I had an idea for werewolf/shiftier shepherd but didn't know what class to choose. Can anyone help?
PS - I do already have a few ideas. like making them a Circle of the shepherd druid or a Beast master ranger that has a sheep or ram for there Primal companion
Druid and Ranger both sound like good thematic choices. Do you envision this character being focused on combat and damage, or more on supporting other characters? If you want to focus on combat, Ranger is a better choice; if you want to focus more on casting spells and supporting others, Druid is probably better.
I had an idea for werewolf/shiftier shepherd but didn't know what class to choose. Can anyone help?
PS - I do already have a few ideas. like making them a Circle of the shepherd druid or a Beast master ranger that has a sheep or ram for there Primal companion
The Shifter race, found in Eberron: Rising from the Last War, could be another really fun option. While Shifters are not exactly werewolves, they are a race that naturally taps into shape-shifting and have different "Change" abilities. This fits really well with the idea of playing a werewolf-like character without going fully into a lycanthropic backstory.
Shifter Traits: You could pick a Beasthide or Longtooth Shifter, which grants you a natural combat edge (AC boost or extra damage on melee attacks) while also leaning into the animalistic nature. This works particularly well with classes like Druid or Ranger, as they already have a strong connection to animals and nature.
Hybrid Build: A Shifter Druid (such as Circle of the Shepherd) or Shifter Ranger (Beast Master with a wolf companion) would give you both the animal traits and shape-shifting without needing full lycanthropy. You could still build the flavor of a "werewolf" shepherd, just with a more controlled, innate form of shifting.
If you’re looking for a truly werewolf experience, the Blood Hunter with the Order of the Lycan could be your best bet. This is the closest to the traditional werewolf concept in D&D 5e, combining the idea of a cursed transformation and a strong connection to primal animal instincts.
Blood Hunter Abilities: The Order of the Lycan gives you the ability to transform into a werewolf-like creature, with abilities to enhance your senses, physical prowess, and combat capabilities. This fits directly into your concept of being a werewolf shepherd, as you'd literally be able to shift into a werewolf and protect your herd or companions.
Fun Factor: If you want to play a true werewolf and enjoy some of the more gritty, cursed elements of lycanthropy, this is your best bet for the most thematic experience.
A combination of the 2 could also be up your alley.
Of course, if you are wanting to focus on all of your animal companions, a Circle of the Shepherd Druid would be the most thematic choice. The subclass offers buffs to your summoned creatures. Want to command a herd of Elk that can stamped across a battlefield, this is the subclass for you.
Shepherd druid is the one legacy subclass that does not really work with 2024 rules at least if you are going to get to level 14. All the subclass features are weaker when you are limited to a s8ngle summoned creature and the level 14 feature makes no sense at all g8ven the change to conjure animals.
Even if you are playing 2014 rules being able to summon lots of creatures not only is very (possibly too) powerful but can also slow combat down a lot. Many DMs house ruled the spell (my 2014 druid can only summon up to 4 creatures).
Discuss your options with your DM, you might be able to homebrew a fix to the shepherd druid, alternatively blood hunter may or may not be allowed
I had an idea for werewolf/shiftier shepherd but didn't know what class to choose. Can anyone help?
PS - I do already have a few ideas. like making them a Circle of the shepherd druid or a Beast master ranger that has a sheep or ram for there Primal companion
Druid and Ranger both sound like good thematic choices. Do you envision this character being focused on combat and damage, or more on supporting other characters? If you want to focus on combat, Ranger is a better choice; if you want to focus more on casting spells and supporting others, Druid is probably better.
pronouns: he/she/they
The Shifter race, found in Eberron: Rising from the Last War, could be another really fun option. While Shifters are not exactly werewolves, they are a race that naturally taps into shape-shifting and have different "Change" abilities. This fits really well with the idea of playing a werewolf-like character without going fully into a lycanthropic backstory.
Shifter Traits: You could pick a Beasthide or Longtooth Shifter, which grants you a natural combat edge (AC boost or extra damage on melee attacks) while also leaning into the animalistic nature. This works particularly well with classes like Druid or Ranger, as they already have a strong connection to animals and nature.
Hybrid Build: A Shifter Druid (such as Circle of the Shepherd) or Shifter Ranger (Beast Master with a wolf companion) would give you both the animal traits and shape-shifting without needing full lycanthropy. You could still build the flavor of a "werewolf" shepherd, just with a more controlled, innate form of shifting.
If you’re looking for a truly werewolf experience, the Blood Hunter with the Order of the Lycan could be your best bet. This is the closest to the traditional werewolf concept in D&D 5e, combining the idea of a cursed transformation and a strong connection to primal animal instincts.
Blood Hunter Abilities: The Order of the Lycan gives you the ability to transform into a werewolf-like creature, with abilities to enhance your senses, physical prowess, and combat capabilities. This fits directly into your concept of being a werewolf shepherd, as you'd literally be able to shift into a werewolf and protect your herd or companions.
Fun Factor: If you want to play a true werewolf and enjoy some of the more gritty, cursed elements of lycanthropy, this is your best bet for the most thematic experience.
A combination of the 2 could also be up your alley.
Blank
Of course, if you are wanting to focus on all of your animal companions, a Circle of the Shepherd Druid would be the most thematic choice. The subclass offers buffs to your summoned creatures. Want to command a herd of Elk that can stamped across a battlefield, this is the subclass for you.
I think I might go with Beast master because I want the animal companion - the companion is going to be a horned sheep but only in flavor.
Are you playing 2014 or 2024 rules?
Shepherd druid is the one legacy subclass that does not really work with 2024 rules at least if you are going to get to level 14. All the subclass features are weaker when you are limited to a s8ngle summoned creature and the level 14 feature makes no sense at all g8ven the change to conjure animals.
Even if you are playing 2014 rules being able to summon lots of creatures not only is very (possibly too) powerful but can also slow combat down a lot. Many DMs house ruled the spell (my 2014 druid can only summon up to 4 creatures).
Discuss your options with your DM, you might be able to homebrew a fix to the shepherd druid, alternatively blood hunter may or may not be allowed
2014 and I don't plan to change. and I think I might multi class as both but that's still up to debate thanks anyway though.