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Upon its release in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, the Circle of Stars Druid was lauded as one of the best Druid subclasses inDungeons & Dragons. With years of experimenting with the subclass, it’s safe to say that this initial reaction was largely true.
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This is thanks to the Circle of Stars Druid’s subclass abilities leveraging the action economy incredibly efficiently. As early as sixth level, you have access to both a reliable bonus action and reaction on every turn in combat. Most other character builds can only dream of being so streamlined. Let’s take a look at how to make your wish upon a star come true.
Species
Typically,the best character builds start with access toa feat at level oneby taking either thevariant humanorcustom lineagespecies.
However, many DMs (dungeon masters) have a homebrew rule that allows everyone their selection of a feat at level one, no matter what species they choose. If you happen to play at one of these tables,there are many other species to consider due to their innate abilities.
Seeing as Wisdom is your spellcasting ability score, any species that provides a bonus to your Wisdom score is a suitable choice.
These include theKalashtar, Lizardfolk (legacy), Firbolg (legacy),andLoxodon. There are some other species that provide a +1 bonus to Wisdom; however, their additional species abilities don’t synergize particularly well with the Druid.
The species below are from Monsters of the Multiverse and exist alongside the ruling that you’re able to choose the ability scores you want to increase. If you pick one of these species, increase your Wisdom by 2.
Choices with species abilities that go well alongside the Circle of Stars Druid include theAstral Elf, Tortle, Lizardfolk, Harengon, Firbolg,andEladrin. Coincidentally, these are all alsogreat thematic choicesfor any Druid.
Firbolg
The Astral Elf, Harengon, and Eladrin all give youproficiency in perception for free. This is the most important skill in the game, and Wisdom-based classes like the Druid should always get their perception as high as possible.
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Ability Scores
As mentioned above,Wisdomis your spellcasting ability score, so you’ll be prioritizing it first. Increasing your Wisdom score allows you tocast more spells while also boosting their effectiveness, and you’ll be casting spells almost every turn you take.
Like most other characters, your second most important ability score isConstitution. This statistic increases your health and, quite importantly,helps you maintain concentration on spells.
Anything you can do to prevent enemies from breaking your concentration will be a huge buff to your character.
All spellcasters should use their concentration when they come up against difficult encounters, as these spells provide value over multiple turns.
Your other ability scores are much less important; however,IntelligenceandDexterityshould both be assigned decent values.
As a Druid, you have proficiency in Intelligence saving throws and likely have proficiencies in some Intelligence-based skills. On the other hand, Dexterity applies to both your initiative and your AC.
Harengons and Lizardfolk are incentivized to prioritize Dexterity over Intelligence as a higher Dexterity makes their species benefits even better.
Ultimately,it’s up to you to decide whether Intelligence or Dexterity is more importantto your character. Both Strength and Charisma are typically dump stats for Druids.
Feats
Speaking of maintaining concentration,War CasterorResilient (Constitution)should be the first feat you pick up.
Either of these choices willmake it much more difficult for enemies to break through your concentration spells, and you’ll be casting concentration spells quite often.
The dragon constellation of your starry form feature also makes it very hard for enemies to break your concentration. However, you’ll get the most value out of this feature by using its other modes, so it’s still important to buff your concentration checks in alternative ways.
Maximizing your Wisdom scoreis more important than picking up other feats. Your level 4 ASI (Ability Score Improvement) should be spent to increase your Wisdom to 20.
However, your level 8 ASI is a fine opportunity to pick up another feat from the options below.
Starry Form And Cosmic Omen
These are your subclass features that make the Circle of Stars Druid so formidable. Depending on the constellation you pick, the starry form lets youuse your bonus actionto either make aranged attack or heal yourself or an ally within 30 feet.
The ranged attack option using the archer constellation is best for easier combats, while the chalice constellation that heals will perform better in dangerous scenarios.
There’s alsothe dragon constellationwhich gives you aminimum of 10 on any d20 roll for Intelligence or Wisdom ability checksas well as maintaining concentration on a spell.
This form isbest used outside of combatin social scenarios; however, it also gives you a flight speed at tenth level that can be very useful in certain encounters.
Once you hit sixth level, you’ll unlock Cosmic Omen. This ability lets youuse your reaction to either subtract a d6 from an opponent’s roll or add a d6 to an ally’s roll.
Unfortunately,you must subtract or add the d6 before the roll is made. As a result, Cosmic Omen is best applied to attack rolls, saving throws, and ability checks that are of utmost importance.
Cosmic Omen should be used to subtract from a boss monster’s attack rolls or saving throws against an ally’s spells. Alternatively, you could use it to add to a decisive attack from an ally, such as a Rogue’s sneak attack or an important saving throw from an enemy spell like Hold Person.
Spells
As a Circle of Stars Druid, you gain access to theGuidancecantrip and theGuiding Boltspell.
These are both great Cleric spells that you should look to use often. Guiding Boltdoesn’t even cost you spell slots to cast, so it’s perfect for blasting down enemies.
Guidance can be cast on yourself or an ally prior to combat to provide an additional d4 to an initiative roll.
Unlike other Druid subclasses, you don’t gain additional spells outside of the Druid class aside from those listed above. Thankfully, Druids already have a number of great spells unique to their own class.
At early levels,Animal FriendshipandCharm Personare perfect spells for social encounters.
As far as healing options,Cure Wounds, Healing Word, Goodberry,andLesser Restorationwill all serve you well though your Starry form chalice constellationmakes picking uphealing spells far less important.
Meanwhile, your concentration at early levels should be used on spells such asFaerie Fire, Entangle, Heat Metal, Hold Person, Spike Growth,andPass Without Trace.
Your concentration at higher levels should usually be spent onConjure Animalsif your DM allows this spell.
However,don’t be surprised if it’s banned or modified,as this spell is notorious for slowing games to a crawl since it can summon up to eight allied creatures that all have their own turn. Below is a table of the best Druid spells to consider preparing.
1st
yes
2nd
3rd
no
4th
5th
If Conjure Animals is banned due to time constraints, suggest using the Mob Attack rules found on page 250 of the Dungeon Master’s Guide to speed up your turns considerably.
The Circle of Stars Druid hasone of the best action economies in the game. If you enjoytaking impactful actions, it’s hard to do better than this subclass.
It can be a lot to keep up with,so make sure you’re ready to master the infinite cosmos before deciding that the answer to your character conundrum is in the starry night sky.
