I am considering joining a campaign based on the 5e Yawning Portal book. The game uses strict 2024 rules. I want to play a moon druid but am concerned that there won't be any suitable gear for me. Moon druids historically are challenged to find magic items that are useful in beast form. This is a bit more of an issue in 2024 with the AC change to the subclass as well as the ability to cast spells in beast form and need to boost spell DC/attack bonus. I am familiar with White Plume Mountain and the 3 weapons included in that module, which are now artifacts. None of those would be useful to a moon druid. My fear is that if I join this campaign (which would be a party of 4 including me) I'll be left behind. Can anyone provide me with a reason to believe?
I agree, but I've seen a lot of games where players tailor their characters to the campaign (module). Years ago, I played a druid in DotMM. Joined the group after they had already passed the "nature" level. I didn't see a lot of useful gear during the remainder of the game.
I've asked the DM to what degree he may alter loot to maintain balance. The response I got did not instill a lot of confidence. It's not going to feel good if everyone gets a talking artifact and I get leftovers. This is why I am not a fan of modules. I just want to play a character and not feel like I am falling behind those who metagame.
I just want to play a character and not feel like I am falling behind those who metagame.
Then metagame yourself and play a character that swings a sword. Beast form of Moon Druid is designed to function without magic items, you will not get magic items that significantly boost it, you have spells and class options that boost it instead.
I just want to play a character and not feel like I am falling behind those who metagame.
Then metagame yourself and play a character that swings a sword. Beast form of Moon Druid is designed to function without magic items, you will not get magic items that significantly boost it, you have spells and class options that boost it instead.
While I appreciate your taking the time to respond, I do not think the recommendation to "do as the Romans do" is a good one. There are a number of good magic items for moon druids, albeit fewer than there are for classes like fighter and wizard. And this is not even considering 3rd party sources, such as Critical Role or Griffons Saddlebag. Monks were in the same boat as moon druids, though a number of new items designed for unarmed combatants that appear in the 2024 DMG have improved their situation.
I also do not think it is reasonable to expect that a player would feel satisfied with nothing more than their own innate abilities when other party members are awarded artifacts at 8th or 9th level. In 2024, moon druids are no more flexible than bards, and it's not as though they are OP when compared to other classes/subclasses.
Ask if crafting will be in the game. If so make sure you have a few crafting proficiencies that fit and are trained in I think Arcana. And then make some custom items for you. I don't think the adventure has any real game changing items for any class, but its been a long while since I ran it.
Look. It honestly seems like you're asking the impossible of the forums. Your base options are:
-Play -Don't Play
From there, Don't Play is a dead end. Obviously you're saying you want to play. So next, you have to consider:
-The DM, by your impression, isn't likely to alter dropped loot -You have a build you want to play -You don't want to just metagame based on the module
What exactly do you want from the forums at that point? Your options are either to play it as the DM presents it or not play. If you don't like the DM's answer and aren't willing to budge on your plan, that's it, isn't it?
I don’t think any module has magic items specifically designed for (moon) Druids especially for use in wild shape. What I might do is visit my FLGS and see what the 7 adventures do have that you can use and then go from there.
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Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
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I am considering joining a campaign based on the 5e Yawning Portal book. The game uses strict 2024 rules. I want to play a moon druid but am concerned that there won't be any suitable gear for me. Moon druids historically are challenged to find magic items that are useful in beast form. This is a bit more of an issue in 2024 with the AC change to the subclass as well as the ability to cast spells in beast form and need to boost spell DC/attack bonus. I am familiar with White Plume Mountain and the 3 weapons included in that module, which are now artifacts. None of those would be useful to a moon druid. My fear is that if I join this campaign (which would be a party of 4 including me) I'll be left behind. Can anyone provide me with a reason to believe?
You shouldn't choose character build based on campaign adventure magic items availability, just play what you want.
DM may add, remove or modify adventure content so it's best to not take anything for granted and have too many expectation.
I agree, but I've seen a lot of games where players tailor their characters to the campaign (module). Years ago, I played a druid in DotMM. Joined the group after they had already passed the "nature" level. I didn't see a lot of useful gear during the remainder of the game.
I've asked the DM to what degree he may alter loot to maintain balance. The response I got did not instill a lot of confidence. It's not going to feel good if everyone gets a talking artifact and I get leftovers. This is why I am not a fan of modules. I just want to play a character and not feel like I am falling behind those who metagame.
Then metagame yourself and play a character that swings a sword. Beast form of Moon Druid is designed to function without magic items, you will not get magic items that significantly boost it, you have spells and class options that boost it instead.
While I appreciate your taking the time to respond, I do not think the recommendation to "do as the Romans do" is a good one. There are a number of good magic items for moon druids, albeit fewer than there are for classes like fighter and wizard. And this is not even considering 3rd party sources, such as Critical Role or Griffons Saddlebag. Monks were in the same boat as moon druids, though a number of new items designed for unarmed combatants that appear in the 2024 DMG have improved their situation.
I also do not think it is reasonable to expect that a player would feel satisfied with nothing more than their own innate abilities when other party members are awarded artifacts at 8th or 9th level. In 2024, moon druids are no more flexible than bards, and it's not as though they are OP when compared to other classes/subclasses.
Ask if crafting will be in the game. If so make sure you have a few crafting proficiencies that fit and are trained in I think Arcana. And then make some custom items for you. I don't think the adventure has any real game changing items for any class, but its been a long while since I ran it.
Look. It honestly seems like you're asking the impossible of the forums. Your base options are:
-Play
-Don't Play
From there, Don't Play is a dead end. Obviously you're saying you want to play. So next, you have to consider:
-The DM, by your impression, isn't likely to alter dropped loot
-You have a build you want to play
-You don't want to just metagame based on the module
What exactly do you want from the forums at that point? Your options are either to play it as the DM presents it or not play. If you don't like the DM's answer and aren't willing to budge on your plan, that's it, isn't it?
I don’t think any module has magic items specifically designed for (moon) Druids especially for use in wild shape. What I might do is visit my FLGS and see what the 7 adventures do have that you can use and then go from there.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.