.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
The druid is one of the many iconic classes in Dungeons & Dragons. Capable of assuming the forms of various animals, druids draw their power from the environment to cast a myriad of spells. Their subclasses are the druid Circles, representing different aspects of the natural world and different ways of interfacing with them.
The druid Circles help provide a ton of flavor for the character, and can drastically change the way they play. Depending on which druidic Circle is selected, a character is able to learn different types of spells and gains access to several other important benefits. Druid Circles can be hard to justify if chosen out of the blue at later levels, so even level one druids should probably start thinking about which Circle they plan to take when the time comes.
Updated on September 16th, 2023 by Louis Kemner: Druids haven't had as many options as other classes throughout 5th Edition's lifespan. As such, this list now contains every official druid subclass 5e has to offer, as well as some playtest content and standout secondary options for all druid circles, now including content from Critical Role as well.
13 Circle Of Dreams
Xanathar's Guide to Everything pg. 22
Druids of the Circle of Dreams draw their power from the ethereal worlds of dreams rather than traditional forms of nature. These druids tend to be heavily support-based rather than offense-oriented.
- Great support potential
- Lacks the breadth of options of other classes
Gaining access to pools of health that they can access to replenish the lost health of other party members, Circle of Dreams druids will likely often find themselves supporting comrades rather than inflicting damage. This is not inherently weak or bad by any means. This choice is simply more linear and less open-ended than other druid subclasses available.
12 Mage of Witherbloom
Unearthed Arcana 79, Mages of Strixhaven & Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
A June 2021 Unearthed Arcana article entitled Mages of Strixhaven featured a number of subclasses designed to represent the different mage colleges found in the Magic: The Gathering set Strixhaven. These subclasses were unique in that they were not confined to a class, so two of them served as druid Circles in addition to options for other classes. Mage of Witherbloom is also a character background option in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos and works well for any druid character of any subclass.
- Access to great utility and combat spells
- Not officially playtested or published
The Mage of Witherbloom, a druid Circle and a warlock Patron, grants the user some abilities relating to life and death, including the Spare the Dying, Cure Wounds, and Inflict Wounds spells. Mage of Witherbloom didn't get officially adapted into the printed Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos, but it is still a very fun and unique option to choose from.
11 Circle Of The Land - Arctic
Player's Handbook pg. 68
As one would expect, druids of the arctic variation of the Circle of the Land gain access to numerous ice-based spells. This includes Sleet Storm at level five, Ice Storm at level seven, and Cone of Cold at level nine. However, this circle is also characterized by its ability to slow and halt, much like ice itself.
- Access to a ton of great control and area of effect damage spells
- Overall increased magical potential
This ability is represented through spells such as Hold Person and Slow, which are learned at levels three and five, respectively. The key drawback of Arctic Circle druids is the fact that many of their most easily accessible spells, such as Hold Person, are concentration spells, meaning that they can only use one of them at a time. Feats like War Caster can still make this druid subclass a little better, though.
10 Circle Of The Land - Grassland
Player's Handbook pg. 68
Druids of the Land that pick the Grassland option excel significantly in the area of stealth and gain access to numerous spells that give them utility one may expect from a class like the rogue. At level three, these druids gain access to the spells Pass Without Trace and Invisibility, both of which greatly enable parties who don't want to be detected.
- Incredible stealth abilities
- Can escape from almost any situation if discovered
Additionally, as these druids level up further, they gain access to the spells Haste and Freedom of Movement, both of which can be used to great effect within stealth-centric scenarios. When combined with the natural stealth capabilities of Wild Shape, this is the best druid Circle 5e has to offer in terms of subtlety.
9 Circle Of The Shepherd
Xanathar's Guide to Everything pg. 23
Druids from the Circle of the Shepherd can always capable of speaking to animals, negating the need to prepare the Speak With Animals spell. Additionally, these druids gain the excellent Mighty Summoner ability, providing creatures they summon with additional hit points and making all their attacks count as magical.
- Improved summoning spells and non-spellbased conjurations
- Helpful thematic abilities without the need to cast spells
One of the archetypal features of these druids is their ability to conjure Spirit Totems, spiritual animals that provide a myriad of benefits. Bear spirits can provide temporary hit points to one's party, while the unicorn and hawk spirits can provide advantage to particular checks in addition to other benefits.
8 Mage of Prismari
Unearthed Arcana 79, Mages of Strixhaven, & Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos
The Mage of Prismari is the second character background designed as a tie-in with the Strixhaven setting from Magic: The Gathering. The Prismari are a college of mages dedicated to personal expression and art, and this comes through in the Mage of Prismari subclass. Mages of Prismari gain several new skills, plus the ability to conjure elemental effects every time they Dash, which they can do as a bonus action.
- Unique movement-based combat traits
- Never officially released
These effects range from an icy blast that can knock targets prone and allow the druid to cross water, a firey attack, and a thunder-based effect that lets them move through enemies. The Mage of Prismari never made it into the Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos supplement, and while it may not be playtested to the same level as the more official druid Circles 5e has to offer, it is a blast to play.
7 Circle Of The Land - Coast
Player's Handbook pg. 68
Circle of the Land is slightly unusual among all druid subclasses because these druids draw their magic from the coast to gain access to numerous water-oriented spells, such as Water Breathing and Water Walk. Flavor-wise, a player race like triton or water genasi might be most suitable for this subclass. Meanwhile, the true usefulness of a Coast druid comes from the two unique spells that the circle provides when the druid reaches level three: Mirror Image and Misty Step.
- Access to extremely powerful utility spells
- Overall increased magical potential
Neither of these spells is normally available for druids, so they are often viewed as the main appeals of this circle. While Misty Step is a teleport that can be used as a bonus action, while Mirror Image creates illusory clones that can potentially take the damage of an attack in its caster's place.
6 Circle Of The Land - Underdark
Player's Handbook pg. 68
Druids of the Circle of the Land who draw their power from the Underdark are treated to one of the best suites of spells of any druid. At level three, these druids embrace their inner spider, learning the spells Spider Climb and Web. This combo can be used to improve one's own mobility and reduce the mobility of a foe, respectively.
- Unique thematic hooks
- Exceptional exploration and combat spells
On the other hand, once these druids reach level five, they gain access to the stellar spell Gaseous Form, which has both mobility-based and defensive applications. Even at their higher levels, the spells of these druids are consistently useful, as they gain access to Greater Invisibility at level seven and Cloudkill at level nine.
5 Circle Of Spores
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 36
First released as part of the Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica, the Circle of Spores spices up the druid class by offering a blend of necromancy and offense that the class is not used to. As the name implies, Druids of the Circle of Spores utilize fungus, mold, and spores to fuel their magic. These druids are notably able to deal necrotic damage with their Halo of Spore ability whenever an enemy moves within ten feet of them, providing them with a nice defensive ring.
- Fun and unique theming
- Access to extremely powerful damaging abilities
While this may not seem like a lot of damage, it can really add up over time. Additionally, this druid Circle provides the character with the distinct ability to convert their Wild Shape charges into damage, strengthening the effect of their Halo of Spores, and causing their melee attacks to deal an additional 1d6 poison damage.
4 Circle Of Wildfire Plays Offense And Defense
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 39
The druid Circle of Wildfire, as included in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, is perfect for more combat-ready druids. The primary motif of the spells provided by this circle is, as expected, fire. At lower levels, spells like Burning Hands, Scorching Ray, and Flaming Sphere are available. At higher levels, Fire Shield and Flame Strike join the roster.
- Access to a wide variety of powerful fire spells for offense
- Balanced support capabilities in and out of combat as well
This circle is also useful for its healing abilities. At level five, these druids learn the Revivify spell, and at higher levels, they get Mass Cure Wounds. This druid subclass can't rival the cleric in terms of healing, but it has enough offensive power to really hold its own.
3 Circle of Blighted
Tal'Dorei Reborn, pg. 171
The Circle of Blighted is from Critical Role, and players may need their DM's permission to use this content. If the Circle of Blighted is allowed, players may enjoy how twisted but powerful it is as a "dark druid" subclass. It focuses on blighted terrain and summoning natural minions, but unlike the Circle of the Shepherd, the Circle of Blighted subclass summons numerous disposable minions instead of a few, stronger summons.
- Focuses on necrotic damage and resists necrotic/poison
- Good at multiplying damage and isn't redundant with damage multiplier spells
Circle of Blighted can corrupt a circular patch of ground as a bonus action and even move it around with further bonus actions, so it's tough for enemies to avoid. Any enemy standing on that terrain takes bonus necrotic damage when they take a hit, so this Circle can serve as a potent damage multiplier for any party. This bonus nectrotic damage can stack with other bonus damage spells like Hex or Hunter's Mark. Also, When this subclass uses Wildshape, its grotesque appearance gives the druid proficiency on Intimidation skill checks and an AC bonus.
2 Circle Of Stars
Tasha's Cauldron of Everything pg. 38
While the Circle of Stars druid does not receive innate spells as powerful as the Underdark or Coastal druid, they do gain access to Guidance and Guiding Bolt, both extremely strong support spells. However, the Circle of Stars' most interesting ability is transforming into a starry form instead of a beast with their Wild Shape.
- Small crossover with the cleric spell list
- Versatile options to match any given obstacle
Not only do these druids provide a mystical, starry light for their compatriots, they also choose from three starry forms: Archer, Chalice, and Dragon, each with their own abilities. Being able to choose a different option for every situation makes the Circle of Stars extremely versatile.
1 Circle Of The Moon
Player's Handbook pg. 69
While the majority of druid Circles focus on the spellcasting abilities of the class, the Circle of the Moon druid Circle prioritizes their shapeshifting ability. Firstly, druids of this Circle are able to Wild Shape as a bonus action rather than a full action, making the ability far more useful in combat.
- Extremely powerful combat Wild Shape forms
- Wild Shape be used for exploration as well as fighting
Additionally, druids who choose this subclass can become significantly more dangerous animals than their contemporaries using Wild Shape. This allows druids of the Circle of the Moon to function as much more physically oriented fighters in a party, frequently assuming deadly bestial forms.