Druid dip on a rogue

[clem]

I'm considering the character concept of a Scout Rogue taking a two-level dip in Druid, leaning towards Shepherd Circle.

* Having access to the Guidance cantrip is nice for a rogue.
* Number of nice low-level druid spells, such as entangle.
* Wild shapes could be put to use for climb speeds, burrow speeds and scouting.
* Might not be out of line to have a baboon using thieves' tools to handle locks and traps.
* The Shepherd Circle's hawk totem is a great way of getting free advantage on attacks.

Wood Elf would be an obvious choice, though I think Ghostwise Halfling or Firbolg would have appeal as well.

Any thoughts on race, wild shape selections or spells that would complement this idea?

[hymer]

Oh, but three levels would be so good! :smallbiggrin: Pass Without Trace makes life so much easier for the rogue, both in making their Stealth obscenely high, but also in letting the whole party stealth some of the time.

Faerie Fire is also a sneak attack generator, targeting a different save from Entangle. Fog Cloud may be too, depending exactly on how the DM determines stealth. A Healing Word can save an expensive raise dead.

Have you considered Ranger levels, btw? No shapeshift, takes longer to get spells, but if you're an archer it might be something to think about.

[nickl_2000]

Not that you need it, but you could consider a third level as well for Healing Spirit and Pass without a trace. If you went land you could also pick up invisibility.


Forms worth watching for/Getting

CR0:
Badger - Burrow Speed
Cat - Climb Speed
Spider - Climb speed with no checks, darkvision, and bonus to stealth

CR1/8:
Giant Weasel - 40ft speed, stealth and perception bonus, and darkvision
Mule - Can carry a lot

CR 1/4
Cow - who would ever suspect a cow of anything
Elk - Speed of 50ft and large sized
Giant Centipede - Blindsight
Ox - Huge for purpose of carrying and 18 str.
Panther - 50ft walk, 40ft climb, + to stealth and perception.
Riding Horse - 60ft movement
Giant Badger - Burrows faster than the badger and had darkvision.


If you go Moon Druid
CR1/2
Ape - Can climb and throw rocks which is a ranged weapon attack and therefore should allow sneak attack

CR1
Crag Cat - 40ft walk, darkvision, great stealth bonus, and spell turning
Giant Spider - Climb speed, darkvision, blindsight (only 10 ft though), no need to make climb checks, immune to webbing, can set traps with webs, and the Web action is a Ranged Weapon attack and therefore qualifies for sneak attack
Female Steeder (if allowed) - darkvision 120ft, standing leap of 90 ft.

[Vogie]

I like the idea. However, I do want to note that the Hawk Spirit allows you to use your reaction to give advantage... and that is something rogues use a lot of.

If UA is available, Circle of Spores would be a great fit. You can use the Wild Shape for the reasons you stated, but also gain the Symbiotic Entity THP & bonus damage in combat. Also, if you were going to have any offensive/blasting spells at all, Twilight druid would work by augmenting the damage.

Otherwise, 3 levels of Grassland Druid so you get Invisibility & Pass without Trace on top of normal spellcasting, and you can recover a second level spell or 2 first level spells on a short rest.

[tieren]

Go for conjure animals and they can be your ally within 5 feet for purposes of sneak attack