This is my first time in 5e (have played 3.5 before) so I have no judgement capabilities as to the effect of gear or the lack thereof.
I am soon to be playing in a 5e campaign and am designing a Circle of the Land druid based on the
"I was, in fact, raised by wolves." personality trait. This is essentially a character crafted out of the backstory, come hell or high water.
This character has lived her entire life in the wild and as such would not really have any concept of possessions or gear and would likely reject any sort of body armor (including shields, helmets, bracers or boots) as "stifling" and as a druid she cannot wear metal anyway. She sees not much purpose in weapons (her prime means of physical attack is via the primal savagery cantrip) and wouldn't even know how to wield them (voluntarily dispensing with most weapon/armor proficiencies).
Now, I realize that this is suboptimal and I'm deliberately and potententially severely handicapping my character … which is why I'm asking this in the first place. While this character is deliberately not aimed at peak combat performance, if possible I want to avoid becoming just dead meat during a fight (metaphorically and literally).
- She is not strong, but nimble, so ultimately I'd try to target the full +5 Dex bonus for a 15 AC.
- I'm aware that I can take up a role as buffer and healer (which is the plan), but I'd still want to try and contribute otherwise and/or be able to defend myself if caught out.
- I'm aware of my Wild Shape helping the issue, but as a Circle of the Land druid I realize that it's not the ultimate solution.
- I'd like to stay a pure druid, so dips into Monk or Barbarian for the improved armor calculations, while tempting, are out.
- I could see her wearing a cloak or a necklace as those are relatively unintrusive pieces of clothing.
Am I overestimating the negative impact of completely abstaining from weapons/armor and similar common gear, and it's not necessary to find something to "catch up" to characters with it?
Best Answer
Minimal Effect: Armor and Weapons not required
You can make viable builds as a Druid (and as other classes), without requiring the use of manufactured weapons or armor.
AC Options
Barkskin can help give your AC a boost (up to 16, but it is concentration), which isn't terrible. You're not going to be a Tank, but your Tankiness as a Druid is more in the HP soaking with Wild Shapes than in AC. In comparison, studded leather with a max Dex of +5 would still only give you AC 17. IN addition, when you WIld Shape, you will not have the benefit of your armor and have only the AC from the Wild Shape beast. Any spells supplementing that would carry over, so it's actually a plus for a build like this!
You can also have Absorb Elements prepared to help mitigate some damage types.
As you reach higher spell levels, Stoneskin is another option to mitigate damage.
Finally, the Investiture spells from Xanathar's give further help in mitigating damage and increasing offensive capabilities.
There are also Feats that may be worth it (Magic Initiate) that would let you take a 1st level spell (Mage Armor!) for a non-concentration AC of 13+Dex.
Weapon Options
As you stated in your initial question, Primal Savagery is a great cantrip for you. There are other options as well:
Shillelegh is a great early cantrip if you feel that a quarterstaff(doubling as your focus) is reasonable.
There are a lot of other cantrip and spell options for Druid that let you attack without the need for a manufactured weapon.
Common Gear
Getting by without some necessary items (like a pack to carry things, food, water, etc.) may be slightly more difficult.
You can use Goodberry to bypass your food (and maybe water) needs. But standard adventuring gear may be an issue. You'll need a lightsource if you don't have darkvision (although Produce Flame can give you light in a pinch as a cantrip)
Components/Focus
The biggest thing you'll have to figure out is spellcasting focus and/or component pouch as well as how you carry other things (but it sounds like that's not an issue since you don't want things.) If you decide to forgo the focus or the pouch, you may be limiting yourself to verbal/somatic only spells. If so, be careful in choosing your prepared spells for those with only V,S - but work with your DM and think about how/if you'd like to carry a focus or pouch.
Supplementing with Magic Items
There are a LOT of magic items that could help supplement a build like this. Ranging from the Ring/Cloak of Protection to wands/staves for Druids. My list above was really about how to make a build like this without resorting to items, but those are definitely options for you to review in the DMG if your DM is willing to make them available to you.
Going Commando
Going without arms and armor really is not a problem. You may have some limitations you wouldn't, but they wouldn't be immense. Play your flavor, you can do it well and not feel like you are creating too many difficulties that will stop you from enjoying your character.