D&D: Why Every Druid Should Have a Familiar

In D&D 5e, familiars are normally a wizard/warlock-only thing. You get one through the 1st-level “Find Familiar” spell, which nevertheless behaves pretty differently from most spells. Back in the day, the only way for other classes to obtain a familiar was through specific feats. This was how my druid obtained one, but there’s a new way as well. Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything introduced the “Wild Companion” alternate class feature, which every druid gets for free: First, I’d like to discuss why I consider familiars one of the best choices you can make in your personal build. Then, let’s go over the… [Continue Reading]

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D&D: 5 Lesser-Known But Versatile Combat Options for Druids

Everybody knows about the ‘typical’ druid combat forms, specifically wolves and bears. In a vacuum, these two options deal the most damage and have the most hitpoints for their level. Generally, these two can get your basic job done, and some druids never use anything else. And trust me, I understand where they’re coming from. But there are so many crazy options available if you expand your horizons! In this article, I wanted to discuss five alternate combat forms I like to use. Often I’m looking for environmental or situational opportunities where I can take maximum advantage of their unique upsides.… [Continue Reading]

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D&D: 5 Ways to Fly as a Low-Level Druid

Druid’s Wildshape doesn’t strictly allow you to fly before level 8. And none of the loopholes on this list are going to be as free, versatile, and efficient as that landmark. But as I detailed before, Wildshape is so multi-faceted a mechanic that there are ways to get yourself in the air if that’s what you’re hoping for. Today we’re covering some edge cases for low-level druids looking wistfully at the sky! Caveat: Get permission from your GM before attempting any of these tricks. Every campaign is different, and many of these won’t fit the aesthetic of an ultra-serious storyline.… [Continue Reading]

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D&D: How I Learned to Start Shapeshifting and Love the Druid

I’ve been playing Dungeons & Dragons for a long time, but I avoided the druid class for most of that on principle. The problem was that I got a bad first impression from another player’s character; Hantan was a party member in my first-ever campaign, a two-year medley of weekly one-offs during my undergraduate years where I was a sword-swinging barbarian. Hantan’s player, while a wonderful guy, was depressingly uncreative when it came to roleplaying. He spent the entire campaign simply shapeshifting into whatever combat form was meta according to the online forums. At first it was wolves, then briefly lions,… [Continue Reading]

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5 Cute Snakes in Valve Games

The TF2 community has been going cuckoo over the adorable new snakes Valve added to cp_snakewater. From memes to fanart to YouTube videos, these slithery low-poly serpents are recieving a king’s welcome from the update-starved community. And I absolutely can’t blame them, I’ve already asked my boyfriend to make me a plush. But the Snakewater snakes aren’t the only lovable vipers hidden within Valve’s game catalogue. 1. Sally the Safety Serpent The ctf_2fort_invasion map is a treasure trove of easter eggs. Especially in the fan-submitted posters on the walls. My favorite one stars Sally reminding players of the six S’s… [Continue Reading]

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Cute Little Pets

Pets are great, they really are. They can change you and make you soft as, well, soft things. They’re also good stress relievers, and the purrs of a cat are believed by some to have genuine healing properties – they don’t sit there and purr for no reason, you know! After the shitstorm that happened yesterday, I feel this needed to be pointed out. My beloved little Colin, who arrived on our doorstep last year, disappeared for 36 hours, something he’s never done before, but thanks to our calls and my lucky blue straw hat, he turned up again on… [Continue Reading]

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