The Druid is a versatile class in Baldur’s Gate 3. This time, we show you the Druid build, the subclass “Circle of the Moon”, where you fight in animal form. We list subclass, attribute points, talents, and spells in our overview.
What is the Druid? The Druid is one of the major classes in Baldur’s Gate 3. It is nature-oriented and can thus cast various spells related to shape-shifting, spores from fungi, and necromancy.
In this guide, we will show you a build for the subclass “Circle of the Moon”, which specializes in transforming into other creatures like bears, spiders, panthers, or even saber-toothed tigers. So you predominantly fight in animal form.
We will now show you in the following section which attribute points, talents, and spells you should focus on if you want to play the Druid predominantly in animal form.
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Druid Build: Subclass Circle of the Moon – Choose the following attribute points
Which subclass should I choose as Druid? Use the Circle of the Moon as your subclass.
Which attributes should I focus on? As a Druid with the Circle of the Moon, you should concentrate on Wisdom. As a second focus, concentrate on Constitution.
Note that for the attributes, you should focus on even rather than odd numbers, as otherwise, you won’t benefit from improved dice rolls. You can find more about the attributes in our overview.
This is how you distribute your attribute points as a Druid (Circle of the Moon):
- Strength: 10
- Dexterity: 14
- Constitution: 16
- Intelligence: 8
- Wisdom: 16
- Charisma: 10
Druid Build: Talents at All Levels
How do talents work? In Baldur’s Gate 3, you can choose a talent at levels 4, 8, and 12 to complement your build. However, if you dislike any talent, you can instead invest 2 points into your desired attributes.
Which talents do I need? In this case, we recommend focusing on the following talents per level:
- Level 4: Alert
- Function: You can no longer be surprised and gain +5 to Initiative. However, you can also choose any talent of your choice.
- Level 8: No talent, but improve abilities
- Wisdom should be increased to level 18.
- Level 12: No talent, but improve abilities
- Wisdom should now be pushed up to level 20. The talents in this level range are not optimal, and by improving your ability, you can strengthen yourself without taking risks.
In our overview, you can find a ranking of all talents and which are the best for all classes.
Best Druid Build: How to Level Halsin
As a Druid of the Circle of the Moon, spells that you can maintain with your concentration are especially worthwhile. You can cast a concentration spell before you transform into an animal of your choice. The transformation does not break the spell.
The good thing is: As a Druid, you can swap your spells freely before each battle. You do not have to run to Lazarus and reset your level. You don’t have a fixed loadout but can adjust your spells according to the situation. Thus, you can constantly swap out your spells and try out what works best for you.
The following spells and cantrips are worthwhile as a Druid of the Circle of the Moon:
Level 1
- Cantrips: Guidance and Thorn Whip
Guidance is one of the strongest cantrips in Baldur’s Gate 3. With Guidance, the target receives a bonus of 1d4 on ability checks, which is particularly useful in conversations and for picking locks.
- Spells you have at Level 1: Ice Knife, Thunderwave, Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Enhance Jump
You only get your animal form at Level 2, so at Level 1, you mainly use the damage spells Ice Knife, Thunderwave, and the cantrip Thorn Whip to deal damage. With Cure Wounds and Healing Word, you can heal yourself or allies.
Level 2
- Spells that are worthwhile: Speak with Animals, Entangle, Healing Word, Thunderwave, Faerie Fire
- Choose subclass: Circle of the Moon
- Cantrip: Resistance
- Animal form: Now you can transform into animals. The options available at Level 2 are: A badger, a wolf, a spider, and a cat. Through your subclass, you gain an additional animal form, the bear, which is quite tanky.
Faerie Fire is a handy concentration spell that you can use before transforming into an animal. All targets in the light become visible, and your attack rolls have an advantage.
Speak with Animals is not practical in combat, but it is very worthwhile in Baldur’s Gate 3 because you encounter numerous animals and thus engage in some fun dialogues.
Level 3
- Spells that are worthwhile: Flame Sphere, Moonbeam, Hold Person, Entangle, Healing Word
Flame Sphere is a strong spell that creates a burning sphere. This sphere can be moved over a certain distance and causes fire damage to targets that come into contact with it or are immediately nearby.
You can conjure the sphere before you transform into an animal of your choice. Your concentration is not interrupted by the transformation. The sphere will support you in combat until your concentration is broken (or up to 10 turns).
Hold Person is also a very strong spell, especially if you have melee fighters on your team. If the spell is successful, the humanoid target becomes incapacitated and cannot perform any actions or reactions. All melee attacks against the target are automatically critical hits, allowing you to deal massive damage.
Level 4
- Spells that are worthwhile: Here you could also prepare the concentration spell Heat Metal or Thorn Whip. Just see which spells you find useful. You can swap them out before each battle.
- Cantrip: Pick your favorite
- New animal forms: Deep Rothé and Nightmare Crow
- You can choose your first talent (see above)
Level 5
- Spells that are worthwhile: Call Lightning, Snowstorm, or Plant Growth
All three spells are strong. With Call Lightning, you hit multiple targets with lightning that are within radius. You can cast the spell with good concentration up to ten rounds each time without wasting a spell slot. Therefore, it would be worthwhile to always choose the highest spell level to get the most benefit from the feature.
The spells Snowstorm and Plant Growth give you plenty of crowd control effects (CC).
- You can make a second attack after your first unarmed strike in your animal form.
Level 6
- Prepare spells: Pick your favorites
- First strike: You gain a new passive feature from the Circle of the Moon, making your attacks in animal form count as magical damage.
- New animal forms: Owlbear and Panther
As an owlbear, you become the ultimate tank that can also deal massive damage. Some Druids have discovered how to take down their opponents in one hit with the owlbear. As a panther, you act as a pure damage machine, just like with the wolf.
Level 7
- New spells that are worthwhile: Wall of Fire and Summon Forest Creature
Wall of Fire is considered one of the most powerful AoE spells in the game. The spell can be flexibly placed as long as there is visibility to the entire area. All within the area take immediate 5d8 fire damage and catch fire. The spell covers large areas, is good for long distances or narrow corridors, and can deal damage to enemies over several rounds when positioned well tactically.
Summon Forest Creature allows you to call a dryad that follows you and supports you in battle. The cool thing is: it’s not a concentration spell. It’s best to summon her before the fight so that you don’t use an action in combat. And what’s even more practical is that your dryad can also summon another creature. A great two-for-one deal.
Level 8
- Prepare spells: Pick your favorites
- You can choose your second talent (see above)
- New animal form: Saber-toothed Tiger
The saber-toothed tiger also focuses entirely on damage, just like the panther and the wolf. However, they have different abilities. See what you like best.
Level 9
- New spells that are worthwhile: Summon Elemental and Insect Plague
With Summon Elemental, you can summon an elemental of your choice that supports you in battle.
Level 10
- Cantrip: Pick your favorite
- Prepare spells: Pick your favorites
- You can now make two extra attacks after your first unarmed strike in your animal form.
- New animal forms: Dilophosaurus and Myrmidon
You can transform into a dino and a Myrmidon of your choice. The Myrmidon comes in four different variants, each with different abilities. Overall, the 4 forms are very strong. To transform into a Myrmidon, you need two animal form charges.
Level 11
- New spells that are worthwhile: Hero’s Feast, Wall of Thorns, and Sunbeam
Hero’s Feast gives your party strong buffs. You can no longer be sick, frightened, or poisoned. Additionally, your health increases, and you gain an advantage on Wisdom checks. The buff lasts until the next long rest.
Sunbeam is a far-reaching concentration spell that is worthwhile in combat. The beam deals a lot of damage and blinds enemies. You can use the spell once each turn (up to a maximum of 10 turns) as long as your concentration holds – without needing to use another spell slot again.
Level 12
- Prepare spells: Pick your favorites
- You can choose your third talent (see above)
These were the most important things. You can also swap spells as you like, depending on what you feel like in combat. So feel free to try out new spells. What do you think of the Druid? Have you tested it yet? If so, how strong do you find it? Let us know in the comments!
What animals can the Druid transform into?
To transform into an animal, you need animal form charges. You regain these through a short or long rest. You can also dispel the transformation yourself. If your hit points in animal form drop to 0, you automatically transform back.
Each animal form has different abilities and has its own attribute points. In total, there are 15 animals that the Druid of the Circle of the Moon can transform into:
- Cat (from Level 1)
- Badger (from Level 1)
- Bear (from Level 1)
- Wolf (from Level 1)
- Spider (from Level 1)
- Nightmare Crow (from Level 4)
- Deep Rothé (from Level 4)
- Owlbear (from Level 6)
- Panther (from Level 6)
- Saber-toothed Tiger (from Level 8)
- Dilophosaurus (from Level 10)
- 4 types of Myrmidon (from Level 10)
- Earth
- Water
- Air
- Fire
If you love trying out something new repeatedly, you should check out the Bard. This class is considered one of the best in Baldur’s Gate 3, excelling not only in combat but also in conversations with other characters. Need tips for the Bard? Author Fabienne Kissel from MeinMMO presents a multiclass build that allows you to defeat the strongest opponents in one go.
