Druids have always been a popular class in RPGs, and it’s easy to see why. Their utility as a combination class that can fill any party role is almost unmatched, with access to multiple healing spells, and many buffs and control abilities.
While specific subclasses can have major differences in their playstyle, all Druids can shapeshift, which opens many doors for them. They can be incredible infiltrators, as well as provide a substantial front-line tank and damage dealer. Overall, the class is powerful and fun to play, and there are several different options for a unique build that can make it even better.
Updated on September 1st, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose:Withall of the changes taking placein the world of D&D this year, there are even more options for every player’s unique Druid build. One D&D is still in the process of being developed, and the official launch is expected to take place in September 2024, but there’s still plenty of news and updated material available to see and evaluate before the release. Druids are going through a lot of changes, but nothing that will adversely affect any of the following options when it comes to the perfect Druid build.
10Charger
D&D Player’s Handbook
Chargerallows players to use their Dash action, and make an attack at the end of it using a Bonus Action. While it is primarily used for martial classes, Druids can use it to great effect, as they can utilize it in their Wild Shape.
This means that creatures such as wolves and bears can quickly cover large distances and stilldo significant damage to their enemies. It is a great tool to have in battle, and it is better than some creatures’ default charging abilities.
9Ritual Caster
Druids are well-known for being utility powerhouses, but one can always take it a step further, provided the Druid has an Ability Score of at least 13 or higher in Intelligence or Wisdom. WithRitual Caster, Druids can take additional ritual spells from the class they choose and cast them anytime as a ritual.
On top of that, any ritual scrolls the character finds can be added to their ritual spellbook, expanding their magic arsenal even further. Depending on what the character wants to do, they have a fantastic choice of new spells to play with and cover even more bases on their adventures.
8Mobile
Mobileis great for characters that find themselves moving a lot in battle, but Druids actually get a little more out of it. Aside from a nice 10 feet movement speed bonus and Dash ignoring difficult terrain, the feat has another useful ability.
Whenever thecharacter strikes an enemy, that enemy can no longer perform any Opportunity Attacks against them until the next turn. The feat also applies to any Wild Shapes, and suddenly powerful beasts are roaming around the battlefield, dealing great damage and evading opportunity attacks.
7Elven Accuracy
Xanathar’s Guide To Everything
This is a Racial Feat only available to Elves or Half-elves, but this is a popular race when starting a Druid, so it’s still a viable choice for many. It’s a fairly new attribute included inXanathar’s Guide to Everything.
Elven Accuracya Feat that makes precision more important than strength, and has a positive effect on accuracy for both spells and physical weapons. For a character that casts spells and does physical damage, either with blades, claws, or magic, it’s one of the best Feat choices there is. However, it works better with a ranged damage or healer build than a melee one.
6Elemental Adept
Druids are rarely the main damage-dealer in a party, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be incredibly powerful. The prerequisite for taking this Feat is the ability to cast at least one spell. While it can be a little challenging to boost their physical damage, there are several things that they can do to boost their spells.
Elemental Adeptdoes just that, allowing characters to empower spells of a specific elemental type. All spells that use that element will ignore any resistances and will do slightly higher damage on average. Depending on the subclass and preferred spells, players should carefully consider the chosen element.
5Telepathic
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything
Telepathicallows players to communicate with anyone within 60 feet using telepathy. While not bad on its own, the feat also increases any stat of the player’s choosing (Int, Wis, or Cha) by 1, and allows the user tocast Detect Thoughts.Their communication doesn’t give the creature the ability to respond to them telepathically.
It’s a useful Feat in general, but it goes even further for a Druid. One of the challenges of Wild Shape is that animals can’t communicate verbally with the party, aside from miming or some other clever way. With this feat, Druids can now freely converse with others in their Wild Shape, solving that little conundrum.
4Magic Initiate: Cleric
Despite their versatility, which is easily on the same level as Druids when it comes to party roles, the Cleric doesn’t get as much play inD&Das the Druid. Clerics and Druids both prioritize Wisdom as their spellcasting modifier, which is why this Feat works so well for a Druid.
Druids can choose two Cantrips from the Cleric spellcasting list withMagic Initiate: Cleric, and even though these are low-level spells, they can be handy for filling out the finer details of a Druid build. The Druid can choose spells that heal and restore, do necrotic or elemental damage, or remove curses.
3Alert
Druids have many spells that benefit from being used early, such as setting up difficult terrains, buffs, or control.Alertgives an incredible +5 bonus to initiative, giving the character a much better chance at going early, which can make or break surviving a battle.
Aside from that, the character cannot be Surprised, as long as they’re awake, which is also a great bonus. After all, Druids are often left on guard or nightwatch duty due to their high Perception, and having a bit of an advantage when it comes to nightly ambushes is always nice to have.
2Resilient
Resilientallows players to choose an Ability Score and increase it by one. On top of that, they gain Proficiency in that ability’s Saving throw. Druids are recommended to choose the Constitution for a number of reasons, especially if they prioritize casting.
Aside from a slight health boost, having Constitution Saving Throw proficiency means much more consistent Concentration Checks, meaning the character will be much less likely todrop a spell in the heat of battle. It can be heartbreaking to lose a high-level concentration spell, and this Feat can immensely help with that.
1War Caster
War Casteris fantastic for almost any mage, and Druids are no exception, provided they can cast at least one spell. Firstly, the feat grants the character Advantage on Concentration Checks, which goes great with Resilience. Secondly, the feat lets characters perform the somatic elements of spells, even if one of their hands is occupied.
That allows characters to wield Shields, further increasing their AC and survivability in combat. Finally, characters are able to cast spells as Attacks of Opportunity, as long as the spell they use has only one target.
