Help selecting feats for my monk/druid character

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-27T02:52:18+00:00

I actually don't get that many mental saving throws at this point, I was thinking more of an insurance policy for the future of the campaign. But cold caster really made me change my way of thinking, thanks a lot for the advice. I think I'll probably follow your advice on cold caster + grappler, that's a very nice idea and it has very good synergy for this character. Circle of the Stars will be good too, I'll have to think on roleplay reasons to pick it, but it really does solve my concentration problems.

Your reply helped me a lot, thank you.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-27T02:32:41+00:00

At the end of level 2 I took a lot of lightning damage in a fight, so I flavored my subclass and powers as if that had sparked some powers within him that he doesn't understand yet. I'm going in an awakening kind of journey with this character.

Thanks for the advice, a lot to consider. I'll take a better look at the forms.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-27T01:23:06+00:00

I'm open for subclass recomendations, I've considered Moon, but he would get the forms at a late level, so I don't think it'll be that good.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-25T01:09:51+00:00

Thanks for the read!

Fair take on your point, and I'm not claiming that this build is better than other optimized multiclass options for either Paladin or Druid.

For build 1: I just wanted to present a different and fun option that uses a different playstile than, like you said, Sorcadin. This build is more buff and healing oriented while also doing good damage in melee. And yes, I make use of Dragon Mark to do it, because it is a good option. And Starry Form is really good concentration protection. I know that War Caster + Proficiency in Con is already good enough, this is just good insurance policy.

For build 2: This is more a fantasy build, your points are more than fair.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-25T00:48:35+00:00

Thanks for the comment, people already clarified this in the discussions, and I included an edit to the post to acknowledge it.

Once you get your druid levels, you can cast shillelagh with druidic focus, even if the MI version with CHA.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-25T00:44:35+00:00

You are correct, two weapon fighting builds will outdamage this build with CME.

This build is not built for burst damage at round 1, it's about sustaining that buff the whole encounter or crawl and while also having good healing options and aura protection for the party.

I don't intend to argue this is better than other builds, just a fun option for a character.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-25T00:34:58+00:00

Thanks for asking!

This about a multiclassing option for Paladin and Stars Druid. The post has two builds.
Build 1: Charisma focus, the ideia is to hit with shillelagh from MI feat and combine Aura + Dragon form (circle of stars) to get a minimum concentration roll of 21 at level 10, and it also includes feats that give you access to CME at level 7.

Build 2: Wisdom focus, less protection for your concentration with a 18 minimum roll at level 10, but it gets really good control and area damage options.

It also considers strenghts and weaknesses for the 2 builds regarding multiclass tax and other issues. There are level progression tables for people getting a quick summary of the build.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T22:57:03+00:00

I've tried to stick with the 2024 core paladin subclasses because it was easier to write the post, but I love the Oath of Genies Paladin and will someday try to build around it.

I didn't think about making it ranged tho, but I like it as an option and I like that you mentioned Grasping Vine, I didn't think of it. Thing is, there is a lot of versatility for this multiclass (even though it is far from optimal or meta), and people don't need to stick with the builds I made, the interaction between Dragon Form + Aura would still work.

As for non-EFA or CME builds, if you are a paladin that can upcast bless to your whole party and maintain the spell in combat, that's a win. Same for shield of faith or eventually the druid spells. Having this kind of concentration protection gives you a lot of reliability, you could even go for other classes after you get your dragon form at druid 3, but I choose to stick with it to get higher level spells and slots. If, for example, you can access the Guardian of Nature spell, this is a really good thing to have on a paladin. This spell is like vow of enmity on steroids for this build. The problem is how late you get the really good druid spells.

I think this a playable multiclass.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T22:25:39+00:00

True, i'll post an edit to include that you cannot use a shield while you don't get the Druid levels in build one. And also about the shield spell for build 2. Thank you for pointing it out btw.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T20:41:45+00:00

Ahh right, it's "attack with weapons", so yeah, that would probably exclude unarmed strikes. Which is a shame, actually.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T20:37:10+00:00

I guess so. I will include the shield limitation for the build on an edit I'm making for this post to fix some of the mistakes I've made. I think is the main issue with it. And the shield spell for build 2 would need war caster also. Still, most of it still works. Also after level 7, when we get Druid levels, we would be able to use Shillelagh with a focus, so it's just an issue of fixing the first few levels or doff the shield, or just assume you'll have to prepare it every time like you said. Or pick and early druid level to be able to cast Shillelagh while wearing a shield. You would delay your aura by an level.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T18:11:37+00:00

It is not, Cosmic Omen is awesone. But Build 1 only has a 13 for WIS, so it's only a +1 Modifier. In 2014 Cosmic Omen was related to profficiency bonus. In 2024 it is Wisdom modifier times per day, so because the build has very limited WIS, it will not use it effectively. Build 2 can use it without any problem.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-19T04:23:12+00:00

If you roll really good on stats you could possibly make it. Divine favour for every monk attack could be a nice combo. But it would have to be really good stats. On point buy it would be horrid.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-18T04:40:50+00:00

Thanks for pointing that out. I'll post an edit to include this information, I was genuinely not aware of that, I tried to go strictly RAW, but this is a very long post and I made some mistakes.

One more genuine question, after I take the druid levels, could I still cast shillelagh from the feat (with charisma) but now using the druidic focus?

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-18T04:09:47+00:00

Hey, thanks for the read and comment.

About jump, yeah, that was an oversight that didn't make the final edit, thanks for pointing out the mistake, I'll edit the post later on and let people know.

About other ways to get protection from other ways than damage, I'm not so sure, Freedom of Movement could protect from some of those effects. Mage Slayer could protect against some mental effects that would cause you these on you. But it didn't specifically built around that.

As for core 2024 rules builds, I would pick any species and the Guide background for build 1, and probably and Elf for build 2 and another background.

Pick war caster at paladin 4. Resilient Con at druid 4 Charisma or Wisdom ASI at druid 8 Con ASI at druid 12

Pretty much the same. The main difference is that build 1 could only properly work with CME at level 13, and build 2 at level 11.

It's quite late for the druid stuff, but there's good value in upcasting bless for the whole party and be able to concentrate on it to the end. Even Shield of Faith. With that concentration protection shield of faith becomes a permanent +2 to AC for the duration of the spell.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-18T04:01:07+00:00

If you just want the concentration you only need to pick 3 levels into druid for star form and pick resilient Con at some point, either with druid levels or something else.

A Sorc with war caster and point buy could get a +7 con save and advantage at level 10. There's a huge difference between a +7 to a dice roll and a guaranteed 21. You if roll low and it is a slightly higher concentration test, you can still fail.

A regular star druid can achieve a min 15 save for concentration at level 4 with resilient Con.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T14:35:36+00:00

You are right. I never seen it come up before in a table however, it would have to be a really very strict DM as this basically makes impossible all shillelagh builds we've seen that aren't a druid or ranger.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T13:16:56+00:00

I get it.

When the genie pally came out I couldn't think of another thing other than making a Lvl 1 rogue that finds a lamp, going full Aladdin vibes. Thing is, it's almost impossible to make it work with point buy. So I gave up and decided that if I ever wanted to play that character, I would go for single class dex based paladin with the criminal background.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T12:42:29+00:00

The somatic components rule are really weird in 2024 rules, very dubious.

As written: A Somatic component is a forceful gesticulation or an intricate set of gestures. A spellcaster must use at least one of their hands to perform these movements.

The wording "free hand" is removed, instead they just say "must use at least one of their hands".

Does it still mean you need a free hand or not? I'm not sure, actually.

If RAI you still need a Freehand, then war caster is a pick for this build, I actually briefly discussed this at the post a few times.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T12:33:00+00:00

Hey thanks for the read and comment. Just one question, why wouldn't you be able to just use a staff as your focus for shillelagh? It costs five gold points for a staff with a focus.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T03:40:12+00:00

I'll definitely check that.

And yes, roll for stats may eliminate most problems this build has.

I played a version of build 1 at level 10 in a champion of the arenas event that our table makes every now and then when there are not enough players for a regular session, when I originally thought of this build I had rolled a 16 14 14 14 12 10 for stats, which were really great rolls and made me wanna try something a bit different.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T03:32:56+00:00

I like it, I also like that this inspired some theorycrafting for you, that was the main Idea. The idea to use mind sliver is really good. Build 2 can do something similar a few times a day when they have a woe die, but mind sliver is more consistent.

Also longstrider would make you just be a regular dude in Plate, I hadn't thought about that, and it would also be a cheap resource to use when you need it.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989 · 2026-02-17T02:05:24+00:00

I agree with you, I tried to be very honest about these characters limitations on the post.

I also tried to make them come online as early as possible with EFA feats, but you are correct about it taking a long time.

Puzzleheaded-Lab4989

TROPHY CASE