Shillelagh - Why no scaling?

[Zardnaar]

Druids have never really been good in melee.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

It's not a desire for "melee druid" it's a desire for "doesn't totally absolutely suck at melee druid."

By analogy, look at the difference between a tempest cleric and a storm barbarian. The storm barbarian is MUCH better at melee, but the tempest cleric isn't totally worthless in melee, the way, say, a bog-standard druid is.

This.

Every other class in the game has a way to have a decent melee weapon at-will attack option: no multiclassing, feats, or shenaniganerry required.

Druid should not be singled out as the one class that doesn't get a scaling melee weapon damage option.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

By design, the Moon druid is the melee option, and a ranger is the gish option.

However, there are ways to build a druid who is stronger in melee without using widshape. Here is a list of suggstions:

* pursuade the DM to make non-metalic medium armour available. Ankheg armour is an old stalwart. Non-metallic shields are generally available. Dragon Scale armour (DMG) is non-metallic.

* choose a race with natural armour. Lizardfolk or tortles in the Realms, warforged in Eberron, Loxodon in Ravnica.

* Use Magic Adept feat to learn Booming Blade (you can get a familiar at the same time). edit: or Mage Armour.

* learn the Pole Arm Master feat.

* Wood elves make competent archers.

 

[5ekyu]

This.

Every other class in the game has a way to have a decent melee weapon at-will attack option: no multiclassing, feats, or shenaniganerry required.

Druid should not be singled out as the one class that doesn't get a scaling melee weapon damage option.

What was the scsling melee weapon damage option for the sorc again?

 

[Kobold Stew]

This.

Every other class in the game has a way to have a decent melee weapon at-will attack option: no multiclassing, feats, or shenaniganerry required.

Druid should not be singled out as the one class that doesn't get a scaling melee weapon damage option.

Thorn Whip?

It's a cantrip, and not technically a weapon, but allows Melee attacks at 30'.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

This.

Every other class in the game has a way to have a decent melee weapon at-will attack option: no multiclassing, feats, or shenaniganerry required.

Druid should not be singled out as the one class that doesn't get a scaling melee weapon damage option.

Not This. I will ask again: "nature orientated melee PC" is one of the most supported concepts in 5e. That isn't an opinion, it is math. So other than checking a box, what possible reason is there for a weapon using melee druid?

 

[Gladius Legis]

What was the scsling melee weapon damage option for the sorc again?

Booming Blade and Green-Flame Blade?

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

A grassland druid can make good use of shillelagh by casting haste. Cast shillelagh as a bonus action, haste as an action, move up to 60 feet and make a melee attack with the extra action. Two attacks per turn after that, or you can attack once and disengage if things are not looking good, but the +2 bonus to AC should provide a much-needed boost to remain in melee.

 

[77IM]

A grassland druid can make good use of shillelagh by casting haste. Cast shillelagh as a bonus action, haste as an action, move up to 60 feet and make a melee attack with the extra action. Two attacks per turn after that, or you can attack once and disengage if things are not looking good, but the +2 bonus to AC should provide a much-needed boost to remain in melee.

When you cast a spell as a bonus action, you can't use your regular action to cast a spell of 1st level or higher. So this won't work on round 1. But on subsequent rounds it is a pretty good move. (And it's another reason why, if you do add scaling damage to shillelagh, it should be once per turn, similar to the cleric's Divine Strike.)

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

When you cast a spell as a bonus action, you can't use your regular action to cast a spell of 1st level or higher. So this won't work on round 1. But on subsequent rounds it is a pretty good move. (And it's another reason why, if you do add scaling damage to shillelagh, it should be once per turn, similar to the cleric's Divine Strike.)

My bad, I always thought that cantrip as a bonus action + leveled spell as an action was a valid move. Still, you could cast shillelagh and attack, casting haste in the following round. A small loss of movement and AC, but same damage overall. Average damage of 19, against 18 from a 4d8 produce flame, or you could cast a spell and still attack once using wisdom as your attack stat. I may be missing something, but it appears to be a strong option for a lvl 5+ grassland druid.