cashew | Mild d&d bitching

Ok, I know this like matters to exactly zero people, but I just have to say that after reading a lot of how people interpret words on forums, my conclusion is that while Druidcraft is still slightly weaker utility-wise compared to the other two RP cantrips (Prestidigitation and Thaumaturgy) , it is also being even more shafted by people who can't read.

One of Druidcraft's biggest advantages over Prestidigitation is that it is written with subtle spell casting. Unlike Prestidigitation, which is labeled with a default verbal component (which in D&D rules lawyering means audible chanting), the first sentence of Druidcraft's description is "Whispering to the spirits of nature". Combine that with 30ft range (instead of the 10ft range of Prestidigitation), that means Druidcraft's Sensory Effect can be cast from distance in secret without the target realizing the effect came from a spell.

In other words, while a Druid can make the woods whisper terrible things into your ear without you being able to figure it out, a Wizard has to be basically within reach to try those things. Therefore, in terms of pulling off tricks like "create a stinky smell to distract the guards" can be pulled off with Druidcraft, but will require a lot more set up using Prestidigitation.

Still doesn't make up for the fact that Bloom and Weather Sensor sub-effects have low RP and utility value compared to Clean or Soil and Minor Creation and Minor Sensation. Again, Prestidigitation getting six effects compared to Druidcraft's four makes Prestidigitation the better RP cantrip. But Druidcraft really could be significantly better if the D&D crowd remembered Druidcraft's built-in subtle spell casting.

I maintain that Druidcraft's Weather Sensor should be changed into generating a localized (aka one square or 5x5x5ft sized) harmless weather effect, like tiny rain cloud that waters the plant or a tiny sun to function as a hand warmer, etc. And Bloom needs to do more to plants than just make a bud open. If making shelter with a cantrip is considered too useful, then at the very least it needs to be able to boost plant vitality, like revive a (non-magical) dead tree temporarily (an hour seems reasonable) or make ivy crawl up a wall and cover a window (then withering away after an hour). Personally I think using Druidcraft to make plants grow in a 5x5x5ft plot to create difficult terrain really isn't overpowered given Mold Earth (a cantrip) can do the same just about everywhere (without needing plants available).

And for all the people worried about Plant Growth being outshine, given that Plant Growth has no time limit and is permanent, I'd say uh...no.