Circle of Symbiosis

Nature can be cruel and unforgiving. But it also can be harmonious and giving. It depends what - and who - is around you.

The druid carefully observed each and everyone in the travelling group, estimating their skills and temper. There were some useful people for the coming treacherous roads. But there also were some who didn't give a particularly helpful vibe. The druid knew the sort. Leeches and vultures. Parasites feasting on the fortune - or misfortune - of others. Of course, in the grand scheme of things it was natural for such creatures to exist, imperative even. But when it came to the intelligent peoples, a more diplomatic strategy was to be preferred.
When the coach started to move and the party slowly made their way towards the mountains, the druid joined a group they judged to be accustomed to the narrow climb and started to mimic their steps and motion and in turn passed some strengthening berries to the group.

A druid dedicated to the Circle of Symbiosis can leverage the various forms of relationships between creatures. Whether positive or negative, one-sided or mutual is more beneficial is up to you and the circumstances. Take what you need, share and work together or avoid confrontation. All are viable strategies in the struggle for resources.
From leeching life to benefiting from skills of others to severely hinder enemies via conditions you have multiple options to get an edge. And since you can can do that while in Wild Shape form, you can fulfill a versatile Supporter role, when you are not able to cast spells.

Symbiosis

At 2nd level, your life can become intertwined with other creatures in various ways.

You gain a number of Symbiosis Points equal to your Class Level and regain all points when finishing a Long Rest.
You can spend Symbiosis Points for the other features from this subclass.

Any feature from this subclass can be used while in Wild Shape form.

Parasitism

At 2nd level, you can drain life from another creature.

By spending Symbiosis Points you can, as an Action, leech life from a creature you touch. Roll a number of d4 equal to the number of Points you've spent up to your Proficiency Bonus and add your Druid Level. If the creature succeeds on a Constitution Saving Throw (DC 8 + Proficiency Modifier + Wisdom Modifier), halve that number. You gain that many Hit Points. The creature looses that many Hit Points. This leech has no damage type. It directly affects life and ignores Temporary Hit Points.

This feature can't be used on constructs.

Mutualism

At 2nd level, you and other creatures can benefit from each others abilities.

By spending 1 Symbiosis Point per 10 minutes you can, as an Action, designate a creature you can see within 30 ft. For the duration, while you and the creature are within 30 ft of each other, both can use the proficiencies of the other for Checks and Saving Throws. You can only have 1 bonded creature at a time.

Commensalism

At 6th level, you can use what others left over.

If an allied creature within 30 ft ends its turn with unused movement, you can spend one Symbiosis Point to use a Reaction and move the remainder immediately without triggering opportunity attacks.

Competition

At 6th level, you can take advantage of the drain a competitive attitude can have on creatures.

By spending one Symbiosis Point per creature you can, as a Bonus Action, choose up to 3 creatures within 60 ft of you and one of the six Abilities. Until the end of your next turn, the respective Ability Score for those creatures and yourself are lowered by 4 for Attacks, Checks and Saving Throws.
Other mechanics based on Abilities are unaffected (like hit points, armor class, jumping distance etc.).

Neutralism

At 10th level, you can force a neutral stance between you and other creatures.

By spending 3 Symbiosis Points you can invoke this feature as a Bonus Action.
Until the start of your next turn, you can only be targeted with an attack, spell or effect, by creatures, that you have affected with an attack, spell or effect on this turn.

Amensalism

At 14th level, you can affect others with various effects.

By spending 3 Symbiosis Points you can, as an Action, impose a condition on a creature within 30 ft of you. There is no Saving Throw, but the condition ends automatically at the end of your next turn.
You can choose from the following conditions: Blinded, Deafened, Frightened, Poisoned.

Dummy

This is a dummy to work around the problem of the homebrew system to publish a druid subclass without a 3rd level feature.