Upon its release in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, the Circle of Stars Druid was lauded as one of the best Druid subclasses in 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Dungeons & Dragons. With years of experimenting with the subclass, it's safe to say that this initial reaction was largely true.
This is thanks to the Circle of Stars Druid's subclass abilities leveraging the action economy incredibly efficiently. As early as sixth level, you have access to both a reliable bonus action and reaction on every turn in combat. Most other character builds can only dream of being so streamlined. Let's take a look at how to make your wish upon a star come true.
Species
Typically, the best character builds start with access to a feat at level one by taking either the variant human or custom lineage species.
However, many DMs (dungeon masters) have a homebrew rule that allows everyone their selection of a feat at level one, no matter what species they choose. If you happen to play at one of these tables, there are many other species to consider due to their innate abilities.
Seeing as Wisdom is your spellcasting ability score,𝄹 any species that provides a bonus to you🦋r Wisdom score is a suitable choice.
These include the Kalashtar, Lizardfolk (legacy), Firbolg (legacy), and Loxodon. There are some other species that provide a +1 bonus to Wisdom; however, their additional species abilities don't synergize particularly well with the Druid.
The species below are from Monsters of the Multiverse and exist alongside the ruling that you can choose the ability scores you want to increase. If you pick one of these species, in🎐crease your Wisdom by 2.
Choices with species abilities that go well alongside the Circle of Stars Druid include the Astral Elf, Tortle, Lizardfolk, Harengon, Firbolg, and Eladrin. Coincidentally, these are all also great thematic choices for any Druid.
The Astral Elf, Harengon, and Eladrin all give you proficiency in perception for free. This is the most important skill in the game, and Wisdom-based classes like tꦗhe Druid should always get their perception as high as possible.
Ability Scores
As mentioned above, Wisdom is your spellcasting ability score, so you'll be prioritizing it first. Increasing your Wisdom score allows you to cast more spells while also boosting their effectiveness, and you'll be casting spells almost every turn you take.
Like most other characters, your second most important ability score is Constitution. This statistic increases your health and, quite importantly, helps you maintain concentration on spells.
Anything you can do to prܫevent enemies from breaking🌞 your concentration will be a huge buff to your character.
All spellcasters should use their concentration when they come up a🉐gainst difficult encounters🌄, as these spells provide value over multiple turns.
Your other ability scores are much less important; however, Intelligence and Dexterity should both be assigned decent values.
As a 🧸Druid, you have proficiency in Intelligence saving throws and likely have pꦉroficiencies in some Intelligence-based skills. On the other hand, Dexterity applies to both your initiative and your AC.
Harengons and Lizardfolk are incentivized to prioritize Dexterity over Intelligence as a ꦏhigher Dexterity makes their species benefits even better.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether Intelligence or Dexterity is more important to your character. Both Strength and Char𓄧isma are typically dump stats for Druids.
Feats
Speaking of maintaining concentration, War Caster or Resilient (Constitution) should be the first feat you pick up.
Either of these choices will make it much more difficult for enemies to break through your concentration spells, and you'll be casting concentration spells quite often.
The dragon constellation of your starry form feature also makes it very hard for enemies to break your concentration. However, you'll get the most value out of this feature by using its other modes, so it's still important to buff your concentration checks in alternative ways.
Maximizing your Wisdom score is more important 𒁃ꦉthan picking up other feats. Your level 4 ASI (Ability Score Improvement) should be spent to increase your Wisdom to 20.
However, your level 8 ASI is a fine opportunity to pic🌜k up ano✤ther feat from the options below.
Starry Form And Cosmic Omen
These are your subclass features that make the Circle of Stars Druid so formidable. Depending on the constellation you pick, the starry form lets you use your bonus action to either make a ranged attack or heal yourself or an ally within 30 feet.
The ranged attack option using the archer constella♔tion is best for easier combats, while the chalice constellation that heals will perform better in dangerous sce෴narios.
There's also the dragon constellation which gives you a minimum of 10 on any d20 roll for Intelligence or Wisdom ability checks as well as maintaining concentration on a spell.
This form is best used outside of combat in social scenarios; however, it also gives you a flight speed at tenth level that can be very useful in 𝔍c✱ertain encounters.
Once you hit sixth level, you'll unlock Cosmic Omen. This ability lets you use your reaction to either subtract a d6 from an opponent's roll or add a d6 to an ally's roll.
Unfortunately, you must subtract or add the d6 before the roll is made. As a result, Cosmic Omen is b🍬💝est applied to attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks that are of utmost importance.
Cosmic Omen should be used to subtract from a boss monster's attack rolls or saving throws against an ally's spells. Alternatively, you could use it to add to a decisive attack from an ally, such as a Rogue's sneak attack or an important saving throw from an enemy spell like Hold Person.
Spells
As a Circle of Stars Druid, you gain access to the Guidance cantrip and the Guiding Bolt spell.
These are both great Cleric spells that you should look to use often. Guiding Bolt doesn't even cost you spell slots to cast, so it's perfect for blasting down enemies.
Guidance can be cast on yourself or ⛦an ally prior to combat to pro👍vide an additional d4 to an initiative roll.
Unlike other Druid subclasses, you don't gain additional spells outside of the Druid class aside from those listed above. Thankfully, Druids already have a number of great spells unique to their own class.
At early levels, Animal Friendship and Charm Person are perfect spells for social encounters.
As far as healing options, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Goodberry, and Lesser Restoration will all serve you well though your Starry form chalice constellation makes picking up healing spells far less important.
Meanwhile, your concentration at early levels should be used on spells such as Faerie Fire, Entangle, Heat Metal, Hold Person, Spike Growth, and Pass Without Trace.
Your concentration at higher levels should usually be spent on Conjure Animals if your DM allows this spell.
However, don't be surprised if it's banned or modified, as this spell is notorious 𒅌for slowing games to a crawl since it can summon up to eight allied creatures that all have their own turn. Below is a table o꧑f the best Druid spells to consider preparing.
If Conjure Animals is banned due to time constraints, suggest using the Mob Attack rules found on page 250 of the Dungeon Master's Guide to speed up your turns considerably.
The Circle of Stars Druid has one of the best action economies in the game. If you enjoy 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:taking impactful actions, it's hard to do better than this subclass.
It can be a lot to keep up with, so make sure you're ready to master the infinite cosmos before deciding that the answer to your character conundrum is in the starry night sky.