Druid + Paladin 5e D&D Character Build Adventurers League
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Druid + Paladin = Champion of the Wild 5e D&D Character Build Adventurers League
Nerdarchy sets out to build another 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons Adventurers League Character Build. This time we will be combining druid and paladin from the player's handbook with a race from Volo's Guide to Monsters.
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This gave me an idea "Build a healer SO POWERFUL that they can swing blindly at enemies with their will weapon (maybe a great sword) then ergen all the damage they take from being on the front line". This would sort of change your healer for helping the whole party to using their healing to maintain their combat.
If this were a Druid and Cleric build, it could actually be a CareBear that shoots holy light in bear form XD
True.
Nerdarchist Dave
DMG
Wearing and wielding items
Pg .140
“In most cases, a magic item that's meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build. Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or the: magically adjust themselves to the wearer.”
get that +1 and be an armored and smiting bear :)
Size or build isn't the same as shape. Once armor is made for a creature I believe it becomes barding. The PHB under wildshape is very specific. Specific rules trump general.
Nerdarchist Dave
But obviously at your table with your gaming group you are free to play it however you want. But wildshape is pretty strong already.
Nerdarchist Dave
I tried to convince my DM to allow ion stones in wildshape. Seems a little less fudgy.
Specific beats general? What specific rule reference is there that takes away a magical items ability to be used by basically anyone and anything?
And yes wild shape can be really strong, but limiting a core class feature because its power over what amounts to an opinion of the general consensus that it’s “overpowered” when it is explicitly given these various abilities over a polymorph or similar effects is quite a jump. Also an odd claim coming after making a build utilizing multiple optional rules. Ever wonder why there aren’t magical Druid armor pieces that can do this? It’s because magical armor already can. As far as the barding vs armor comparison, barding is listed under the mounts and vehicles section and seems to mainly be a way to purchase customized mundane versions of armor at a higher price. The entire basis of it is that mundane materials have to be adjusted and fabricated specifically a body type. The DMG reference I made earlier allows all magic armors to adjust to fit what ever creature is attempting to wear it. That rule in it self is actually a specific rule, not a general rule.
PHB reference
Variant:Equipment Sizes
In most campaigns, you can use or wear any equipment that you find on your adventures, within the bounds of common sense. For example, a burly half-orc won't fit in a halfling’s leather armor, and a gnome would be swallowed up in a cloud giant’s elegant robe.
The DM can impose more realism. For example, a suit of plate armor made for one human might not fit another one without significant alterations, and a guard’s uniform might be visibly ill-fitting when an adventurer tries to wear it as a disguise.
Using this variant, when adventurers find armor, clothing, and similar items that are made to be worn, they might need to visit an armorsmith, tailor, leatherworker, or similar expert to make the item wearable. The cost for such work varies from 10 to 40 percent of the market price of the item. The DM can either roll 1d4 x 10 or determine the increase in cost based on the extent of the alterations required.
I’d be hard pressed to come up with an explanation as to how a 40lb 3ft tall goblin can effectively wear studded leather +1, get massacred by a party, and then that same armor gets found and immediately worn by a 7 ft tall 300lb Goliath. But not be able to be used by a wildshaped panther....
Somewhat related question. What would you do if your party included a centaur? Is all of their armor gonna weigh 2x more and cost 4x more?
I just started a Firbolg Druid and he meets the criteria. This is perfect. I won't get wings but this is exactly the kind of character i had in mind. Thanks!
Happy to be of service. Firbolg is a great choice.
Nerdarchist Dave
Moon seems like the obvious choice but in defence of the other sub classes Land yields extra utility and spell slots recovery on a short rest, while Dreams grants a healing option usable even in wildshape.
Barkskin for the armor problem. That's what I do as moon druid
This thing eventually has elemental wild shape, angel wings and smite.
Idea: Cast investiture of fire on yourself, transform into an earth elemental and take flight and start slamming g things from above with extra smite damage.
You are now the most terrifying enemy imaginable.
At which point, you attain the title, "Materia: Comet"
On reading up on the Kalashtar race I have to say that it fits well thematically just like the Aasimar, and it's abilities also have a lot of overlap and merit with wild shape... it's a tough call! Both super strong. Both get some damage resistance. Wisdom save bonus is really strong, beast form healing is a solid choice too. Flying is an excellent combat boost to most animals worthy of this build. But psychic communication as an animal is SO excellent.
I think the fact that Kalashtar's abilities aren't limited to once per long rest helps it a lot, plus Paladins have Lay on Hands already. The Aasimar ability is just a small Lay On Hands that you HAVE to spend all at once. Flight is amazing but once a day just doesn't beat constant psychic powers. Do you know how often Druids have to change back from animal form to communicate? It sucks. Now you can Bear all day if you want to and still talk. It's also useful for covert ops in a lot of ways both while in animal form and not.
Tack on that your amazing Druid wisdom saves + paladin aura save boost + Kalashtar's advantage on wisdom saves and you're near immune to mental buggery you wouldn't want an Elephant to experience.
Everything you said is true and accurate but we wanted flying bears.
Nerdarchist Dave
If you want telepathic communication there are also a few other options. Ghostwise halfling and the Great Old One warlock get telepathy within 30ft. Unfortunately the warlock smite specifies using your pact weapon so it wouldn't work with wildshape, otherwise you could use warlock instead of paladin and play off a wild, unpredictable beast-form fighting style as a part of the character's madness.
According to a source I trust it seems Kalashtar might be an 'NPC' race, meaning you'd probably need a little extra DM permission anyway. Aasimar are probably more likely to get approved.
As for Ghostwise it's probably more likely to get approval as well, but it's telepathy isn't as potent and it's stat bonuses aren't as druid focused.
I hadn't noticed Eldritch Smight requiring the pact weapon, but depending on how lenient your DM is with Pact Weapon you may be able to do a weapon for your beasts, like a claw coating or tail held item. In that case Great Old One would be extremely valid, good eye there.
@@SolarFlairIsBestPony Ghostwise do get wis, and wis and dex aren't bad stat boosts for a druid, though it is true they don't get both wis and cha to maximize this build at the cost of everything else. Instead they get a little more versatility outside of beast form. But how can you say no to halfling luck? As for their telepathy, speaking with one at a time is still better than none, but I guess whether it works at all is up to DM interpretation. Do you "share a language" because you *know* common while in beast form, or do you not share one because you cannot *speak* in beast form? That'll depend on your table. Personally I just love the idea of the pint-sized hero turning into a massive wolf or bear with burning bites.
Personally, I'd let a warlock claim wildshape *as* their pact weapon, as long as they're willing to give up a normal pact weapon, and understand that they still can't cast spells in beast form. Heck, you could even flavor it as a special ceremonial dagger (that can't be anything else) which mutates to form the beast shape around the character. Which would be truly disturbing to watch and thematically tie their forms to their alien patron.
...I kind of want to play this now...
'share a language' 100% means one that is understood, not spoken. Just because your mouth can't make the sounds doesn't mean your brain can't reply. Anyone who says otherwise is just full of it. That's half the point of telepathy, communicating beyond what you normally could.
Still, there're definitely beings out there that lack the common tongue, so, speaking to a giant or just some individuals who were so closed off they only know gnomish, et cetera, pretty good. Plus Ghostwise can't get replies telepathically.
It's true that Dex is a good stat to have, it's just that for a very animal focused build it's not a priority. If you can have another telepath you'd be better off elsewhere. Halfling Nimbleness and Brave are worthy traits however, it's really easy to move through any creature's space if you can be even smaller.
Regarding the pact weapon... by the ability wording you can definitely turn pact weapons into ANY melee weapon as long as it's not a magical weapon you bonded with. It's meant to be changeable in shape from axe to staff to dagger and so on. So it'd be kind of screwy to not let them have it in their humanoid form as another object.
What great timing, nerdarchy! I was just trying to think of a character, but couldnt decide between a druid and a paladin... maybe both is the right answer for me! Love the vids
Why choose when you can do both.
Nerdarchist Dave
Wildshape plus Arcane deflection from war wizard seems to work as well.
Weird combos like this have been fun to imagine (& sometimes even play) since 3.0 edition.
Barbarian Paladins using slots while raging
Barbarian Druids boosting beast attacks
Druid Paladin to also use slots while shaped at lower levels
Rogue Barbs for advantage on dex saves and to negate the damage. Plus, advantage on finese to benefit from Sneak
Melee Wizards. Oh boy. 5e is best
@@ashenwuss1651 there are tons of interesting options.
Nerdarchist Dave
They absolutely are.
Nerdarchist Dave
@@Nerdarchy If a character builder is generic like me and enjoys trope exploring, envisioning unique characters is so easy by just multiclasisng, if you generalize classes and such like I do. A Halfling would probably tsk tsk me for generalizing, but I love me an evil/chaotic Halfling.
I've built Gith's independent of other Gith's, as Limbo was hell tp live in. He follows Midnight(Mystra) and seeks out/interferes Illithids if need be. Pretty generic. Just had to fill the roles for my metagaming. I like to have a character that's useful *and* stays interesting.
I do all of this, just to build a not-so-meta character for my first lvl20, very recently. I got generic with a Lightfoot 18-Lore Bard. They are super powerful, but I did it for funsies. Then, metagamed into Feyloc for 2 levels And, now, Shar hates me... I think. Maybe she does. Celic, I call him. He's an asshole
@@ashenwuss1651 Granted, in 3.5 those were just CLASSES. Instead of being a wizard-rogue, you could just be a spellthief. Instead of Barbarian-Monk, you could be a Whirling Dervish or Drunken Monk. To be fair, 3.5 was WAY more complicated but it had way more adaptability
Ted's shirts always amaze me, keeping it real 100%.
He's our own nerdy fashionista.
Nerdarchist Dave
I played a Half Elf Paladin 2/Moon Druid x several years ago, from 1-20 and it was an amazing character. While the Auras are awesome, I didn't have to worry about my CHA, had stronger Wild Shape forms, and many more spell slots to Smite/self heal. Your version is more party friendly, with Auras and more Lay on Hands, where mine brings more damage and HP.
I rolled an 8. No crit hit on that subscribe button yet :(
:(
Nerdarchist Dave
2 weapon fighting! Second attack try again?
Ghostwise Halfling allows you to communicate while in wild shape
So would old one warlock.
But it definitely very helpful to actually be able to communicate and be part of further tactics.
So does Kalashtar
@@revshad4226 Old One warlock is a class. Ghostwise Halflings get lucky feat dex and wis boost. dont need str bounus in wild shape. It is a great choice.Their race background also fits druid class.
A few fighting styles that would be usable in Wild Shape form:
Mariner (UA), if the DM lets you use it.
Archery and Close Quarter Shooter (UA), if you WS into an ape and throw rocks.
Tunnel Fighter (UA), if the DM is unexperienced and hasn't banned this fighting style yet.
A druid+paladin is just a weed smoking paladin
Possibly.
Nerdarchist Dave
Take the Entertainer background and become Snoop Dog :)
I had pondered this Divine Beast before. Was kinda foggy on if you COULD. For what it's worth I think it's a fantastic concept. I hadn't even gotten as far as racial contemplation, but the Aasimar is both great thematically AND with the wild shape. Everything else fits what I was thinking to a tee right down to the level split around 6-8, though you could also go just enough Paladin to get Divine Smite and focus Druid hard- also freeing up some of your stats maybe.
Protection may still be a valid style depending on what your DM thinks, as straps are definitely a thing that can be applied to most legs and a shield only takes an action to equip. Even consider a tail mounted shield for some creatures.
... the Warlock version seems less optimal but not invalid? It does bring more spell slots of its own to the table and you can knock anything HUGE or smaller down for free with the smites. Those are nice features. But Paladin has those nice passives and more features that just plain work in wildshape. A DM who's a bit lenient might let you pact weapon something that works well for beasts and fudge the 'in your empty hand' part. Maybe a bit against theme though?
With the Warlock variant, you could get Eldritch blast as a backup cantrip if you have to pull out of the fight. You could also stack Armor of Agathys or Blur. Then again, those spells arent being used for Smites so its up to you. There is a cool roleplay opportunity for an Archfey warlock Druid build.
You're not wrong. But Paladins and druids themselves also have some relevant spells I'm sure. I know Paladins have Divine Favor and Bless for starters. And if you're not really doubling down on Eldritch Blast with Invocations there's other things you could do instead, like use a bow or a druid cantrip... or a full on druid spell if Smite just isn't helping, as implied. Like I said, it's definitely still valid, just maybe not as good as Paladin. Though now I AM wondering what Invocations might work with Wild Shape. Hmmmmmm.
@@SolarFlairIsBestPony Wonder if claws could be considered pact weapons, because then you can take Bloodthirster. I've always wondered what happens if a monk dips into warlock. Does your body then become a pact weapon? Hmm...
I think by the nature of a pact weapon it has to be something you create or a tangible magic weapon. That said you could probably form a metal coating over your natural claws or hold something in a prehensile tail. That sort of thing. Really it comes down to how your DM feels about the phrasing 'appears in your hand' from Pact Weapon.
@@SolarFlairIsBestPony I would think of something like gloves with claws at the fingers like the Black Panther claws. Something that deploys when you call the weapon. Or something like an arm blade like the Guyver. Something organic that can translate in a wild form. You're right though, it comes down to what your DM is willing to allow and is willing to do to help your idea of a character come to life.
Hey Guys, people are making comments about your shirts. Im telling you guys you need to start a clothing line. It can be like Oprah's book club, you can suggest what shirts to wear. :)
Thanks guys & have a great day.
Some day perhaps.
Nerdarchist Dave
A Protector Aasimar Moon Druid 6 / Paladin 2 could wildshape into a smiting flying giant constrictor snake. If you choose to worship Jazirian, that would be super fun and thematic! 🐍
I really like the Redemption Paladin and the Dream Druid...
alflurin : That’s an interesting combination, I think I am going to use that for an Ondonti NPC!
www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Ondonti_(5e_Race_Variant)
While a bear is a POWERFUL low level wild shape, I think the Lion is the best fit. As it is a rather regal beast, being the "king of the jungle" and I see the champion of the wilds would want to be a regal beast of the wilds.
Also, a heavy armour substitute could be stone armour. But it's up to the DM in a game.
I like the new UA Blind Fighting style. Cast Fog cloud, and then Wildshape to attack!
What's wrong with knowing stuff about Care Bears Care Bears are awesome
I'm a bit more partial to the cousins myself.
Nerdarchist Dave
The Druidin!
The Palidid doesnt have the same ring
What about a Pruid?
Just like to point out here that warlock isn't really an option to this build ... eldritch smite specifies using your pact weapon. So unless your DM lets you keep your weapons as part of your form (turning into Wolverine-style claws, for example, or wielding the weapon in a more humanlike beast form), then paladin is your only option.
But I think the thing that would make this character really stand out would be a unique magical item: an amulet, I'm thinking, that basically fabricates armor to fit the user's body, regardless of what form he's in. It wouldn't even have to be armor with a bonus. Too bad you can't ask an Adventurer's League DM to give away such an item.
I think that a great way to change it up is skin changing a teifling to a satyr by using the charm of the Fierna sub race. Now if they would only fix dragonborn they need subraces
Is this the Warhammer Fantasy Green Knight ? :)
oath of the ancients + spore druid would be an interesting combo
I'll remember this when I try to build a druid paladin.
@@jacobweatherford4696 Oh, or maybe oathbreaker paladin if your DM lets you play that broken build, all the undead stuff
@@Telleryn I'm currently playing as an Oathbreaker Spore Druid in one of my games. It's pretty fun, you just create lots of undead and can be a front line fighter. My Shillelagh is made of Bones and I strike with necrotic infestation, destroying my enemies. I also got magic initiate and picked up green flame blade and booming blade as well as find familiar cause my extra attack was delayed
Guys! I love these videos! DND is the best. So I really enjoy learning more and more about the game! :)
Happy to be of service.
Nerdarchist Dave
Warlock actually doesn't work. Eldritch smite only works with your pact weapon, which you can't use during wild shape
this is awesome idea & character
Glad you liked it.
Nerdarchist Dave
Most campaigns don't go past level 11 so on low levels it's likely going to be a choice between a two and six levels in your "sub" class. Pal 2/Drood X gets stronger wildshapes, Pal 6/Drood 5+ gets the Aura. Pal 7 if you take Ancients is very potent. Another alternative would be Pal 2/Bearbarian 3/Druid 6+. You're triple classing yes, but you get smites AND Unarmored Defence + Rage, and Reckless Attacks that don't even require it. At level 11 your spell slots should be 4 3 3 1, still decent. A common trick involves a fellow Mounted Combatant PC riding your wild shaped form for perks and optional damage redirection.
Ted's shirt is awesome!
I dub thee the Druidin! I like this build and concept. Definitely going to put it in my back pocket for my games.
Nice build. I dig this one. Wish for a little more thought about how to use Folk Hero. I picked it on a recent character really wanting to make it a fun choice. More land vehicles are needed...
I think vehicles in general are really neglected by a lot of DMs, it's not even about the number of them, just utilizing them would go a long way. Carriage chase anyone?
Yes!! This is epic! What would you guys say about making him a tourtle?! Just thought that would be a cool race to play this character. Anyways thanks again Dave and Ted!
This is just one way of doing it.
Nerdarchist Dave
@@Nerdarchy oh I know and it's pretty awesome. Spectral wings on a wolf and stuff that was a really cool.
Add barbarian for the raging smite wolf. I played one from lvl 10 to 17 it was super fun
Only downside is you can't concentrate and rage at the same time, though I suppose you can cast a spell and once you lose concentration just fly into a rage
@@SageSchispell Wild Shape and Smite need no Concentration. So Rage works.
Assimar and Moon Shape on round 1, on Round two use Rage and Smite.
@@dragonmaster613 that's just so mean I love it
@@SageSchispell normally I summoned a pack of wolves with conjure animals and hold back, acting as range support with cantrips, then once my pack died (usually two rounds) I went forward, wildshape and rage.
@vynat draco nobody was saying those skills don't work, it's that normally Druids can cast a spell, use wildshape, and then maintain concentration on the spell still. For example you could cast Bless and keep it functioning as a Bear. Can't if you rage during that though.
Which do you would be better? Druid/Paladin with the ability to smite? Or Druid/Monk being able to add your +5 wis mod to every wild shape?
Paladin. Druids can already have a high wisdom modifier. And if you meant the Unarmored Defense you have to remember that that calculates armor on it's own, and does not stack with other things. So you COULD use the Unarmored Defense, but it's always 10 + Dex Mod + Wisdom, not an animal's AC + Wisdom.
Still, martial arts skills for bonus actions and stuns and such isn't bad. Just not Paladin good I think.
SolarFlair Having a 15 AC is higher than what most animals already have and that’s not even adding the beast dex modifier to your total AC.
Hell yes all of the above !!! I would want my Druid to run into a Druid paladin npc that then shows him the ropes of paladin and then maybe dies and my Druid vows to take up his mantle
loving the visual effects
hashtag not all orcs
Definitely worth a try.
Though I've had a follower of Malar I've wanted to play for a while; War Cleric x Moon Druid.
Why no Firbolg? The Adventure league PHB+1 rule allows for you getting firbolg as an option. Sure they get that +1 to Str, but that means points you can add to other stats. They get +2 to Wis! That’s better than most if not all of the choices shared here for races. Also, while you should focus on Wis for all your Druid abilities, if all you’re doing is smite, you only need 13 Str, 13 cha in order to go paladin. I built the build before watching the video to compare.
I also recommend a Druid 12/paladin8 split. The reason is to gain your auras and free immunities while still gaining CR4 creatures like the elephant
... and in such a case you're better off buffing your aura with charisma than having that point in strength. Aasimar also have a lot of compatible abilities with the beast form. Admittedly the Hidden Step bonus action Firbolgs get to turn invisible is also valid, but that's just once a rest. Powerful Build is kind of irrelevant when you can turn into an elephant. The speech ability specifies your 'words' so I wouldn't count on it working.
Actually I don’t think there is a restriction on Druid abilities while wearing metal armor. None of the druid abilities say that it can be performed in metal armor, unless I missed something in my reading. The only place it says no metal is in their proficiency section so, that means their not proficient in metal armor, but Paladins are. so I’d say slap on the plate armor.
It says druids will not wear armor or shields made of metal, which to me sounds like a creed/belief based thing. Personally, I think if there's a good character reason for them to wear metal armor then it would be fine.
I would like to offer some suggestions that I believe I've discovered.
1. I would go Paladin for two levels first not for the heavy armor, but for martial weapons, divine sense, lay on hands, fighting style (great weapon), spell casting , and most importantly - divine smite. This will drastically increase your ability to survive those first two levels. Also, you will get constitution and charisma prof. Then 2 levels druid and either just go straight druid then or take 3 more levels of paladin for the extra attack. After all, when wild shape is peeled away (you go through your two forms) you will still need to survive as a paladin until a long rest.
2. If you take one level of barbarian, you can rage twice. So you could be a raging & smiting brown bear?!? LOL But they are both bonus actions. They way around this is to change into the wild shape form then go into rage and smite as soon as you can. I believe the ruling of smite is you can use any spell slots and smiting is not casting spells so it's allowed. I also figured out that of the classes of sorcerer, wizard, and druid - druid has the most spell slots. That means a lot more smiting doing paladin/druid. Think about it.... And I would personally go paladin 3 & druid 17 but I understand if you want more of paladin. :-)
paladin-2 levels = martial weapons, divine sense, lay on hands, fighting style, spell casting, and divine smite.
druid-2 levels = wild shape CR 1.
barbarian -1 level = rage & unarmored defense + NOTE: One more level of barbarian and you would get relentless attack & danger sense. Relentless attack allows you advantage on all enemies but the enemies get advantage on you - but you get your wild shape and 1/2 damage from physical attack. Not a bad trade off!
druid-6 levels total = CR 2 wild shape
druid-9 levels total = CE 3 wild shape
druid-10 levels total = wild shape elemental forms.
So, here are the plateaus: Level 2, 4, 5 (6), 8 (9),and 9 (10). Since games rarely go to level 20, this is a more realistic goal and will be fun to play along the way. You could latter take paladin to level 5 and barbarian to level 3 for more enjoyment!
My whole purpose was to become the very best tank/soak I could become and still be functional when I run out of wild shape.
mike
You have a typo. When you said the stats you said con 10 but the screen said 13.
Oh well missed it when I proofed the video.
Nerdarchist Dave
If you’re planning on using Tomes and Manuals (all of them, just assume you were immortal until all of your stats were maxed at 30), they use Shifter as your Race, they give bonuses to Wild Shape (and have a Wild Shape of their own!
Warlock smit wont work because it uses pact of the blade weapon. sad life :(
I have a question how does the druids dislike of metal armor and shields go with a paladin that is usually a heavy armored class
Few things are better than a paladin charging riding on his wildshaped druid ^^
1. Unarmed strikes don't count as melee weapon attacks, and are therefore unable to smite. Sounds logical.
2. Warlock smites cannot be made without the pact weapon. Sounds logical.
3. Mr. Yogi Bear hasn't cut his nails for a while -> can smite with his claws. DnD Logic...
Do you know the Slavic god named Simarlg. Seems like you are describing him.
Very helpful. Thanks.
You're very welcome! We enjoy making these CBGs and putting together the PDFs for Dungeon Masters Guild. There's dozens of them over there, all pay-what-you-want. bit.ly/NerdarchyDMGuild
Can u wild shape and then rage as a barbarian?
Yes. You can also rage and then wildshape.
Nerdarchist Dave
Nerdarchy oh wow now that sounds like a build y’all should do!! Thank you so much for answering my question by the way
Came here via Varg!
What's a varg?
Nerdarchist Dave
I was thinking of having a build of 2-moon duruid, 18-paladin lizardfolk, where you transform into deinonychus (the big raptor) and get to dish out a huge amount of damage with multiattack, enhanced divine smite and various smite spells
Love the build but this is unrelated so I’m playing a sorcerer in tomb of animation what types of spells should I avoid this is my first spell caster too lol
It's always good to have some utility, so don't go whole hog on damage spells. I don't know enough about ToA to really tell you if certain spells would or would not come in handy however. Pretty sure there's creatures who don't speak common though, so Tongues might come in handy if you get 3rd level spells. Comprehend Languages if you don't.
Dispel and Counterspell are other great 3rd level spell options. ToA probably has magical traps and maybe some nasty casters in it.
For level 1 and 2 spells... it's hard to go wrong really. Try to tailor your spell list based on your party somewhat and probably try not to wander off on your own just because you have things like invisibility or spider climb. You probably don't want spells that deal poison damage as it's commonly resisted. Chromatic Orb or a similar spell is a solid bet as it has variable damage type, which is good when you've only got so many known spells. Don't forget to grab a spell or two that can be a bonus action, otherwise you probably won't have one. Expeditious Retreat and Dragon's Breath can be very good.
Healing is generally good to have if you're a Favored Soul. Detect Magic is a good cautious spell to have and also helps you know what loot is either really good or really bad.
if you where a giant animal you can speak there language, image a giant elk being ridden by the fighter and then the elk make a sounds and turns a the death knights mount as the fighter peppers it with arrows. a death knight on its mount who is running away from this dude with a bow riding a ELK into battle.
You guys are way more entertaining than critical
Just a heads up, in your pdf guide, you forgot to mention what ASI you take when you let level 14 (paladin 6, druid 8). At the druid 8, you get an ASI but you only mention the Wild Shape Improvement.
I was thinking what about paladin and star druid?
or is better this way moon druid...
the other thing I'm not sure is the progression? you start getting level 2 paladin then druid level 2... or you start getting paladin 1 druid 1 (for healing spell and goodberry) and then you get the second levels after
What about tortle
I’ve already failed my Wisdom save, so can you stop casting Charm on me?
(AKA... I LOVE THIS CHANNEL AND THEIR DND PUNS)
I still prefer combining Wild Shape and Ki.
I dont know why but your comment brings Puddin from tfs to mind
"Come and catch this Flurry of Paws." 🤣
Druid + Monk / Druid + Barbarian
Instead of Paladin what about a Ghostwise Halfling open hand monk great ape wildshape druid? Kicks count too so other shapes can use Beast Fu as well.
Or instead of monk how about Barbarian. There are some good sub-classes that would work with wildshape druid. Those classes make more sense as a character. Bear Rage
Wildshape Barbarian Hp makes for a super tank.
I would do 3 lv paladin, 5 lv barb, 12 lv druid. I can rage smite and wild shape, pick tortle race with hermit background.
I played a tiefling paladin/Druid of rillifane
Isnt the only cr 4 beast the elephant?
In the MM. 3 more each in a different book. A stegosaurus, giant coral snake, and giant subterranean lizard.
Nerdarchist Dave
@@Nerdarchy alright opens it up a bit more lol changing into the same animal all the time because its the only one thats strong at high levels wouold get boring
1 lvl in monk and the ac is awesome
Barbarian would be even more crazy. You get mass hp/ rage/ and many other class and subclass features that are perfect for a wild shape druid.
Why not add some monk level to do some flurry of blow smite strike like Kung Fu Panda :)
Aslan?
Monk-7, paladin -3, druid -10. Picture a earth elemental with flurry of blows, evasion, and smites!
Does Metal Wood not exist in 5E?
It doesn't. Ironwood spell used to be so good.
Nerdarchist Dave
@@Nerdarchy Okay, I was curious since pathfinder had a Dark Oak material which was basically just "Heavy Armor made of wood for Druids" lol.
Rolled an 18 so sadly no crit for the like
AL doesnt allow point buy
Divine Smite
Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a "MELEE WEAPON ATTACK", you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the WEAPON’s damage. The extra damage is 2d8 for a 1st-level spell slot, plus 1d8 for each spell level higher than 1st, to a maximum of 5d8. The damage increases by 1d8 if the target is an undead or a fiend, to a maximum of 6d8.
melee WEAPON attack, not melee attack. which means you can't make a smiting bear or wolf, or any other animal that cannot use weapons.
Check the monster manual and see how natural attacks are listed.
Nerdarchist Dave
Melee and Ranged Attacks
The most common actions that a monster will take in combat are melee and ranged attacks. These can be spell attacks or weapon attacks, where the “weapon” might be a manufactured item or a natural weapon, such as a claw or tail spike. For more information on different kinds of attacks, see the Player’s Handbook.
@@Nerdarchy you're right. my mistake.
@@Nerdarchy ps. Here's a challenge for you.
make a Beast like Character, which does not turn into an animal, but is the animal. I mean that it has so many animal-like abilities and features that you could call it a Beast. no Druid levels or Polymorph.
So the Ape CR1/2 which has hands and can therefore holds weapons would be an exception right?
Wanna play as a Pokemon? Here you go.
This doesn't work. Divine smites add to weapon damage which is a separate thing from natural weapons. You can use the ability but it deals no extra damage as you don't deal the weapon damage smite is added to. (Sure you can apply rule of cool but it's adviced as AL legal build. Rule of cool doesn't really hold up there)
An animals attacks count as weapon attacks so there is no reason you can't apply divine smite. For example a bears bite and claw attacks roll20.net/compendium/dnd5e/Brown%20Bear#content
"Melee weapon attack" is a different thing than "Attack with a melee weapon." There's nothing stopping it from increasing the damage from your natural weapons.
Google it!
@@armaggedon390 Yes there is. Natural weapons are not weapons. Only things that count as weapons are those found on weapons table, which explicitly got unarmed strikes removed from it by errata, and has a suspicious lack of any natural weapons.
My point is confirmed by Jeremy Crawford in Sage Advice: www.sageadvice.eu/2019/02/12/does-divine-smite-works-with-unarmed-attacks-and-or-natural-weapons/
@@mateuszszwed3487 To be honest the tweet only answers that unarmed attacks are not weapon attacks. Not sure why, but the monster attacks in their stat blocks are listed as melee weapon attacks. Keyword in smite is melee weapon attack.
Sorry but a wild shaped druid can't smite as smite requires a weapon. "Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, *IN ADDITION TO THE WEAPON'S DAMAGE.* Jeremy Crawford confirmed this in a tweet 6 months prior to this video. Unarmed attacks and natural weapons don't count.
Melee weapon attack refers to a type of attack .
From black bear entry:
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage.
If you read through this Jeremy Crawford does seem to give conflicting advice
www.sageadvice.eu/2018/06/06/does-the-natural-melee-weapon-of-the-minotaurs-horns-works-with-divine-smite/
I also saw the sage advice you referred to.
In our games we'll allow it because it's fun.
Nerdarchist Dave
@@Nerdarchy Melee weapon attack isn't the relevant portion of the text. As I highlighted "in addition to the weapon damage" is the part that eliminates non-weapon attacks from smiting. What you allow in your games is certainly up to you but you claim this is AL legal and it isn't.