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All the ways to play a Druid inBaldur’s Gate 3offer the flexibility of healing and dealing damage, but few channel that flexibility like the Circle of the Stars. These Druids are the most action-efficient, using every single resource to strike down their foes and keep allies in top shape.
Here, we will cover the best ways to use a Circle of the Stars Druid, from what Starry Form to focus on to what you’re able to expect at the early and late levels. Get your spells ready, choose your constellation, and be ready to master the most far-reaching Druid in the game.
Circle Of Stars Druid Overview
All Druids candeal damage and heal allies, even ones that lean more into one aspect than the other. What the Circle of the Stars allows you to do, however, is toeasily swap between those roleswith a bonus action and a Wild Shape charge.
Circle of the Stars Druids can still Wild Shape like all other Druids.
You do this by channelingone of three Starry Forms, each tied to a different constellation. The Archer gives youa bonus action ranged attack, Dragon gives you ashort ranged area attackandbetter concentration, and Chalice lets youheal more when using supportive spells.
The Best Starting Stats, Species, And Spells For A Circle Of Stars Druid Character
Species
Due toyour stats not being impactedby your choice of species, you canchoose any you’d like,and you would be fine. Halflings, however, havean easier time maintaining concentrationon spells, and the Lightfoot variantcan help you sneak aroundthe Sword Coast.
Cantrips
Shillelagh isa great offensive cantripfor the early levels of the game, while Produce Flame can give youa flame sourcefor setting up traps with barrels. Here, you would normally get Guidance asone of your cantrips, butyou get it for freeas a Circle of the Stars Druid at level two.
Spells aren’t a focus here, since you technicallyhave access to all of them. Don’t be afraid to experiment around, although the most useful ones areCure Wounds, Healing Wor,d and Thunderwave.
Background
Druids are often used aschampions of the peopleand the animal kingdom, so backgroundslike Folk Hero or Outlanderwill get you inspired the most. If we consider the skills they offer as well, thenFolk Hero wins outthanks to its Animal Handling.
Stats And Skills
We will recommend stats based onnot needing any particular featslater on, assuming that you always pickthe Ability Score Improvement option.
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For skills,Animal Handlingis one you want to have, but if you went with the Folk Hero background, thenPerception and Insightare ideal.
Tips To Best Play A Circle Of Stars Druid
Even if you only havetwo Wild Shape charges, they arerecharged with a short rest, so it is best to firstuse your constellations before any spell slots. You also have access toStar Maps, which cancast Guiding Boltwithout needing a spell slot; while they arerecharged on a long rest, these Guiding Bolts are the ideal way to fight less important encounters.
Circle of the Stars Druids always have Guiding Bolt prepared.
Starry Form: Archer
This is the form you’ll use most often, since it gives youa bonus action attackto use alongside all other combat strategies. Theradiant damage dealtby this form will be key as you traverse Act Two of the game, wheremany enemies are vulnerable to it.
Starry Form: Chalice
In this form, each timeyou cast a healing spell, you can useChalice Healing as a free action. You can use this to heal the same target, yourself,or anyone else, giving you a lot of versatility as the main healer of the party.
Since Chalice Healing is a free action, you can swap into this form andstart using the benefits right away, letting you pivot into a healing role almost immediately. This is what makes a Circle of the Stars Druidan ideal healing main character, since you can turn the role on and off.
Starry Form: Dragon
The Dragon offers two benefits:area radiant damage(key in certain scenarios) andan easy way to concentrate on spells. The latter is the main strategic benefit of the form, letting your spells that require concentrationbe all the more reliable, no matter your strategy.
It should be noted that, at level ten,the Dragon form also allows the user to fly. This is less useful than it may seem at first glance, since most expert players will usethe Astral-Touched Tadpoleto give flight speed to every member of the party.
The Best Spells For A Circle Of Stars Druid
While we will recommendthe best spells of each level, Druids have accessto all of them, so as always,attempt to experiment.Read the spells carefully and considerhow they functionwith your party, your build, andyour personal preferences.
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The Best Equipment For A Circle Of Stars Druid
Best Weapons
As a spellcaster, you will want to focus onmagical implementsmore than actual weapons. Quarterstaves will beyour bread and butter, letting youuse Shillelagh on themearly on and being powerful tools at the end of the game.
The best quarterstaff isMarkoheshkir, found in Ramazith’s Tower. You will need towait until Act Threeto get it, but fortunately, you canget it early enoughthat you can use it against Raphael, Cazado,r and all the other main villains of the game.
Best Armor And Accessories
Many equipment pieces can aid youin your journey to Baldur’s Gate, but for Circle of the Stars Druids in particular, you want to focus onbuilding your strengths further. Equipment pieces such asthe Boots of Striding and the Barkskin Armor, both of whichaid you in concentrating, can make your powerful spells even more reliable.
Every Level Up Choice For A Circle Of Stars Druid
The most important choices you’ll make as a Druid won’t be at level up, butevery time you prepare spellsbefore a fight. Still, here we will covercertain cantrip options and beneficial feats, in case you don’t want to take the Ability Improvement option when available.
Cantrip
As we said before, you’ll get Guidance for free at level 2, so take Shillelagh and Produce Flame.
Feat, Cantrip
Take War Caster so you keep your powerful spells going, and Thorn Whip to pull enemies into your damaging effects.
Feat
you may take Resilient on Constitution for improved spells, although you should accommodate your stats at character creation or with Withers for this.
Take Resistance, although the concentration it requires competes with many of your other spells.
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If you are happy with your stats at this stage, then the Lucky feat can aid you in combat and social rolls.
