Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid build: Race, skills, subclass, background & more

If you're looking for the best Druid build to run in Baldur's Gate 3, we've got a rundown of the race, skills, subclass and background you should be picking.

Maya Hutchinson

04th Sep 2023 15:08

Images via Larian Studios

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Crafting the best Druid build in Baldur's Gate 3 requires you to put a lot of thought into the spells you pick, but we'll cover the best picks, along with the race, skills, subclass, and background.

In Baldur's Gate 3, you can craft a character of your own choosing thanks to the game's various classes and different races. On top of this, the choices you can make throughout the game help to define you and the companions close to you, making for a unique experience each time.

Druids wield the power of nature to damage, protect, and transform, so here is everything you need to know about putting together the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build.

Not a fan of the Druid build? Check out our recommendations for other best builds in Baldur's Gate 3:

Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid explained

a Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

The Druid in Baldur's Gate 3 is a Wisdom-based spellcasting class built around the themes of natural magic and a primordial connection to the natural world.

Whether they’re calling upon the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, druids are an embodiment of nature's resilience, cunning, and fury.

While they claim no mastery over nature, they do see themselves as extensions of nature's will. That said, they play similarly to the other mages.

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All Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid subclasses

the Baldur's Gate 3 Druid subclasses

There are a total of three Druid subclasses in Baldur's Gate 3: Circle of the Land, Circle of the Moon, and Circle of the Spores.

Circle of the Land

Druids of this Circle connect to powerful magic that flows through the earth and binds all living things together.

Subclass Feature	Description
Wild Shape	As an action, you can assume the form of a beast
Cantrip	Choose a cantrip
Natural Recovery	Replenish expended spell slots while out of combat

Circle of the Moon

Druids sworn to the moon draw on its mercurial nature to transform into massive creatures and primal elementals.

Subclass Feature	Description
Wild Shape	As an action, you can assume the form of a beast
Lunar Mend	Expend spell slots to regain hit points while in Wild Shape
Wild Shape: Bear	Assume the shape of a polar bear

Circle of the Spores

Viewing death, necrosis, fungal growth, and sporulation as just another part of life, you can manipulate such spores to augment yourself and harm your foes.

Subclass Feature	Description
Wild Shape	As an action, you can assume the form of a beast
Hale of Spores	Unleash a cloud of necrotic spores upon a target as a reaction
Symbiotic Energy	Gain temporary hit points and deal additional Necrotic damage while you have them. Cast Halo of Spores with double damage
Bone Chill	Prevent a target from healing until your next turn and deal Necrotic damage

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What is the best Druid subclass?

a Bear Wild Shape in Baldur's Gate 3, part of the Circle of the Moon subclass

The best Druid subclass in Baldur's Gate 3 is the Circle of the Moon, as it offers the most Wild Shape options when levelling up throughout the game, giving you a useful tool for any encounter or situation you find yourself in.

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid: Wild Shapes

an image of the Wild Shape ability in Baldur's Gate 3

What makes Druids special and stand out from other mages in Baldur's Gate 3 is their ability to transform into an animal. Each of these is tailored for various situations, whether it’s a combat scenario or perhaps simply acting as a distraction for your allies.

Here are all the Wild Shape beasts in Baldur's Gate 3 and the level they are unlocked at:

Beast(s)	Level Unlocked
Badger, Cat, Bear, Wolf, Spider	Level 2
Dire Raven, Deep Rothe	Level 4
Panther, Owlbear	Level 6
Sabre-Toothed Tiger	Level 8
Dilophosaurus, Earth Myrmidon, Air Myrmidon, Water Myrmidon, Fire Myrmidon	Level 10

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Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid build

With all the above information in mind, here is what you need in order to make the best Druid build possible in Baldur's Gate 3.

It's worth noting that you can respec your character in Baldur's Gate 3 if you have already started the game but want to make sure you're running the best possible combination:

Level 1

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 1

Option	Selection
Race & Subrace	Gnome / Forest Gnome
Cantrips	Shillelagh, Thorn Whip
Spells	Cure Wounds, Entangle, Thunderwave, Ice Knife
Background	Folk Hero
Skill Proficiencies	Nature & Medicine
Ability Points	Strength: 10 Dexterity: 14 Constitution: 14 Intelligence: 8 Wisdom: 17 Charisma: 12

Level 2

a level 2 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Subclass	Circle of the Moon
Spells	Faerie Fire

Level 3

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 3

Option	Selection
Spells	Spike Growth, Moonbeam

Level 4

a level 4 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Cantrip	Poison Spray
Spells	Hold Person
Feat	Ability Improvement. +2 Wisdom

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Level 5

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 5

Option	Selection
Spells	Call Lightning, Plant Growth

Level 6

a level 6 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Spells	Heat Metal

Level 7

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 7

Option	Selection
Spells	Dominate Beast

Level 8

a level 8 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Spells	Conjure Woodland Being
Feat	Elemental Adept: Fire

Level 9

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 9

Option	Selection
Spells	Conjure Elemental

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Level 10

a level 10 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Cantrip	Guidance
Spells	Contagion

Level 11

the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build at level 11

Option	Selection
Spells	Wall of Thorns

Level 12

a level 12 Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

Option	Selection
Spells	Sunbeam
Feat	War Caster

That's it for the best Baldur's Gate 3 Druid build, and now you know which options are best to take when building your character. For more, head to our Baldur's Gate 3 homepage, or check out our Baldur's Gate 3 achievements and trophies guide.

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