Can Druids Retrain Cantrips? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is: No, by default, druids cannot retrain their cantrips. Unlike prepared spells, which druids can swap out after a long rest, cantrips are considered a permanent part of their magical repertoire, etched into their understanding of the natural world. This can be a point of frustration for some players, especially if they later discover a cantrip isn’t as useful as initially thought. However, there are nuances and optional rules to consider, so let’s delve deeper into the intricacies of druid cantrips.

The Core Rules: Cantrips as Learned Magic

In the standard rules of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e), druids learn their cantrips as they level up, and these are not considered spells they prepare each day. They are a fundamental part of the class’s magical identity. When you gain a level as a druid, you add new cantrips to your repertoire as outlined in the Druid progression table. Crucially, these cantrips do not replace existing ones. This means you are stuck with the cantrips you chose at level up, and you cannot exchange them during a long rest like your prepared spells.

This rigidity stems from the fundamental difference between how cantrips and prepared spells function. Cantrips are considered spells a caster has ingrained within their magical abilities, allowing for consistent, almost instinctual casting. Prepared spells, conversely, are consciously chosen each day from a broader list. This intentionality is what allows classes like druids and clerics to adapt their spell selection to different circumstances.

Cantrip Limitations: No Easy Swapping

The core mechanics do not offer any provision for a druid to simply replace a cantrip. The core rules are clear: you “learn” these cantrips, and they become a fixed part of your repertoire. They do not occupy the prepared spell slots that a druid manages daily. As a result, a druid can cast every cantrip they know as many times as they want every day, as they do not consume any resources. This makes them a reliable source of damage or utility, but it also locks you into those choices.

Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything: A Glimmer of Hope

While the core rules provide no easy method to retrain cantrips, Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduces an optional rule that changes everything. With this optional feature, every spellcasting class, including the druid, gains a way to swap out cantrips.

This optional rule provides the much-needed flexibility to tweak a character’s cantrip selection. It acknowledges that the initially chosen cantrips might not always be the best fit for a player’s character as it develops or if their playstyle evolves.

Cantrip House Rules: Further Customization

Some Dungeon Masters (DMs) may implement their own house rules regarding cantrip changes. These might include:

• Level-Up Swaps: A common homebrew rule is to allow a player to swap out one known cantrip for another when they gain a level. This approach introduces a degree of flexibility while still respecting the idea that cantrips are a core part of the character’s magical identity.
• Downtime Retraining: Another popular home rule is allowing a cantrip to be swapped for another that is available after a period of practice and the expenditure of resources, such as gold.

However, it is crucial to note that such house rules are not part of the official 5e ruleset and are at the DM’s discretion. Therefore, you should always discuss any house rules with your DM before you start playing a campaign.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Druid Cantrips

Here are 15 FAQs to help you further understand the nuances of druid cantrips:

1. Can Druids Change Spells?

Yes, druids can change their prepared spells after a long rest. The requirement is an additional minute spent in prayer or meditation for each spell level on the new list.

2. How Many Times Can a Druid Use a Cantrip?

Any character can cast any cantrips they know at will and an unlimited number of times, unless the feature that lets them cast it specifically says otherwise.

3. Can You Use Cantrips Indefinitely?

Unlike multi-tiered spells that use finite resources, cantrips can be cast an unlimited amount of times. However, their power tends to be low or situational.

4. What Is the Best Cantrip for a Druid?

While effectiveness varies by play style, some of the most highly regarded druid cantrips include Guidance, Primal Savagery, Shillelagh, Shape Water, and Thorn Whip.

5. Can Druids Learn New Cantrips?

Yes, druids learn additional cantrips as they level up, as outlined in the Druid class progression table. The key to remember is these additional cantrips do not replace existing ones, unless using the Tasha’s optional rule.

6. Can I Change Cantrips with a Eldritch Knight?

No, the core rules do not provide a mechanism for replacing cantrips for the Eldritch Knight or any other class, unless they use the optional rules from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything.

7. Can Druids Change Cantrips Daily?

No, not with the standard rules. You “learn” the cantrips, and those are the only ones you know and can cast, unless Tasha’s optional rule or DM house rules are in play.

8. Do You Learn New Cantrips When You Multiclass?

Yes, cantrips come via class features, and thus you get them when multiclassing. This is explicitly stated in the Sage Advice Compendium.

9. Are Cantrips Worth It?

Yes, cantrips provide a reliable source of damage or utility and don’t cost any spell slots to cast. They make for a crucial component of any spellcaster’s arsenal.

10. When Can Cantrips Be Changed?

As per Tasha’s, or with DM discretion for house rules, this usually happens upon leveling up or with significant downtime. The standard rules do not allow cantrip swaps.

11. Can a Druid Cast a Spell and a Cantrip?

Yes, you can cast a cantrip even on the same turn as another spell, so long as it has a casting time of one action. You may also cast a bonus action spell and a cantrip on the same turn.

12. Can a Druid Use a Cantrip as a Bonus Action?

Only if the cantrip specifically states it has a casting time of one bonus action. Otherwise, most cantrips have a casting time of one action.

13. Does a Cantrip Break Invisibility?

Invisibility only breaks if you attack or cast a spell. Therefore, the RAW allows the use of cantrips without breaking invisibility, unless a DM rules otherwise.

14. Can You Do Two Cantrips At Once?

Yes, you can cast as many cantrips as you have actions for in a turn. If you cast a spell of 1st-level or higher – or a cantrip – as a bonus action, you can still cast a cantrip as your action.

15. Can I Change Cantrips from Pact of the Tome?

Not in the popular video game Baldur’s Gate 3. Although, in the table top version of D&D, the Pact of the Tome allows players to choose 3 cantrips from any spell book, as of the time of this writing, in Baldur’s Gate 3, it is provided with 3 pre-selected cantrips that cannot be replaced.

Conclusion: Embracing Flexibility (Where Possible)

While the core rules of D&D 5e do not allow for easy cantrip retraining, the optional rule from Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything offers some welcome flexibility. With DM house rules and optional class features, the limitations on cantrip selection are no longer insurmountable. As a druid player, understanding the rules and working with your DM will allow you to create a character that aligns with your vision for a champion of nature. Remember to discuss any changes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. The ability to adapt is key to any character, and cantrips should be no exception.