There are a total of 12 classes that players will be able to pick from in the full version of Baldur's Gate 3, including the multi-faceted Druid Class. There are three subclasses, or Circles, for players to choose from, being the Circle of the Moon, the Circle of the Land, and the Circle of Spores.
Many builds in Baldur's Gate 3 are based on a single subclass or mechanic of a class, and in the Druid's case, this is the Circle of the Moon subclass and the Wild Shape ability. Until players can figure out how to break the Circle of Spores Druid build, Wild Shaping into a Bear under the Circle of the Moon is the Druid's best bet for serious utility and damage.
Updated August 4, 2023 by Erik Petrovich: With the full release of Baldur's Gate 3 a lot of things have changed from the Early Access version. Thanks to the new subclasses and expanded maximum level, players' ideas about the best Druid build in BG3 have changed, and will very likely continue to evolve as fans get deeper into the game. This guide has been updated to be accurate to the full release version of Baldur's Gate 3, but it doesn't recommend build choices past Level 5. Check back regularly for more advice on how to make the best Druid build as the Baldur's Gate 3 community continues to learn more about how the class plays at higher levels.
As a guide-in-progress, this build will be continually updated with more information about choices in the mid to late game as players make their way through the expansive Baldur's Gate 3.
Best Druid Build Overview
Druids sworn to the moon draw on its mercurial nature to transform into massive creatures and primal elementals.
Circle of the Moon Druid builds tend to play the close-combat Tank role as they can shift into a Bear form with a Bonus Action, granting a Taunt ability, the Claws attack skill, and a boost to HP. Their other leveling choices make them both a controlling force in melee combat and a powerful support from a distance, though most of one's time should be spent on maximizing damage output while in Wild Shape.
Interestingly, and perhaps unintentionally, Concentration-based effects appear to remain active when taking on a Wild Shape, so it's not a bad idea to cast a spell and then use a Bonus Action to shapeshift to keep the effect going. When not in melee combat Taunting enemies, Circle of the Moon Druids can rely on their other spellcasting skills.
For the most part, though, a Circle of the Moon Druid thrives taking on enemies face-to-face rather than in ranged combat. Abilities like Thorn Whip, Entangle, and Shillelagh keep it going close-quarters when out of Wild Shape form.
Circle of the Moon Druid Character Creation
Best Druid Race: Gold Dwarf
The Gold Dwarf race has the Dwarven Resilience racial passive, which grants Advantage and resistance against Poison effects, in addition to the Dwarven base racial Dwarven Toughness. This passive increases HP by an additional 1 point for each level, which doesn't amount to a terrible amount, but it's a tidy extra 5 HP by Level 5 on top of Druid's normal Max HP gain.A Circle of the Moon Druid is particularly useful for Tanking, so this extra HP goes a much longer way than many other, less combat-oriented racial passives.
Best Druid Subclass: Circle of the Moon
There are three subclasses Druid players can try out in Baldur's Gate 3: Circle of the Land, Circle of the Moon, and the Circle of Spores. While Circle of the Land focuses on spellcasting and Circle of Spores is a multi-faceted support and damage role, Circle of the Moon improves on the Druid's ability to use Wild Shape.
As such, this grants benefits to this powerful shapeshifting mechanic as well as lessened requirements for in-combat use. A Circle of the Moon Druid can heal themselves while in Wild Shape, and only need to use a Bonus Action instead of a full Action to change their form.
Best Druid Proficiencies and Background: Folk Hero
The Folk Hero background grants Proficiency in the Animal Handling and Survival skills, leaving Arcana, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, and Religion available for the two Class choices. Here, choose Perception because of its useful passive boon to noticing important environmental details, and either Insight or Medicine, though Insight is more useful in RP situations.
Best Circle of the Moon Druid Cantrips
Level 1: Resistance, Thorn Whip
Level 4: Shillelagh
Best Circle of the Moon Druid Spells
Level 1: Entangle, Ice Knife, Healing Word, Thunderwave
Level 2: Faerie Fire
Level 3: Barkskin, Spike Growth (replace Entangle)
Level 4: Moonbeam
Level 5: Call Lightning
Baldur's Gate 3 is available for PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023. A version for Xbox Series X/S is currently in development.