Looks like I'm going to be joining a second campaign this summer, this one set in Saltmarsh.
My character is a half-elf druid shipwright (mother is a wood elf living in Silverstand Forest and father was a human sailor from Saltmarsh).
A staff of silver oak serves as my druidic focus, and my carpenter's tools serve my woodworking craft on board.
My initial thought about Level 1 cantrips and spells is:
Cantrips
Mending Shape Water
Prepared Spells (four available)
Absorb Elements Animal Friendship Cure Wounds Goodberry
What other ideas would those of you more experienced have about shaping this coastal nature druid, both wood and sea-loving, a bit more comfortable around animals than people character?
I would suggest taking at least 1 attack cantrip at the start. If you're going land (coast), then you're going to get an extra cantrip at level 2 and another at level 3. You can always pick up another utility cantrip as one (or both) of those. Thorn whip is your best bet if you only get one attack cantrip. The damage isn't great, but the utility is (especially for nautical campaigns where you can yank sailors off their boat!). And it works in melee or at range.
Absorb elements isn't really needed at level 1. I would only start prepping that when you get to level 4+ when you might expect to start seeing things like lightning bolt and fireball.
Ice Knife is a great spell at low levels. I would also consider going with animal messenger or speak with animals instead of animal friendship. Those two are ritual spells that can come in quite handy. Animal friendship is good, but with so few spell slots at level 1, I would rather have a ritual spell that I can get something out of without costing resources. Detect magic is another good one, though not as thematic for you. If you have another caster, perhaps they will have it.
Looks like I'm going to be joining a second campaign this summer, this one set in Saltmarsh.
My character is a half-elf druid shipwright (mother is a wood elf living in Silverstand Forest and father was a human sailor from Saltmarsh).
A staff of silver oak serves as my druidic focus, and my carpenter's tools serve my woodworking craft on board.
My initial thought about Level 1 cantrips and spells is:
Cantrips
Mending
Shape Water
Prepared Spells (four available)
Absorb Elements
Animal Friendship
Cure Wounds
Goodberry
What other ideas would those of you more experienced have about shaping this coastal nature druid, both wood and sea-loving, a bit more comfortable around animals than people character?
I would suggest taking at least 1 attack cantrip at the start. If you're going land (coast), then you're going to get an extra cantrip at level 2 and another at level 3. You can always pick up another utility cantrip as one (or both) of those. Thorn whip is your best bet if you only get one attack cantrip. The damage isn't great, but the utility is (especially for nautical campaigns where you can yank sailors off their boat!). And it works in melee or at range.
Absorb elements isn't really needed at level 1. I would only start prepping that when you get to level 4+ when you might expect to start seeing things like lightning bolt and fireball.
Ice Knife is a great spell at low levels. I would also consider going with animal messenger or speak with animals instead of animal friendship. Those two are ritual spells that can come in quite handy. Animal friendship is good, but with so few spell slots at level 1, I would rather have a ritual spell that I can get something out of without costing resources. Detect magic is another good one, though not as thematic for you. If you have another caster, perhaps they will have it.
Many thanks for the quick response -- some good ideas to ponder.
I appreciate it!