The Spore Beast - D&D: Optimized #34 

I’m commenting not having seen this video yet but I just saw your q & a. I have to tell you, I as a content consumer, appreciate the time you spend each week on these optimized builds. I’m just a small part of your community but I have to say this.

Wait, what just happened, did Colby just make a well rounded character who didn't specialize hard in favor of being pretty good in multiple areas? No way

Could flavor raising the skeletons as the spores eating the corpse and controlling it, that would help with roleplay.

Wildhunt shifter from eberron: no creature within 30 feet of you can make an attack roll with advantage. Combined with reckless attack...

For those of you who want less martial attacks and more spell casting, try 6 levels of Way of Mercy monk instead! You maintain the ability to make four attacks a turn (occasionally, at the cost of ki) and you'll be freed up to cast spells more often. You also maintain magical attacks for overcoming resistance with ki-empowered strikes. Your results may very, but if you prefer to be a dodge tank and not stretch your ability scores out as much, its a good alternative!

I just realized, echo fighter is the perfect martial multiclass for spore druid. More extra attacks, action surge to set up symbiotic entity and still attack, and you can make melee attacks without putting the temp hp at risk

The spore Beast; When you want to be trippin on shrooms and are in to puppy play.

I've always liked the idea of a beast barbarian that gets their power from a venom symbiote like being. The claws and teeth and tail (tentacle?) are all made of the black symbiote goo, and the druid spells and abilities could be flavored as coming from the symbiote.

Was waiting for this! And enjoy that vacation. Hmm a Colby that has no numbers outlet for 2 weeks? The return should be grand!

"At level 5 you get 4 attacks using no resources" technically rage is a resource

I've got a beast barb concept that multis into moon druid instead. They heavily utilize the features of the Hadozee race from unearthed arcana. Start by taking 6 levels into barb, use any weapon you want it doesn't really matter. Choose the 6th level feature that lets you add an athletics check's result to your leap. Your leap height, assuming you have 18 STR is now 1d20+14(minimum of 15 feet, which is enough for our purposes). Next, take a level into druid for longstrider(generally useful for a barb) and leap(which triples leap distance, meaning a minimum of 45ft jump height). Then put levels into moon druid like normal. Leap is only worth casting if you can do it before combat or hold an action to cast it on initiative. From here, we can reliable force people to make a dex save(15dc) of they take half the fall damage and are prone when you leap on them(thanks to the 'landing on a creature' rules from Tasha's), but you can reduce the damage you take to 0 with your Hadozee feature and a reaction. You can get higher damage by getting higher, which is easy enough with climb speed, longstrider and glide. Once you force them prone you do barbarian things. From here, keep levelling druid so you can turn into different animals and such, at level 2 druid you can become a female steeder, which lets you grab someone, then jump 90feet in the air(halved movement while grappling doesn't apply to the steeder ability), drop them(9d6 bludgening+prone) and then land on them(1/2 of 9d6 on failed dex save), and still reduce your own damage to 0(racial abilities still apply to wildshape). More druid levels just make you stronger, better shapeshifts, better spells(darkvision most importantly) and better flavour. Once you're high enough level to awaken a tree(or any huge beast) you have a permanent 15ft tall object that you can climb up, or start combat mounted on(to then leap off of). And you also get the feature that all hadozee have access to, which can have nifty uses on the frontline. Bonus action use item. So you can put a hunting trap at someone's feet, lock someone in manacles if they're incapacitated, spread caltrops or ball bearings to stop the enemy running away(which they will), use a flint and tinder to light a cigar mid-combat which you can then drop into a pool of oil you poured as a bonus action on your next turn. If your gm allows for creative combat items(eg pocket sand) then you've got even more options. And yes, this does basically make you Sun Wukong.

The cheapest 1-handed d8's are warpicks. For those who didn't get lucky enough rolling for gold.

A way to add a little bit more DPR is to keep using the axe in one hand. The Extra Attack feature doesn't impose any limitations on which hand or weapon you are using to make each Attack (there is a sage advice about this) so you can attack like this: Attack action: attack with axe + attack with claw + attack with claw (all with +mod to damage since you are using your attack action) Bonus action (if your DM allow two weapons fighting with your claws): attack with axe (since you attacked with your claws with you action and your axe is in the "other hand") It's not a lot more damage, but it's a little thing that usually goes unnoticed and can be useful to some builds.

A brilliant and highly enjoyable video! Before coming across this video I was creating a W.I.P. character that was multi-classing in exactly Barbarian (Path of the Beast) and Druid (Circle of Spores) and I was shocked to see that someone had made a video about it. Not only does this video exist, but it is genius and I'm incredibly thankful, as someone who could not figure out exactly how to approach melding these two classes/sub-classes, that this video was so incredibly thorough and understandable. Thank you!

Omg, you already did the Circle of spores I requested a week ago?! That's totally insane man! thanks for that!! I liked enjoyed your take on it and I will try out this build at some point, since I'm already playing a different kind of idea behind my circle of spores char! Keep it up man and happy springbreak!

This build is incredibly fun. Thanks for putting it together!

I absolutely LOVE this idea. It's really fun watching you get creative with these builds. I might not agree with some choices sometimes, but not here. This is sooooo much fun. Also, I think I mentioned this before, your voice is lovely and your manner of speaking is very soothing.

Just a quick tidbit, the Spiked Armor from SCAG is a medium armor that provides 14+dex and is not by RAW only "usually" made of metal so can be druid friendly. Only battleragers can use it as a weapon, but anyone with medium armor proficiency can use it as armor. Essentially a more expensive scalemail that is druid-friendly.

Longtooth Shifter for the race gives you a bonus attack (that gets str damage bonus, unlike dual wielding!!) and lots of other goodies. Take one level of fighter or (gasp!) fighting initiate feat at level 4 for dueling style and hold a shield so your off hand isn’t counted as holding a weapon, and now your 3 claw attacks each get another +2 damage. Your temp HP from symbiotic entity now last longer because you have an additional +1 AC (you lost the +1 from dual wielder, but gained +2 from the shield). Or, for more survivability, take Wildhunt Shifter so melee enemies don’t have advantage when you reckless attack. Shifter of any type is also so on point for this build.

Fantastic to see another str build highlighted -i have something similar w/ drunken master monk (1lv. Dip fighter blindfight) and spore druid but your build feels like what I imagine the Battlerager SHOULD have felt like!!

Ooo I was considering something like this! I’m excited to see your version! :) Hope you have a good vacation!

The ''no metal armor'' part of druid was meant for flavor more then actual gameplay. It was explained in a Sage Advice back in march of 2016. Also, there are rules for crafting armor with other material (such as a scale mail made of dragon scales or from other animal scales). I really enjoyed the build and even had a player trying a similar build before Tasha came out (went 2 barbarian and then mostly druid, so it didn't go well). Keep those video coming, it's always a blast to hear you come up with cool and strong idea for builds.

Always happy for a new video from my new favorite channel

Although the zombie has 1 hit point, it is a zombie. So it has undead fortitude. So there is always the potential that it survives a hit as long as the hit is 18* points of damage or less. *Edit: They have a +3 to the con save, so they could possibly save with a DC=23 which is 18 points of damage.

I recently came up with this character concept independently. Thank you so much for your suggestions - they will really help me in focusing my decisions while leveling.

Super flavorful and pretty straight forward. Awesome video!

Bro, never apologize for needing to take a break, everybody deserves rest and relaxation! Love your videos, take it easy and always remember that family is the most important thing, put them first!

Thank you so much! This helped so much with my druid fighter build. Not doing everything the same, but you have definitely paved the road. Thank you again

Loving this build btw. Simple and deadly and packed w variety

Hey Colby! Great video as always. Loved the character concept and it fits a critical role (not the show! haha) in the party in a very unique way! Only a thing that i noticed in the video is that the timers are misplaced, like when we get to 7th level at 23:17, and in the description its saying 29:49. Here's an updated version of the timers: Character Concept:(0:00​) Level 1:(5:41​) Levels 2-6:(10:02​) Levels 7-9:(23:17​) Levels 10-13:(35:07​) Levels 14-17:(43:08​) Final Thoughts:(53:26) I don't even need to say but, thanks for everything you're doing for this community, it means a lot! (Especially us optimizers that like big numbers hahaha).

I really like the fact that this character would also be very good at grappling. Since you always have empty hands, you could grapple (with rage's advantage), sacrificing "only" the offhand attack, and that is a super cool thing to have for a kinda tank character.

Watching this so much after it was released, but love you taking breaks!

if you want to save a feat for dual wielder without houseruling, there is a loophole to the claw thing. Just dual wield 2 short swords -> attack with main hand (first attack of attack action) -> use bonus action to attack with other hand -> drop a short sword -> make 2 claw attacks with empty hand (1 as the second attack of your attack action, and 1 extra enabled by the fact that you just made a claw attack) -> pick up short sword as free object interaction and half your movement.

Cool and creative build! Love it!

One thing about Spreading Spores: normally that extra damage requires your reaction for 1 creature to be damaged. With Spreading Spores, it now becomes any creature, when they enter or start their turn there, which could lead to some fun grappling / shoving shenanigans.

Thanks Colby! Happy to be here too!

Enjoy the vacation! Looking forward to all the new content!

I'm definetly going to use this idea. Keep up the great work

Thanks for the inspiration! Not RAW but in my games the natural weapons are counted as unarmed strikes. My barbarian just has to multiclass with the monk so at my current lvl 8 I can first turn rage and attack 3 times, and round 2 I can attack 5 times for 1 Ki point. I just love this blender of a beast fantasy :D Oh and of course I'm a shadow elf so elven accuracy can support all reckless attacks

This channel is incredible. thanks Homelander!

I LOVE the flavor/RP potential of this build and the previous "Batman" build. Keep 'em coming!

i love this build! its so cool, so well rounded. so... terrifying XD Suggestion, what if instead of dual wielding custom lineage you were a longtooth shifter with a greatsword? at level 1-2 you do 1 sword attack and 1 bite. At level 3 and 4 you do two claw attacks and one bite. and from 5 and onwards you do 1 sword, 2 claw, 1 bite. :D

As someone who has only played characters who hit stuff inside of combat, it's best to have variety in how you hit stuff. I played a fighter who had a glaive, a crossbow, some longswords and always had fun with deciding what weapon he should use.

Watching this video after the new Sliding Into My DMs with the Halo of Spores discussion is interesting. Immediately noticed that Halo of Spores says it increases damage at "level" and the connected Symbiotic Entity feature upgrades per "level you have in this class." Combined with the Halo basically acting like a cantrip, I gotta be team power-up on character level. But I'm almost always willing to rule in favor of features / characters being as cool as possible. (Also, lots of love for the Beast Barbarian here, one of the main Tasha subclasses to immediately spark my imagination. I'm playing one now in a short Level 10 adventure - multiclass Artificer 4 / Barbarian 6 - leaning into the Jekyll & Hyde thing where his backstory is experimenting to infuse himself with draconic power. Not particularly optimized, but some nice synergies still.)

For the 10k Gauntlet: I know it's not as exciting, and I know it would be HELL to DM, but a part of me really wants to see an exorbitant number of kobolds. Just regular kobolds.

22:00 your content is evolving and I am here for it lol

HAHAH A well rounded character!!! WHAT HAS HAPPENED!!! have a good week off. Looking forward to the write up on this guy. I will say i did miss that the claws get an extra attack. Nice build!

Amazing beast barb/spores druid build! Have a nice vacation. :)

"Pet treant risking life and limb"? Limb! Ha ha. Brilliant!

Cool to see that someone else had the same exact idea for a multiclass build

I’ve been sitting at my desk trying to find a way to make a spores druid build that takes good advantage of their melee weapon buff and my girlfriend suggested i look to see if your channel has a video about it so thank goodness this exists, I never would have thought of coupling with the beast barb, very clever!

Love all of these builds on your channel and your creativity with all of them! Would you be able to compose a character build that revolves around teleportation and how to best maximize the uses of teleportation within the limits of action economy? Thanks Colby!

I'm excited for this one broski! I'll edit this once I finish the video :) Also, have fun on your vacation! Btw, with point buy at level 1 with custom lineage having +2 in strength and taking 14 str, 14, dex, 14 con, and 13 wiz, I still have 1 point left over. Just fyi.

I’m thinking of playing this character and his beast is a Scorpion. The claws will be his pincers and his cloud of spores is like a veil of venomous breath or something. I think it’s gonna be cool

Enjoy your vacation Colby!

NICE ONE! Well built!

Have a great spring break!

heres a combo that no one seems to talk about...Barbarian / wizard (war mage)..you only need 2 levels in wizard..as warmages Tactical Wit + arcane deflection both work great while Raging. Then with your spells, you can pick up out of combat utility spells, or even Find Familiar.

With the release of the new Astral Adventure Guide, I'm planning a Plasmoid (ooze) Beast Path barbarian. A proto-shoggoth that spontaneously grows whatever body parts it needs in combat, and re-absorbs them when done.

Once again, amazing! Take a rest my friend, you deserve!

I’ve been meaning to try a barbarian at some point and I’ll be honest, this is one of the coolest themes for a barbarian I’ve seen

Yes! I love spore druid since I'm such a fan of Golgari in MTG/Ravnica, but I found the subclass by itself lacking.

Don't count out the zombie entirely. It gets undead resilience, so it may stay at 1 hp for quite a while. Edit: corrected autocorrect.

For race I think Wildhunt Shifter would also make a great option, while your spores temp hp would override the shifter temp hp, the fact that while shifter attacks can not have advantage against you which means reckless has no downsides. Also 1 level hexblade warlock dip is huge for increasing damage, hexblade's curse adding your proficiency mod to damage really ups your damage against single target enemies. Furthermore, three into echo knight means we get action surge and can make an additional attack each turn a number of times equal to our con mod, so early on that's five attacks per turn for 2d6+11 damage per attack, taking levels in monk to make 2 attacks as a bonus action ups that damage even more, not to mention buff spells cast on you like haste or enlarge/reduce.

Hey Colby, thanks for your incredible videos, spreadsheets, and encouragement to share build requests! I hope you have a phenomenal spring break with the family! Your mention of this Spore Beast having a split-personality spawned a potential idea for a wild character with multiple personalities. I’m wondering about your perspective in optimizing a build with all the bells and whistles multiclassing into Sorcerer, Bard, Wizard, and Warlock. I relate with the desire to mix things up in combat as my first character that I’ve played for the last two years has been a 100% Barbarian. Fortunately, the path of the Ancestral Guardian has given me more to think about in combat beyond, “I just hit stuff” :) I’m still hungry, however, to explore the fun side of evaluating sorcery points, spell slots, portent, and enjoying the impact of giving inspiration to mix things up in combat as well as have a blast role playing. I could use your perspective to still be helpful to my party in combat while playing a character who’s different personalities pursue different interests and skill sets (Class). I bet you could do wonders to optimize for best results but I’ll share my idea as in case it’s helpful as a potential starting point: 1st level Sorcerer, then 2 levels each at a time in Bard, Wizard, and Warlock. Levels 8-11 dive back into Sorcerer. Levels 12-13 dip back in for 2 more levels of Bard. Finally finish up most likely with Sorcerer the rest of the way. The result is a Sorcerer 12, Bard 4, Warlock 2, and Wizard 2. My thoughts would be to have the respective subclasses/tradition of Wild Magic, College of Glamour, The Great Old One, and School of Divination. Some extra “flavor” might be to have the Bard pick up a feat like Chef. I’m also thinking of a changeling charlatan who creates other identities and masquerades as them for his own means until a sudden surge of untamed magic fractures his identity into 4 parts. As a changeling he’d take the form of each of those identities automatically when they are in control. For some extra wild moments, I’ve considered allowing chance play a role in mixing things up for each game session as to which personality wakes up at the time by rolling a d4. I’d love to get your perspective!

Kick ass music opening. But not going to lie I listen to your vids to go to sleep at night. Nice calming voice.

Not sure if this came up yet but long claw Shifters can bonus action attack with a fang attack 1d6+str mod. Gets around the whole off hand attack penalty...though I doubt it would be considered magical

New subscriber here! I’m really looking forward to the University series. My GF wants to start DMing so it will me great for her. And hopefully teach her how to deal with my powergamer self when she takes the big chair at the head of the table. P.S. your into with the strong electric guitar then the soothing voice or yours. It’s fantastic!

Hey Colby, I’m a huge fan of your channel! Having watched most of your build videos, this is one is definitely up there for me. I was thinking, with the new Thri-Kreen detailed in the recent UA article, you could really take this build to another level. Shield in main hand, claw the other main hand, and having the smaller arms dual wielding hand axes. No more need for the dual wielder feat, and you get a shield! Plus, the image of that character just sounds awesome. My version would probably incorporate 3-4 levels of fighter and go champion for the additional crit chance and action surge. Not sure if it would be better to take it before or after 2 levels of druid for the spore feature. More damage, more risk, but I feel like the additional AC helps to mitigate it somewhat.

Have a good break bud, no need for appologies, enjoy 👍

So I really like this build and I think that if your DM isn’t a stickler for the duel Wielder for claws thing then the better race is actually Tortle you get +2 str +1 wis so you can go 15str 10 dex 14 con 15 wis 8 int&cha giving you a 17str and 16wis so your Druid spell save is better and biggest thing is you have a natural 17AC from level 1 and at level 4 you can take slasher to give you a 18str and you get all the slasher benefits. All which seem like a great way to manage all the weaknesses of the build.

Thanks to Colby and the rest of the Wayward Watch for your work.

Hey Colby, my buddy is playing a Druid (moon) and Paladin (oath of ancients). It’s a really cool build that he and I like but I was wondering if you could put your spin on it. He’s focused on utility, being able to do dang near anything in a given situation, I know hard to quantify on a Spreadsheet, while also able to drop a mighty smite and pop up the volume. He wildshapes into a Deinonychus (dinosaur) and gets multiattack and is typically flanking so all at advantage, then drops smites to quickly deal with enemies. It’s a quite versatile nova build that I think can go for miles but I’d love to see what you can do with it.

Combining seemingly incompatible classes/subclasses, and the stories we're able to make from them, is hands-down my favorite part of dnd... so when I saw "spore beast", I was pretty jealous that I didn't come up with it. My iteration, you might ask?! I would combine beast barb + spore druid + ranger swarm-keeper, and my swarm would look like floating spores... awwwesommme. One more thing; I can't imagine the designers of this intended you to consider your hands when used as claws as literal metal claws... plus, if this is the case, my shadow monk/beast barb won't work

Variant tiefling (bat wings) rune knight/ sorcerer. Make yourself large, cast enlarge on yourself. You are now a huge sized monster, go grapple someone (no movement penalty when they are 2 sizes smaller than you) fly up and beat them up in the air before dropping them.

Obviously this build peaks around lvl 7. I played this exact build for a White Plum Mountain module (lvl 7 characters) and I had an absolute blast. Would recommend!

LOOOVE spore druid multiclassing! Probably my favorite character I ever played was a high-level one shot where I played an open-hand monk 4/Spore Druid 8 who was SO FUN

I've been toying with this idea for awhile, and I'm REALLY happy with how everything feels in actual play. My fluff revolves around the character being the vessel for a powerful primal animal/fey spirit, that can be invoked partially or fully. I named it The Sporrior for punny goodness. Edit: I keep looking over your info provided, but can't seem to find a build sheet. Have you considered adding one so people can follow along?

If you choose simic hybrid at level 5 you'll get your 2 claw attacks from from action a tentacle attack as your second action and can use your bonus action to grapple. no need to take the duel wielder feat and sometimes the grapple might actually be more beneficial than a 4th attack.

Love the build!! I know you can't recommend magic items as people may not get access to them but if a DM allows you to pick a uncommon item then Insignia of Claws seems made for this build. +1 atk/dmg boost and prevents the need for barb level 6.

Seems like the spore druid side would pair up well with someone with interceptor fighting style or psiwarrior that can outright prevent damage there by protecting the temp HP

Colby, these builds are amazing. Is there a page somewhere that contains the list of choices you made at each level for each build since you started doing them? EDIT: I just watched your video about RU-vid membership and became a silver-level supporter! :) Very happy to help support such a high-quality channel.

Does anyone know how he’s maintaining rage on the turn he’s activating his temp hp as he’s not making an attack on that turn and would have to rely on an enemy to target him? I also don’t think the reaction with the spores counts as an attack.

Wait is this going to be a beast barbarian?!

I think the answer to the problem of duel wielding is to change the wording on the light property. The most classic and historical duel wielding was done with a rapier and a dagger, and there's no real mechanical reason that you should have to have both weapons be light. When you're holding a light weapon, you can make one attack with it as a bonus action.

Currently starting a campaign at level 1 and I’m going for this build, wish me luck!

Alright! Watched it all and I love it! As far as builds go, I would really like to see either a holy type theme with maybe divine soul sorc and paladin. That or a draconic bloodline sorcerer. I really like the flavor, but struggle to build one effectively. Also, my favorite subclass in the game is college of creation bard. So if you wanna work with that, that would be fun! not really a dpr type build, but could be something different for the channel :)

Astral Self Monk X/Beast Barbarian 3. Nets you the most Ki, Barb subclass, minimizes MAD (focus on Wis), and allows for better saves and you can grapple with wisdom with advantage while raging.

Have you ever considering doing an episode on what magic items would benefit/redefine your builds? This came to mind when I thought of the insignia of claws for this build. I've never had a DM that wouldn't give me a specific item if I asked at the outset and worked towards it as a goal. The run of the mill +1/2/3 weapons are not what I'm talking about as thats a no brainer. Thinking more gear with unique or interesting abilities.

Wouldn't it be better to save your reaction for other things, like opportunity attacks? Can your beast form throw a javelin? (I read ahead) I would choose a bear as berserker came from the Viking belief that they would become a bear. Why can't you be descended from two arch druids and then your clan's name would be McDonald. Don't forget dragon hide armor! Goodberry! Wouldn't it be better to save your reaction for other things, like opportunity attack? Immune to non-magic attacks 23, resistant 102. If you can get your claws silvered, Immune is 7 and resistant is 32. this is out of 818 monsters.

awesome build only missing the coolest weapons in the game flensing claws. if you can somehow get them as part of your back story and some house rules you are looking at the only weapon whose damage is based on your size. starting at 1d8 for small, 1d10 for medium, 1d12 for large, and for 2d12 huge. The creature gets to adds its proficiency bonus and Strength modifier to any attack roll made with the claws, and its Strength modifier to its damage roll when it hits a target with the claws. think about it cool Freddy kruger claws or even better lady death strike claws from X-Men on your spore beast

This class combination does expend resources. Rage is a long rest limited resource. 2 per long rest til level 3 barbarian. 3 per longrest from level 3 barb to level 5 barb. And it takes a bonus action to activate. Limited resources and first turn damage is made with one less attack as this is activated at all levels. The spore druid feature is limited by temp HP, but is indeed offset by the rage. A good combination. The problem is that it takes an action to activate, so there’s a very real possibility you lose that rage if you activate it to preserve the temp HP. You can’t make an attack on that turn, and you may not take damage. Mechanics seem a little problematic. Seems a lot like a DBZ character powering up since it takes a while to get the features up. Since actual resources are limited, I wouldn’t consider that sustained. It also potentially takes multiple actions or turns to set up, and the first round/turn is the most important round to unleash abilities. The more creatures/adversaries you take out in the beginning the less of an impact the entire encounter takes total.

I have noticed that mixing shifter qualities into the beastliness of the beast barbarian is fine, but the moment anything else adds to the beast barbarian beastliness your character goes from wild man to horror monster.

I would love a sword bard/battle master build. I feel there is great synergy with these two subclasses that can add a large amount of battle field control and tankieness.

Although Custom Lineage is great, I feel like they messed up with races that give feats. It's so much more powerful and kind of forces us optimizers into the selection. Having said that, great build, as always! I LOVE the idea of a Lizardfolk Beast barb that, when rages, the character bulks up all Godzilla-like. If given the opportunity to play one, I think that's the route I'd go. Also, the challenge of RPing a Lizardfolk would be super interesting.

maybe You can think of claws not being light due to the extra to the explosive and beastial strikes you make with them, and dual wielding feat allows you to fight with more efficiency and finess than before

I'd be really curious to see how you would build a 4e Warlord type character. I know battlemaster has some of the features, and the inspiring leader feat is in the same vein. I'm also partial to the glamour bards 3rd lvl feature to give temp hp and repositioning. So how would you create a very supportive leader type character?

Dhampir would be a good add. Like the underworld movie where the guy was a werewolf-vampire hybrid. Druid would be fun add too for turning into a bat.. and later mist.

Your editing for this video cracked me up haha 😆

Dont you loose out on the damage modifier from strength on weapon nr 2 as you dont have the 2weapon fighting style?