Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid Build Guide – Best Stats and Subclass

Updated: December 6, 2023
This build is current to patch 5.

Choosing which class you want to play in Baldur’s Gate 3 is an important decision, but it is only the first step in the character creation process. Each class has branching choices as you level up, and then there's the decision of your race, starting stats, sock color (not really), etc.

Druid is a good choice as a starting character, as it offers plenty of utility for both combat and non-combat tasks. So, if you’ve chosen to go for a Druid build in Baldur’s Gate 3, read on for my guide to the best stats, subclass, and more.

Best Druid Build in Baldur's Gate 3

We only need to look to companions Halsen and Jaheira for examples of potential Druid builds. But as they don’t come along until Act 2, you’ll have made plenty of important decisions before then. In short, the best Druid build in BG3 leans into their powerful ability to shapeshift, employing the Circle of the Moon Druid subclass. 

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Haste, explained

Best Stats and Race for Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

As a Circle of the Moon Druid, you only really need to concentrate on two or three main stats. If you change into an animal (with Wild Form) your stats will change with you, so you can change to an animal that suits your situation. But as you can only do this twice between each rest, it makes sense to concentrate on survival when in your normal form.

• Strength: 10
• Dexterity: 14
• Constitution: 14
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 17
• Charisma: 10

I don’t like to put any stat below 10, as you start to get minuses to saving throws. Wisdom is your key stat for casting Druid spells, while Dexterity helps with initiative and armor class (AC), Constitution with HP, and both with a variety of saving throws. If you want to be a little better with a bow, put a little more into Dexterity at the expense of a Constitution bonus.

In terms of race choice, opt for either Gold Dwarf or Wood Elf, depending on whether you’d prefer extra HP (Gold Dwarf) or faster movement speed (Wood Elf). Both have their advantages, but I take Wood Elf, because when I'm in normal form, I likely to want the movement to get to the perfect spot to use my spells. You should only need extra HP in melee, and you’ll get extra HP in Bear Form (see below).

Best Spells for Druid in Baldur's Gate 3

The number one cantrip for this build is Thorn Whip, which lets you move an enemy. It deals them a small amount of damage (1d6), but better still, you can move them into damage-dealing surfaces, off high edges, and more. The utility of this is almost limitless. Meanwhile, Shillelagh is useful out of animal form in combat, as it adds damage to your staff or club attacks while also changing its damage modifier from Strength to Wisdom. 

Related: Baldur’s Gate 3 Paladin Build Guide – Best Stats and Oaths

You’ll get more cantrips as you level up. It’s always great to have Guidance in your party, as it adds +1-4 points to either your skill checks or those of one of your companions. This is also available to Clerics (like Shadowheart), so another party member may already have it. Resistance does the same for saving throws, so this is equally useful to have in the party.   

Best Subclass for Druid Baldur's Gate 3

You’ll get to choose a subclass when you reach level two, which will grant Wild Form (regardless of which you choose), allowing you to transform into a Badger, Spider, Wolf, or Cat. There are three options to choose between, each adding to your abilities in different ways:

• Circle of the Land: Replenish your spells when out of combat.
• Circle of the Moon: You gain an additional form, Bear, which is fantastic for melee combat.
• Circle of the Spores: Gain a spore attack.

Unless you have no interest in melee combat, Circle of the Moon is the best option here. The bear form makes you a formidable opponent, upping your HP and giving you the ability to goad enemies (i.e. hold their attention, giving them a disadvantage if they attack a different opponent). This is crucial to keeping your squishier companions alive while they deal out big DPS damage from spells or arrows.

Best Feats for Druid Baldur's Gate 3

You’ll get your first feat at level four, at which time I suggest taking Ablity Improvement. Doing so gives you two free Ability Points, allowing you to up your Wisdom, Dexterity, or Constitution (depending on your chosen setup). Try to ensure you get Wisdom up to 18, as this will add a further +1 to your Wisdom checks. 

You’ll continue to gain access to more feats as you level up. Taking Ability Improvement again is never a bad thing, allowing you to push your Wisdom up to 20 (maximum), for another plus to your checks and spells. Another good option is Spell Sniper, which will see you crit on both 19 and 20 for spell attack rolls. It doesn’t sound like much, but on average it should mean critting every 10 attacks rather than every 20, which is nothing to sneeze at!

Looking for more info on Baldur's Gate 3? Check out BG3: How to defeat Gerringothe Thorm in Baldur’s Gate 3, Baldur’s Gate 3 Wyll Build Guide – Best Stats and Spells, and more here at Pro Game Guides!