I've always liked druids but never played one. I have also never played a halfling...I always despised the Tolkein halfling, the chubby jolly near do well halfling, but thought the Dark Sun fierce cannibal halflings to be badass. I like to go against type. I don't want a stoic or staff wielding druid.
So this what I envisioned, a tough Celtic kilt wearing halfling highlander druid who can brawl. He / she would have fierce blue Celtic tattoos, a short temper, maybe a mohawk. He would also be a fierce fighter in halfing form, so I would take five levels of Monk Way of the Drunken Master and then add the Tavern Brawler and dual wielder feat for flavor. I'd also jack his STR to 18 so he's yoked, and likes to arm wrestle dwarves for pints. Instead of a staff he might wield two hand axes...so he could mix it up while concentrating on his spells. Perhaps he's a city druid who works security at the toughest tavern in town. He shape changes not for HP but for utility.
Something I've never seen, and maybe hard to pull off with ASI's. Just food for thought.
Well, moon is best obviously. I think that it seems hard to get that 18 strength, and a decent wisdom. Then use unarmoured defense from monk, after level 5.
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'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'm thinking Circle of the Land or Shepard...you can take one level in Life Cleric and be a great summoner / healer making you an all around char, offense, defense, and healing.
If you want high strength consider going fighter instead of monk since for both defence (unarmored defense) AND offense (martial arts) they rely on Dex and not Str? taking brawler AND dual wielder, in my opinion is already redundant but as a monk is quadruply so.
If your DM allows UA, look into the class variant one. They added an unarmed fighting style which would compliment what you want and it's only available for a fighter (or another class that allows taking a fighting style.
and not sure if you'd want it but Spore druid is both, not the conventional druid class and a melee oriented sub as well but not sure if it fits your theme though. Other than that, shepherd druid is really the next best one if you don't want to be a full spellcaster or healer. it offers nice spirit buffs that you can reskin as auras or something as well as bonuses to any summons that you conjure.
Although many suggested Moon druid, if you don't plan on using the shapeshifting for combat, you wont really be using it to it's potential so it may be wasted
If you want high strength consider going fighter instead of monk since for both defence (unarmored defense) AND offense (martial arts) they rely on Dex and not Str? taking brawler AND dual wielder, in my opinion is already redundant but as a monk is quadruply so.
If your DM allows UA, look into the class variant one. They added an unarmed fighting style which would compliment what you want and it's only available for a fighter (or another class that allows taking a fighting style.
and not sure if you'd want it but Spore druid is both, not the conventional druid class and a melee oriented sub as well but not sure if it fits your theme though. Other than that, shepherd druid is really the next best one if you don't want to be a full spellcaster or healer. it offers nice spirit buffs that you can reskin as auras or something as well as bonuses to any summons that you conjure.
Although many suggested Moon druid, if you don't plan on using the shapeshifting for combat, you wont really be using it to it's potential so it may be wasted
You are quite right about the being a monk and taking those feats. I will rethink that. He will get two weapon attacks and want the ability to stun opponents. Spore druids are unusual but do not appeal to me...can you imagine how gross they would smell. Regarding the fighter class, other than action surge, it doesn't appeal to me and doesn't Monks bare fisted fighting prowess. I think getting knocked out by a ripped halfling in a brawl would be hilarious to RP. Definitely will use my ASI's to get 18 STR and 18 WIS.
I'm going with two hand ax's and a sling for weapons...Dougal the Ax he'll be called of the Clan MacGregor.
You always have the option of reflavoring things and i wouldn't think the spore druid smells.. its mainly fungus (btw there are real life 'zombies' in both the insect and fungal world -- many times coinciding -- some insect/larva/parasites infect their host and pretty much mind control the host. Some fungus can do the same, some reports to have even affect human) Definitely an inspiration to the build and although victims are 'zombies' in the mindless/mind controlled sense, the game using an undead was probably just the simplest approach.
honestly, I agree completely that i may not fit your theme but its unfortunate cuz its a really cool melee druid
Even if you're not a fan of the fighter, you should seriously consider it. You only need to go 1 level to get the fighting style and it's better than a 1st level monk (INSTANTLY gives you a d6 instead of a d4 and you can use a d8 for a 2h attack) not to mention it gives you a GREAT grapple feature without even needing to take grapple feat, 2 if you really want action surge but not needed
Unarmed Fighting Your unarmed strikes can deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. If you strike with two free hands, the d6 becomes a d8. When you successfully start a grapple, you can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage to the grappled creature. Until the grapple ends, you can also deal this damage to the creature whenever you hit it with a melee attack.
Another option would be going barbarian. This would give you rage, where you can utilize your strength and may fit the angry pugilist halfling. Cool info, both barb and monk unarmored defense transfers over to Wild Shape forms. It doesn't give you the number in the character sheet so you'll have to do your own math (using the beasts dex+con stats for barb or beast's dex+YOUR wis for monk) -- but be aware that as a halfling/small creature you use 2h/heavy weapons with disadvantage.
This does NOT give you the unarmed fighting style but if you end up using hand axes you may not need it. Otherwise, going ranger at level 2 would also give you a fighting style and the wis pairs nicely with druid stats (it pretty much is a martial druid)
Though do consider spells like thorn whip as a closer or shillelagh if you want to just forgo STR and use wis completely as your melee attack modifier
You always have the option of reflavoring things and i wouldn't think the spore druid smells.. its mainly fungus (btw there are real life 'zombies' in both the insect and fungal world -- many times coinciding -- some insect/larva/parasites infect their host and pretty much mind control the host. Some fungus can do the same, some reports to have even affect human) Definitely an inspiration to the build and although victims are 'zombies' in the mindless/mind controlled sense, the game using an undead was probably just the simplest approach.
honestly, I agree completely that i may not fit your theme but its unfortunate cuz its a really cool melee druid
Even if you're not a fan of the fighter, you should seriously consider it. You only need to go 1 level to get the fighting style and it's better than a 1st level monk (INSTANTLY gives you a d6 instead of a d4 and you can use a d8 for a 2h attack) not to mention it gives you a GREAT grapple feature without even needing to take grapple feat, 2 if you really want action surge but not needed
Unarmed Fighting Your unarmed strikes can deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. If you strike with two free hands, the d6 becomes a d8. When you successfully start a grapple, you can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage to the grappled creature. Until the grapple ends, you can also deal this damage to the creature whenever you hit it with a melee attack.
Another option would be going barbarian. This would give you rage, where you can utilize your strength and may fit the angry pugilist halfling. Cool info, both barb and monk unarmored defense transfers over to Wild Shape forms. It doesn't give you the number in the character sheet so you'll have to do your own math (using the beasts dex+con stats for barb or beast's dex+YOUR wis for monk) -- but be aware that as a halfling/small creature you use 2h/heavy weapons with disadvantage.
This does NOT give you the unarmed fighting style but if you end up using hand axes you may not need it. Otherwise, going ranger at level 2 would also give you a fighting style and the wis pairs nicely with druid stats (it pretty much is a martial druid)
Though do consider spells like thorn whip as a closer or shillelagh if you want to just forgo STR and use wis completely as your melee attack modifier
I remember Zuggtmoy from the Temple of Elemental Evil, great adventure but spores are like Pigpen from the Peanuts cartoon. Noty. Fungus does smell, its decay after all and swarm of spores makes for great monster but not my flavor so to speak.
Wow, I never knew that about fighters....I've only seen 1pt of dmg plus str bonus for a strike and grappled just means held no dmg from all the fighter stream play and adventurer's league stuff I've done...I find that hard to believe they would give any fighter more open hand dmg than a monk. The 5e Monk is lame compared to 1e. It would definitely save me taking 5 levels of Monk. I'll look that information up.
As far as Barbarian / Druid I just made one of those too...haven't played yet but love the concept.
I like the flavor of the hand axes but if you're going to put five into Monk that your martial arts damage is going to be a D6 anyway, which makes your hand axes is a little redundant. And I do think you leaving need to roll well or get some magic items to get your strength up where you want it to be.
I like the flavor of the hand axes but if you're going to put five into Monk that your martial arts damage is going to be a D6 anyway, which makes your hand axes is a little redundant. And I do think you leaving need to roll well or get some magic items to get your strength up where you want it to be.
But overall it sounds like fun time.
It is redundant, I just love the bare handed stun effect, with possibly four attacks. Great for RP if you get caught or get your weapons taken away....etc. Totally situational and you guys might be right going with the fighter and ASI's vs feats. I would get more levels in Druid for sure.
I do want to clarify that the unarmed fighting style is UA.
Its part of the "new" class variant features they introduced in around November. Dndb is still working on implementing it but because its pretty much causing them to revamp the entire site theyre still working on it.. But last Dev stream made it sound like its soon.
That being said you'd have to ask your DM but you can do your research on it. A few other threads crunched the math. Its not as OP as it first seems. Dont forget that you're also forgoing any magic weapons with everything that entails such as monster resist, + to attk & dmg n any other affects (flame tongue etc)
I do want to clarify that the unarmed fighting style is UA.
Its part of the "new" class variant features they introduced in around November. Dndb is still working on implementing it but because its pretty much causing them to revamp the entire site theyre still working on it.. But last Dev stream made it sound like its soon.
That being said you'd have to ask your DM but you can do your research on it. A few other threads crunched the math. Its not as OP as it first seems. Dont forget that you're also forgoing any magic weapons with everything that entails such as monster resist, + to attk & dmg n any other affects (flame tongue etc)
Ok thats makes sense...I thought it was cannon. I don't have a DM, trying to find a stream to join, I hate adventurer's league. Let me know if you know who I have to sleep with to make that happen. :D
If it was UA in Nov 2019 and they haven't made it into a regular option or book, its not going to happen. That would destroy the monk which is already weak enough.
Not really. Look up it up on google. It came out with a feature where certain classes can swap out class features for another. They mainly did this to buff up the ranger without rewriting it. (I'm actually using it on my current ranger. You can find some threads on how to homebrew temporary solutions until it's released on the site.) A lot more classes actually got enhancements. Sorcs got new metamagic. Monks get some more things to do with ki. Bunch of spells have been added to a bunch of class lists.
Many people are hopeful that this will be implemented into the xanathar 2 that everyone is expecting.
The reason why its not on ddb even as UA content is because like I said, the way they built the site, it didn't allow to modify base classes so they need to revamp the ENTIRE site from the back end... The site just cant do it yet but if you follow their road map its on their to do list. As a matter of fact their last update just bumped it up to 'soon' so fingers crossed
Not really. Look up it up on google. It came out with a feature where certain classes can swap out class features for another. They mainly did this to buff up the ranger without rewriting it. (I'm actually using it on my current ranger. You can find some threads on how to homebrew temporary solutions until it's released on the site.) A lot more classes actually got enhancements. Sorcs got new metamagic. Monks get some more things to do with ki. Bunch of spells have been added to a bunch of class lists.
Many people are hopeful that this will be implemented into the xanathar 2 that everyone is expecting.
The reason why its not on ddb even as UA content is because like I said, the way they built the site, it didn't allow to modify base classes so they need to revamp the ENTIRE site from the back end... The site just cant do it yet but if you follow their road map its on their to do list. As a matter of fact their last update just bumped it up to 'soon' so fingers crossed
You must be in the know more than me...I couldn't find a single reference to Xanathar's 2 on my browser search.
I've always liked druids but never played one. I have also never played a halfling...I always despised the Tolkein halfling, the chubby jolly near do well halfling, but thought the Dark Sun fierce cannibal halflings to be badass. I like to go against type. I don't want a stoic or staff wielding druid.
So this what I envisioned, a tough Celtic kilt wearing halfling highlander druid who can brawl. He / she would have fierce blue Celtic tattoos, a short temper, maybe a mohawk. He would also be a fierce fighter in halfing form, so I would take five levels of Monk Way of the Drunken Master and then add the Tavern Brawler and dual wielder feat for flavor. I'd also jack his STR to 18 so he's yoked, and likes to arm wrestle dwarves for pints. Instead of a staff he might wield two hand axes...so he could mix it up while concentrating on his spells. Perhaps he's a city druid who works security at the toughest tavern in town. He shape changes not for HP but for utility.
Something I've never seen, and maybe hard to pull off with ASI's. Just food for thought.
Well, moon is best obviously. I think that it seems hard to get that 18 strength, and a decent wisdom. Then use unarmoured defense from monk, after level 5.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
I'm thinking Circle of the Land or Shepard...you can take one level in Life Cleric and be a great summoner / healer making you an all around char, offense, defense, and healing.
Well, getting a decent wisdom is going to be hard, if you want high strength. Moon means that you don't have to worry about spells as much.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
If you want high strength consider going fighter instead of monk since for both defence (unarmored defense) AND offense (martial arts) they rely on Dex and not Str? taking brawler AND dual wielder, in my opinion is already redundant but as a monk is quadruply so.
If your DM allows UA, look into the class variant one. They added an unarmed fighting style which would compliment what you want and it's only available for a fighter (or another class that allows taking a fighting style.
and not sure if you'd want it but Spore druid is both, not the conventional druid class and a melee oriented sub as well but not sure if it fits your theme though. Other than that, shepherd druid is really the next best one if you don't want to be a full spellcaster or healer. it offers nice spirit buffs that you can reskin as auras or something as well as bonuses to any summons that you conjure.
Although many suggested Moon druid, if you don't plan on using the shapeshifting for combat, you wont really be using it to it's potential so it may be wasted
No I get that, but most people play moon druids (from what I've seen) and I want him to be more of a caster than a shape changer.
You are quite right about the being a monk and taking those feats. I will rethink that. He will get two weapon attacks and want the ability to stun opponents. Spore druids are unusual but do not appeal to me...can you imagine how gross they would smell. Regarding the fighter class, other than action surge, it doesn't appeal to me and doesn't Monks bare fisted fighting prowess. I think getting knocked out by a ripped halfling in a brawl would be hilarious to RP. Definitely will use my ASI's to get 18 STR and 18 WIS.
I'm going with two hand ax's and a sling for weapons...Dougal the Ax he'll be called of the Clan MacGregor.
You always have the option of reflavoring things and i wouldn't think the spore druid smells.. its mainly fungus (btw there are real life 'zombies' in both the insect and fungal world -- many times coinciding -- some insect/larva/parasites infect their host and pretty much mind control the host. Some fungus can do the same, some reports to have even affect human) Definitely an inspiration to the build and although victims are 'zombies' in the mindless/mind controlled sense, the game using an undead was probably just the simplest approach.
Take Zuggtmoy, for example, a mushroom demon queen who pretty much does the same with her spores - https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/zuggtmoy
honestly, I agree completely that i may not fit your theme but its unfortunate cuz its a really cool melee druid
Even if you're not a fan of the fighter, you should seriously consider it. You only need to go 1 level to get the fighting style and it's better than a 1st level monk (INSTANTLY gives you a d6 instead of a d4 and you can use a d8 for a 2h attack) not to mention it gives you a GREAT grapple feature without even needing to take grapple feat, 2 if you really want action surge but not needed
Unarmed Fighting
Your unarmed strikes can deal bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength modifier. If you strike with two free hands, the d6 becomes a d8.
When you successfully start a grapple, you can deal 1d4 bludgeoning damage to the grappled creature. Until the grapple ends, you can also deal this damage to the creature whenever you hit it with a melee attack.
Another option would be going barbarian. This would give you rage, where you can utilize your strength and may fit the angry pugilist halfling. Cool info, both barb and monk unarmored defense transfers over to Wild Shape forms. It doesn't give you the number in the character sheet so you'll have to do your own math (using the beasts dex+con stats for barb or beast's dex+YOUR wis for monk) -- but be aware that as a halfling/small creature you use 2h/heavy weapons with disadvantage.
This does NOT give you the unarmed fighting style but if you end up using hand axes you may not need it. Otherwise, going ranger at level 2 would also give you a fighting style and the wis pairs nicely with druid stats (it pretty much is a martial druid)
Though do consider spells like thorn whip as a closer or shillelagh if you want to just forgo STR and use wis completely as your melee attack modifier
I remember Zuggtmoy from the Temple of Elemental Evil, great adventure but spores are like Pigpen from the Peanuts cartoon. Noty. Fungus does smell, its decay after all and swarm of spores makes for great monster but not my flavor so to speak.
Wow, I never knew that about fighters....I've only seen 1pt of dmg plus str bonus for a strike and grappled just means held no dmg from all the fighter stream play and adventurer's league stuff I've done...I find that hard to believe they would give any fighter more open hand dmg than a monk. The 5e Monk is lame compared to 1e. It would definitely save me taking 5 levels of Monk. I'll look that information up.
As far as Barbarian / Druid I just made one of those too...haven't played yet but love the concept.
I like the flavor of the hand axes but if you're going to put five into Monk that your martial arts damage is going to be a D6 anyway, which makes your hand axes is a little redundant. And I do think you leaving need to roll well or get some magic items to get your strength up where you want it to be.
But overall it sounds like fun time.
It is redundant, I just love the bare handed stun effect, with possibly four attacks. Great for RP if you get caught or get your weapons taken away....etc. Totally situational and you guys might be right going with the fighter and ASI's vs feats. I would get more levels in Druid for sure.
Thanks for the feedback and suggestions.
I do want to clarify that the unarmed fighting style is UA.
Its part of the "new" class variant features they introduced in around November. Dndb is still working on implementing it but because its pretty much causing them to revamp the entire site theyre still working on it.. But last Dev stream made it sound like its soon.
That being said you'd have to ask your DM but you can do your research on it. A few other threads crunched the math. Its not as OP as it first seems. Dont forget that you're also forgoing any magic weapons with everything that entails such as monster resist, + to attk & dmg n any other affects (flame tongue etc)
Ok thats makes sense...I thought it was cannon. I don't have a DM, trying to find a stream to join, I hate adventurer's league. Let me know if you know who I have to sleep with to make that happen. :D
If it was UA in Nov 2019 and they haven't made it into a regular option or book, its not going to happen. That would destroy the monk which is already weak enough.
Not really. Look up it up on google. It came out with a feature where certain classes can swap out class features for another. They mainly did this to buff up the ranger without rewriting it. (I'm actually using it on my current ranger. You can find some threads on how to homebrew temporary solutions until it's released on the site.) A lot more classes actually got enhancements. Sorcs got new metamagic. Monks get some more things to do with ki. Bunch of spells have been added to a bunch of class lists.
Many people are hopeful that this will be implemented into the xanathar 2 that everyone is expecting.
The reason why its not on ddb even as UA content is because like I said, the way they built the site, it didn't allow to modify base classes so they need to revamp the ENTIRE site from the back end... The site just cant do it yet but if you follow their road map its on their to do list. As a matter of fact their last update just bumped it up to 'soon' so fingers crossed
A druid of the Volcano terrain, I would see it... why not ??
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
I think that's what they envisioned the fire druid to be.
You must be in the know more than me...I couldn't find a single reference to Xanathar's 2 on my browser search.
It's not going to be called xanathars 2. Just search up 'dnd class feature variants'. That should get the right results.
'The Cleverness of mushrooms always surprises me!' - Ivern Bramblefoot.
I'll worldbuild for your DnD games!
Just a D&D enjoyer, check out my fiverr page if you need any worldbuilding done for ya!
Then it's gonna be called SNILLOC's guide for ebrahzeen' .
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk