Dungeons & Dragons: How to Build the Perfect Circle of Spores Druid (2024)

The druid is one of Fifth Edition's most versatile classes. Its vast array of spells lets it do almost anything in the game, with its subclasses providing more specialization. For example, the Circle of Spores is the D&D 5e druid's tank subclass, able to take a lot of damage without crumbling.

Circle of Spores druids tap into the cycle of life and death, drawing power from decay. Their abilities weaponize this decay to bolster their toughness, damage enemies, and even reanimate the dead. They're a very capable D&D 5e druid subclass regardless of how they're built. Nonetheless, there are some ways for players to make the best Circle of Spores druid build.

Updated on May 30th, 2024 by Louis Kemner: This guide on how to build an excellent Circle of Spores druid has been expanded with more material so D&D players can make their next druid the best it can be. That includes advice on dump stats, magic items to use, and even what species to play as when creating a Circle of Spores druid for any campaign or one-shot adventure.

Circle of Spores Druid Build Summary

Best Ability Scores For Circle Of Spores Druid

All D&D 5e druids rely heavily on the Wisdom stat and the Circle of Spores druid is no different. Most importantly, a high Wisdom score bolsters their spellcasting. A D&D Circle of Spores druid needs as high Wisdom as possible to prepare more spells and to heighten their spell saving throw DC, which also affects subclass abilities. It also aids vital skills like Perception and Animal Handling.

However, Circle of Spores druids wander into melee combat more , barring the Circle of the Moon. Many of their abilities are short-ranged, requiring them to be up close with the enemy. As a result, they need high Constitution to keep themselves alive and to maintain Concentration on their spells. That said, CON isn't quite as vital for the Circle of Spores subclass compared to other druids, since a Circle of Spores druid can use the Symbiotic Entity ability to give themselves temporary HP.

This melee focus also leans a Circle of Spores druid toward high Dexterity. Their Symbiotic Entity ability buffs melee attacks, giving low-level Circle of Spores druids a reason to use weapons like scimitars. A high Dexterity helps them deal good damage with Finesse weapons and bolsters their underwhelming Armor Class.

All that leaves Strength, Intelligence, and Charisma. A melee-oriented druid may want decent STR, but failing that, STR is a dump stat, and spell-heavy Circle of Spores druids will no doubt act accordingly. CHA is also a pure dump stat for this class and subclass, and the party can rely on a charismatic person like a sorcerer, warlock, or bard to do the talking with NPCs. INT isn't very important either, unless the druid player wants to do some cool roleplaying by recalling their studies about nature and get the edge with intel before embarking on a mission.

Best Species For Circle of Spores Druid

The character's species is another factor that can make or break a D&D 5e Circle of Spores druid build. A key thing to determine is whether the game uses Tasha's Cauldron of Everything's optional rules for this topic. If the table requires pre-set ability score improvements, several species stand out. Aside from that, certain fantasy species in Dungeons & Dragons also have special traits that are ideal for a Circle of Spores druid, such as innate spellcasting or an affinity for nature.

Halfling is often associated with rogues or making the best possible bard build, but this class is decent for druids too, including the Circle of Spores. The main draw is the Ghostwise halfling subtype, since they can use telepathy, and that is fantastic while a druid is in their Wild Shape form. Being naturally lucky is also a decent feature for druids or indeed, any class.

Wood elf buffs Dexterity and Wisdom, making the Circle of Spores druid a better combatant and spellcaster. The increased movement speed also helps the character get close to the enemy to use their abilities. Like most elves, wood elves are proficient with bows, and while druids don't usually rely on such weapons, it provides a decent backup option if the druid's enemy is far away and the party doesn't have a bow-wielding ranger to handle the situation.

Firbolgs always make great druids since they have the right flavor to be druids and rangers, given their affinity for forests. Firbolgs also have Speech of Beast and Leaf to communicate with wild life forms, and they even have handy innate spellcasting for Detect Magic and Disguise Self, and they can even turn invisible. The latter ability is great for protecting a squishy druid like a Circle of Spores druid.

Kenku get a DEX and WIS boost by default rules, which are good ability scores for any druid. Also, Kenku are quite skilled characters, having great skill proficiencies to make a character more flexible outside of combat. That's most relevant for a rogue, but if the party lacks a rogue, then a kenku druid can fill in.

If Tasha's Cauldron of Everything's optional rules are used and players can customize their race, other options present themselves. The Half-Orc is an ideal tanking race. On top of the Circle of Spores druid's immense temporary hit points, it lets them ignore unconsciousness once per day. Hobgoblin can maintain Concentration by buffing poor rolls. Goliath can reduce damage as a reaction to stretch the character's tankiness as far as possible.

Best Backgrounds For Circle Of Spores Druid

Background is as much a part of D&D 5e character creation as class or race. Players are often free to make their own backgrounds or customize them. However, for players who want to use pre-existing backgrounds, there are several that synergize well with a Circle of Spores druid build.

Far Traveler gives proficiency in Insight and Perception, complementing the druid's high Wisdom. Outlander provides Athletics proficiency and Survival. This helps the character navigate wild spaces and avoid being grappled out of position during combat. It also gives a foraging ability that can keep an entire party supplied in the wilderness.

Best Feats For Circle of Spores Druid

Feats often separate a competent D&D Circle of Spores druid build from a top-tier one. The most obvious feat for a Circle of Spores druid is War Caster. It's . However, it's even more vital for a Circle of Spores druid. Advantage on Concentration checks protects their spellcasting even when taking damage for the entire team. It also lets them both wield a weapon and a shield and still cast magic. Furthermore, replacing opportunity attacks with spells gives enemies even more reason to stay nearby.

Other D&D feats can complete a Circle of Spores druid build. Magic Initiate is an unexpectedly good choice for a melee druid, especially with D&D's wizard spells. They can take Green-Flame Blade or Booming Blade to keep their damage high, alongside another valuable cantrip like Mage Hand. Shield, Detect Magic, and Find Familiar are reliable choices for the free first-level spell. Telekinetic is another unconventional but viable choice. Mage Hand is one of D&D 5e's best cantrips, and an invisible one is even better. A bonus action to shove enemies is valuable for a tank, letting them pull enemies closer or push them away from fragile allies. Boosting a Circle of Spores Druid's Wisdom cements its value.

Best Spells for Circle of Spores Druid

The D&D 5e Circle of Spores druid subclass gives several free spells the character always has prepared. Options like Chill Touch, Animate Dead, Blight, and more are all invaluable for a druid. However, the best Circle of Spores druid builds make full use of the D&D 5e druid's versatile and powerful spell list. Thorn Whip is one of the best combat cantrips for a D&D 5e Circle of Spores druid. It provides a valuable ranged option that draws enemies into the build's preferred range. Guidance is invaluable outside of combat for its free boost to an ally's ability scores. Shillelagh can bolster a Circle of Spores druid's melee attacks by using Wisdom instead of Dexterity.

Absorb Elements is a to reduce the damage they take. Action spells are less useful, due to the Circle of Spores druid requiring an action to use their unique Wild Shape. If they spend two turns buffing, the fight will nearly be over before they can get involved. Nonetheless, spells like Enlarge/Reduce extend the radius of the druid's abilities. Utility spells like Detect Magic, Animal Friendship, and Enhance Ability can be good for a D&D 5e Circle of Spores druid, due to its existing prowess in combat. To focus more on dealing damage alongside taking it, a player should look at spells like Flaming Sphere, Call Lightning, and Cone of Cold.

The Best Equipment For Circle of Spores Druids

Druids rely heavily on their Wild Shape ability and various animal companions, so they don't need quite as many fancy magical items as classes like paladin, wizard, and bard. Still, a powerful Circle of Spores druid will make good use of some cool equipment, even if they often use their Wild Shape ability.

A Barrier Tattoo can be quite helpful if the druid finds a strong enough version that isn't redundant with studded leather armor. Barrier Tattoos are best used on unarmored classes like wizard and monk, but if the druid has the money to buy a Barrier Tattoo or the luck to find a needle for one, they can try it out. A Barrier Tattoo does cost an attunement slot, but druids won't have a whole lot else to attune to, so it's worth the slot.

Circle of Spores druids can be built with quarterstaff attacks in mind, especially with the Polarrm Master feat, and those druids need the right weapons for the job. Aside from simple +1, +2, or +3 quarterstaffs, a Circle of Spores druid can look out for fancy staffs like Staff of the Rooted Hills. This magic item is best used at lower levels, since its built-in spells have a rather low DC to save, but it's still a fine item for staff-oriented druids. A Staff of Rooted Hills provides a magical +1 to attack and damage rolls, and hitting an enemy calls for a DC 12 STR save, or the target is restrained by vines. This staff's rune can be invoked to cast spells like Hold Person and Speak With Plants.

Aside from all that, Circle of Spores druids benefit from the same items that are useful for most druids, such as a Pearl of Power to restore expended spell slots, and a Sentinel Shield to boost their WIS-oriented Perception skill and roll initiative with advantage. After all, druids like taking their turn early in a round so they can hurry and assume their Wild Shape form to toughen up.

Dungeons and Dragons

A fantasy roleplaying tabletop game designed for adventure-seekers, the original incarnation of Dungeons & Dragons was created by Gary Gygax in 1974.

Franchise

Dungeons & Dragons

Original Release Date

January 26, 1974

Publisher

Wizards of the Coast , TSR Inc.

Designer

E. Gary Gygax , Dave Arneson

Player Count

4-8 Players Recommended

Age Recommendation

12+

Length per Game

3 hours +

Expansions

Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition , Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition

Summary

Dungeons & Dragons is the fantasy tabletop role-playing game that has persevered for nearly 50 years and continues to grow strong. Created by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, the game first made publication in 1974 and now falls under the Wizards of the Coast publishing wing. A typical game of DnD consists of 4-6 players, with one player acting as the Dungeon Master. Players can take a sheet and by consulting the various rule books and expansions, can create their own character with weapons, skills, and physical appearance. Once all characters are created, the Dungeon Master sets them off in a campaign of their choosing or design, where players will have to follow the rules of the DM as they roleplay their way through storylines. The characters will level up, find equipment, and experience permanent changes based on the way the story plays out. A roll of the dice can mean the difference between a successful hit, and a painful end. The most recent edition of Dungeons & Dragons is the 5th edition rule book.