cashew | Fixin' Druid 2024-edition

Previously, I yapped about fixing Druid, but was basing it on the 2014 rules. Now that I've read up on the new 2024 rules (which severely nerfed Wild Shape for Druids), I'm back again to fixing Druids 2024-edition. Grrr...

Druid Hack

Level 1: Druidic - Changes: in addition to knowing Druidic, the spell Speak with Animals is always prepared, does not count toward prepared spells limit. You can cast Speak with Animals for free a number of times per day equal to your proficiency bonus.
Level 1: Spellcasting - Changes: cantrips known is raised by 1 (aka: 3 at lvl 1-3, 4 at lvl 4-9, 5 at lvl 10-20). You know Druidcraft and it does not count towards cantrips known. Total number of level 1+ spells prepared is equal to your Druid level + proficiency bonus.
Level 2: Wild Shape - Changes: remove limits on number of beast forms known and retain your character's AC and ability stats if it is higher than the beast's stat block. You gain any bonus sense, passive perception, and flying/swimming speed from the beast of your choice. You gain the beast's HP as temporary HP. Additional synergy:
- Wild Shape Synergy #1: While in Wild Shape, you gain advantage on concentration checks.
- Wild Shape Synergy #2: If you are concentrating on a spell while Wild Shaped, you can change the target or location of the spell using your bonus action. For example, if you are concentrating on Faerie Fire while Wild Shaped into a spider and an enemy marked by Faerie Fire dies before the spell ends, you can use your bonus action to move the remaining duration of Faerie Fire onto another enemy.
- Wild Shape Synergy #3: While Wild Shaped, beasts attacking you do so at disadvantage.
- Wild Shape Synergy #4: While Wild Shaped, you have enhanced reflexes. You can use your reaction to dodge an attack roll that would have hit otherwise.
Level 5 - Wild Resurgence - Changes: instead of getting a Wild Shape charge back from expending a spell slot, you now get a number of charges back equal to the level of the spell slot expended. In other words, get one charge back for a level 1 spell slot, 2 charges back for a level 2 spell slot, etc.
Level 18: Beast Spells - Change: You can cast spells while Wild Shaped and ignore the V,S,M components of spells.
Level 20: Archdruid - Change: Longevity now causes you to stop aging and you become immune to exhaustion. Spells that manipulate time cannot affect you.
Add these spells to the Druid's list:
- Cantrips: Chill Touch, Light, Lightning Lure, Ray of Frost, Shocking Grasp, Toll the Dead
- Level 1: Burning Hands, Cause Fear, Comprehend Languages, Earth Tremor, Expeditious Retreat, Feather Fall, Frost Fingers, Snare, Inflict Wounds
- Level 2: Aid, Alter Self, Blindness/Deafness, Calm Emotions, Darkness, Dragon's Breath, Flock of Familiars, Misty Step, See Invisibility, Silence, Warding Bond, Web
- Level 3: Animate Dead, Bestow Curse, Catnap, Fear, Fly, Gaseous Form, Magic Circle, Phantom Steed, Remove Curse, Sending, Speak with Dead, Stinking Cloud, Thunder Step, Tongues, Wall of Sand
- Level 4: Death Ward, Greater Invisibility, Sickening Radiance, Spirit of Death, Storm Sphere
- Level 5: Cloudkill, Dawn, Dominate Person, Dream, Far Step, Hold Monster, Immolation, Passwall, Raise Dead, Wall of Light
- Level 6: Chain Lightning, Circle of Death, Create Undead, Eyebite, Guards and Wards, True Seeing, Wall of Ice
- Level 7: Crown of Stars, Finger of Death, Forcecage, Resurrection
- Level 8: Dark Star, Dominate Monster, Maddening Darkness
- Level 9: Imprisonment, Invulnerability, Mass Polymorph, Meteor Swarm, Ravenous Void, Time Ravage, Time Stop, True Polymorph, Mass Heal, Power Word: Heal, Power Word: Kill