How to Play Swamp Thing in Dungeons & Dragons (DC Comics Build for D&D 5e)

Today we're building Swamp Thing from the DC Comics Universe in Dungeons & Dragons! If you want to unlock the power of the Green in D&D 5e, this is the build for you!
Twitter: tulokthe
Patreon: www.patreon.com/Tulok

[@matthewletexier]

All these DC builds must mean that Tulok is really good at Injustice. He's got hours of play time

[@lykthewarlock]

I can relate. And I'm glad there's all these DC builds :3

[@davedunmire2278]

Tulok vs SonicFox lets go!

[@SkillsLoading]

*sitting here having played excessive amounts of Injustice but still sucking because I find fighting games very difficult no matter how much I play and enjoy them* yeah.... of course he must be amazing if hes played that much...

[@pyron5277]

Nobody tell him!...

[@mathewmallon7208]

He could be playing the metaverse battles using the al, that what I do

[@mikewazowski8075]

"Much like swamp thing, I'm also all about that green." *midroll plays* Perfect timing!

[@biancabrooks280]

This would be amazing on a shirt

[@kendallcuddles]

Imagine not having adblock and SponsorBlock.

[@mikewazowski8075]

@@kendallcuddles All of my adblocks work really weirdly on youtube, both on computer and on mobile. Even when I have it on it won't block every ad.

[@kendallcuddles]

@@mikewazowski8075 Get KZbin Vanced for your phone. Automatically blocks ads and SponsorBlock is included though you have to enable it. As for your computer, I don't know how to help. I use Chrome and both the adblock plus and SponsorBlock extensions work fine for me.

[@symbiotestrength7058]

I see the word green and the word roll my mind went somewhere way else...

[@AtomikaBlerd]

Today’s build a haiku: It’s DC’s Swamp Thing A Druid made from the Green Go hug some trees, bro.

[@tehferg2150]

"Or hit up your friends for some natural healing, like your old high school friend hitting you up on Facebook!" I died when I heard this! 😂

[@NexusNoxCS]

I love it that Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing are both Spore Druids.

[@lordderppington4694]

So is groot. Tulak likes his spore druids.

[@robinlamenso]

Currently at stats. I’m predicting 20 levels of Spore Druid with more feats than usual.

[@yaburu]

Other than the Feats, you nailed it.

[@mason-.]

Hell yeah what a cool build! Though of course I'm here to do the same ol' thing of saying we should have an Anderson Cooper build! And to all the people who said I couldn't possibly beat this horse any more thuroughly: how you like me now? 😎

[@kingdomkey01]

Due to my more recent responses to these, some might be expecting me to cry some more, but I hope you understand it’s always been in good fun. We’re all on the same team, here; trying to support Tulok.

[@phantafalconpunch]

@@kingdomkey01 lol, it's kinda disappointing how long it took me to get that *that's* what you were doing

[@doctordisco5814]

I know hes got the noble background due to his wealthy mother and relation to a robber baron

[@abdallahatia7209]

@@phantafalconpunch I don’t get it but I very badly want to

[@hydrastuff8029]

Prediction: Knack from the PlayStation games because that song was in the credits for it

[@kingdomkey01]

Super excited for this one. I love Poison Ivy and Groot, but Swamp Thing is my favorite phytomancer.

[@toe_sucker_4165]

I thought it was Chloromancy?

[@kingdomkey01]

@@toe_sucker_4165 Technically, the chloro- prefix relates to the color green, while phyto- relates to plants.

[@jamesloiselle9098]

@@kingdomkey01 dendromancer?

[@kingdomkey01]

@@jamesloiselle9098 dendro- is specifically trees, though, no other plants

[@ASMroleplay737]

Chlorokeneisis is the official term.

[@benjager2551]

I see that Veggie Tales ref there... Have we got a show for you!

[@sigurdgram]

larryboy build when, amirite?

[@timothywashburn8218]

Oh yes please.

[@kimberlynorris338]

@@sigurdgram It would be interesting to combine Spiderman's assets and Batman's and then throw in some bard levels

[@dragonhearthx8369]

@@sigurdgram it would definitely have to have Bard in there somewhere, because of the Christian song in the show. The sub class would either be eloquence or glamour for the same reasons. The other would probably be oath of devotion because of the ideals.

[@blight040]

If nobody pointed it out you could use a Warforge for your race. That would help with the AC. Just flavor text how you became a living wood construct. And that armor you bond with would be ironwood.

[@matthewletexier]

Yeah but the coustom lineage gives exactly what he wants though, no reflavor needed

[@Cybermaster45]

Not gonna lie I was expecting Tulok singing "swamp thing you make my heart sing" as the intro.

[@ArtFord]

Thankyou for inspiring my next dnd character: A gunslinging spore druid named Guns and Roses.

[@DemonicOfAngels]

Swamp thing is one of my most favorite comic book characters! He is very underrated in my opinion. I feel like you did him Justice

[@TroutKnight]

Swamp Thing is my all time favorite comic book character. Thank you so much for making this. Now I know how to put him in my campaign.

[@jupiter2385]

Prediction: Nature Cleric Edit: Yeah, I should have seen Spore Druid coming.

[@kristiandahl1310]

I was guessing circle of land swamp

[@KevinVideo]

I was thinking a multiclass.

[@Fox7-h8r]

Hey Tulok, I have a suggestion for a character: the good ol' James Bond (The Sean Connery one ofc)

[@starbomber]

I never thought I would like a video for clever add placement, but you, you sir have done the impossible. You power-built a youtube video

[@xochipilli9435]

I can’t wait to watch the video.Swamp Thing is one of my favorites from DC along side Booster Gold.Swamp Thing has some really great comics.

[@sigurdgram]

"it's great if you like to talk to tomatoes, or if a squash can make you smile." is this a hint? Larryboy build when?

[@McFlamejob77]

Knowing the subversionist Tulok is, I half expected this to be a nature cleric build.

[@KevinVideo]

When he said artificer at the beginning, I totally believed him.

[@octagon8769]

I figured there'd be some barb to punch stuff

[@anasb.8647]

god damn it another druid god, *cries in Bard level 20 capstone ability*

[@Tamashikiri]

Given the build goals and my own understanding of the character, I'm guessing a revenant spore druid with the sage background and a dip into fighter for the unarmed fighting style. EDIT: Huh. Only got one of those right.

[@possessedpicklejar4762]

Never thought I’d hear VeggieTales referenced in one of these. Made my day. Mr. Lunt build when?

[@James_Mular]

Nah nah nah, larry boy build all the way bro

[@possessedpicklejar4762]

@@James_Mular to be accurate to the first two episodes, you’d have to do the opposite of power building.

[@SodaPopBarbecue]

Ummm...Spores is The Grey. One of his enemies. That seems a little TOO Injustice-ey. He'd be a Land(Swamp) Druid.

[@matthewletexier]

But he doesn't turn into animals, so Spores allows him to bypass that ability

[@ghoulfieri2773]

@Jaden Chadwick unfortunately true

[@hydrastuff8029]

Swamp Thing can talk to and control all plant life. While Sun Wukong can barely get a hold of his impulses, a build for him would still be cool

[@jeremysmith9291]

"Br-iiiiiiiiiing meeeeeee a shrubery" And now that I'm thinking about the nights who say nee, I'm wondering if the protagonists have the ability to take a spell from their enemies spell list.

[@dank_smirk2ndchannel200]

While custom lineage makes the most sense, I feel like if you HAD to choose a race I’d say that Warforged would be a good pick. This is because while most people think of hem as robots, Warforged are equal parts made of wood as they are metal and stone.

[@georgewashington7083]

I am once again asking for Harry Dresden.

[@TheDresdenForge]

Crappy wizard. Boom. You're welcome. Lol

[@georgewashington7083]

@@TheDresdenForge Harry is anything but a crappy wizard, lol.

[@OrangeyChocolate]

There were so many puns in this episode. I must say, I find it pretty... **slips on sunglasses** Punbelievable.

[@perihelion1225]

*takes off sunglass* Turns out, that joke didn’t shine, unlike op ;)

[@OrangeyChocolate]

@@perihelion1225 My apologies. I was simply trying to... **puts on sunglasses** *Branch out.*

[@perihelion1225]

@@OrangeyChocolate ah, now I see where it *waters plant* Stemmed

[@damianaustin0726]

Im predicting that Custom Lineage will be the new Varient Human, where its the race in 8/10 of Tuloks Video

[@jackhoward705]

I Think Kanoh Agito or Ohma from Kengan Ashura/Omega would be nice. Especially seeing how to adapt their unique Martial arts and their own abilities like Formless' adaptation or Ohma's advance.

[@duanebiggs8713]

He probably didn’t know this was going to be an option when he made this build but the UA Reborn lineage could’ve been decent for this. The advantage on Death Saving Throws feels especially fitting.

[@IdiotinGlans]

A power-builder tip: get Crusher feat on this. Cast Spike Growth aroudn yourself. Use Thorn Whip to pull enemies into the spikes, dealign them damage, then push them out of it with crusher, dealing them more damage.

[@pooroleostrich9553]

Another one: Dump all leftover spell slots on "goodberry" in the evening. 10 berries per cast means three slots of any level translate to 30hp free healing on the next day.

[@Sharkakaka]

Sugestion: tatsumaki from one punch man. Goals fly telekinetic powers.

[@Exsanguinary]

the Circle of Spores change was probably because poison is one of the most commonly resisted damage types (along with fire), plus there are a tonne of creatures that are outright immune to poison damage. Necrotic, on the other hand, is resisted by a lot of undead, but next to no creature has outright immunity to it. Even if you already knew all this, comments help the algorithm

[@symbiotestrength7058]

I mean I was watching Babish on Hot Ones but I'll go back later.

[@helgemeff5555]

well, that's also a good thing to go back to. ^^

[@NobodyDungeons]

They changed the damage type to necrotic because poison damage sucks monkey balls due to how many creatures resist it making it virtually useless without the use of elemental adept.

[@nicholascampbell1752]

They kinda helped it by adding poisoner which works like elemental adept but affects poison

[@Lastofthesigilites]

6:19 THANK YOU! THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. Cantips are something I have trouble deciding with characters!

[@vellothedreepy5930]

The second pure druid build in the series. Awesome.

[@tibboocelot9272]

You've finally convinced me to join the Patreon, I need Giorno on my DnD life. See you later tonight.

[@openarmsasmr4939]

I...can't physically think of a way to make Giorno without True Polymorph. As far as I'm aware, that's the only spell that turns objects into creatures. Also, if he decides to put requiem as one of his goals, Araki have mercy on his soul.

[@goldenegg8of100]

@@openarmsasmr4939 summoning animals is close enough for most things. Healing focused druid would work and reincarnate means your party’s fencer can become a tortole after he dies.

[@tibboocelot9272]

For my attempt at a Giorno build before Tasha's had been officialized, I had him as a 14 level Shepherd Druid with 6 levels of Astral Self monk.

[@cteal2018]

With these DC Dark builds, I will reccomend in meter and rhyme....we need Etrigan the Demon, you must do next time!

[@gaidencastro9706]

Both of Tulok's DC plant characters are pretty good.

[@kellydolan9717]

"And holy heck Swampy McGoo uses a lot of these" My favorite line in the video.

[@brandonbenard8964]

Awesome video, very accurate representation of Swamp Thing for 5e

[@Saiavinn]

5:07 Over the course of all his videos, Tulok is slooowly singing the entire DK rap.

[@BlandoGaming]

Builds I would like to see someday, in no particular order: Aisha ClanClan - Outlaw Star Gene Starwind - Outlaw Star Kiritsugu Emiya - Fate/Zero Vash the Stampede - Trigun Koro Sensei - Assassination Classroom Kakashi Hatake - Naruto

[@douglasburck1611]

Swamp thing, Woodrue and Poison ivy equal 3 people with swamp thing's powers!

[@embergeos]

I want to know whether Swamp Thing or Poison Ivy would win, so I guess you KZbin comments are gonna need to get him to $5000 on patreon so he makes a series about pitting his Building Character series against itself in single combat, to find out WHICH BUILD IS STRONGEST

[@Malicebane]

5:52 - the real question is 'Larry The Cucumber build when?' Tulok

[@drasticplastic1218]

Dang, now I'm really hoping for giorno

[@sethmanji]

Good build. Keep up the good work, bro!

[@timothywashburn8218]

Enjoyed the video. Like for the VeggieTales reference at 5:53.

[@MrSHADOWANGEL999]

A truly jolly green giant

[@DareMurdok]

Swamp Thing is such a cool and under-rated character thanks, Tulok :3

[@danc6167]

liked for the Veggie Tales reference

[@jamesonstalanthasyu]

I like your druid based builds.

[@Hamlynmusic]

Love the new format! Another awesome build! How about CAPTAINPLANET? He's a hero! Gonna take pollution down to zero. Phil Collins theme song!

[@PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth]

"I'm ALSO all about that green!" -Ad plays

[@wizrad2099]

The only thing I would consider changing here is the custom lineage background. Warforged can be made of many things, including wood, so just reflavor a Warforged a little bit and you've got your plant-person. While the Custom Lineage is an interesting work-around for a characters that don't have a clear race to adapt, it's also not especially flashy and feels a bit like a cop-out, whereas the Warforged race has a lot of unique options that can be pretty cool to play around with. I'm not necessarily saying "don't use the custom lineage" or even that it's bad for this build, just that if I were going to do this character, I'd go with a wooden Warforged.

[@biancabrooks280]

Lol! Love that Veggie Tales reference

[@gavinb7791]

Me on Tuesday and Thursday: Tulok Day! Tulok Day! Edit: This is a spectacular build, but just a question: wouldn't the new Reborn Lineage from the new UA work too? Like you're reborn from your fungus itself? Just a thought.

[@allgoodnamesaretaken6145]

So would revenant, with being a dead botanist coming back from the dead out of sheer will to protect plants

[@warioskapelli3100]

Yes, ESPECIALLY since, in most continuities (anything that uses Alan Moore's work), Swamp Thing isn't *actually* Alec Holland, he's just a plant that ate Alec's body and *thinks* it's Alec Holland

[@gavinb7791]

@@warioskapelli3100 Exactly. Reborn are creatures that have been, obviously, reborn from a past life, not resurrected. Revenants are, however, resurrected from the dead. This is why I think a Reborn would make more sense.

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Excellent build Say shillelagh

[@PrometheusEpimetheus]

I haven't watched the video yet, but so help me god if this is a warlock build, you are DEAD to me Tulok

[@chrishubbard64]

Spore druid. At most maybe a couple fighter levels for punching. But mostly spore druid Welp, turns out I was right. I know, it was a tricky one to guess lol. I have to admit, druids just seem like a really awesome class in general. Like, if you want to play beast boy you need a solid amount of extra work to research the list of animal forms you want to use each level and that can be complicated, but spore druids? Not so much.

[@lt.branwulfram4794]

Let’s get some grittier builds here. Jack Bauer from 24.

[@weathermangohanssj4]

Good berry is an absolute beast if you take even one level of life cleric And damn near broken if you get a candel of evocation. That matches your alignment.

[@gregjensen5826]

Earth genasi might work since there are no plant elementals.

[@AHGrayLensman]

"Droopy, quit hittin' me with that shillelagh!"

[@lykthewarlock]

Long have I waited for this :D

[@DangerMikhael]

swamp thing on my birthday?? what a surprise!

[@Zubatron82]

Great build as always! Might I suggest Hisoka from Hunter x Hunter

[@kimberlynorris338]

Swamp Thing, huh? Y'know, I've always been interested in ecosystems and biospheres. I think it was an episode of Magic School bus that inspired that. Speaking of which, Miss Frizzle build when?

[@renegadebond3603]

Uploaded 10 seconds ago and I'm still not the first here. Well done sir

[@dracone4370]

If Tasha's had caveat that the player, or DM, could choose to make the damage Poison or Necrotic I think it would be a better fit, and Tulok wouldn't be as confused. Also, variable damage doesn't happen very often so it could make things more interesting if not better.

[@keonprs5800]

you should make Shantae it would let you use a bunch of fetchers that you couldn't before

[@ajjtazman]

man imagine thinking swamp thing isn't already hot

[@JamJackJillian]

Jackie Estacado from "The Darkness" might be fun to do for you. Plus if you take the games as source material for the video, you get to play again to collect material =D

[@fizzledimglow3523]

Know what else is a big mean unstoppable bludgeoning machine? Butler from the book series Artemis Fowl. I'd love to see you build him!

[@quietinsound8087]

The new Reborn UA might work for his race it seems to fit Swamp thing well. The only problem I have is would he be Undead or a Construct.

[@hydrastuff8029]

Technically could go either way. Undead botanist, but a Construct of The Green

[@weirdguy1495]

Episode 261 of the Fire Emblem stats: Alec Holland. Swamp Thing is a lot like Groot, funny enough, so I'm mostly gonna use his weapon set: brawling, heavy armor, and faith. He still has a weakness in authority but instead of being unable to be understood, he's really scary. He's faster than the tree-speed Groot, but his HP and defenses aren't as stellar.

[@ironkeepgaming1936]

I’m using this video as a semi guide on how to play as Man-Thing from marvel who is a little different than Swamp thing. Man Thing can secret acid and can make Acid Rain.

[@cyberpunkzombie9461]

One of my fave characters from dc. 8)

[@brianreisbeck6592]

I've been hoping for a Swamp Thing entry here. Was hoping it wouldn't be done overly similar to the Poison Ivy one. D&D 5E has its limitations in attempting to translate fictional characters such as these but I don't see him as a squishy full caster. I can see going at this build a lot of different ways but currently favor the below route... Background: SELENSNYA GUILD from Ravnica [for thematic green magic known/prepared] I like the old UA Primeval Guardian Conclave Ranger for the Big Green Guy since it literally turns a character Big & Green! lol I like Re-Flavored (old UA version) Warforged [Juggernaut] as race for him since it gives the big size, resilience, integrated protection, str bonus, & "iron" fists this way (must be ironwood I guess jk). Getting resilience right at level one, in particular, seems fitting. • You have advantage on saving throws against being poisoned, and you have resistance to poison damage. • You are immune to disease. • You don’t need to eat, drink, or breathe. • You don’t need to sleep and don’t suffer the effects of exhaustion due to lack of rest, and magic can’t put you to sleep. I would likely want to dip a single level of fighter at level 1 so that I could give him 16+Pro Bonus as integrated protection for AC.

[@maevringendrick]

I am just here to say I appreciate the veggie tales reference

[@limboprime5926]

I’m expecting Goliath/bugbear with 15-20 levels in spore druid

[@dirtycrimeboi6178]

I was today years old when I realized that awamp thing is just vegetarian venom.

[@crittertree]

The casual Veggie Tales flex. THE CASUAL VEGGIE TALES FLEX.

[@Eramiserasmus]

Swamp powers are here!

[@ryanhale6339]

Liked for the VeggieTales reference

[@Troleandocreyentes]

We need an Anton Arcane Build.

[@RaulDiaz-mp8ms]

"Hot tip, don't play your 'swamp man' in a sci-fi setting." That's what you have Groot for.

[@JasonCorfman]

Wherever there is trouble, I'll be there. Whenever a helpless vegetable calls out, I will answer. Evil doers beware, you are no match for Larryboy and the awesome power of his... super suction ears! The world needs a hero. I. Am. That. Hero!

[@zach8596]

Your one step closer to completing the Justice League Dark team.

[@nicholascampbell1752]

You should do a mirio build from my hero academia and make him a horizon walker

[@deucebeast20]

"Hello, I'm Tulok the Barbarian." "And I'm Larry the Cucumber." "And you're my cheeseburger." Veggie Tales for the Like.

[@peiter795]

I am once again asking for your build for Stroheim, Mettaton or the Medic.

[@rowdy2063]

“Make” Swamp Thing hot? That implies he ain’t already. Shame on you, Tulok.

[@zachmcmullen2741]

I caught that Veggie Tales reference, Larry Boy build when?

[@sillygamerguys]

Hey you should do a space marine next!!

[@mullin52]

You should definitely try either Yuri Boyka from the Undisputed series or DC’s Wildcat to see how to make a non-monk unarmed fighter