The Druid is one of the most versatile classes in the Dungeons & Dragons universe and can take on any role in the party depending on their build. BG3 uses the 5e rules from the popular TTRPG when building a Druid, but one difference is the choice of Circles, the Druid sub-classes that determine the details about their skills and abilities.
The Circle of the Moon is one of three Druid Circles players can choose from when building their guardian of nature in Baldur's Gate 3. This is mostly a DPS melee build with some spell abilities, and players can decide whether that's for support, healing, or additional damage.
Baldur's Gate 3: Best Druid Class Build
The Druid class in BG3 can shapeshift into different animals, and the Circle of the Moon Druid build amps up Wild Shape's damage and party utility.
Halsin, one of the game's recruitable Companions, is a Druid of the Moon. Players who want to experiment with the class before committing to their own character can experiment with Halsin, but his story isn't available as an Origin character. Jaheira begins as a Circle of the Land Druid, but it's possible to pay Withers and change her subclass.
The Moon Druid Build
Focus On Shapeshifting And Melee Damage
- The ability to change into a variety of different shapes, which includes mountain lions, owlbears, and ravens.
Race
Each race in BG3 has strengths and weaknesses, such as the Moon Druid, but some are better than others. The following choices assume the player is building a Druid focused on melee DPS in both physical damage and spell form.
|
Race |
Subrace |
Abilities |
|---|---|---|
|
Elf |
Wood Elf |
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Woods Elves have improved movement and Stealth abilities, ideal for a melee and DPS character. |
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Drow |
Lloth-Sworn |
Either of these choices has the same basic abilities of Drow Weapoin Trainin, Superior Darkvision, and Fey Ancestry, all of which benefit the Moon Druid build. The main difference is the Lloth-Sworn Drow is often of an evil moral alignment. |
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Seldarine |
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Half-Elf |
Wood Half-Elf |
Improved movement and Stealth abilities along with the Civil Militia feature that grants extra weapon proficiencies. |
|
Drow Half-Elf |
Equipped with the same special abilities as the Drow, such as Superior Darkvision, but has access to more arcane abilities. Cantrip choices include Darkness and Faerie Fire. |
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Human |
n/a |
A good choice for a Moon Druid for the improved options for weapon and armor skills thanks to Civil Militia, Humans can also carry more in their inventory and learn an extra Skill. |
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Gnome |
Rock |
Hardy creatures that also have a talent for crafting and a bonus on the History checks, their Darkvision also makes them a good class for ranged damage or Stealth. |
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Deep |
Stone Camouflage gives the Deep Gnome some extra Stealth powers, and their Superior Darkvision is better than or equal to the Drow they have to dodge in the Underdark. |
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Dragonborn |
Silver |
Each of these Draconic bloodlines has the same racial abilities when it comes to ice-based cantrip Frost Breath, but the player can also choose between fire, acid, and lightning and still have the same Dragonborn benefits. |
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White |
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Dwarf |
Shield Dwarf |
Dwarven Armour Training gives this class Light and Medium armor proficiencies, plus the usual Dwarf racial of resistance to poison and axe proficiency. |
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Druegar |
Duergar Resilience grants an Advantage on Saving throws against being Paralysed or Charmed with stacks with existing poison resistance. Other great Moon Druid skills Duergars have include Enlarge at 1st level and Invisibility at 2nd level. |
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Halfling |
Strongheart |
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Halfling Luck gives this Druid +1 on all of their ability checks, saving throws, and attack roles. The Brave skill prevents them from being Frightened and Naturally Stealthy gives them an advantage on Stealth checks. |
Each of these subclasses includes a selection of Cantrips in addition to racial abilities. The defaults include Druid classics like Thorn Whip, Produce Flame, and Shillelagh, but if the player wants to change them, it's best to do so after choosing a race, since this selection might include a different choice of cantrips.
Baldur's Gate 3: All Druid Wild Shape Forms, Ranked
There are a lot of Druid Wild Shapes in BG3, but not all of them are powerful or useful – these five Wild Shape forms are the best options for Druids.
Backgrounds
An Essential Part Of The Druid's Story
- Druids love the wild and are often survivalists, physically hardy, and animal lovers.
There are a total of 11 Backgrounds the Druid can choose, but the following are the most highly recommended.
|
Background |
Skill |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
Alcolyte |
Insight, Religion |
Often connected to Clerics, Druids can be raised and trained in a similar environment. |
|
Folk Hero |
Animal Handling, Survival |
This Druid is known for doing good in their community and has a heroic reputation. |
|
Outlander |
Athletics, Survival |
The most obvious choice for a Druid, this character is a survivor who was raised in the wilderness. |
|
Soldier |
Athletics, Intimidation |
Jaheira, a famous Druid in Baldur's Gate lore, has this Background, and she loves her Intimidation skill. |
Baldur’s Gate 3: The 13 Best Druid Spells, Ranked
Druids have access to a range of great spells in Baldur's Gate 3, but some are simply better than others. Here are the best ones available to them.
Ability Scores
Dexterity, Wisdom, Strength
Druids of every Circle often have different roles in the party, and a melee fighter might decide that Strength is more important than Dexterity. Remember that Wisdom is always the Druid's spellcasting modifier.
- Strength. An important factor for defender classes, this stat is of medium importance to the Moon Druid, who is more often in a damage role.
- Dexterity. The second most important score for the Moon Druid. Dexterity determines weapon proficiency level and dodge ability.
- Constitution. More Dexterity means that this Druid can dodge hits instead of taking them, but keep in mind that any character in melee damage needs more hit points and resilience.
- Intelligence. Possibly the only "dump stat" for any Druid, it's not important for spellcasting or melee-weapon damage in this case.
- Wisdom. The Druid's spellcasting modifier and most important Ability Score. It's also handy for Perception checks.
- Charisma. A Druid is often less polished than other classes, such as Paladins or Wizards, but Druids can also be leaders and folk heroes, so this score can end up anywhere.
A combination class means prioritizing a variety of ability scores.
Baldur's Gate 3: 16 Best Feats for Druids, Ranked
Some feats in Baldur's Gate 3 are better suited for Druids than others. Here's which ones are the perfect choice for nature's guardians.
Feats And Related Skills
Choose A Feat Every Other Level
The following choices assume the Druid isn't multi-classing and will eventually reach the max level of 12, which means they get six Feats.
- Ability Score Improvement. Great for any class, this gives the character +2 to one ability score or +1 to two of them.
- Athlete. Increase Strength or Dexterity by +1, longer Jump distance, and faster recovery from the Prone condition.
- Mobile. Movement speed increases by 10 feet, Dash is unaffected by Difficult Terrain, and movement in melee combat doesn't provoke Opportunity Attacks.
- Savage Attacker. Roll two dice for melee damage and choose the higher result. Essential for close-range fighters.
- Sentinel. This Feat gives the Druid Advantage for Opportunity Attacks, against them or an ally, and should they hit, the target is rendered immobile for the rest of their turn.
- War Caster. Gives the Druid an Advantage on Concentration Saving Throws and the use of Shocking Grasp for Attacks of Opportunity in melee range.
Feats give a character some finer details regarding the Druid's abilities and backstory.
Baldur's Gate 3: Every Druid Subclass, Ranked
Baldur's Gate 3's Druid subclasses offer unique abilities ranging from drawing power from the land, to combat shifting, to fungal symbiosis.
Gear Recommendations
Look For Wisdom And Dexterity Or Strength Buffs
Druids can fill almost any party role with just a few gear changes, and it might not be possible to be in Wild Shape all the time in a fight.
-
The
Gloves of Dexterity
set this Ability Score to 18. Buy them from a vendor in Crèche Y'llek.
-
Elven Chain
gives the character bonuses to Initiative and Dexterity Saving throws and the Druid can wear it no matter what their armor proficiency is.
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Selûne's Spear of Night
gives the Druid Darkvision if they don't already have it, Advantage on Wisdom Saving throws and Perception checks, and the ability to cast Moonbeam.
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Boots of Uninhibited Kushigo
increase the Druid's melee power by making Wisdom the damage modifier for attacks instead of Dexterity or Strength.
Gear choices can improve existing abilities and give the Druid some extra ones.
Baldur's Gate 3: The Unwritten Rules of Playing a Druid Explained
Among Baldur's Gate 3's classes, Druids are most in tune with the natural world, meaning there are some unwritten rules associated with this class.
Multiclassing Options
- Other melee classes can complement this unique build
A few levels in other classes can make the Moon Druid even more powerful.
- Rogue. Another class with the abilities of stealth and melee DPS. Take at least three levels so the Druid can also choose a Rogue subclass. The Assassin or Thief also rely on Dexterity and work well together.
- Cleric. Another class that often combines spellcasting and combat, Clerics also use Wisdom as their spellcasting modifier and have similar roles when it comes to healing and spell damage.
- Ranger. The Hunter or Gloomstalker subclasses are best for the Moon Druid should the player decide to take three levels in the Ranger class. Advantages here include increased Stealth abilities and better weapon and armor options.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Released
- August 3, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Larian Studios
- Engine
- Divinity 4.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Full cross-platform play.
- Cross Save
- Full cross-platform progression.
- Franchise
- Baldur's Gate
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical Only
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Verified
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, macOS
- Genre(s)
- RPG
- How Long To Beat
- 100+ Hours
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
