D&D 5E (2024) Playtest Packet 6: They knocked Druid out of the Park

[FitzTheRuke]

Would it work for a mammoth sized spider if you want to be a spider queen druid?

Not really.

Hey, I prefer template statblocks with custom options (speeds, special attacks, etc). But they executed it so badly in the previous packet that it got stomped in reviews.

This is a workable solution, if a little disappointing (to me).

 

[TwoSix]

There doesn't seem to be any size restriction on forms, which means 2nd Tiny forms are now available.

 

[mellored]

Not really.

Hey, I prefer template statblocks with custom options (speeds, special attacks, etc). But they executed it so badly in the previous packet that it got stomped in reviews.

This is a workable solution, if a little disappointing (to me).

Well...
There is still the possibility they will add a dire and ancient spider in the monster manual.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Well...
There is still the possibility they will add a dire and ancient spider in the monster manual.

Yeah that's a good point - they can easily fix any shortcomings with this approach with thoughtful monster design.

 

[DavyGreenwind]

Yeah that's a good point - they can easily fix any shortcomings with this approach with thoughtful monster design.

I agree. And if there is a decent beast appendix in the PHB, then it's golden.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Thoughts on the Druid:

• The Primal Order choice is excellent (I'll write more on that here).
• Known forms 1. The reversion to Known forms was expected, and is disappointing.
• Known forms 2. Nevertheless, they have done some things well. I like that there is a limited number of forms available. That's tight, and means that any PC can have their alt-forms set. It also means, if I'm reading it right, that you'll only ever have one flying form. (I'd expect the opportunity to swap out forms as you level up, perhaps.) A drawback will be that the tiny form needs to be a choice -- do you want to be able to turn into a mouse if you've only got three form options? (the fourth option at level 4 would be where I expect I'd slot in a tiny choice, or an aquatic choice, because I wouldn't have taken both of those at level 2). I really like the tension they've introduced here, and I'll want to think about it more. But I think it would be fun to create a suite of beast builds that you are prepared to adopt. EDIT: I see I missed that you can choose new forms every long rest. That's too bad -- That brings back the book-scouring, and (to my mind) increases the need to provide a fixed list (as in the next point).
• Known forms 3. While they've stopped at-table MM-scouring, they still have an obligation, I feel, to include a respectable range of beast forms in the PHB. That takes up space, much more than the fixed stat blocks. I'd be content for them to list available beasts, even -- choose from the following x number of options.
• I like Elemental fury -- lets you keep the flavour you've chosen, but stll get the extra boost. This is an upscaling that feels cleaner than either the 2014 or the last playtest options.
• Longevity at level 20 is such a slight ribbon ability. I see no reason not to drop it to level 9 or 11.
• Circle of the Moon. Has Moon related abilities! Amazing. Love it.
• Circle of the Sea. Looks great and has fun options. The only downside is that it's the natural choice for an aquatic race, and the level 6 ability boils down to being able to help others breath underwater.

 

[Vael]

This is ... fine. I really like the new flavour of the Moon Druid and all the lunar abilities, but the reason I prefer templates is that they scale with you ... MM statblocks do not. So the "I just want to be the wolf-guy" Druid ... which I've run into more than once is once again in a trap.

 

[mellored]

I'd expect the opportunity to swap out forms as you level up, perhaps.)

You can swap after a long rest.

 

[Azzy]

There doesn't seem to be any size restriction on forms, which means 2nd Tiny forms are now available.

Yeah, I'm not surprised about that.

 

[fluffybunbunkittens]

Druids are back to crawling through the MM for forms.

...at least they have to use their own hitpoints this time around.