Dungeons & Dragons 5e Best Druid Builds


When a player is ready to take on the power of nature with a new Dungeons & Dragons character, they can explore the formula for creating the best possible Druid build in the 5th edition. Druids venerate nature in every biome, from scorching deserts to lush forests and deep underground caverns, which makes them even more versatile.

The class is a more recent addition to D&D, and 5th edition Druids are versatile healers, fighters, and spellcasters with consistently high levels of power across most levels. Druids also have a lot of potential for backstory and role-playing options, depending on other factors like their unique skills and backgrounds, and aren’t bound to any particular moral alignment.

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Updated August 21, 2024, by Kristy Ambrose: The Druid has a reputation throughout the RPG world as a combination class that can defend, heal, or deal both melee and ranged damage with physical weapons and spells. A simple change like another set of gear can change a Druid’s role in the party. Many of the changes Wizards of the Coast are releasing for Dungeons & Dragons this year recognize the popularity and versatility of the Druid and give players even more options for their character’s unique build.

Best Druid Species

Shapeshifting, Elemental Control, Survival, Tracking, And Travel

new phb offcial druid art Wizards of the Coast

Although stats still have a major role in building a character, they aren’t affected by racial factors anymore. Different rules apply to any species outside of the D&D PHB.

Any creature that can control or manipulate the elements is ideal for a Druid. For the core species that appear in the Players Handbook (PHB), the old rules still apply when it comes to choosing a race. For species in the supplemental materials, it’s more about Backgrounds, unique abilities, and party roles.

Species

Source

Description

Wood Elves

Player Handbook

A variant of the Elf, they have a +2 bonus to Dexterity and +1 to Wisdom, increased movement speed, and the Mask of the Wild ability. It remains one of the best choices for a Druid in 5e.

Fairy

The Wild Beyond The Witchlight

This is one of the best races for a spellcasting Druid that focuses on DPS, partly because of the power of flight but also thanks to spells like Faerie Fire. It’s also an ideal choice for a support or off-healing build.

Lotusden Halfling

Explorer’s Guide to Wildmount

One of the Halfling subraces, they get a +1 to Wisdom and Druid-like powers. These include Timberwalk and spells like Entangle and Spike Growth.

Water Genasi

Elemental Evil Player’s Companion

This species can breathe underwater and has acid resistance and two free spells, including the Acid Splash cantrip. These Druids control water and have an aquatic form, including the ability to breathe air and water.

Winged Tiefling

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

As the name suggests, this Tiefling has the power of flight with some resistance to fire and some related burning cantrips. For players that want to start their Druid build with a Tiefling, this is the best choice in D&D 5e.

High Elf

Player Handbook

This species knows the cantrip Burning Blade, which works with any casting build. One example is the Circle of Spores because it increases the spell’s melee damage into an AoE nightmare.

Harengon

The Wild Beyond The Witchlight

Better Perception and Insight skills combined with Lucky Footwork and Rabbit Hop when better mobility for casting or healing is required.

Ghostwise Halfling

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

This race has the same skill boosts as Wood Elves and gains limited telepathy, in addition to the usual bonuses of the Halfling Lineage.

Variant Human

Player Handbook

Inspired by the most versatile race in D&D, Variant Humans can choose their ability score boosts and a starting Feat.

Firbolg

Volo’s Guide to Monsters

An exotic race, they have two innate abilities ideal for the best Druid build: Disguise Self and Detect Magic.

Owlin

Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos

The power of flight is the best advantage here, and the exotic Owlin also has Darkvision and can choose any stat to buff up by 2 points.

Kenku

Volo’s Guide to Monsters

This mysterious race is a challenge to roleplay but is growing in popularity. +1 Wisdom and +2 to Dexterity can have several applications and start one of the best possible Druid builds in 5e.

Mountain Dwarf

Player Handbook

One of the branches of Dwarves is currently available in the PHB, and it’s the only one that gives the character a +2 to any stat they choose. Wisdom is the obvious choice but Constitution is also ideal.

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Ability Scores

Wisdom For Spellcasting, Dexterity And Strength For Fighting Builds

Dungeons & Dragons Character Sheet And Dice

Druids don’t have a “dump stat” thanks to the versatility of the class, but some ability scores are more important than others, while others are essential and a few are optional.

Stat

Benefit

Druid Skill

Wisdom

Perception and Insight

Powers a Druid’s spells, so this should be the highest number out of all the ability scores.

Dexterity

Agility

A benefit to AC, but more important for a melee Druid.

Constitution

Endurance

A basic survivalist skill, this might be a higher priority than Dexterity depending on the party role.

Intelligence

Reasoning, Memory

Skills like Nature, Arcana, and Religion are determined by this stat. More important to Druids who are spellcasters and healers.

Charisma

Personality

Druids who use healing spells or act as the face of the party can make this stat a higher one.

Strength

Physical power and melee weapon damage

Some Druids specialize in melee damage and this stat is more important for them.

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Druid Circles

Druid’s Specific Talents And Powers

Official centaur art by John Anthony Di Giovanni The Herd of the Damned cropped

The following Druidic Circles serve as subclasses and determine the Druid’s skills and some information regarding their backstory.

Name

Sourcebook

Description

Circle of Dreams

Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

An ideal choice for Druids who prefer healing, this Druid has all the usual beneficial spells in addition to abilities like Balm of the Summer Court, which offers AoE healing and targeted spells at a longer range.

Circle of Wildfire

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

This Circle uses fire damage in its powerful array of spells and includes a Fire Spirit companion.

Circle of Stars

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

This Circle offers a nice combination of healing and damage spells for a mixed damage and healing build.

Circle of the Blighted

Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn

This Circle focuses on the power of corruption in the form of fungus, rot, and carrion feeders.

The Circle of Twilight

Unearthed Arcana

Some Druids enjoy decomposition and can manipulate the undead, but this Druid is the opposite. They seek out the Undead and the rot they bring, and fight against it using abilities like Harvest Scythe and Paths of the Death.

Circle of the Land

Player’s Handbook

For the classic spellcasting Druid, your powers are determined by the kind of landform the player chooses: Arctic, Swamp, Mountain, Underdark, Grassland, or Forest.

Circle of the Moon

Player’s Handbook

Summon fire elementals and use the Wild Shape ability as a combat form, allowing the Druid to act as the party’s main Defender.

Circle of Spores

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything

Includes offensive abilities like necromancy and raising undead. Spore Druids gain a host of AoE spells for damage and protecting their party.

Circle of the Shepherd

Xanathar’s Guide to Everything

This is the Circle to choose for a Druid that surrounds themselves with animal companions.

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Skills

Dice Roll Bonuses, Advantages, & Disadvantages

Selesnya_Sentry by Wesley Burt Loxodon with Axe and root shield D&D

Skill

Ability Score

Description

Perception

Wisdom

This is easily the most-rolled skill in any D&D campaign, and Druids have high Wisdom anyway, so this is a natural pick.

Arcana

Intelligence

Arcana makes it easier for a character to remember information about spells, magical items, and arcane traditions.

Sleight of Hand

Dexterity

A Druid with high Dexterity and Sleight of Hand proficiency can act as the party’s lockpicker, pickpocket, and trap-finder.

Survival

Wisdom

It fits well with the nature of the class, but how useful it is might depend on the campaign setting.

Nature

Intelligence

The character remembers information about terrain, tracking, animals, and plant life.

Insight

Wisdom

A Druid’s high Wisdom score means they have a better chance of determining a creature’s true intentions.

Religion

Intelligence

Makes it easier to remember information about deities, cults, and anything related to religion.

Acrobatics

Dexterity

This proficiency is ideal for Druids who use ranged or melee physical damage. Swap this out for Athletics if the Druid’s better stat is Strength.

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Feats

Determine The Character’s Role And Their Behaviour

Saarvin, a Dragonborn Ranger from Storm King's Thunder, Dungeons & Dragons WotC artwork

Feats are extra, miscellaneous abilities that a character can use to complement their build. The best options for the Druid class include the following:

Name

Description

Chef

Every party needs a cook anyway, and this adds +1 to the character’s Wisdom score.

Alert

The Druid gets a +5 to their Initiative roles. They can’t be ambushed or surprised, and hidden creatures don’t have Advantages on their attack roles.

Fey Touched

Grants the Druid a handy spell called Misty Step, which isn’t normally in the Druid’s spell cache but suits the class.

Elemental Adept

Some extra fire spells are useful to any Druid and even more useful to those of the Circle of Land.

Mobile

Speed increases by 10 ft. The character can Dash on difficult terrain and doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks in melee. Also applies while in Wild Shape form.

Observant

Gives a boost to the Druid’s Wisdom and passive Perception, so one of the most important pieces of the best 5e Druid build.

Durable

Better for a Druid who fights in melee combat or has a defender role, this Feat adds +1 to their Constitution. For each hit dice, they can restore hit points equal to 2x their Constitution modifier.

Telepathic

Use this to add +1 to Wisdom and gain the ability to read thoughts and communicate with any other creature in a 60-foot radius.

Shadow Touched

Increases any one of the following stats; Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma, gives the ability to cast Invisibility once a day, and one additional spell from the schools of Illusion or Necromancy.

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Backgrounds

Fills Out The Character’s Backstory

Three students arriving at Strixhaven in art for the Dungeons and Dragons book Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos WotC

Wrapping up character creation by selecting a background for the Druid is also an important part of their backstory. These backgrounds can also provide a few extra skills that can be useful for a Druid build, such as:

Name

Sourcebook

Description

Astral Drifter

Spelljamer: Adventures in Space – Astral Adventurer’s Guide

The realm of the Silver Void is the home of this Druid, which makes sense for a class that relies on Wisdom-based skills like Insight and Religion. This choice is better for a spellcaster because it includes Cleric: Magic Initiate as part of the Divine Contact ability.

Cloistered Scholar

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

For Druids who focus more on spellcasting, this grants two extra languages and two more Knowledge skills. Isolation is part of the Druid’s build anyway.

Faction Agent

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Think of the character Jaheira and her adherence to the Harpers in the Baldur’s Gate franchise, as an example of a Druid from this background. It also gives a Druid Insight and the choice of a wide range of helpful skills, plus two extra languages.

Far Traveler

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

Wisdom is the main driving force behind this background, which relies on talents like Perception and Insight. Druids from this Background can choose an exotic homeland and use a 1d6 to determine their type of traveler, such as Exile, Pilgrim, or Sightseer.

Feylost

The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

This is the fate of the Changling child, one that was stolen away as a baby and raised in the Fey. You can also learn how to play an instrument.

Hermit

Player’s Handbook

A Druid would spend time in isolation, far away from human habitation, making this one almost mandatory for the ideal Druid build. This background also makes sense for players who want to double their healing abilities with homemade potions.

Outlander

Player’s Handbook

A natural and obvious choice, this character was raised in the wilderness and has a close connection to the natural world, and has expertise in Athletics and Survival.

Sage

Player’s Handbook

It gives the character two extra languages and two Knowledge skills, giving the player more options for customizing their Druid build in 5e.

Urban Bounty Hunter

Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide

There are plenty of D&D adventures that take place in cities. This can be situational depending on the module or setting, but still makes sense overall for the Druid class.

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