Spore Druid Tortle Build
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ย. 2024
- This is my build for a donation to Amnesty International. I was given a set of build restrictions to work around, though it meant few changes to the actual build.
If you would like to become a Patron of this channel:
/ treantmonkstemple
The final character build can be seen here:
ddb.ac/charact...
Summary
1: Tortle. PB: 14/10/14/10/15/8. Druid 1: Perception, Nature, Guidance, Thorn Whip, Entangle, Goodberry, Detect Magic, Detect Poison & Disease. Hermit: Poisoners Kit, Wooden Shield, Scimitar, Totem.
2: Druid 2: Spore, Purify Food & Drink
3: Druid 3: (Purify Food & Drink), Pass without Trace, Spike Growth, (Detect Poison & Disease), Thunderwave
4: Druid 4: ASI Wisdom x2, Primal Savagery, Healing Spirit, Locate Animals & Plants
5: Druid 5: Conjure Animals
7: Druid 7: Polymorph, Conjure Woodland Beings
9: Druid 9: ASI WIS x2, (entangle), Absorb Elements, Commune with Nature, Wall of Stone, Conjure Elemental
11: Druid 11: Frostbite, Heal, Bones of the Earth
13: Druid 13: Warcaster, Plane Shift, Reverse Gravity
15: Druid 15: Antipathy/Sympathy, Tsunami
17: Druid 17: Resilient Constitution, Foresight.
Jeez, I had to scroll so much to find this summary. Thank you very much.
“Tortley Mossome video!” -NYTimes
“Treantmonk’s video was Sporific!” -Dallas Observer
“He’s such a Fungi!” -D&D Beyond
Great build Chris!
My absolute favorite combo, and honestly reinforces an old gag:
Druid: "I have Class Features stronger than entire Classes!"
It's why there's so many gaps in levels because the only worthwhile thing is archdruid so you can get your 100 extra temp hp when your turn comes around forever also if you play as a Myconid you are where your spores come from and you will live for 10,000 years
@@lucasramey6427
What's the source for Myconid?
@@lucasramey6427 Myconid race? That sounds cool!
Myconid race is featured in [ out of the abyss] but they are in the base monster manual I believe
instablaster...
I hope Myconid's will eventually become an official player race for something like this since Myconid Druid Circle of the Spore works great thematically and systematically to how well all the spore abilities work together you don't need to talk normally so no one will hear you or your allies talk strategy since you communicate telepathically and since people can't see spores they don't know they're being surrounded by a swarm of invisible spores that will eventually take root in a victim bringing them back as a spore servant to do your bidding
How is that whole thing one sentence
NOTE: Symbotic Entity only triggers on melee WEAPON attacks. Primal Savagery is a melee SPELL attack.
I super appreciate that you approach creating your characters conceptually first. It's a great combination of story & mechanical excellence.
Chris you’ve been providing me with free content for many years and I have been listening to a number of your videos again and just wanted to give a small token of my gratitude. Thank you for honestly being two of the best parts of my week friend.
Damn. Why haven't tortles conquered the World yet? Each adult tortle has what is equivalent to banded mail and is stronger than a human on average. Get 100,000 of them together and they'll chew through any army without artillery or magical support. XD
My guess is that most tortles are naturally too ponderous and peaceful for such a task.
Ye Tortles are just real fucking chill. They just really like sight-seeing
Slow reproduction cycle.
Even tortle bards are slow to get it on.
Poaching.
They're pacific in nature? I dunno
This is really cool! It’s great to see a Druid build that isn’t just a generic, tree hugging, WOW rip-off Druid. Your Tortle Spore Druid seems like a really well rounded and versatile character!
Chris, I’ve been checking out a lot of your previous videos between current uploads. Always such great content! Thank you for top tier build guides, rankings, and news.
Tortledruid is pretty close to Treantmonk lol
Now I wish there was a playable Ent race.
@@blackfang0815 there kinda is, look into custom linages in tashas cauldron of everything
I feel like these restrictions are a bad idea. They just push players towards stronger classes that don’t get touched by them and completely kneecap warlocks for no reason.
Yeah, that sounds like a terrible idea
DMs on a powertrip, nothing new
Sounds to me that someone got an important NPC killed by an unlucky battle axe crit before they could Evil Teleport away, while a Warlock with a Pact of the Cell Phone mumbled in a moderately optimized Eldritch Blast every round.
Not even the good kind that knocks an enemy 20, 30 feet into the air, knocks them prone, and gives them a few extra points of falling damage as spit in the eye, or sends a centerpiece monster over that cliff way over there.
@@texteel Unless I'm missing something, nothing that the challenge issuer said made it sound like it was a DM restriction. Sounded more like they were listing the things they weren't interested in. They say its a challenge they have made to test creativity and then explained a build that they played using it.
Agreed. When I DM, I never think "huh, what should I take away from the game?" I think "What can I add to the game?"
If something seems too strong mechanically, don't remove it...Make other options just as strong. Similar to using positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement in teaching or parenting.
Banning something from a campaign should only happen if it makes sense. ie: you have a homebrew world where Elves don't exist. Fine. Or a world where metal is super rare and divine casters don't exist because the gods are all dead (Dark Sun). Also fine. But to arbitrarily do away with published options because you don't like them for reasons is childish, and is going to make you a really unpopular DM, IMO...
Nice video. Hope you'll make the Circle of the Land Druid build, soon.
Edit: I'd like to clarify why I'd love it if you'd make such a build. Imo, the Circle of the Land Druid is the most underrated kind of Druid. Which sucks, because seems to me this type of Druid fits the "God" playstyle perfectly.
Interestingly enough, all Druid subclasses are kind of good.
I recently (re)watched Nerdarchy's video on "The Worst Adventuring Party" where they listed all of the (in their opinion) worst subclasses for each class - except for Druid and Rogue because - "they were all good". I heavily disagree on all Rogue subclasses being good because the Inqusitive has a lot of quite pointless features and you can be "inquisitive" as a Rogue by simply picking Expertise in Investigation and Perception, but I kind of have to agree on all Druid subclasses being good.
My pick for "worst" Druid subclass would probably go to the Circle of Dreams, but that still gives you a long range "sort of Lay on Hands" as a bonus action and a free Leomund's Tiny Hut, among other (minor features).
@@Nr4747 well, that and it’s fun to abuse. Besides Druid is pretty hard to kill in the first place, so stalling so you can occasionally raise your allies and eventually kill the boss.
This sounds like such a great and fun build. I'd never thought I'd consider to play a tortle, but now I can totaly see me playing this one. Thanks :)
Great build, fantastic commentary on optimisation. Now I want to play a Spore Druid, too
I am currently playing a spore druid. Loving it so far.
Played a Golgari dark elf Spore Druid in a Ravnica campaign. Near the end of the campaign, he turned into a major campaign villain (with DM's permission, of course). It was awesome.
Recently played as Eichenwalde, an Envoy Warforged Spore Druid with the butler background. One of the best characters I’ve ever played
I just started playing D&D again and so far I’ve taken an affinity towards marshal class characters.
I LOVE how much thought you put into your caster builds, and they seem like a ton of fun!
With that said, would you mind doing one or two videos on creating melee or archer builds?
Here is a couple ideas I had, that I don’t think are necessarily original.
- Gloom-stalker Ranger (5) + Rogue Assassin. (15) Human Variant.
- Half-Orc Champion Fighter for HO Savage Attacks & CF 19/20 to Crit + Barbarian (2 levels for Reckless Attack.
19/20 Crits + Advantage at will + extra damage on Crits!
*Edit:* I forgot to include polearm master for an extra attack as a bonus action, and extra opportunity attacks. More attacks = more Crit opportunities.
I love your builds so I’m dying to see what you can do with a martial class!
Several sessions at level one?! Dear gods, that sounds awful. Admittedly I go with milestone leveling over experience points, but my understanding is that the rules expect you to level up to 2 in one session, to 3 in two more sessions, and each subsequent level requires three more sessions. As fun as low level play is, I can’t imagine being so limited for so long.
That said, thanks for making the Tortle fun!
Based on the statements made by the challenger they spend 3 or 4 sessions at every level till sometime in tier 2 when it "slows" down
That poor person
4 sessions at level 1. I've been there. It's HORRIBLE! e s p e c i a l l y the wizard.
Anthony Norman Yep, been that wizard. It hurts so much.
We tend to spend 2-3 session at level 1-5 and slow it down each tier after that.
Tortle druid build starts at 8:42
As someone who finds themselves repeatedly coming back to Chris's videos, I appreciate this timestamp so that I can jump right into the meat and potatoes. Ty
His tone of voice is so much more pleasant and less judgmental sounding in these old videos. Strongly prefer them.
This is pretty solid even in an environment without those restrictions
Nice build. Cool that someone made a charitable donation.
Love that they changed it from poison to necrotic! Lol. Gonna be playing this guy soon. :)
BUT tortles ! They are a clutch to the spore druid, simply because it's the best way to have high AC with a druid.
I'd love to have a non tortle medium/high AC spore druid.
Loxodon
jayseesee also lizardfolk can as well, if you have a +2 dex mod then you start with 17ac after the shield. Plus you get the hungry jaws which while not great does still give you some hp back
I kinda overlooked some of the cool aspects of both the spore druid and the tortle on the first pass. Thanks for reminding me and giving my evil PC brain new ideas.
I wish this build was AL legal. The spore Druid is in Tashas and the tortle is Xanathars.
Love your builds
I think it's a tortally mossome character, at least mechanically. Being able to concentrate while turtled is pretty amazing. Especially with summons.
A Celestial Pact Warlock at 6th level gets a bonus to radiant and fire damage equal to their charisma modifier. A Celestial Pact Warlock using Sacred Flame and Fire Bolt isn’t that much behind a warlock using Eldritch Blast. Eldritch Blast is definitely better, but a Celestial Pact Warlock who doesn’t use it isn’t completely crippled. Every other Warlock except the Hexblade on the other hand, I agree with you on how crippled they are without Eldritch Blast.
When you shared what the challenge was, I kinda assumed it was less of a DM restriction situation and more of a “I’m tired of seeing these in builds, show me something different,” type of thing.
18:53 Since you get Chill Touch at level 2, you will have your ranged damage dealing cantrip for free. I'd personally go for Shillelagh, wielding a quarterstaff. It goes nicely with the extra damage from Symbiotic Entity at early levels, since you will use your Wisdom instead of Strength as a modifier.
The max age thing bugged me as well, but the thing that really confuses me is how a Shield helps when they use shell defense? Are they leaning it against their shell for cover?
I'd like to think when they do go in full shell defense they have a way to keep the sheild on their back.
Very cool in depth look at spore druid! Do you think taking Shillelagh and foregoing strength, but picking up polearm mastery would allow for a greater melee build? That extra 1d6 poison per attack and that extra 1d6 force from guardian of nature looks tempting!
It could certainly be effective, but when I get a +2 str bonus, it seems like a waste to not be buff.
@@TreantmonksTemple this is personally why I chose Firbolg over Tortle for +2 Wis. If I could make a simple home brew mod/Errata for Spore Druid it would be that Symbiote applies an +2 AC buff when activated. I think the idea of the Symbiotic Spores fruiting into an enhanced layer of armor not only keeps the class survivable but is a thematic precursor to the Fungal Body capstone feature that eliminates Crits. Combined with being able to pick up a “Anything of Protection” and an awesome DM allowing you to acquire a Staff of Woodlands for +2 attack/damage/DC your a Monster
You have an interesting outlook on spell choice that is quite a bit different than how I think about spells. Is it part of your optimizaiton? You tend to look at the spell list and say "I will cast goodberry and entangle, so no other non-ritual spell is worth-while. I will select rituals for my other preparations." Whereas, I look at spells and think "I might want to cast an entangle, but what if they're getting advantage on us and a fog cloud might be useful or maybe I think a faerie fire might be more valuable," and I tend to choose multiple spells to give myself more "options" in combat. Is your spell selection part of your optimization or a style choice? Would I be just as effect in combat with spell choice like yours?
I actually played a Sportle recently and i gotta say, that xd4 per reaction really adds up over time when you're lvl 3. I mean you don't have much else to spend it on anyway. And that AC with a shield makes you virtually unhittable at such a low lvl
For ease of play I wish it was just a set amount rather than roll d4, now roll saving throw. Just make it 2 points - it would speed gameplay along.
@@TreantmonksTemple that is veeery true, might be something one can talk to the DM about. Feels pretty fair for such a low amount of damage to be static.
@@TreantmonksTemple it used to be 3 damage without a save, but poison, but it got nerfed to 1d4
I saw the "Rules" for the build and instantly thought Shadow Sorcerer, Hexblade Warlock, Any Paladin, Necromancer Wizard, and if it isn't AL Artificer. Be creative. I look for the exploits because AL has so many rules to "Balance" the game. Now I want to make a Hexblade Tortle.
if you could take feats before level 10 with this build, what level would you take them at instead? I'm also trying to limit the summoning spells to the ones that come with the circle of spores to limit the bogging down of combat you mentioned. Would this build work okay if I picked some different spells instead? I wanted to stick more to the death theme so I picked some of the insect ones.
Yes, the spells are definitely flexible. If I didn't have the feat restrictions, I would grab War Caster at 4, then up Wis at 8 and 12.
Tbh while some loose restrictions can be fun to make something play a bit differently. More so I find it fun to look into less used subclasses and or feats and look for weird combos.
Like one I'm planing on trying is running cavilier with flail and shield mastery.
It's sword and board but at least now it gets some utility against large and smaller enemies with the sheer amount of prone saves you can herl out. There is room to improve and all, I've been pondering if mobility later on is worth the asi due to it synergizing with the cavs charge ability.
A example of at least looking to overlooked subclasses and feats can interact.
1:26 "what's the goal of this challenge?"
"the goal is to follow the restrictions of the challenge"
wow
As one of the feats I would take past level 10, would be magic initiate. That would allow me to choose spells that would be more interesting to kind of help with the fact that level 8 spells are kind of boring. I would also consider sunblast there as well. The warcaster feat may be the best swap here. Shilleleigh may be a good option once you take your first asi in wisdom. Constitution asi may also help here to help boost the amount of damage you can take. This build could be melded into some other subclass just by recognizing that subclass' core themes.
you did the full druid, now I will do the warlock after lvl 10 multiclass:
as a real skulker choose dark elf.
Point buy should get this block: str8-dex16-con14-int8-wis12-cha16
10 levels hexblade
pact of the blade
Invocations:
devils sight
thirsting blade
eldritch smite
relentless hex
one with shadows
the spells that are needed/preferred:
booming blade cantrip
(green flame blade for multiple enemies)
darkness (in case the drow free one is used up)
hex (in case hexblade's curse is used up)
shadow blade
both asi used to get cha to 20.
level 11 to 13 into soul sorcerer (2d4 on a save or attack is the reason for soul, but any is fine)
choose subtle and quickened spell
14 to 17 into assassin rogue for crits on a surprise and feat warcaster
18 to 20 back to sorcerer to get some more spell slots and sentinel feat.
so final result is warlock10 rogue4 sorcerer6
it plays like this:
sneak around with the darkness. When you arrive at 30-35 ft of an enemy use one with shadows on yourself. only an ACTION or MOVEMENT will get you spotted. bonus action for 5th level shadow blade. bonus action for hex curse. bonus action to teleport 30ft towards the target. STILL INVISIBLE AT THIS POINT. then when it is your turn you can make 2 weapon attacks with advantage, autocrit on a hit, and a quickened booming blade as a bonus action. the damage is 4d8*2 attacks+2d6sneak+10 (cha)+7d8(shadow+booming blade)+5. then add a 5th and 2 3rd level smites for another 14d8 damage and you get a crit worth 58d8(29 uncritted)+4d6+15=285 damage on average. And if the creature tries to willingly move it:
1 triggers the booming blade effect for 4d8 damage and 2 enables me to make a 2nd booming or green flame blade with advantage for 7d8+2d6+5 (44) damage on impact.
But hey it is thunderbolt and eldritch blast that are broken so this is perfectly fine.
Even though this character is strongest at 20th level, it should at least be on par with the martials at any level.
Since 4 of the invocations are level 5+, between levels 2 and 5 something like fiendish vigor would be in place. Furthermore, until the armor of hexes kicks in at level 10 the hexblade is somewhat vulnerable, so it's possible to use tomb of levistus up to level 10, although it's ac should outdo a rogue and they can also make do.
I don't get the thing with greataxes.
Sure your Half orc Barbarian loves those D12's on the Brutral Critical, but a D10 is going to on average do 1 damage less per hit, which I guess when you include all the critical stuff is another 4 or so damage you miss out on late game.
But the 10ft reach on the Glaive, plus the ability to take Polearm master would massively offset that.
Also not sure how that makes sense from a gameplay perspective either, would greataxes be banned by religious decree in the world they are playing in?
knocked that challenge out of the park. nicely done!
I wonder if the gm would allow a bag of holding full of octopi? Need a zombie? Pull out an octopus, throw it on the ground, chill touch it, and boom you have a zombie.
Combining this with monk would be a rediculous number of dice rolled!
This guys challenge to "test" creativity actively restricts it. Ironic
Slightly disappointed it’s not called sporturtle
the harrengon age is arbitrarily long aswell. they live a centuary. i feel these were mixed up.
Really enjoyed this video, thank you!
I'm having trouble picking Circle of Spores in dndbeyond--doesn't show up in the list of choices for Druid. Suggestions on what character creation settings and/or purchased content I need for Circle of Spores to be an option?
Brian Oxley It’s part of Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica
I found that Circle of Spores has moved to paid content, to the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica.
You need to enable “Magic: The Gathering” content when you create your character. It’s under the “HOME” tab in the edit character menu.
Why didn't you take Faerie Fire with this build? Given it's reliance on melee early on, FF would be great for this character.
I would love to see a video where you make your version of the circle of spores druid.
Once I'm done with the PHB variants, I'll be looking at other sourcebooks.
I THINK I can see kind of the idea behind the houserules. Not all of them, but some of them.
I think the intended target of the house rules were optimized characters that are a pile of multi class features that don't really come online until later levels. Think, character that runs Paladin x Hexblade, dumping Str, so they have to make it through Paladin 1 with -1 to their melee attacks, for example, or that also adds Sorcerer 1 in there, so they aren't really getting any higher level features until at least character level 7 or 8. I think most of the things being banned were things that the person thought such characters could use as crutches until later level, like Moon Druids, or just coasting on Eldritch Blast damage, or characters that are assumed to have Warcaster, and thus use weapons, a shield, and spells from level 1. Uh, you got me on battle axes. That just seems like someone's campaign got ended early from 1 very lucky battle axe crit.
I don't think those limitations actually accomplish that goal, but I think that was the goal they were supposed to achieve, hence the level-by-level snapshots, making sure the character isn't a useless pile of parts still missing the glue at any point.
I'm no joke running exactly this build in one of my main campaigns
NOTE: Fungal infestation say IF a beast or humanoid dies within 10ft of you not WHEN a beast or humanoid die, so RAW you can use your reaction in another turn in case you use your reaction use Halo of spores
Someone else said it as well, but I'll say it too. Please make a land druid build! They definitely don't get enough love, and I wonder what your take on it would be. I really like my witch (swamp druid + magic initiate for find familiar).
Can we call Wild Shape, Spore Shape for the spore druid since you aren't transforming into an animal, Spores wrap around your body to protect you
You've made lemonade out of lemons!
Except the lemonade is poisoned... Make a Con save.
Seriously though, 19 AC at 1st level? That's Fighter type AC.
I'd make this character a devotee of Zuggtmoy and lean into being a creepy old crazy Tortle hermit.
I was thinking Zuggtmoy too - probably one of her top minions would be his patron.
I like this druid of spores have you ever thought of doing a multi-class of monk and druid sorry if you already have one.
I was thinking druid of spores with spike growth and thorn whip but do monk empty hand for the pushback into the spikes too IDK what do you think?
Hey also spore druids get access to chill Touch 1d8 neurotic damage 120 ft the being you hit can't heal until your next turn and if it's undead they on top of no healing have disadvantage on all attack rolls
Neurotic damage! My group (three psychotherapists) is going to love this.
U are just the best creator there is
you forgot that the spore druid gets chill touch automatically, probably could pass on frost bite and pick something else
You don’t have Patreon? You just went to the top of my list of D&D video contributors!
Really like this one! I dunno if they've changed in more recent publications, I've not been playing D&D for a few months, but I had a concept for a Warforged Spore Druid that was similar to this conceptually. Agree that the restrictions are a bit strange and don't really accomplish much.
Merry Christmas! Another great vid 👌
i truly have always homebrewed to a certain extent, not becuase the bases classes arent amazing. But becuase i take characters from the novels ive written, and cosmetically enjoy creativity over power
great axe is specifically to counter the brutal critical that high level barbarians get, rolling 1 extra die. but as the greataxe is most 'optimal' for barbarian, the greatsword is more optimal for the rest.
I just made a level 3 Tortle Spore Druid for a one shot my friend ran. I wish I saw this.
There are common abilities, spells, and Feats which are just "accepted" by many people to have a most optimal choice. The thought experiment is to show your following, as a youtube personality, that you can do perfectly fine and have fun without those crutches.
Hi Chris, how would you optimize a spore druid (no holds barred)? There were some big restrictions put on the spore druid build by the sponsor. Cut loose, what you do?
I was wondering, what your optimal Race pick would be for this character if you didn't have the restrictions that were given?
@Treantmonk, why did you forgo going the Shillelagh rout for melee? It’s a cantrip, so it’s an unlimited resource, and a single bonus action lasts 10 rounds.
You could leave your strength at 8 and use those precious AS point elsewhere.
I know it’s against the arbitrary rules of this video, but I like lv 6 spore Druid lv 6 ranger (I haven’t gotten higher then 12th level but a level in cleric then more Druid levels were on the table). Good ol Archy Richardson carried as the party tank/healer, with decent damage to boot
In Tasha's, the extra weapon damage is even better: necrotic, instead of poison.
Undead enemies still don't give a toss though.
How did you get those modifiers for saving throws? The ones from being in your shell? I don't see the option to add them.
Whats the highest you can get a hill dwarf druid's AC.
Don't you mean a Sportle?
Or Sport Bottle? 😉
Great challenge, best character build but your only allowed abilities and features that use a d20 and one other die. Weapons hit dice and spell must all use the same die type
Don't forget druidcraft. Use it to make rough terrain and then use spiked growth.
Oscar Rincon druidcraft can't make rough terrain in dnd 5e though?
Are you thinking of Mold Earth?
@@alanschaub147 negative. I thought with druidcraft you can grow medium sized grass and brush to make it difficult terrain.
@@rinconusmc I wish! If so, I would take that spell more often.
I almost facepalmed at those "restrictions". They basically just boil down to "show me a non-multiclassed caster" since none of the full casters gain much by taking a feat or multiclassing before level 10 anyway. No fireball is a slight nerf to the arcane casters, I guess - but you could easily play a control mage, cleric or druid without ever really noticing that restriction.
I would have just created a hill dwarf life cleric who can easily shred through enemies with his spiritual weapon and spirit guardians while sporting a hefty AC, good HP and great support and healing for the party.
IMO, optimization is only a problem if you have a group where no one even tries to pick mechanically good options, except one player who is the "Optimizer!"...Then it creates an imbalance and potentially some table conflict, going both ways between these extremes of playstyle.
But I've never seen that. The groups I've played with have all been moderates, ie: into optimization, but also into picking things less optimum for flavor/character/story reasons. I've never played with anyone who is 100% pure Optimizer or 100% pure Role Player.
Artificer Alchemist build? Really loving how that subclass is looking. I’m imagining pop fizz from skylanders
I'm having trouble with that one tbh
Treantmonk's Temple kobold alchemist who also builds and disarms traps
I made a high elf alchemist with 3 levels of thief rogue for the Fast Hands ability. If I get to play him in a game I'll flavor the elixirs as syringes filled with unique drugs that he'll quickly inject you or himself with as a bonus action (Fast Hands). He gets sneak attack because he's also a surgeon and has studied anatomy so he knows where to strike to sever vital arteries. For the high elf wizard cantrip I took Booming Blade which I'll flavor as stabbing into the enemy's nervous system like hitting their funny bone if they move after getting hit, and of course, he has expertise in medicine.
@@sharkforce8147 I don't know any DM outside of AL that would ever restrict a thief rogue from drinking a potion as a bonus action seeing as one of the suggested ways to take the "Use Object" interaction in the DMG is to "Drink all the ale in a flagon." My build will take the Healer feat as well anyway so in addition to the elixirs, I'll also be able to heal with a healer's kit as a bonus action. He's a trained combat medic.
I would have chosen Speak with Animals as a ritual spell. Talk with the critters in swamps and the underdark. Would the Cantrip (Thorn Whip) allow you to use the bonus damage from Symbiotic Entity?
Do you make a concentration check if you take damage and still have Temporary Hit Points left?
Haven't found a solid answer for this.
Old comment, but yes, you do.
Random question pertaining to fungal infestations... Do the zombies have a max health above 1 to which they might be restored??? Small zombie forest armies rise across the nations!!!
I love it when people say eldritch blast is op when 1 fighter/19 hexblade’s can output WAY more damage hahaha. Crazy.
Any builds in mind for the Tasha's subclasses? I'm loving my Stars Druid, and want some inspiration for how cool the subclass feels.
What about a Celestial Warlock Pact of the Tome using Firebolt (and using Sacred Flame when fighting some of the many enemies resistant or immune to fire)? Is that what the person made with their restrictions? Why is it so much worse than an Eldritch Blast Warlock?
It frees you up to explore some of the other Warlock invocations since you're not using Hex Blade or Eldritch Blast, and it's a class feature (not an invocation) that lets you add your Charisma modifier to Fire Bolt and Sacred Flame damage. It only adds it once per attack, not multiple times, but its still pretty decent damage.
At level 1, it gives you something very similar to the Paladin Lay on Hands ability - slightly less healing & less flexibility in how many HP to give, but with 60ft range as a Bonus Action instead of a the range of touch with an Action. And at level 10 it gives you a slightly worse version of the Inspiring Leader feat.
But one of the big things is that by not using Hex Blade or Eldritch Blast, you get to use so many more invocations than a Warlock that is using a bunch of invocations to boost their Hex Blade or Eldritch Blast build.
I wonder how this build changes after tashas
We had almost this exact build in our party for a while starting at level 1. He was an unbreakable tank that could have been a mini boss in our battle royale. This PC was killed before the build could really come online but holy jeebs was he a beast
One complaint
You said Tsunami is an ok combat spell, but it has a casting time of one minute.
That was a typo and has be corrected.
Phanaton Build When?
I didn't see this in the comments, so...what about one level War Cleric for multiple attacks?
I thought Entangle and Spike Growth stacked with each other? Why not use them together?
The only thing I don't like about spore druid is when you lose your extra hp you also lose the extra spore damages, the transformation ends.
It's such a frustrating sub-class. It's clearly designed to be a front-line combatant with the temp HP and (now) necrotic damage, but those HP last 1-2 rounds most if the time and then you're basically just a regular druid in melee. Tortles can kind-of pull that off for a while, but most other races have too low an AC.
The halo of spores does a tiny amount of damage, but also requires a con save that most creatures will pass. So it just slows the game down.
Fungal infestation sound cool, but the creature has to die within the halo of spores AND requires a reaction to use..... which means you can't have used the halo of spores damage that turn if you anticipate a creature that you're standing next to dying. You only have one reaction per round after all.
Basically you're a melee character in the early levels and a spellcaster in the higher levels that's ignoring half their sub-class features. It's a real shame because I LOVE the concept.
Do you still get the shield bonus when retracted in your shell? I suppose you could strap it to your back just prior to retracting. 😜🐢
I think the restrictions are not because of power, but just because they are the stereotypical choices, and he wanted more creativity in creating a usable character.
What are the chances of revisiting the spore druid for an optimized build from level one? Great video!
What is your opinion on the Primal Savagery cantrip? Any comments on that friend?
Where do you get your character sheet that you use in this video?
He's using dndbeyond
Have you considered a dip into War Cleric and getting Magic Initiate?
War Cleric:
It gives an extra attack as a bonus action per Wis Mod, proficiency with Martial weapons, as well as Divine Favor as a domain spell, access to spells like Bless and Bane, more prepped spells in total because you can prep your low level Druid spells with your Cleric level instead (e.g.: Healing Word/Cure Wounds)
Magic Initiate (Warlock)
Hex (x1 Divine Favor substitute; also good for contested checks during RP), Booming Blade, Green Flame Blade.
Example:
Round 1: Activate Symbiotic Entity + cast Divine Favor as bonus action + Spores at enemy turn as reaction (2d4, con save)
Round 2: Warhammer (1d8 + Wis mod + 1d6 poison + 1d4 radiant) + Warhammer (1d8 + Wis mod + 1d6 poison + 1d4 radiant) + Spores (2d4, con save)
If you cast Booming Blade/GFB (considering the melee weapon attack done by this spell is counted as doing an Attack) add an extra 1d8 if it triggers each respective effect. Booming Blade and GFB also scales at lv.5 and gives bonus damage at initial impact.
Taking Warcaster feat allows you to maintain concentration better and allows the use of Booming Blade/Green Flame Blade as Attacks of Opportunity, further triggering the damage bonuses by Symbiotic Strike & Divine Favor (you forfeit the Halo of Spores damage that turn tho). The question is, is it worth the delay in Ability Score Increase though? Esp considering that many campaigns don't get pass single digit levels.
Shield+1H means you cant cast spells that require somatic components, right?