# Alternate Druid
*Source: Alternate Druid*
> [!tldr] Class and Feature Progression
>
> <table class="class-progression">
> <thead>
> <tr><th colspan='5'></th><th colspan='9'>Spell Slots per Spell Level</th></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><th class"level">Level</th><th class"pb">PB</th><th class"feature">Features</th><th class="value">Cantrips Known</th><th class="value"><a href="/3-Mechanics/CLI/lists/list-optfeaturetype-ll-prisu.md">Primal Surge</a></th><th class="spellSlot">1st</th><th class="spellSlot">2nd</th><th class="spellSlot">3rd</th><th class="spellSlot">4th</th><th class="spellSlot">5th</th><th class="spellSlot">6th</th><th class="spellSlot">7th</th><th class="spellSlot">8th</th><th class="spellSlot">9th</th></tr>
> </thead><tbody>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">1st</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Druidic Initiate (Level 1)' class='internal-link'>Druidic Initiate</a>, <a href='#Spellcasting (Level 1)' class='internal-link'>Spellcasting</a></td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">-</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">2nd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Primal Surge (Level 2)' class='internal-link'>Primal Surge</a></td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">3rd</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Druidic Circle (Level 3)' class='internal-link'>Druidic Circle</a></td><td class="value">2</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">4th</td><td class"pb">+2</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 4)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">5th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">6th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Circle Feature (Level 6)' class='internal-link'>Circle Feature</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">2</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">7th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">8th</td><td class"pb">+3</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 8)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">9th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">10th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Circle Feature (Level 10)' class='internal-link'>Circle Feature</a></td><td class="value">3</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">11th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">12th</td><td class"pb">+4</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 12)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">13th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">14th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Elder Body (Level 14)' class='internal-link'>Elder Body</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">3</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">15th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">16th</td><td class"pb">+5</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 16)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">⏤</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">17th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">18th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Circle Feature (Level 18)' class='internal-link'>Circle Feature</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">19th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Ability Score Improvement (Level 19)' class='internal-link'>Ability Score Improvement</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td></tr>
> <tr class="class-progression"><td class"level">20th</td><td class"pb">+6</td><td class"feature"><a href='#Archdruid (Level 20)' class='internal-link'>Archdruid</a></td><td class="value">4</td><td class="value">4</td><td class="spellSlot">4</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">3</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">2</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td><td class="spellSlot">1</td></tr>
> </tbody></table>
^class-progression
## Hit Points
- **Hit Dice**: 1d8 per Alternate Druid level
- **Hit Points at First Level:** 8 + CON
- **Hit Points at Higher Levels:** add 5 OR 1d8 + CON (minimum of 1)
## Starting Alternate Druid
- **Saving Throw Proficiencies**: Intelligence, Wisdom
- **Skill Proficiencies**: *Choose 2:* Animal Handling, Arcana, Insight, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Religion, or Survival
- **Weapon Proficiencies**: Simple weapons
- **Tool Proficiencies**: herbalism kit
- **Armor Training**: Light armor, Medium armor, and Shields
**Starting Equipment:** You start with the following items, plus anything provided by your background.
- (a) a sickle or (b) a dagger
- (a) a scimitar or (b) any simple weapon
- (a) a scholar's pack or (b) an explorer's pack
- leather armor and a druidic focus
## Multiclassing Alternate Druid
**Ability Score Minimum:** Wisdom 13
When you gain a level in a class other than your first, you gain only some of that class's starting proficiencies.
- **Weapon Proficiencies**: Simple weapons
- **Armor Training**: Light armor, Medium armor, Shields
## Class Features
### Druidic Initiate (Level 1)
At 1st level, you learn Druidic, the sacred tongue of your elder order. You can speak this language and use it to leave hidden messages only decipherable by those who speak Druidic.
You also gain proficiency in Nature, and can use Wisdom, in place of Intelligence, for Nature checks. If you are already proficient in Nature, you instead add double your proficiency bonus to any Wisdom (Nature) checks you make.
### Spellcasting (Level 1)
At 1st level, you begin to learn ancient rites and rituals which allow you to draw upon the power of nature to cast spells:
#### Cantrips
At 1st level, you learn two Cantrips of your choice from the Druid Spell List. You learn another Druid Cantrip at 4th and 10th level, as shown in the Cantrips Known column above.
#### Preparing and Casting Spells
The Druid table above shows how many spell slots you have to cast spells. To cast a Druid spell of 1st-level or higher, you must expend a slot of the spell's level or higher. You regain all of your expended spell slots when you finish a long rest.
During each long rest, you prepare the list of Druid spells that are available for you to cast, by meditating on nature.
When you do so, choose a number of Druid spells equal to your Wisdom modifier (minimum of 1) + your Druid level. All spells must be of a level for which you have spell slots.
#### Ritual Casting
Your connection with the natural world allows you to draw out its elder magick. You can cast any Druid spell you have prepared as a Ritual so long as the spell has the Ritual tag.
#### Spellcasting Ability
Your power is drawn from an intuitive knowledge of nature, so Wisdom is your spellcasting ability for Druid spells. You use Wisdom when a spell refers to your spellcasting ability, your Spell save DC, or when you make a spell attack roll.
#### Spellcasting Focus
You can use a Druidic Focus as the spellcasting focus for your Druid spells. See the Player's Handbook for example Foci.
#### Spellcasting Restrictions
Due to its highly disruptive properties, you cannot cast Druid spells while you are wearing armor or shields made of metal.
### Primal Surge (Level 2)
At 2nd level, you learn to channel the elder power of nature to produce effects beyond those of spells. You know two [Primal Surges](/3-Mechanics/CLI/lists/list-optfeaturetype-ll-prisu.md) of your choice from the list at the end of this class.
You can use Primal Surge twice. You regain one use after a short rest, and all uses after a long rest. The number of times you can use Primal Surge increases at certain Druid levels as shown in the Primal Surge column of the Druid class table.
Whenever you gain a level in this class you can replace one of the Primal Surges you know with another [Primal Surge](/3-Mechanics/CLI/lists/list-optfeaturetype-ll-prisu.md) of your choice from the list at the end of this class.
### Druidic Circle (Level 3)
At 3rd level, you have mastered enough of the elder magicks and rituals to formally join one of the Druidic Circles.
Your Druidic Circle grants you features at 3rd level, and again when you reach 6th, 10th, and 18th level in this class.
All Druidic Circle features use your Druid Spell save DC.
#### Circle Spells
Most Druidic Circles have a list of Circle Spells you always have prepared once you reach the Druid levels noted in that Circle's description. Your Circle Spells count as Druid spells for you, but they do not count against the spells you prepare.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 4)
When you reach 4th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
If your DM allows the use of feats, you may instead take a feat.
### Circle Feature (Level 6)
At 6th level, you gain a feature granted by your Patron.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 8)
When you reach 8th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
If your DM allows the use of feats, you may instead take a feat.
### Circle Feature (Level 10)
At 10th level, you gain a feature granted by your Patron.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 12)
When you reach 12th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
If your DM allows the use of feats, you may instead take a feat.
### Elder Body (Level 14)
At 14th level, your body becomes one with the elder magicks you wield. For every 10 years that pass, your body only ages 1 year, and you suffer none of the physical effects of old age.
Also, whenever you fail a saving throw, you can expend one Primal Surge as a reaction to repeat that saving throw.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 16)
When you reach 16th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
If your DM allows the use of feats, you may instead take a feat.
### Circle Feature (Level 18)
At 18th level, you gain a feature granted by your Patron.
### Ability Score Improvement (Level 19)
When you reach 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score above 20 using this feature.
If your DM allows the use of feats, you may instead take a feat.
### Archdruid (Level 20)
You are a true master of the elder magick of the Druids. Upon reaching 20th level, you regain one use of Primal Surge at the start of each of your turns in combat.
## Optional Features
> [!example]- Optional Features: Primal Surge
> 
^list-optfeature-ll-prisu