The fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons paves the way for two uniquely different play styles of Druids. One style is based in spell casting while the other is based in Wild Shape change. With so many different races in D&D it can be overwhelming to pick one that you are sure will benefit players as a Druid. Each race and subraces have benefits that wildly differ. When selecting a Druid, skills that you want to look for are going to be races with Wisdom and Dexterity buffs and any skills that helps them interact with animals or the FeyWild. Thankfully, I have done all the heavy lifting for you and sifted through the many different races to give you the top five races for playing a Druid.
5. Ghostwise Halfling
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Coming from the deep corners of the Faerun woods, Ghostwise Halflings fit the thematic, quiet and nomadic lifestyle of Druids. Heavily clan-centric, Ghostwise Halflings find devotion with people of their inner circle groupings. However, outside of their intimate interfamilial relations, they typically make no attempts to socialize with other races or beings. They find comfort amongst the forests and bring good assets for building a Druid.
What Makes Ghostwise Halflings good for Druids?
Players can telepathically speak to any creature within 30ft. This helps players who choose Circle of the Moon as they can communicate with creatures while still in wild shape change. Innate Wisdom score increases by one. This is advantageous to Druids as their spells are based on players having a high Wisdom ability. Halflings have the natural skill of Lucky which allows them to reroll upon receiving a critical fail on a skill check.
4. Water Genasi
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Genasis are the offspring of humans and genies. Elemental Genasis have the capability of fitting the Druid profile, particularly Water Genasis. Much like their Earth Genasi counterpart, Water Genasis gravitate towards solace and quiet atmospheres. They enjoy being able to come and go as they please, adhering to no earthly binds other than going with the flow of the ocean.
What Makes Water Genasis Good for Druids?
Similarly to the Ghostwise Halfling, Water Genasis also get a Wisdom score increase by one. All Genasis get an increase of two for Constitution. Druids that have high constitutions have a better chance of being able to maintain concentration in combat. This is crucial as many spells that Druids use are concentration spells. Water Genasis also have the innate ability to breathe water.
3. Wood Elves
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I’m not sure it gets more thematic for playing as a Druid than playing a Druid that is from the Wood Elf race. Elves are closely tied to the FeyWild which is beneficial for players that have the Circle of Dreams build as most of their build revolves around interacting with the Feywild. While all Elves are theoretical options for playing a Druid, Wood Elves stand out as the wild elves that are notorious for being distrustful of non-elves. This concept of being a wild race fits the profile of Druids who are canonically known for being dwellers of the forests and protectors of the wild.
What Makes Wood Elves Good for Druids?
Players get the much needed Wisdom score increase by one. Wood Elves have the Mask of the Wild ability. This allows players to attempt to hide under light vision obstruction such as foliage, heavy rain, falling snow, or other natural phenomena. This is helpful as a Druid because many Druids come from the wild and Wood Elves are right at home in nature. Elves, as a race in general, provide many buffs that people (especially new players) benefit from such as Darvision, proficiency in the Perception skill, Trance, and the benefit of Fey Ancestry.
2. Forest Gnomes
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If players are interested in playing the thematics of a druid, Forest Gnomes are another race that is closely connected to the wild. Although Gnomes are typically known for being more social than what’s expected of Druids, Forest Gnomes are known as secretive. They have a knack for quickness and stealth, which is advantageous for players that are interested in Druids because Druids of any build can benefit from those two qualities.
What Makes Forest Gnomes Good for Druids?
Players automatically get the ability Speak with Small Beasts. This is exactly what it sounds like as players can communicate simple ideas with small or smaller beasts. As a Druid, this fits in with the profile of being one with nature. Gnomes as a class get buffs such as an Intelligence score increase by two, Darkvision and advantage on certain saving throws against magic. While not as critical as Wisdom, Forest Gnomes get a Dexterity score increase by one. Dexterity is also a heavily sought after skill to max out as quickly as possible.
1. Firbolgs
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Possibly one of the lesser-known races of Dungeons and Dragons is the Firbolg. While it is lesser known, it is arguably the best starting build for a Druid. Thematically speaking, Firbolgs live in the forests in familial clans and strongly avoid contact with other races. As fey-oriented half-giants, it’s only natural that Firbolgs fit the type to be successful druids.
What Makes Firbolgs Good for Druids?
Players automatically get an increase in the Wisdom ability of two. This is a higher increase than any other races mentioned. Additionally, they receive an increase in the Strength ability of one. Players have access to the skills Speech of Beast and Leaf. This skill allows players to speak in a limited manner to beasts and plants. As Firbolgs, players also get advantage on Charisma checks to influence them. Firbolgs have the skill Hidden Step as a bonus action where they can magically turn invisible until their next turn as long as they don’t attack, make a damage roll, or cause someone to need to make a saving throw.
Ultimately, players can stack their characters of any race, providing they know what they are looking for. Druids are going to be wisdom centric and any ability to speak with animals or plants is going to be highly coveted. That being said, players will be off to the perfect start by picking any of these races.
