spells, gain healing, and spells can be cast using other spellcaster slots. I'd say more folks at 5th or certainly 7th-level with levels of something else would probably wish they went full druid or sticked to their other class, but druid itself it covers a lot of bases if you have a small party.

[@hypnosemblem8829]

Cavalier fighter/moon Druid is low key a real good tank

[@hypnosemblem8829]

Take thorn whip, beast bond and your good honestly

[@hypnosemblem8829]

Is beast barb/moon Druid better? Maybe, Maybe. But forest protector deer rider sounds cool as hell

[@momqabt]

Heres an idea: artificer 3 armorer for no str requirement for your plate armor (yes) Warforged so you don but don't wear the armor as you Are the armor (read it carefully😉) so you can have plate armor ac for your druid Druid 17 (I'd say go wildifer)

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm a fan of using Armorer to earn plate armor. It's a treat for multiclassing, imo.

[@captainpolar2343]

druid monk? monk-ey build!

[@FlutesLoot]

Wow, in all my years of thinking about this multiclass concept, I've never noticed the pun. LOL

[@Duncan275]

Lore reasons should be respected! Druids not wearing metal armor has always been a thing.

[@FlutesLoot]

It's a good enough reason for me!

[@vimmiv]

My current character is a druid moon / div wizard (level 4), i was attempting to go with a very witchy vibe to her with utility/spells, but allow for some tankiness with the party since our other two are squishy. So witchy woodland dhampir witch 🧹 portent is a beast! I cannot fly or swim yet which i am sad about but i play it off that she is a little behind with it in her studies.

[@FlutesLoot]

We love to go for the witchy aesthetic/vibe!

[@GoblinLord]

let me preface with: it's your table, do what you like now, here's my thing with metal armor, druids aren't fey, and by default don't work with fey, so fey being their reason doesn't work except for specific subclasses, outside of that, there's no logical reason they wouldn't wear armor, primarily because whilst the metal is shaped a bit, unless it's platinum, it's still a natural metal, especially if it's iron rather than steel, druids are about nature, so logically they should be able to use iron as much as wood, druids work for nature of our dimension, not of the fey, nor of the shadowfell, if you have a fey druid? sure, go ahead, but I've never understood the iron limit because of the fact that iron is an inherently natural resource, just as much as berries, or stone, or flint or wool. that's just my take though, good video for the rest of it tho

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you! I know my opinion isn't popular, haha. I'm biased to like the metal-druid lore because of what my wife has told me of Terry Pratchett's writings. I find the concept evocative and interesting for worldbuilding.

[@Fae2705]

What bugs me about Druids not being able to wear metal armour is technology. In the world of Dungeons and Dragons it should be easy to get wood armour that is enchanted to be as good as metal armour, think Vegan armour.

[@FlutesLoot]

If it's a high-magic setting, enchanted wooden armor sounds like it'd be easier to find.

[@BW022]

Most home campaigns will allow it -- especially if you look at 3.5e materials such as coral, crystal, ironwood, darkwood, leave armors, dragon (or other) scale, spells such as transmute metal to wood, etc., etc. However, the issue is that typically doesn't do you much good as (a) it comes at higher levels were you don't need it, (b) it's expensive to get the heavy armor proficiency, and (c) you don't want to walk around with an 8 dex in hide armor for four levels until you get heavy armor proficiency and then a few more until you find such armor.