I have a Half Orc Druid that started out in 3.5 and through a multitude of other systems in between has now been played up to 14th level in 5e. We were on hiatus for a bit and are about to restart, but the DM has issues with the custom circle we used last adventure so I need to try and rebuild again. We’ve looked at Circle of adaptation and that doesn’t seem balanced. I’ve looked at a Circle of Spores, but struggling with how to resin as I’m not keen on the flavour. The character is fiercely proud of being a half orc and acts as a protector for his tribe (the party plus the settlement they look after plus his human wife).
So I’m trying to figure alternates that don’t focus much on the wild shape as up until now he’s been focused on a more malleable body displaying beast aspects than transforming. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Circle of Land and choose the land type your tribe lives on. Sure, it’s not as flashy as some of the other Circles, but The extra cantrip, Circle spells always prepared, Natural Recovery on short rests etc... are nice. And they are probably the most “generic “, in a good way, subclass as you can basically flavor them how you want.
Primal Savagery might be a cantrip to look at for a beast aspect melee attack. Though Land are typically more caster than melee.
> fiercely proud of being a half orc and acts as a protector for his tribe
Circle of the Shepherd? A tribal spirit guardian. If summons doesn't work for you/your table, then I'd 2nd the Land recommendation for spell versatility, or Dreams for something a bit different.
Looks like we might swap out Half Orc to represent some of the old abilities through Simic Hybrid and then go Barb 1/Circle of Land (frost) 13. Means I can still hit if I need to, but not feel like I have to Wild shape.
I'm a fan of Circle of Spores; if you're concerned about flavour it'd be pretty easy to just re-theme it as nature sprites rather than spores? So instead of a cloud of spores you summon a bunch of sprites that deal the damage, inflict your spell effects etc.? Or spirits (ancestors or such) if you feel they'd fit your theme better.
It's a fun sub-class mechanically, and is pretty much intended for a no wildshapes druid, though you can still use them if you want to.
I have a Half Orc Druid that started out in 3.5 and through a multitude of other systems in between has now been played up to 14th level in 5e. We were on hiatus for a bit and are about to restart, but the DM has issues with the custom circle we used last adventure so I need to try and rebuild again. We’ve looked at Circle of adaptation and that doesn’t seem balanced. I’ve looked at a Circle of Spores, but struggling with how to resin as I’m not keen on the flavour. The character is fiercely proud of being a half orc and acts as a protector for his tribe (the party plus the settlement they look after plus his human wife).
So I’m trying to figure alternates that don’t focus much on the wild shape as up until now he’s been focused on a more malleable body displaying beast aspects than transforming. Does anyone have any recommendations?
Circle of Land and choose the land type your tribe lives on. Sure, it’s not as flashy as some of the other Circles, but The extra cantrip, Circle spells always prepared, Natural Recovery on short rests etc... are nice. And they are probably the most “generic “, in a good way, subclass as you can basically flavor them how you want.
Primal Savagery might be a cantrip to look at for a beast aspect melee attack. Though Land are typically more caster than melee.
> fiercely proud of being a half orc and acts as a protector for his tribe
Circle of the Shepherd? A tribal spirit guardian. If summons doesn't work for you/your table, then I'd 2nd the Land recommendation for spell versatility, or Dreams for something a bit different.
Looks like we might swap out Half Orc to represent some of the old abilities through Simic Hybrid and then go Barb 1/Circle of Land (frost) 13. Means I can still hit if I need to, but not feel like I have to Wild shape.
I'd recommend Circle of Dreams as well. It's fantastic.
I'm a fan of Circle of Spores; if you're concerned about flavour it'd be pretty easy to just re-theme it as nature sprites rather than spores? So instead of a cloud of spores you summon a bunch of sprites that deal the damage, inflict your spell effects etc.? Or spirits (ancestors or such) if you feel they'd fit your theme better.
It's a fun sub-class mechanically, and is pretty much intended for a no wildshapes druid, though you can still use them if you want to.
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Thanks I’ll have a look at how I feel it builds. Currently been looking at Barb 1/Druid 13 of Land (Frost).
If your DM is allowing Unearthed Arcana content, check out Circle of Wildfire.