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There are a total of 12classes that players will be able to pickfrom in the full version ofBaldur’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 inBaldur’s Gate 3are 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 its enhancements to the class' intrinsic Wild Shape ability.
Updated August 06, 2025 by Erik Petrovich:With the release ofPatch 8 for Baldur’s Gate 3, Druid builds have gained another subclass option to choose from: the Circle of Stars. Though this new subclass offers a new way to play this class, the best BG3 Druid build that takes advantage of the class' strengths the most uses the Circle of the Moon subclass. As you journey through Baldur’s Gate 3, the best Druid builds can benefit greatly from picking up a few permanent buffs. Though these often require you to go out of your way, the best permanent buffs can grant powerful stat upgrades and new abilities that push the best Druid build to its limits. This guide has been updated to include brief information on the new Circle of Stars Druid subclass, as well as a new section that covers the best Druid permanent buffs and stat upgrades that are worth hunting down.
Druid Class Introduction & Overview
The Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid Class, Explained
“Druids channel the elemental forces of nature and share a deep kinship with animals. Mastery of Wild Shape allows them to transform into beasts from all over the Realms.”
Druid Playstyle & Signature Abilities
Druids are one of the most diverse, complex classes inBaldur’s Gate 3thanks to the sheer variety of options available to it. Druids are equally capable of being ranged spellcasters as they are close-up tanks, though the best BG3 Druid builds lean into buffing the latter.
No matter which Circle BG3 Druids choose, they have access to the unique ability Wild Shape, which allows the class to shapeshift into an animal for different abilities and focuses in combat.
The Druid’s unique class feature Wild Shape is the backbone of this class, though its spell list is quite formidable in both offensive and defensive capacities. Even if you want to make a melee-only Druid (as this best BG3 Druid build guide will elaborate on), spells are still an important part of the class rotation.
Plan to rotate in and out of Wild Shape to play the Druid most effectively in combat.
Base Druid Class Proficiencies: Armor, Weapons, Saving Throws, & Skill Choices
When you first start creating your Druid Build,BG3offers a selection of basic Class Proficiencies, and a choice of two Druid Skill Proficiencies.
In addition to Armor, Weapon, and Saving Throw proficiencies that vary for each class, the pool of Skills you can choose from are different for each class. These cannot be changed once you get past character creation without resetting your build.
All Druid Subclasses
There are a total of sevenBG3Circles (subclasses) Druid players can try out, each of which focuses on different aspects of the class, and offers a selection of unique skills, proficiencies, and other features. As you level up in one of theseBG3Druid subclasses, you will gain more abilities that are unique to your subclass choice.
Your choice of Druid subclass can be changed by speaking with Withers, but you will start at Level 1 and have to make your BG3 Druid build from scratch.
Though this chart displays information for all subclasses, if you want to make best Druid buildBG3has to offer, you should go for the Circle of the Moon.
Circle of the Land
Circle of the Moon
Circle of the Spores
(new with Baldur’s Gate 3 Patch 8)
Druid Class Features – Level By Level
The max level inBaldur’s Gate 3is Level 12, and most of the time, each level you gain will grant something new for your Druid build. On character creation you gain the basics for the Druid class, then steadily gain Feat Choices, new spells and abilities, subclass features, and increase your Proficiency Bonus.
This chart displays everything you can expect to get at each Level-Up as a Druid in yourBaldur’s Gate 3journey. The only level when you do not get anything Druid-related specifically is from Level 10 to Level 11.
+2
+3
+4
1 + WIS modifier
2
–
2 + WIS modifier
3
3 + WIS modifier
4
4 + WIS modifier
5 + WIS modifier
6 + WIS modifier
7 + WIS modifier
1
8 + WIS modifier
9 + WIS modifier
10 + WIS modifier
11 + WIS modifier
12 + WIS modifier
BG3 Druid Subclass Choice – Circle Of The Moon
Overview Of BG3 Druid Circle Of The Moon Subclass
“Druids sworn to the moon draw on its mercurial nature to transform into massive creatures and primal elementals.”
What Makes Circle of the Moon the Best BG3 Druid Subclass?
There are three subclasses Druid players can try out inBaldur’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.
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.
When not in melee combat Taunting enemies, Circle of the Moon Druids canrely 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 Subclass Features – Level By Level
In addition to everything you unlock while leveling as a Druid, your Subclass also determines what you unlock at certain levels. As a Druid, you can select a subclass at Level 2.
For the purposes of this guide to theBG3best Druid build, choose the Circle of the Moon when prompted to choose a Subclass.
BG3 Druid Build Race, Background, Proficiency, Feats, & Stat Choices
Best BG3 Druid Race: Half-Orc
The Half-Orc race is one of the best races inBaldur’s Gate 3for Druids who spend most of their time in melee combat. The racial passives of the Half-Orc race still work when in Wild Shape form, letting a Druid tear through enemies with stronger Critical Hits and a resilience to Death unique to Half-Orcs.
The main benefits of Half-Orcs inBG3are these two passives, called Savage Attacks and Relentless Endurance. Savage Attacks increases damage dealt by Critical Hits, while Relentless Endurance prevents Fighters from going down when they get to 0 HP once per Long Rest. For this Circle of the Moon build, which capitalizes on the Druid’s abilities in melee combat, Half-Orcs offer the most impactful racials.
Best Druid Backgrounds in BG3: Folk Hero or Outlander
The Folk Hero background grants proficiency in Animal Handling and Survival, and will trigger Inspiration for your character naturally as a Druid. Being a Folk hero provides the most RP opportunities and Inspiration possibilities as a Circle of the Moon druid because it just requires players to do things most good-aligned Druids would do, like help animals, save others, and explore the wilderness.
However, depending on how you like to play your Druid, the Outlander background might feel more fitting. This background grants proficiency in Athletics and Survival instead of Animal Handling and Survival, and Athletics can be very useful in combat.
Ultimately, Folk Hero may trigger Inspiration more often, but the Outlander role is not too far off from it – kind of like a legendary wanderer rather than a local legend.
Best BG3 Druid Skill Proficiency Choices: Perception and Insight
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 tonoticing important environmental details, along with either Insight or Medicine, though Insight is more useful in RP situations.
The Outlander background doesn’t give proficiency in Perception or Insight, so feel free to pick up these two skills with this background combination too. As a Druid, picking up Nature or Religion can be good for RP purposes, though there aren’t quite as many uses for these skills in the game.
Best Circle of the Moon Wild Shape: Owlbear
Druids gain several Wild Shape options as they level up, andCircle of the Moon builds get even more. For the first five levels as a Druid, the best Wild Shape transformation is the Bear, then the Raven. But at Level 6, Druids learn how to transform into an Owlbear, which is the most powerful Wild Shape form for the rest of the game.
The Owlbear has an enormous HP pool, the ability to increase its own Strength, a close-range AoE, and the ability to jump into battle and knock enemies prone. It’s an absolute brute, and becomes the backbone of the best BG3 Druid build soon after acquiring it.
Best Druid Ability Scores & Stat Distribution
To create the bestBG3Druid build, we recommend putting the majority of points into your Wisdom, followed by Constitution and Dexterity.
The primary stat for most Circle of the Moon Druid spells and abilities inBG3is Wisdom, but Constitution and Dexterity should follow closely behind for survivability and secondary combat bonuses.
Charisma, Strength, and Intelligence are not essential for the Circle of the Moon Druid build.
10
14
16
8
-1
Best BG3 Druid Leveling Choices
Best Druid Spells, Feats, & Other Choices At Every Level
The max level inBaldur’s Gate 3is Level 12, and though not every class will be offered a choice to make at every level, classes with access to spells tend to have something to do at every level up. As a hybrid spellcaster and melee class, thisBG3Druid build has plenty of choices to make on the way to max level.
This table displays recommendedBG3Druid build choices for every level, including recommended spells you should add to your Spellbook at each level. These spells synergize well with theBG3Circle of the Moon Druid build, including several offensive and defensive abilities, a handful of conjurable summons, and direct support spells to heal and buff allies.
Cleric
Support
Difficult to CC (Charm & Sleep), hybrid Damage and Support spells
Ranged damage/CC
Short Rests restore Spell Slots, access to great CC spells
Melee damage
Buffed Rage & access to Soul Coin damage buffs
The best Druid companions inBG3are Shadowheart as your primary Support, Wyll as your ranged damage dealer and CC-inflicter, and Karlach as your primary melee damage dealer and Tank.
Though you may change the class and specialization of any of your companions, these three come with strong pre-determined class and spec combos to balance out your Druid party composition.
If you are dead set on including a character in your party, simply talk to Withers to respec them to one of the optimal Druid companion classes listed above. This way, you won’t miss out on that character’s questline, and you won’t have to suffer from an improperly balanced party.
Best Baldur’s Gate 3 Druid Build Equipment
Get The Best BG3 Druid Gear In All Three Acts
This section covers the best equipment for Circle of the Moon Druids in BG3 across all three Acts. Some pieces from early Acts may still be powerful in later ones, though, and will remain equipped through several Acts.
Key Of The Ancients
Found in the Underground Passage (with the Animal Runes and traps)
Gloves of the Growling Underdog
Looted from a chest inside the Shattered Sanctum (near Dror Ragzlin)
Shapeshifter’s Boon Ring
Drops from the Strange Ox in Acts 1, 2, or 3
Crusher’s Ring
Drops from Novice Crusher in the Shattered Sanctum of the Goblin Camp
Club Of Hill Giant Strength
Break the stool at the top of the Arcane Tower in the Underdark
Looted from a chest inside the Shattered Sanctum (near Dror Ragzlin) (Act 1)
Boots Of Speed
Purchased from Thulla in the Myconid Colony of the Underdark. (Act 1)
Purchased from Omeluum in the Myconid Colony (Act 1)
Killer’s Sweetheart
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar
Break the stool at the top of the Arcane Tower in the Underdark (Act 1)
Mask of the Shapeshifter
Purchased from special stock of Helsik at the Devil’s Fee
Thunderpalm Strikers
After rescuing Wulbren in Act 1, purchase these from him in Act 3
Corvid Token
Keep Mattis alive in Acts 1 and 2, and purchase it from him in Act 3
Found on the ground after the Self-Same Trial in the Gauntlet of Shar (Act 2)
N/A
Best BG3 Druid Build Consumables & Permanent Buffs
InBaldur’s Gate 3, Druid builds can be enhanced further with the use of specific consumables. Certain potions, like the Elixir of Heroism, will grant combat-oriented bonuses for this best Druid build, while others, like the Elixir of Barkskin, will enhance the Druid’s defenses, which tend to be low thanks to low-AC equipment that the class can use.
If you spot any of these useful Druid consumables as world loot or enemy loot, trader inventories, or otherwise, be sure to pick them up and store them in a bag for later use.
Grants +5 to Initiative and prevents you from being Surprised.
Elixir of Cloud Giant Strength
Increases Strength to a base of 27. Resets with your next Long Rest (or Long Rest effect).
Elixir of Barkskin
Increases your AC to a base of 16. Useful for Druids who don’t want to spend a slot on this spell.
Elixir of Heroism
Grants +1d4 to your Attack and Saving Throw rolls. Grants +10 Temporary HP.
Potion of Speed
Grants Hastened for 3 turns, increasing AC by 2 and granting Advantage on DEX saving throws and an additional Action, and increases movement by 30ft.
Best BG3 Druid Build Permanent Buffs
ThroughoutBG3you will find numerous ways to permanently increase your stats, gain permanent passive bonuses, or otherwise grant your character a permanent buff. To push the bestBG3Druid Circle of the Moon builds to the next level, keep an eye out for these five best Druid permanent buffs as you adventure through the Sword Coast and beyond:
Auntie Ethel’s Hair
Grants +1 to any Ability Score of your choice
Must complete Mayrina’s quest in Act 1, but don’t kill Auntie Ethel. When she reaches low HP, she will offer to be spared. Accept her deal and you will gain Auntie Ethel’s Hair.
Awakened
All Illithid Powers now cost 1 Bonus Action instead of an Action
You must succeed all three Saving Throws inside the Githyanki Creche’s Zaith’isk to get this buff.
You may also absorb this skill when playing as Laezel by passing a DC 30 Arcana check (which will usually require a nat 20 roll) to take the power for your own.
Lovitar’s Love
Grants +2 to Attack Rolls and Wisdom Saving Throws when under 30% HP
Speak to Abdirak in the Shattered Sanctum inside the Goblin Camp. Ask him about being a follower of Lovitar, then pass two Intimidation checks.
The Tharchiate Codex
Once per Long Rest, gain 20 Temporary HP
Find and read “The Tharchiate Codex” within the Sorcerous Vault, which can only be accessed via Sorcerous Sundries in Baldur’s Gate City. You must use the Remove Curse spell to read it.
Mirror of Loss
Grants +2 to one Ability Score of your choice
Find the Mirror of Loss in the Cloister of Sombre Embrace within the House of Grief, found toward the end of Act 2.
Either offer the Necromancy of Thay (and the buff it grants) or pass a DC 25 Religion check to get +2 to any ability score of your choice.
Best BG3 Druid Multiclass Choices
Maximize Your BG3 Druid Build With Complimentary Druid Multiclass Options
Players can choose to Multiclass beginning at Level 2. Look for the “Add Class” button on the top right of the level up overview menu – this will open up a new menu where players can allocate the level to any other class inBaldur’s Gate 3when selected.
Barbarian Multiclass – Druid 11/Barbarian 1
The Barbarian class has the ability to enter a Rage with a bonus action, granting the ability to use an extra attack with a bonus action on subsequent turns – the effect ends if players don’t take or deal damage on a turn.
After using Rage, Druids can use Wild Shape, and the effect will persist while shapeshifted.
With just one point in Barbarian, for a Druid 11 Barbarian 1 build, the Druid will be able to use their bonus action for an additional attack while shapeshifted. Unfortunately, the Unarmored Defense passive of the Barbarian class doesn’t stack with the Druid’s AC while shapeshifted.
Ranger Multiclass – Druid 9/Ranger 3
The Ranger multiclass option for Druids is a bit more of a memey build, but a relatively effective one nonetheless. By dipping three levels into the Ranger class as a Druid, a character will be able to select a Ranger subclass.
Choosing the Beast Master subclass unlocks the ability to summon an Animal Companion. One of the options for the Ranger summon is a Bear.
With the Druid’s intrinsic Wild Shape ability, a Druid 9 Ranger 3 build will be able to summon a Bear companion, then shapeshift into a Bear themselves. It’s always good to have more companions on the battlefield, so enemies have more targets to choose from. Having two bears in the party, alongside proper Support companions, makes for a fun and fearsome melee frontline.
