So my Druid build relies heavily on targets having to make CON saving throws, and because I am such a fiend I started looking for ways to lower your target's constitution, thus lowering their ST's.
My search has led to the following results, all of which are pretty clear. - Contagion: will only lower CON after 3 failed CON saving throws - Synaptic Static: lower CON saving throws with 1d6, not available to Druids - Inflict 3 exhaustion levels on your target so it has disadvantage on saving throws
As to effective ways for lowering AC, I found: - Heat Metal, hoping you can get a target to discard one or more armour elements
As far as I am aware, AC is not really something that is generally affected in combats, sadly :(
As for CON saves, I would probably shoot for ways to give them disadvantage on the saves, rather than lowering their stats directly. I do not have any specific spells off the top of my head, but that would probably be an easier choice :)
Just to add to Farling's suggestions, but if you're looking for even more stacking look to College of Eloquence, as their Unsettling Words allows them to impose a bardic inspiration dice as a penalty on the target's next saving throw; since it's a bonus action they can use both that and cast bane in a single turn. This is more of a general recommendation though as I'm guessing your party make-up and sub-classes are set by this point?
While silvery barbs is an obvious option, and perfectly valid in Rules As Written, a lot of people don't like just how strong and easily exploited it can be (it's arguably the single best 1st-level in the game); in my own groups none of our DMs allow it, so we use a toned down version instead (still good, but less of a no-brainer, but also no longer affects saves so no use to you). Basically what I'm saying is be aware that DMs may hate it and want to do something about it; either ban it, or suddenly all enemy casters have it too. 😝
One other option is if you were to take levels in Sorcerer, you could pick up the Heightened Spell Metamagic (force target to roll a save with disadvantage), but this would mean a minimum of three levels in Sorcerer (because Heightened Spell costs three sorcery points), though you could for example take four levels plus the Metamagic Adept feat (for six sorcery points in total) to get two uses per long rest out of it while minimising lost Druid levels. This is unlikely to be an optimal option though, as playing off of allies will usually be more effective than slowing down your Druid progression (as well as requiring 13 Charisma) but it would mean you'd have an option to make yourself more self-sufficient if you're ever separated or such.
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The Chronomancer's Chronal Shift would also be useful to increase the chance of failing a saving throw.
That said, it's not great to only pick spells that target one attribute all the time unless you know for a fact that most of your opponents have low scores in that one attribute. Diversity is good.
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So my Druid build relies heavily on targets having to make CON saving throws, and because I am such a fiend I started looking for ways to lower your target's constitution, thus lowering their ST's.
My search has led to the following results, all of which are pretty clear.
- Contagion: will only lower CON after 3 failed CON saving throws
- Synaptic Static: lower CON saving throws with 1d6, not available to Druids
- Inflict 3 exhaustion levels on your target so it has disadvantage on saving throws
As to effective ways for lowering AC, I found:
- Heat Metal, hoping you can get a target to discard one or more armour elements
Any tips on either front are welcome :-)
As far as I am aware, AC is not really something that is generally affected in combats, sadly :(
As for CON saves, I would probably shoot for ways to give them disadvantage on the saves, rather than lowering their stats directly. I do not have any specific spells off the top of my head, but that would probably be an easier choice :)
Travel with a Bard, Sorcerer or Wizard who has the Silvery Barbs spell (force reroll on a successful save).
Travel with a divination wizard (sometimes their Portent will have nice low d20 results to use on saves).
Travel with a Bard or Cleric who can cast Bane (CHA save) will make them remove d4 from each save for the next minute.
Thanks for those tips, guys :-)
Just to add to Farling's suggestions, but if you're looking for even more stacking look to College of Eloquence, as their Unsettling Words allows them to impose a bardic inspiration dice as a penalty on the target's next saving throw; since it's a bonus action they can use both that and cast bane in a single turn. This is more of a general recommendation though as I'm guessing your party make-up and sub-classes are set by this point?
While silvery barbs is an obvious option, and perfectly valid in Rules As Written, a lot of people don't like just how strong and easily exploited it can be (it's arguably the single best 1st-level in the game); in my own groups none of our DMs allow it, so we use a toned down version instead (still good, but less of a no-brainer, but also no longer affects saves so no use to you). Basically what I'm saying is be aware that DMs may hate it and want to do something about it; either ban it, or suddenly all enemy casters have it too. 😝
One other option is if you were to take levels in Sorcerer, you could pick up the Heightened Spell Metamagic (force target to roll a save with disadvantage), but this would mean a minimum of three levels in Sorcerer (because Heightened Spell costs three sorcery points), though you could for example take four levels plus the Metamagic Adept feat (for six sorcery points in total) to get two uses per long rest out of it while minimising lost Druid levels. This is unlikely to be an optimal option though, as playing off of allies will usually be more effective than slowing down your Druid progression (as well as requiring 13 Charisma) but it would mean you'd have an option to make yourself more self-sufficient if you're ever separated or such.
Former D&D Beyond Customer of six years: With the axing of piecemeal purchasing, lack of meaningful development, and toxic moderation the site isn't worth paying for anymore. I remain a free user only until my groups are done migrating from DDB, and if necessary D&D, after which I'm done. There are better systems owned by better companies out there.
I have unsubscribed from all topics and will not reply to messages. My homebrew is now 100% unsupported.
The Chronomancer's Chronal Shift would also be useful to increase the chance of failing a saving throw.
That said, it's not great to only pick spells that target one attribute all the time unless you know for a fact that most of your opponents have low scores in that one attribute. Diversity is good.