The Best Druid Cantrips: A Comprehensive Guide

Determining the absolute “best” cantrips for a Druid in D&D 5e depends on your playstyle and the challenges you face. However, certain cantrips consistently prove invaluable due to their versatility and utility. The top tier of Druid cantrips generally includes Guidance, Shillelagh, Thorn Whip, Produce Flame, and Shape Water. These offer a blend of support, combat, and utility that a Druid can rely on in a variety of situations. While other cantrips have their niche uses, these five form the bedrock of a well-rounded Druid spell selection.

Top Tier Druid Cantrips

Guidance

Guidance is arguably the most powerful support cantrip available. It allows you to grant a +1d4 bonus to any ability check within a 10-foot range. This bonus can make the difference between success and failure, whether you’re trying to pick a lock, persuade a guard, or scale a cliff. The ability to use this repeatedly out of combat makes it an incredibly potent utility spell.

Shillelagh

For Druids who enjoy getting into melee, Shillelagh is indispensable. This cantrip transforms a club or quarterstaff into a magical weapon, allowing you to use your Wisdom modifier for attack and damage rolls. This is vital because Druids are generally not proficient with martial weapons and typically don’t have high Strength scores. Shillelagh also turns the damage dice into a d8, making it a solid weapon for the early to mid-game, and scales as the Druid’s wisdom increases.

Thorn Whip

Thorn Whip is a versatile damage cantrip that also offers battlefield control. It not only deals piercing damage but also pulls the target 10 feet closer on a successful hit. This is incredibly useful for disrupting enemy formations, dragging foes into melee range for your allies, or pulling them off ledges. The ability to move enemies around in combat is something no other damage cantrip provides, making it invaluable.

Produce Flame

Produce Flame provides a ranged attack option that can be useful in a variety of combat situations. Dealing fire damage and being able to throw the flame as a ranged attack is a solid choice. A benefit of this is that the flame can act as a light source too, which is useful if you’re in a dark place. Although there are other sources of light for Druids, the fact that this has a secondary function is an advantage.

Shape Water

Shape Water is a highly versatile utility cantrip that allows you to manipulate water in various ways. You can move, freeze, or even change the color of water, which allows for a wide array of creative uses. Whether you need to create a small barricade of ice, redirect a stream, or even craft a quick distraction, Shape Water provides excellent options. It excels both inside and outside of combat and lets a creative player shine.

Other Notable Druid Cantrips

While the above cantrips stand out, several others are worth considering depending on your playstyle:

• Mending: This cantrip lets you repair minor breaks and tears in objects, proving invaluable for repairing gear or improvising solutions.
• Primal Savagery: A melee spell that uses your claws and bite for damage and is very powerful at low levels but does not scale as well as Shillelagh.
• Create Bonfire: While niche, this cantrip creates a damaging fire in a small area, useful for area denial or environmental effects.
• Resistance: Grants a creature a saving throw advantage against a damage type.
• Control Flames: Allows you to control fire to either be more or less bright or put it out completely.
• Gust: A small wind that is mainly used for minor movement.
• Druidcraft: This cantrip offers minor nature-themed tricks, like predicting the weather or creating a small, harmless sensory effect.

Choosing Your Cantrips

Druids can only choose a limited number of cantrips from their spell list, learning additional cantrips as they level up. Therefore, selecting the right combination is essential. Generally, prioritize at least one reliable damage cantrip (like Shillelagh or Thorn Whip) and one or two utility cantrips (like Guidance and Shape Water). Consider your preferred combat style and party composition when making your selection. Remember that, unless your DM makes a change, once you choose a cantrip, you can never change it. This means it’s essential to make smart choices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can Druids Use All Cantrips?

No, Druids cannot use all cantrips. At 1st level, they know two cantrips of their choice from the druid spell list. They learn additional druid cantrips of their choice at higher levels, as shown in the Cantrips Known column of the Druid table.

What is the Best Attribute for a Druid?

Wisdom is the most important attribute for Druids. It determines their spellcasting ability, affecting their spell save DC and attack bonuses. While other abilities are helpful, Wisdom is paramount for a successful Druid build.

What Class is Best with Druid?

The Bard is often considered the best multiclass partner for a Druid, due to their shared emphasis on support spells and their versatility. However, the Cleric and Ranger can also synergize well with a Druid.

What is the Strongest Druid Build?

A commonly recommended Druid build emphasizes spellcasting and battlefield control, utilizing a variety of damaging and support spells. A build utilizing the Circle of the Moon subclass can enhance their wild shape abilities and make them a more capable combatant.

Is Druid a Good Solo Class?

Yes, the Druid is an excellent solo class. Their versatile abilities in terms of damage output, healing, and health allow them to excel in a variety of situations without relying heavily on outside help. Both the Guardian and Balance Druid specializations are great for solo play.

Can Druids Change Cantrips?

According to the standard rules, Druids cannot change their chosen cantrips after selecting them at level up. However, some DMs may allow exceptions, such as swapping cantrips during level advancements, but RAW (rules as written) it is not possible.

Can Druids Retrain Cantrips?

No, RAW there is no way to retrain or swap your chosen cantrips. You can learn more as you level, but you cannot unlearn.

Can Druids Change Cantrips Daily?

No, Druids cannot change their known cantrips daily. Once a cantrip is chosen it remains known. This contrasts to spells which may be prepared daily. Cantrips are always available to cast, at will, as they are not spells that need to be prepared.

What Weapon Should a Druid Use?

A staff is generally the best weapon for a Druid, especially when combined with the Shillelagh cantrip. The quarterstaff is a versatile weapon that can be used with a shield for added AC.

What Armor Can Druids Wear?

Druids prefer to wear non-metal armor made from natural materials like leather, hide, and wood. This is a core part of their identity, and even though they are capable of wearing metal armor, most druids prefer not to.

Can You Infinitely Use Cantrips?

Yes, any character can cast any cantrips they know an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that grants the spell specifically states otherwise. Cantrips do not need to be prepared and do not cost spell slots, so they can be cast at will.

Can You Prepare Cantrips?

Currently (as of the standard 5th edition rules), you cannot prepare cantrips. They are learned and then always available to cast. However, in One D&D, cantrips can be prepared like any other spell, and can be swapped out during a long rest.

Can You Use Cantrips Indefinitely?

Yes, you can use cantrips indefinitely, as they do not require spell slots and can be cast an unlimited number of times.

Do Cantrips Remove Invisibility?

No, casting a cantrip does not automatically remove invisibility unless the cantrip specifically involves an attack or other action that would break invisibility, so using something like Message will not break it.

Are Druid Cantrips Always Prepared?

While Druids prepare their spells, their cantrips are not spells that need to be prepared in the same way. They are learned and always available to cast at will. However, some Druid subclasses have special subclass cantrips that are “always prepared,” but these are not the same as typical cantrips.

By choosing the right combination of cantrips, Druids can significantly enhance their capabilities, making them a versatile and powerful class. Remember that the “best” cantrips may vary depending on your specific playstyle and party composition. Experiment, strategize, and most importantly, enjoy the natural magic at your fingertips!