For those who look to the night skies for guidance on their adventure, we come to the Circle of Stars Druid.
These Druids pull their power from the stars and uncover secrets hidden in the patterns of constellations. In this way, the Circle of Stars Druid seeks to understand and utilize the powers of the Cosmos itself.
So grab your telescope and consult your trusty star map!
This is the full guide to the Circle of Stars Druid in D&D 5e!
What is the Circle of Stars Druid?
The Circle of Stars Druid uses the power of the Cosmos to fuel their magic. By gazing upon the night sky and deciphering the patterns within constellations, they unlock powerful secrets of the universe.
As the Astronomers of the Druid Circle options, Circle of Stars Druids keep detailed records of their observations.
Stars, constellations, and other heavenly bodies are recorded with records often being stored at megalithic sites of power. From there, the effects of these bodies on the world are observed.
The Circle of Stars Druid understands that the Cosmos communicates to all life and that we need only to look up to see its messages.
The Circle of Stars Druid was published in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything alongside the Circle of Spores and Circle of Wildfire Druid subclasses.
Role in the Party
Versatility is largely the biggest draw of playing a Druid in D&D 5e. The Circle of Stars just might be the most versatile of the subclass options.
With three options for their Starry Form ability, the Circle of Stars Druid can fill in for extra ranged damage or healing in combat.
The third form is useful for maintaining concentration on spells, but can also serve well out of combat for Intelligence and Wisdom checks.
Unless using the Druid’s Wild Shape ability, these Druids will fit best in the middle or backline of the party’s formation.
They may choose to dip back a little if using the Archer option for their Starry Form, but abilities like Cosmic Omen mean that you will generally want to stay within 30 feet of the action.
Related: The Complete Guide to the Druid Class in D&D 5e
Circle of Stars Druid Abilities
There’s something that is just so satisfying about the Circle of Stars Druid abilities. The utility, flavor, and just overall cohesiveness of this subclass are fantastic.
As I mentioned in my ranking of the Top 10 Subclasses in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, I initially found myself sleeping on this class. But when I went back to read it a second time, I noticed just how well-crafted this class is.
So let’s check out the Circle of Stars Druid abilities!
Star Map (Level 2)
Right out of the gate when you become a Circle of Stars Druid, you get a Star Map.
This is a Tiny object that you use as a spellcasting focus and for studying the stars. But this is no ordinary spellcasting focus…
While you are holding the map, you gain extra benefits!
You know the Guidance cantrip.
You have the Guiding Bolt spell prepared. It counts as a Druid spell for you and does not count against the number of spells that you can have prepared.
You can cast Guiding Bolt without using a spell slot. You can do so a number of times per day equal to your proficiency bonus and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Guidance is an excellent cantrip and is a great (and free!) way to offer some extra assistance to your allies.
But considering how powerful Guiding Bolt is, it’s incredibly nice to have. 4d6 damage on a hit AND the next attack roll against the creature is at advantage?
For free? Yes, please!
This is a powerful start to the Circle of Stars Druid and every one of these benefits is simply excellent.
Also, note that if you happen to lose your Star Map, it can be easily replaced with a 1-hour ceremony during a short or long rest. I mean, you’ll still want to be careful with it, but at least you can get it back relatively easily!
Starry Form (Level 2)
The core ability of the Circle of Stars Druid is their Starry Form.
With this ability, the Druid can use a bonus action and expend one use of their Wild Shape to take on the form of a glimmering constellation instead of turning into a beast. Each of the three constellation options has unique bonuses and abilities which add to the Druid’s versatile nature.
Regardless of which constellation is chosen, the Druid’s body glows and their joints shine like stars. Bright lines connect on the Druid to resemble a star chart based on the chosen constellation.
While in their Starry Form, the Circle of Stars Druid radiates bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for another 10 feet beyond that.
The Druid can stay in their Starry Form for 10 minutes unless they dismiss it, are incapacitated, die, or use the feature again. It doesn’t take any action to dismiss the Starry Form.
As mentioned, there are three constellation options available to the Circle of Stars Druid: the Archer, the Chalice, and the Dragon. Let’s go over the unique abilities of each of these options!
Archer
Our first starry form is the Archer which represents your offensive Starry Form option.
When you activate the Archer Starry Form, and as a bonus action on your other turns while in this form, you can make a ranged spell attack against an enemy.
This attack resembles a bright and luminous arrow and can be fired at any creature within 60 feet of you. The arrow does 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier damage if it hits.
Being able to launch this arrow as a bonus action keeps you free to continue using other powerful spells as your Action on your turns. At an extra d8 of damage per round, this can greatly boost your party’s damage output.
Chalice
Next up we have the Chalice option for your Starry Form.
For those Druids who are taking on a healing role, the Chalice Starry Form lets you spread the healing around even more.
While in this Starry Form, casting a spell that restores hit points to a creature lets you throw some extra healing to either yourself or another nearby creature. The chosen creature must be within 30 feet of you and regains 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier hit points.
If a battle is starting to look bad, being able to heal multiple targets per round can quickly turn the tables in your party’s favor!
Dragon
Last but not least is the Dragon constellation. This gives some extra utility and helps you out as a spellcaster.
In fact, the Dragon Starry Form has some exceptional use both in and out of combat.
Out of combat, using a skill check that relies on Intelligence or Wisdom while in this form allows you to treat a roll of 9 or lower as a 10. Whether you are attempting to recall some ancient lore or navigate the wilderness, the Dragon constellation has your back!
In combat, the Dragon Starry Form allows you to treat a roll of 9 or less as a 10 when you are making a Constitution Saving Throw to maintain concentration on a spell.
A huge amount of Druid spells require concentration, which means that you can get tons of use from this form.
It’s a bad feeling when you’ve cast Polymorph to turn a Hill Giant into a harmless turtle only to have him reemerge because you got hit and lost concentration. Not only did you just burn a 4th level spell slot, but he’s probably not particularly happy with you at the moment…
The Dragon Starry Form can easily become the make-or-break factor in maintaining your strongest Druid spells.
Related: Concentration in D&D 5e Explained
Cosmic Omen (Level 6)
Among the secrets that the stars share with those who seek to understand them are powerful omens of events yet to come.
At 6th level, you gain access to the Cosmic Omen ability.
When you finish a long rest, roll a die. If the result is an even number, the omen is weal. If the result is odd, the omen is woe.
This gives you special reactions that last until you finish your next long rest.
These abilities can be used a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus. At the end of a long rest, you regain all uses of this ability and can roll again to determine weal or woe.
Regardless of whether you rolled for weal or woe, this ability comes in handy in those clutch moments when you really need the dice to roll in your favor.
Weal
If your Cosmic Omen result was weal, you get the ability to assist your allies.
When you see a creature within 30 feet of you making an attack, saving throw, or ability check, you can use your reaction to roll a d6. This is added to the roll’s total.
Think of this as a type of reactionary version of Bardic Inspiration.
Woe
If your Cosmic Omen is one of woe, you get a very useful debuff to frustrate your enemies.
This omen functions somewhat similarly to the Bane spell or the Lore Bard’s Cutting Words ability by reducing the target’s rolls.
As with weal, you use your reaction to target a creature within 30 feet of you that is making an attack, saving throw, or ability check. Roll a d6 and subtract the result from the target’s total roll.
Twinkling Constellations (Level 10)
When you reach level 10 as a Circle of Stars Druid, the Twinkling Constellations ability improves your Starry Form.
The 1d8 of the Archer and the Chalice becomes 2d8, and while the Dragon is active, you have a flying speed of 20 feet and can hover.
Moreover, at the start of each of your turns while in your Starry Form, you can change which constellation glimmers on your body.
Buffs all around! What’s not to like?
Sure, the extra d8 for your Archer and Chalice forms is handy and the flying/hover speed with your Dragon form is excellent.
But the best part of this feature is that second sentence. Now you don’t have to worry about getting stuck in a Starry Form that doesn’t particularly fit your current needs.
Need to throw down some damage? Fire some starry arrows as an Archer.
Teammates need healing? Switch to your Chalice form and get everyone back in tip-top shape!
Time to reposition or offer some aerial support? Switch to your Dragon form and outmaneuver your foes with ease!
In true Druid fashion, you’re remarkably versatile and able to easily adapt to whatever your party needs most at any given moment. Just when you thought the Circle of Stars Druid couldn’t get any better!
Full of Stars (Level 14)
Your level 14 ability, Full of Stars, sees you becoming partially incorporeal when you assume your Starry Form.
Of course, this comes with quite a benefit…
While in your Starry Form, you are resistant to bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.
It’s a short and sweet description, but only taking half damage from melee attacks is a great feature to have!
The only thing that’s a bit weird about this feature is that the Circle of Stars Druid is pretty strongly geared towards more of a backline role. However, more durability is quite literally never a bad thing and you’ll certainly be glad you have this feature!
Connections
A Circle of Stars Druid has many possible ways that they can connect with the party and the world.
They may have been guided by the stars to meet the other characters. As the character pursues their own goals, it becomes clear that the best way to do this is to join the party.
The Circle of Stars Druid may have spent time with others of their discipline in a large temple, pyramid, or other such places where knowledge of the stars is gathered.
Because of their particular gifts and interests, such a Druid may find friends and contacts within groups of Wizards. Because of this subclass’s Cosmic Omen ability, they might particularly click with Wizards of the School of Divination.
I could also see a unique friendship forming between a Stars Druid and something like a Knowledge Domain Cleric.
If you really play into the mystical elements of this subclass, you could quickly find yourself working as a type of advisor for the party or, at least, certain party members.
After all, who wouldn’t take an interest in knowing what the stars have to say about your future when delving into dangerous dungeons or standing against terrifying threats?
Is the Circle of Stars Druid Good?
All in all, the Circle of Stars Druid is a very solid option that stands out among the others.
It feels unique but does not lose track of what makes a Druid. With a very unique take on showing off the Druid class’s versatility, the Circle of Stars doesn’t end up getting “lost in the sauce.”
In the early game, the Circle of Stars is incredibly powerful. If the party takes regular rests, it can almost seem overpowered!
Getting free Guiding Bolts from the Star Map is incredibly strong. Adding in the abilities gained while in Starry Form makes the Circle of Stars Druid a complete powerhouse.
The buff to Starry Form with Twinkling Constellations at level 10 helps to scale the Circle of Stars Druid just as they start to lose effectiveness.
At higher levels, the Circle of Stars is still a decent pick, but it certainly doesn’t have the same punch that it has in early and mid-level games. That said, this class still dominates the early levels!
The mechanics here are on point and the flavor is a fantastic breath of fresh air for Druids everywhere.
Related: Ranking Every Druid Subclass in D&D 5e
Conclusion – Circle of Stars Druid in D&D 5e
I hope you’ve found this guide to the Circle of Stars Druid in D&D 5e helpful!
There’s so much to love about this subclass and the possibilities for what kinds of characters you can make are truly limitless.
Whether you want to play a character that is mystical, alien, fatalistic, or whatever else, there’s so much to work with here that you can certainly get as weird with it as you’d like!
While my group likes to poke fun at how I usually play Druids, I’ll still likely end up making a Circle of Stars Druid character in the near future.
What are your thoughts on the Circle of Stars? Let me know in the comments!
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