Yes, it was. Personally, I think that a shield shouldn't prevent you from holding small items in your hand, like a sling, giving you a free hand to reach for ammo with. But that's a house rule on my part.
I have no problem with the shield + sling combo, but I am not okay with the idea of the shield + sling + spellcasting focus combo. I don't think it's reasonable to let a player hold magic stones in the same hand that's holding his spellcasting focus, while holding a shield in the other hand, and to call it a free action to stow his spellcasting focus without dropping the stones. Or to assume that he can hold magic stones in the same hand as the spellcasting focus, and perform the somatic components of a spell with the hand that is holding both the magic stones and the spellcasting focus.
Yes, but that's an additional step beyond the question that was asked. Magic Stone doesn't have a material component, so you wouldn't need a spellcasting focus out to cast it anyway. Hold the sling with your shield hand, cast with your free hand, and you're (literally) ready to rock.
That works if passing the sling to your shield hand is a free object interaction, and if you're allowed to hold a sling in your shield hand. It also still blocks you from casting any spell that has a materials component. Doing all of that stuff while trying to hold onto some magic pebbles is quite a bit of juggling. Do the rules even allow one to hold a sling in their shield hand?
Since the idea would be to be primarily a caster druid, I don't like the idea of making spellcasting such a difficult endeavor.
I've thought about this. Or giving them to, say, some of your CR 1/4 fey, or even apes. The one problem with handing them over to your own conjures is that a conjuration that uses a magic stone isn't using its own stat block's actions. I guess that is the same as a hireling too. I guess if the magic stone action is better than what they could do anyway, then it is a net positive, but either way it seems expensive (3rd or 4th level slot and concentration or money) for a marginal gain. I would only consider the tactic in the other direction: I won't hire/summon followers to use my magic stones, but if I already have these followers that aren't making effective attacks then I would definitely think about giving them magic stones.
What options do you have open to you as far as building your characters? If you're allowed to pick the ravnica backgrounds, they add certain spells to your spell list. For example, the rakdos cultist background adds a bunch of fire spells, including firebolt. here's the list from Rakdos. Other ravnica backgrounds offer different spell lists, this is just one I remember which for sure has a good ranged attack cantrip. Another option would be to dip a single level of arcana cleric and get two wizard cantrips...what count as wisdom based cleric cantrips for you.
Spell List
For you, the spells on the Rakdos Guild Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class. (If you are a multiclass character with multiple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
It also depends which race you are choosing. If you pick a race with a flight speed then you can cast Spike Growth and then Thorn Whip them 10 feet into the air and have them land in the Spike Growth for 1d6 + 1d6 + 2d4 all while being 30 feet above them and out of range of their melee.
It also depends which race you are choosing. If you pick a race with a flight speed then you can cast Spike Growth and then Thorn Whip them 10 feet into the air and have them land in the Spike Growth for 1d6 + 1d6 + 2d4 all while being 30 feet above them and out of range of their melee.
1d6 from Thorn Whip.
1d6 from fall damage.
2d4 from entering Spike Growth.
It really changes the game to choose a race with a flight speed. There are very few races with a flight speed, and I don't know if my DMs would approve of letting one of us have a flight speed, especially because in one of our two campaigns, we're using the Fly spell quite a bit and to have at will flying would really change things.
Also, flying might put me out of range of the enemy melee characters, but it would probably make me a priority target for the ranged enemies. I'm interested in not making myself a priority target because a Druid will have a fairly low AC and lose concentration fairly easily.
Anyways, like I've said a bunch of times before in this thread, I'm not looking for answers that involve casting a spell that requires concentration, so in this case Spike Growth. My question is what to do with my action when I'm concentrating on a spell like Conjure Animals or Conjure Woodland Beings, and casting Spike Growth is not an option.
Just want to defend the cantrip Frostbite a bit, as I use it a lot and find it to be a great addition to combat.
I use 'frostbite' all the time and it isn't nearly as bad as you might think. Yes it targets con and is "save or suck", but if you use it in the appropriate moments that becomes much less of an issue. As you mentioned, cantrips while holding concentration is a great way to make use of your action. This lets you harass and poke enemies hoping to land the debuff while you already have something significant affecting the battlefield (Faeri fire, confure animals, etc..).
The huge upside to this cantrip is that its 60ft range which allows you to poke from the back lines. If you have some spell running this essentially allows you to get chances at handing out one disadvantage for free. I know its not OP or anything, but I find it very fun to use in fights this way as you're always doing two things so I recommend trying it out.
By the way, I do think its name is horrible for druids and recommend renaming it something that fits the class better; rotbite, vinebite, pollenbite, barkbite ... anything more nature themed
Just want to defend the cantrip Frostbite a bit, as I use it a lot and find it to be a great addition to combat.
I use 'frostbite' all the time and it isn't nearly as bad as you might think. Yes it targets con and is "save or suck", but if you use it in the appropriate moments that becomes much less of an issue. As you mentioned, cantrips while holding concentration is a great way to make use of your action. This lets you harass and poke enemies hoping to land the debuff while you already have something significant affecting the battlefield (Faeri fire, confure animals, etc..).
The huge upside to this cantrip is that its 60ft range which allows you to poke from the back lines. If you have some spell running this essentially allows you to get chances at handing out one disadvantage for free. I know its not OP or anything, but I find it very fun to use in fights this way as you're always doing two things so I recommend trying it out.
By the way, I do think its name is horrible for druids and recommend renaming it something that fits the class better; rotbite, vinebite, pollenbite, barkbite ... anything more nature themed
I have considered the Frostbite cantrip. It's a great fit thematically with the Arctic Circle of the Land Druid, which is one of the Druid types that is most interesting to me both thematically and mechanically. I think the name is great, especially for an Arctic Druid.
Having played a Cleric that relied on Toll the Dead as its primary "attack" made me a bit disillusioned about using a cantrip that was a saving throw instead of an attack roll, especially one that targets Constitution or Wisdom, as those two saves tend to be the strongest. The 60ft range is relatively good for a Druid. It's not as good as Eldritch Blast, Firebolt, or a longbow, but it's still enough to feel much safer than if I had a 30ft range.
Unfortunately, it only affects weapon attacks and won't really debuff enemy spellcasters at all. At least its somewhat easier to land the spell on enemy spellcasters who don't tend to have as high of a constitution saving throw bonus as big strength based enemies. It's probably fantastic against enemy archers (or rogue/monk type dexterity melee combatants).
I do think I would consider it as a choice if I played an Arctic Circle of the Land Druid, because it is very thematic. Your advocacy of the spell certainly helps. I don't think I would consider it for a Circle of the Shepherd Druid because it's harder to make it fit in thematically, and I do try to make sure that my characters abilities all fit thematically. But the Arctic Druid might be my favorite of the different types of Circle of the Land Druids when factoring in both thematic and mechanical aspects of designing and playing the character, and that cantrip makes perfect sense for an Arctic Druid.
I have the same issue when I look at clerics. From a mechanics perspective, I'd probably just take the Boros Legionary background and use firebolt as my ranged attack cantrip. There' a few decent cleric spells that would be added to your spell list as well. From a thematic perspective, Gruul Anarch will give you firebolt. I think the rest of those spells are already on your list, but it's a very druidic themed background. Sadly none of them offer ray of frost for an arctic background druid.
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Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
You could go Stars druid and cast guiding bolt (you get a few free uses) and as a bonus action attack with starry form - archer. If the former hits, you get advantage with the latter. That's better than going melee where you have more of a chance of getting hit and losing concentration. Or use starry form - dragon which makes it difficult to lose concentration and just use guiding bolt, produce flame, etc.
Hi Gabrielrockman. Sorry, I've come into this conversation way late (meaning you've been playing this character for years already) but here's some thoughts from a level 8 Druid/level 2 Paladin.
As you've said, your best spells are concentration spells. To this end, take Resilient feat for CON, gaining you Proficiency on all CON saves, which includes concentration checks on your spells. While you've got that spell going there are a range of other nice spells beyond cantrips that you can use in subsequent rounds (unless you've cast Call Lightning, which sucks up your action in every round). Quite OK non-concentration spells like Ice Knife, Tidal Wave, Erupting Earth, Blight, Ice Storm - none with amazing damage but all of them with nice features when used in the right situation (e.g. Tidal Wave takes out Fire Elementals in the wink of an eye - 1hp damage per gallon of water). Not to mention being able to cast Healing Word, Protection from Poison, Dispel Magic when the poo hits the fan. Yes, you'd be burning spell slots quickly but if you take Circle of the Land you get Natural Recovery (getting some slots back after just a short rest)
Alternatively, there's combat. Here I think you have to choose one way or the other: STR vs. DEX, The latter may keep you out of the fray and give you an AC bonus but STR lets you throw axes and javelins from a distance, and do the hand-to-hand thing if there's just no avoiding it - while still concentrating on a spell.
My Druid has taken a twist: so incensed by damage to his forests, he's dipped into Paladin for two levels. He puts up a concentration battlefield control spell and then Wildshapes into either a Black Bear (multiple attack with a Smite added to each) or a War Horse (STR 18, hoof attack + smite, chance of knocking enemy Prone; if so, extra hoof attack + smite)
I reckon there's plenty you can do while you've got that concentration spell going. I'd like to hear how you've been playing your Druid since your initial question.
You are not looking for your big gun, you are looking for the extra gun.
Poison Spray is good, it doesn't require concentration, and it's a Con save against 1d12 poison damage. The range is bad though.
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Hi all, I'm Druid_Girl31, but please call me Druid. I am (a/an) CERTIFIED INSOMNIAC, PAN, alterhuman,BADDD DM, and obsessed with HAMILTON! Why? I'm just cool like that!
That works if passing the sling to your shield hand is a free object interaction, and if you're allowed to hold a sling in your shield hand. It also still blocks you from casting any spell that has a materials component. Doing all of that stuff while trying to hold onto some magic pebbles is quite a bit of juggling. Do the rules even allow one to hold a sling in their shield hand?
Since the idea would be to be primarily a caster druid, I don't like the idea of making spellcasting such a difficult endeavor.
What do you think about hiring or summoning three minions so you can have a Magic Stone fusillade? As well as an action to cast another cantrip?
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I've thought about this. Or giving them to, say, some of your CR 1/4 fey, or even apes. The one problem with handing them over to your own conjures is that a conjuration that uses a magic stone isn't using its own stat block's actions. I guess that is the same as a hireling too. I guess if the magic stone action is better than what they could do anyway, then it is a net positive, but either way it seems expensive (3rd or 4th level slot and concentration or money) for a marginal gain. I would only consider the tactic in the other direction: I won't hire/summon followers to use my magic stones, but if I already have these followers that aren't making effective attacks then I would definitely think about giving them magic stones.
What options do you have open to you as far as building your characters? If you're allowed to pick the ravnica backgrounds, they add certain spells to your spell list. For example, the rakdos cultist background adds a bunch of fire spells, including firebolt. here's the list from Rakdos. Other ravnica backgrounds offer different spell lists, this is just one I remember which for sure has a good ranged attack cantrip. Another option would be to dip a single level of arcana cleric and get two wizard cantrips...what count as wisdom based cleric cantrips for you.
Spell List
For you, the spells on the Rakdos Guild Spells table are added to the spell list of your spellcasting class. (If you are a multiclass character with multiple spell lists, these spells are added to all of them.)
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
It also depends which race you are choosing. If you pick a race with a flight speed then you can cast Spike Growth and then Thorn Whip them 10 feet into the air and have them land in the Spike Growth for 1d6 + 1d6 + 2d4 all while being 30 feet above them and out of range of their melee.
1d6 from Thorn Whip.
1d6 from fall damage.
2d4 from entering Spike Growth.
Now that's an evil combo. Though I'm not sure if forced movement allows you to pull a target up.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
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It really changes the game to choose a race with a flight speed. There are very few races with a flight speed, and I don't know if my DMs would approve of letting one of us have a flight speed, especially because in one of our two campaigns, we're using the Fly spell quite a bit and to have at will flying would really change things.
Also, flying might put me out of range of the enemy melee characters, but it would probably make me a priority target for the ranged enemies. I'm interested in not making myself a priority target because a Druid will have a fairly low AC and lose concentration fairly easily.
Anyways, like I've said a bunch of times before in this thread, I'm not looking for answers that involve casting a spell that requires concentration, so in this case Spike Growth. My question is what to do with my action when I'm concentrating on a spell like Conjure Animals or Conjure Woodland Beings, and casting Spike Growth is not an option.
Just want to defend the cantrip Frostbite a bit, as I use it a lot and find it to be a great addition to combat.
I use 'frostbite' all the time and it isn't nearly as bad as you might think. Yes it targets con and is "save or suck", but if you use it in the appropriate moments that becomes much less of an issue. As you mentioned, cantrips while holding concentration is a great way to make use of your action. This lets you harass and poke enemies hoping to land the debuff while you already have something significant affecting the battlefield (Faeri fire, confure animals, etc..).
The huge upside to this cantrip is that its 60ft range which allows you to poke from the back lines. If you have some spell running this essentially allows you to get chances at handing out one disadvantage for free. I know its not OP or anything, but I find it very fun to use in fights this way as you're always doing two things so I recommend trying it out.
By the way, I do think its name is horrible for druids and recommend renaming it something that fits the class better; rotbite, vinebite, pollenbite, barkbite ... anything more nature themed
I have considered the Frostbite cantrip. It's a great fit thematically with the Arctic Circle of the Land Druid, which is one of the Druid types that is most interesting to me both thematically and mechanically. I think the name is great, especially for an Arctic Druid.
Having played a Cleric that relied on Toll the Dead as its primary "attack" made me a bit disillusioned about using a cantrip that was a saving throw instead of an attack roll, especially one that targets Constitution or Wisdom, as those two saves tend to be the strongest. The 60ft range is relatively good for a Druid. It's not as good as Eldritch Blast, Firebolt, or a longbow, but it's still enough to feel much safer than if I had a 30ft range.
Unfortunately, it only affects weapon attacks and won't really debuff enemy spellcasters at all. At least its somewhat easier to land the spell on enemy spellcasters who don't tend to have as high of a constitution saving throw bonus as big strength based enemies. It's probably fantastic against enemy archers (or rogue/monk type dexterity melee combatants).
I do think I would consider it as a choice if I played an Arctic Circle of the Land Druid, because it is very thematic. Your advocacy of the spell certainly helps. I don't think I would consider it for a Circle of the Shepherd Druid because it's harder to make it fit in thematically, and I do try to make sure that my characters abilities all fit thematically. But the Arctic Druid might be my favorite of the different types of Circle of the Land Druids when factoring in both thematic and mechanical aspects of designing and playing the character, and that cantrip makes perfect sense for an Arctic Druid.
I have the same issue when I look at clerics. From a mechanics perspective, I'd probably just take the Boros Legionary background and use firebolt as my ranged attack cantrip. There' a few decent cleric spells that would be added to your spell list as well. From a thematic perspective, Gruul Anarch will give you firebolt. I think the rest of those spells are already on your list, but it's a very druidic themed background. Sadly none of them offer ray of frost for an arctic background druid.
Any time an unfathomably powerful entity sweeps in and offers godlike rewards in return for just a few teensy favors, it’s a scam. Unless it’s me. I’d never lie to you, reader dearest.
Tasha
you know you can use a light crossbow, right? it deals as much damage as a longbow and is simple.
You could go Stars druid and cast guiding bolt (you get a few free uses) and as a bonus action attack with starry form - archer. If the former hits, you get advantage with the latter. That's better than going melee where you have more of a chance of getting hit and losing concentration. Or use starry form - dragon which makes it difficult to lose concentration and just use guiding bolt, produce flame, etc.
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Hi Gabrielrockman. Sorry, I've come into this conversation way late (meaning you've been playing this character for years already) but here's some thoughts from a level 8 Druid/level 2 Paladin.
As you've said, your best spells are concentration spells. To this end, take Resilient feat for CON, gaining you Proficiency on all CON saves, which includes concentration checks on your spells. While you've got that spell going there are a range of other nice spells beyond cantrips that you can use in subsequent rounds (unless you've cast Call Lightning, which sucks up your action in every round). Quite OK non-concentration spells like Ice Knife, Tidal Wave, Erupting Earth, Blight, Ice Storm - none with amazing damage but all of them with nice features when used in the right situation (e.g. Tidal Wave takes out Fire Elementals in the wink of an eye - 1hp damage per gallon of water). Not to mention being able to cast Healing Word, Protection from Poison, Dispel Magic when the poo hits the fan. Yes, you'd be burning spell slots quickly but if you take Circle of the Land you get Natural Recovery (getting some slots back after just a short rest)
Alternatively, there's combat. Here I think you have to choose one way or the other: STR vs. DEX, The latter may keep you out of the fray and give you an AC bonus but STR lets you throw axes and javelins from a distance, and do the hand-to-hand thing if there's just no avoiding it - while still concentrating on a spell.
My Druid has taken a twist: so incensed by damage to his forests, he's dipped into Paladin for two levels. He puts up a concentration battlefield control spell and then Wildshapes into either a Black Bear (multiple attack with a Smite added to each) or a War Horse (STR 18, hoof attack + smite, chance of knocking enemy Prone; if so, extra hoof attack + smite)
I reckon there's plenty you can do while you've got that concentration spell going. I'd like to hear how you've been playing your Druid since your initial question.
Poison Spray is good, it doesn't require concentration, and it's a Con save against 1d12 poison damage. The range is bad though.
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