A resilient Dreamsight Shifter Druid who focuses on enhancing their defenses and enabling impressive melee capabilities. Utilizes Feats to excel in surviving combat rolls and perceiving threats effectively at level 1.
Stat Block Level 1:
Unnamed: male, Dreamsight Shifter Druid 1; CR 1; Medium humanoid (shifter); HD 1d8+2; hp 10; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 16, touch 13, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +0; Grp +2; Atk Scimitar +2 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Sling +3 ranged (1d4+2); Full Atk Scimitar +2 melee (1d6+2/18-20) or Sling +3 ranged (1d4+2); SA Wild Empathy; SQ Beast Spirit, Nature Sense, Shifting 1/day; AL Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +5; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6.
Beast Spirit grant bonus feat and improves physical defense, Wild Empathy to influence animals, Shifting improves Wisdom briefly.
Possessions: Spear, Scimitar, Sling, Hide Armor, Wooden Heavy Shield.
At level 5, this build excels with enhanced martial prowess and nature based spells. Favoring melee combat, the character relies on Power Attack to deal substantial damage. With a focus on survival and nature, they also competent in spellcasting, benefiting from increased Wisdom. Wild Shifting enhances physical capabilities, adding flexibility to combat tactics.
Stat Block Level 5:
Unnamed: male, Dreamsight Shifter Druid 5; CR 5; Medium humanoid (shapechanger[1]); HD 5d8+10; hp 32; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 13, flat-footed 15; Base Atk +3; Grp +5; Atk Spear +6 melee (1d8+3/x3) or Scimitar +6 melee (1d6+3/18-20); Full Atk Spear +6 melee (1d8+3/x3) or Scimitar +6 melee (1d6+3/18-20); SA Power Attack; SQ Wild Shifting 2/day, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy, Woodland Stride, Trackless Step; AL Neutral; SV Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +9; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal 4, Knowledge (Nature) 11, Knowledge (Religion) 4, Survival 4; Great Fortitude, Alertness, Power Attack.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Can shift to enhance physical form using Wild Shifting 2/day, gaining temporary bonuses to attributes.
Possessions: Spear, Scimitar, Wooden Heavy Shield, Hide Armor, Sling.
At level 10, the character combines Druid and Moonspeaker abilities with Monk and Fist of the Forest traits. This build enhances summoning with Ashbound and Augment Summoning, providing strong melee capabilities through Power Attack and Stunning Fist.
Stat Block Level 10:
Unnamed Moon Caller: male, Dreamsight Shifter Druid 6/Monk 1/Fist of the Forest 1/Moonspeaker 2; CR 10; Medium humanoid (shifter); HD 10d8+20; hp 73; Init +3; Spd 40 ft.; AC 21, touch 18, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +7; Grp +9; Atk Spear +9 melee (1d8+2) or Scimitar +9 melee (1d6+2); Full Atk Spear +9/+4 melee (1d8+2) or Scimitar +9/+4 melee (1d6+2); SA Stunning Fist, Wild Shifting 3/day; SQ Beast Spirit, Moonspeaker Shifting, Energy Resistance, Shamans and Nature’s Grace; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +13; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 6.
Wild Shifting enhances physical capabilities, Beast Spirit adds flexibility and resistance, and Moonspeaker abilities bolster summoning spells.
Possessions: Spear, Scimitar, Wooden Heavy Shield, Hide Armor, Sling, Amulet of Mighty Fists, Belt of Magnificence, and Ring of Protection.
At level 15, the Moon-Caller excels in versatile combat, effectively blending melee prowess and summoning magic. With abilities like the Wild Shifting, she enhances her spells and combat versatility. She benefits from tripled summon durations with Extend Spell and Ashbound.
Stat Block Level 15:
Unnamed: male, Dreamsight Shifter Druid 6/Monk 1/Fist of the Forest 1/Moonspeaker 4/Druid 3; CR 15; Medium humanoid (shifter); HD 15d8+30; hp 97; Init +3 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 24, touch 20, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +10/+5; Grp +12; Atk +14 melee (1d8+4/x3, spear) or +12 melee (1d6+2/18-20, scimitar); Full Atk +14/+9 melee (1d8+4/x3, spear) or +12/+7 melee (1d6+2/18-20, scimitar); SA Stunning Fist, Wild Cohort, Augment Summoning; SQ Beast Spirit, Nature Sense, Wild Empathy, Woodland Stride, Trackless Step, Reckless Nature, Wild Shifting, Energy Resistance, Extended Summoning, Thelanis Tie, Moonspeaker Shifting, Venom Immunity, Thousand Faces; AL Neutral; SV Fort +14, Ref +12, Will +14; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 18, Cha 6.
Shifter’s Wild Shifting (adds Wisdom to spells), Augment Summoning (boosts summoned creatures), Beast Spirit (includes bonus feat and increased defenses).
Possessions: Spear (Spell-Storing), Scimitar, Wooden Heavy Shield, Hide Armor, Sling, Belt of Magnificence, Amulet of Mighty Fists, and Ring of Protection.
This build capitalizes on the Dreamsight Shifter’s higher Wisdom for powerful spells and impressive melee abilities. Key features include a high AC from synergy between Monk’s and Druid’s abilities, enhanced summoning for battlefield control, and a dangerously effective Fleshraker companion augmented by Venomfire and strong synergy of spells and feats.
Stat Block Level 20:
Moon Caller: Female, Dreamsight Shifter Druid 6/Monk 1/Fist of the Forest 1/Moonspeaker 4/Druid +8; CR 20; Medium Humanoid (Shifter); HD 20d8+40; hp 160; Init +3; Spd 30 ft.; AC 32, touch 20, flat-footed 29; Base Atk +15; Grp +17; Atk +19 melee (1d8+4, Spear) or +17 melee (1d6+3, Unarmed); Full Atk +19/+14/+9 melee (1d8+4, Spear) or +17/+12/+7 melee (1d6+3, Unarmed); SA Stunning Fist, Power Attack, Summon Nature’s Ally; SQ Beast Spirit, Wild Shifting 6/Day, Moonspeaker Shifting, Resilient Shifter, Venom Immunity, A Thousand Faces; AL Neutral; SV Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +19; Str 14, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 20, Cha 6.
Beast Spirit enhances ability scores and defenses, offers bonus feats, and enables utilitarian casting such as Standard Action Summon Nature’s Ally; boosted summoning duration and efficiency through Ashbound and Extend Spell.
Possessions: Spear (Spell-Storing), Scimitar, Wooden Heavy Shield, Sling, Belt of Magnificence, Amulet of Mighty Fists, Ring of Protection, Hide Armor, components for Luminous Armor casting.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1–5: Start your Druid journey by honing fundamental skills like Wild Empathy and Nature Sense. Acquire vital abilities like Power Attack and Great Fortitude to improve your fighting skills. Start shifting with Wild Shifting 2/Day and embrace the wild with Reckless Nature.
Levels 6–10: To increase the strength of your called allies, unlock Ashbound. By branching into Monk, you can get important skills like Stunning Fist and Improved Unarmed Strike, as well as AC benefits that are connected to your Wisdom. Prepare to control elemental energies by starting the Moonspeaker path and exploring your primal side with Fist of the Forest.
Levels 11-15: Strengthen your summonings with Augment Summoning and Extended Summoning through Moonspeaker. Introduce Natural Bond to regain a fully leveled Animal Companion. Experience significant growth with Venom Immunity and the power to double the duration of spells using Extend Spell.
Levels 16-20: Master summoning and shifting abilities, reaching unprecedented levels of spell effect duration. With your Belt of Magnificence, maximize your ability scores for peak performance. Obtain Craft Wondrous Items to enhance your gear with magical potentials. Your mastery of Wild Shifting allows you to change up to six times per day, ensuring adaptability in any battle.
Core Abilities & Features
The Druid Moon-Caller build is crafted around intriguing synergistic elements, unique to D&D 3.5. Focusing on the Shifter Druid substitution levels, this build sacrifices the traditional Wild Shape for a powerful, flexible combat style facilitated by Wild Shifting. This Shifter ability enhances the character’s melee prowess by tweaking physical stats on the fly, crucial during unexpected skirmishes.
Another focal point is the build’s spellcasting enhancements. The Moon-Caller is adept at using Summon Nature’s Ally with remarkable efficiency. The inclusion of the Ashbound feat, combined with Extend Spell, provides lengthy support, enabling the Moon-Caller to dynamically enhance battlefield control. Exceptional feats to further empower the conjured creatures, maximizing their effectiveness in prolonged engagements.
Despite not having the traditional Animal Companion, this build cleverly regains its efficacy at level 9 via Wild Cohort and Natural Bond. These provide a fully leveled companion that can serve as both an auxiliary attacker and a defensive bulwark. By utilizing a Fleshraker and casting Venomfire, the Moon-Caller turns this companion into a formidable pouncing ally, devastating foes with its enhanced melee capabilities. Ultimately, balancing spellcasting augmentation with unique combat tactics defines the Moon-Caller’s core potential.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
Spear, Scimitar, Wooden Heavy Shield, Hide Armor, Sling
This setup provides a balance between defense with the shield and armor, and offense with the versatile scimitar and spear. The sling offers a simple ranged attack option.
L6-10
Belt of Magnificence, Luminous Armor
Enhances all ability scores making the build more versatile. Luminous Armor replaces traditional armor providing better protection with spell benefits.
L11-15
Amulet of Mighty Fists, Ring of Protection
Increases unarmed strike damage and natural weapon effectiveness. Ring boosts overall defense with added AC bonus.
L16-20
Spell-Storing Spear
Allows the spear to hold a spell, casting it when the weapon hits, integrating magic directly into melee attacks for strategic advantages.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls:
In confined spaces, leverage Shifter’s Wild Shifting to enhance melee abilities. Use Enhance Summoning to bolster summoned creatures, like a strong Fleshraker. Venomfire will ensure it tears through enemies swiftly.
Open Fields:
With room to maneuver, capitalize on mobility using Fast Movement from Fist of the Forest. Cast summoning spells as a standard action thanks to Beast Spirit, and keep enemy forces occupied while hitting hard with spears using Power Attack.
Ambushes:
Stunning Fist can immediately disrupt enemy tactics. Switch quickly between defense with Shield and Scimitar, or offense with the Spear. Remember, your high perception from Alertness helps avoid being caught off guard.
Defensive Stands:
Maximize defense with Shield and Scimitar. Wild Shifting boosts AC via Dex, Con, and Wis, turning you into a defensive bastion. Summon creatures to form a defensive line, extending their duration through Extend Spell.
Urban Encounters:
In cities, blend strategic spellcasting with quick shifts into combat modes. Stealth with Trackless Step, and negotiate with Wild Empathy. Your monk levels allow non-lethal subduing through Martial prowess.
Weaknesses & Counters
Weakness
Counter
Lack of Wild Shape versatility can hinder close combat options against certain enemies.
Utilize Power Attack and Stunning Fist to enhance melee attacks, supported by high Dex and Con for defense.
Susceptible to ranged attacks due to close-range combat focus.
Employ Luminous Armor for enhanced protection, and position summoned creatures to intercept threats.
Limited animal companion levels until obtaining Natural Bond at 12th level.
Focus on Wild Cohort and increase animal companion effectiveness with spells like Venomfire; choose a Fleshraker for high damage output.
Lower Charisma affects some spellcasting and social rolls.
Rely on high Wisdom for key spellcasting and use spells to mitigate social challenges.
Equipment reliance, especially needing enhancements for optimal effectiveness.
Invest in Amulet of Mighty Fists and enchant gear like Spell-Storing Spear to compensate for limitations.
Roleplaying
Dreamsight Shifters frequently find it challenging to comprehend the clash between their primal instincts and their human feelings. Your character might struggle with finding harmony between these two realms, particularly under the moon’s effect. A full moon may provoke cognitive dissonance, resulting in impulsive choices that generate intense moments in the game.
Furthermore, your build opts for Shifting instead of rejecting Wild Shape. Enact a scenario where forsaking a fundamental Druid skill, Wild Shape, might be perceived as blasphemous or shocking within conventional Druid communities. Opting for Shifting, enhancing innate skills, highlights your control over the inner beast without losing your humanity.
Utilize your experience as a Moonspeaker to represent a Druid who connects with nature and harnesses energy from celestial rhythms. Rituals performed publicly or privately under the moon, meditative practices during celestial alignments, or even visions experienced during your Dreamshifts might regularly feature in your character’s story progression. These plunge your group into the world via your Druid’s distinct spiritual perspective.
FAQ
How does the Moon Caller’s Shifter ability work in combat?
The Moon-Caller’s Wild Shifting allows flexibility in combat by enhancing physical stats. This ability tweaks stats on the fly, boosting melee prowess during surprise encounters. Unlike traditional Wild Shape, it excels in quick adaptability. The Moon-Caller gains immediate stat enhancements without the need to assume a new form.
What role do summoned creatures play in a Moon Caller build?
Summoned creatures are vital for control and support in battles. With Augment Summoning, they receive strength and constitution boosts. Ashbound and Extend Spell feats maximize their presence on the battlefield. They serve as both attackers and protective barriers for the party. By summoning a Fleshraker and casting Venomfire, your companion becomes a pouncing ally.
What milestones define the Moon Caller’s progression?
First, concentrate on fundamental skills such as Wild Empathy and Nature Sense. Combat skill is improved by early abilities like Power Attack and Great Fortitude. Unlock Ashbound for more powerful summoned allies by levels 6–10, then start training to become a monk. Strengthen animal partners with Venom Immunity and Natural Bond at levels 11–15. Lastly, levels 16–20 focus on mastering spell durations, shifting, and conjuring.
How can a Moon Caller counteract ranged attacks?
The Moon-Caller is vulnerable to ranged attacks due to close-combat focus. Utilize Luminous Armor for protection and position summonings to intercept threats. Use your Wild Shifting to increase dexterity, enhancing your defensive capabilities. Strategic positioning can mitigate incoming damage. Your summoned allies can also distract or block ranged foes.
Why is roleplaying significant for a Moon Caller?
The Moon-Caller Druid presents a rich tapestry of dual nature roles. Your Shifter heritage allows exploration of primal instincts versus human emotions. Abandoning Wild Shape can be viewed as scandalous by traditional druids. This creates room for dramatic in-game character development. Engage in celestial rituals and meditate during astral alignments.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
-“What happened to her after you defeated the beast?” Asked one of the kids, the old man across from them gave a mild chuckle, their curiosity always bringing a smile to him. He scratched his chin slowly, collecting his thoughts as the fire cracked in the fireplace. The whole inn was listening to the half-elf’s story now.
-“Well, as well traveled as I am, there were many things I could teach her, I could teach everything about listening to nature, how to hunt beasts and how to recognize plants and prints. Though, as with all teachers, there were some things I could never teach her. How to be a beast, as she already was, being a werewolf and all. She wanted to learn to better control and use that part of her. So she left too, eventually, in search of the Lady of the Woods.”
There were whispers in the inn when that name came out of the storyteller’s mouth. The traveling woman pulled out a smoke pipe and started cleaning it, and prepared some dried herbs.The half-elf continued unfazed.
-“The Lady is said to be as old as the forest, and its most ancient guardian, capable of taking the form of all the beasts who walk its depths. From the smallest insect to the most majestic dragon, she is one with each of these forms. If someone could teach our young wolf lady how to control her inner beast, it was the Lady.”
Race
Changeling
Class
Wildshaping Ranger 5(Variant)/Master of Many Forms 10/Nature’s Warrior 3/Warshaper 2
You are a ranger capable of Wildshaping like the druid. But you take that ability and crank it to eleven. You have more than ten uses per day, can change your form in the same use of wild shape, and can take nearly any form in the monster manual. This makes you a fantastic swiss army knife of a character, with a form for every situation, and by gaining the Extraordinary abilities of your forms, your toolset only expands even more. Take the form of a fly to spy on a conversation or the form of a friggin’ Dragon to fight virtually any enemy as two examples.
And they say only Tier 1 characters have a backpocket plan for any situation…
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