A detailed guide to the Druid class in Baldur's Gate 3

Druid Class Overview

In any fantasy world, nature is incredibly important and powerful. Nothing can stand against the raw forces of nature, and only a Druid can truly connect with and control it. We can state that you will like the best BG 3 Druid.

A Druid is one of the most interesting classes in the game. By merging with the forces of nature, this character can not only harness the power of the elements but also transform into animals. This special ability gives you a unique way to play the game and opens up unexpected choices in conversations, battles, and exploration.

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At the time of writing this article, to create the best BG 3 Druid, players need to choose the Dark Tiefling race. Combining racial and class attributes, this will be the perfect representation of this class. Additionally, during your travels, you can recruit another Druid to your party. This character is Halsein, a member of the Wood Elf tribe.

When building the best BG 3 Druid, you'll want to focus on a single class to best embody the role of a Druid. However, this guide also presents options for multi-class builds for those who enjoy experimenting.

Druid Classes Playstyle

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The powers of nature are versatile and unstoppable. Water, plants, animals, and birds — all of these can adapt to challenges and come out victorious in any situation. The best BG 3 Druid class embodies these qualities, making your character exceptionally versatile in problem-solving.

Nature's powers assist the Druid in exploring the world. They can reveal shortcuts, uncover secrets, and aid in puzzle-solving. In battle, Druids excel. They prove more flexible than many other spellcasters.

For instance, they can rejuvenate the team's energy and health like a bard or cleric. However, in combat, a Druid can unleash nature's full fury. They can excel in both close-quarters and ranged combat, courtesy of Druid spells and the capability to transform into animals.

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The hallmark gameplay feature of a Druid is environmental control. Harnessing nature, they can turn the surroundings to their advantage. Opponents find it tough when the very battlefield becomes hostile.

However, remember that a Druid is fundamentally a mage. Due to their class features and equipment, they are susceptible to physical damage. Act cautiously, safeguarding your Druid with more resilient characters.

Druid Class Features

Every class in Baldur’s Gate 3 has its unique features. Here are the specific traits of the best BG 3 Druid class:

Druids use various spells but don't learn as many abilities as mages do.
They have several spell slots that recharge during rests.
Most of Druid's spells require preparation.
Druids can use foci — mini-spells that don't consume spell slots.
Wild Shape allows the character to transform into an animal, each with its own unique traits.

Like other spellcasters, Druids should prioritize improving Wisdom and Intelligence. These attributes boost their healing capabilities and the effectiveness of combat spells. Since Druids rely primarily on magical spells, their equipment choices are limited. They can don light and medium armor, but they aren't built to withstand significant damage. For close combat, Druids prefer polearms, thrown weapons, staves, and daggers. They can also use shields for added defense.

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When creating a Druid, you can select two specializations from this list:

Arcana;
Animal Handling;
Insight;
Medicine;
Nature;
Perception;
Religion;
Survival.

Skills associated with Wisdom and Intelligence receive bonuses right from the start due to the Druid's inherent abilities. One distinctive skill of the Druid, setting them apart from other magical classes, is Wild Shape. Utilizing this, the character can transform into an animal, adopting new traits and capabilities. However, remember that in animal form, the character cannot speak or cast spells, and any benefits from their armor are negated.

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At the time of writing this guide, a Druid can assume eight different animal forms. Each form is unique, offering diverse options in combat:

Bear: Possesses significant health and delivers powerful close-quarter attacks.
Badger: Enables movement underground, deceiving enemies or accessing areas unattainable by others.
Cat: Moves with stealth.
Raven: Has the capability to fly and can blind NPCs.
Bull: Exhibits a charge attack and illuminates the surroundings.
Owlbear: Powerful combat form.
Spider: Offers enhanced agility and the capacity to deploy sticky webs.
Wolf: Augments the party's movement speed and consistently deals critical damage.

Druid Class Progression

At the time of writing this guide for Baldur's Gate 3, characters can achieve up to 12 levels. This guide will detail the abilities your character can acquire with each level and introduce the distinctive capabilities of different subclass options. By following this guide, you'll gain insight into the rewards of each level-up and be better prepared for your journey.

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Level 1

Starting at level 1, you'll have two prepared spell slots and 2 Cantrips. You'll also have access to foci, healing spells, and several combat spells. Players can opt for skills like Animal Handling and Speak with Animals, enhancing role-playing experiences.

Level 2

At level 2, you'll earn an extra prepared spell slot. The notable ability Wild Shape becomes available, permitting transformation into various animals. This is also when you'll choose your subclass. We'll delve deeper into Baldur's Gate 3 druid subclasses subsequently.

Land: Bonus Cantrip, Natural Recovery, Circle Spells.
Moon: Combat Wild Shape, Lunar Mend.
Spores: Halo of Spores, Circle Spells, Symbiotic Entity.

Level 3

Your character receives an additional prepared spell slot for 1st-level Druid spells and two spell slots designated for 2nd-level spells.

Level 4

You'll gain another 2nd-level prepared spell slot and will be introduced to a new spell. At this juncture, every class can pick a feat. While a wide range of feats is open to all classes, not all are equally beneficial for Druids. We advocate for the following options:

Ability Improvement;
Mobile;
Magic Initiate;
Shield Master;
Skilled;
Tough;
Weapon Master.

Level 5

Two spell slots for 3rd-level spells and new spells for the Land and Spores circles.

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Level 6

One additional 3rd-level spell slot. Special abilities include Land’s Stride (Land circle), Primal Strike (Moon), and Fungal Infestation (Spores). You also unlock two new animal Druid forms: Panther and Owlbear.

Level 7

You'll get a 4th-level prepared spell slot and spells from the Land and Spores circles.

Level 8

An additional 4th-level prepared spell slot becomes available. You can choose a new feat. Abilities to note are Improved Destroy Undead and the Domain Feature.

Level 9

One 4th-level and one 5th-level prepared spell slot. Continued spells from the Land and Spores circles.

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Level 10

Another 5th-level prepared spell slot and a known spell. Special abilities: Nature’s Ward (Land), Elemental Wild Shape (Moon), and Spreading Spores (Spores).

Level 11

A 6th-level spell slot becomes available. The Improved Destroy Undead ability sees an enhancement.

Level 12

Players have the choice to either select a new feat or augment existing abilities.

Please remember that this overview outlines the general progression of a Druid in Baldur's Gate 3. Comprehensive Baldur's gate 3 best druid build and spell descriptions will be featured in separate materials.

BG3 Druid Subclasses

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When your Druid advances to level 2, you have the opportunity to select a circle subclass. This decision is pivotal, as it influences your gameplay henceforth. Each circle offers a distinct playstyle; one subclass may emphasize potent spells, whereas another can transform your character into a force of nature.

It's vital to recognize that the Wild Shape ability is universal across all subclasses. You possess the capability to morph into an animal whenever you wish. If your energy or health depletes, you will automatically return to your original form.

Circle of the Land

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Opting for the Land circle aligns your spells with the potent forces of nature, making this subclass particularly adept in magic. Druids of the Land circle are attuned to their surroundings and acquire spells pertinent to the biome they inhabit. For example, in a wintry region, you'll unlock abilities resonant with cold.

Outlined below are the key features and spells for Land circle Druids:

An added bonus of this subclass is the choice of an additional Druid spell.
Natural Recovery is another boon: during a brief respite, you can recuperate some spell slots.

For Druid levels 3, 5, 7, and 9, Land circle Druids obtain dominant spells tied to particular biomes:

Arctic: Spike Growth, Ice Storm, Cone of Cold.
Coast: Mirror Image, Conjure Elemental, Misty Step.
Desert: Blur, Protection from Energy, Insect Plague.
Forest: Barkskin, Call Lightning, Spider Climb.
Grassland: Invisibility, Haste, Daylight.
Swamp: Melf’s Acid Arrow, Stinking Cloud, Scrying.
Underdark: Web, Gaseous Form, Cloudkill.

Additionally, this subclass boasts unique abilities that enhance gameplay. For example, the Nature’s Ward ability shields you from detrimental effects, granting immunity to poisons, diseases, charm effects from fey creatures, and fear effects induced by elementals.

Land's Stride enables effortless movement through challenging terrain and confers immunity to plant-based effects.

Baldur's Gate 3 Druid Circle of the Moon

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Moon circle Druids predominantly utilize Wild Shape. While there's a reduction in spell diversity, your character receives substantial benefits when transformed.

By selecting this subclass, you'll amplify your Wild Shape abilities, bolstering combat efficacy. Additionally, fighter Druid can heal in animal form.

Exclusive to the Moon circle, you access formidable animal forms, such as the Owlbear, Deep Rothe, Dire Raven, and more. Furthermore, Moon circle Druids can morph into elemental beings. In result you can receive fighter Druid.

Circle of Spores

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The Spores circle subclass appeals to those desiring a darker role-play experience. Such Druids wield disease, decay, and death—integral components of nature's cycle. Your primary abilities focus on debilitating foes and delivering potent melee strikes.

At levels 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9, unique spells related to the Spores circle become available:

Chill Touch;
Blindness and Deafness;
Animate Dead;
Cloudkill;
Halo of Spores: A cloud of spores surrounds the Druid, damaging nearby adversaries;
Symbiotic Entity: Enhances HP and amplifies damage via Halo of Spores, using Wild Shape charges;
Fungal Infestation: Reanimates a fallen creature, compelling it to fight on your behalf;
Spreading Spores: Contaminates a selected region with spores.

Druid Class Build Recommendation

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For constructing a Druid, Dwarves and Wood Elves emerge as superior racial choices. Wisdom is paramount for your background. Top starting backgrounds encompass Folk Hero and Hermit.

While Wisdom stands as the primary Druid stats, neglecting others can render your character susceptible. A recommended distribution of Druid stats is:

Strength: 12;
Dexterity: 14;
Constitution: 14;
Intelligence: 8 (augmentable via skills and gear);
Wisdom: 17;
Charisma: 10.

Conclusion

The Druid arguably ranks among the most captivating classes for players in Baldur’s Gate 3. This multifaceted character can seamlessly oscillate between adept support and formidable combatant roles. Druidic abilities are invaluable for exploration, unveiling concealed areas with ease. Crucially, their bond with nature facilitates quest completion through animal communication.