Award-winning role-playing gameBaldur’s Gate 3will be adding twelve new subclasses to its lineup in early 2025, alongside the long-awaited crossplay and Photo Mode features. These include one subclass for each ofBaldur’s Gate 3’stwelve existing classes. Players can make rogue Astarion even more debonair as a charming Swashbuckler or let Wyll truly live up to his “Blade of Frontiers” moniker as a Hexblade. One new subclass, the Circle of Stars Druid, introduces a fascinating new gameplay mechanic: Starry Forms, which are quite different from traditional druidic Wild Shapes.
What Is A Circle Of Stars Druid?
Introduced in theDungeons & DragonsbookTasha’s Cauldron of Everything,a Circle of Stars druid lacks the class’s typical affinity for the land, choosing instead to focus on the sky. They can take three forms based on constellations: the Archer, the Chalice, and the Dragon, each with unique properties.
TheBaldur’s Gate 3version of the subclasswill focus primarily on these forms, while theDungeons and Dragonsoriginal can also consult the cosmos to aid allies with beneficial Weal omens and inflict debilitating Woe omens on foes. At higher levels, these druids could also temporarily fly and hover while in the Dragon’s Starry Form.
The Three Starry Forms Explained
Baldur’s Gate 3will feature all three Starry Forms included inTasha’s Cauldron of Everything -although, as the game only goes up to Level 12, the Level 14 ability to become incorporeal in Starry Form will sadly be absent. According to a teaser image shared by Larian Studios, a druid in Starry Form will have glowing hands and a glowing aura surrounding them. The teaser also seems to show that a Circle of Stars druid will still have access to standardWild Shape, although it does not confirm which Wild Shapes will be available to the subclass.
The Archer: Powerful Damage-Dealer
The Constellation of the Archer is the most offensively focused of the three. An Archer can make ranged spell attacks to fire astral arrows, which deal radiant damage to foes. The damage is typically based on the caster’s Wisdom modifier, and the arrows are capable of striking targets a great distance away - up to 60 feet. This will be particularly useful inBaldur’s Gate 3’sShadow-Cursed Lands, which is teeming with shadows, undead, and other foes who are particularly susceptible to the Archer’s devastating barrage of radiant arrows.
The Chalice: Radiant Healer
The Constellation of the Chalice focuses on healing, allowing a Circle of Stars druid to back up a cleric or even serve as a party’s primary healer. While in this form, a druid’s existing healing abilities are increased, again typically based on the caster’s Wisdom modifier. They can heal both themselves and nearby allies, making this form extremely valuable during some ofBaldur’s Gate 3’stoughest boss fights such as the devil Raphael or theAvatar of Myrkul. A Chalice’s healing could even be the thing that saves an Honour Mode run from an early end.
The Dragon: Wise Strategist
The Constellation of the Dragon seems to be the one that will be changing the most from itsDungeons & Dragonsoriginal, at least based on the limited information provided. Larian’s minimal description of thisStarry Formstates that it will allow players to “deal damage with an added bonus to Constitution rolls.” The original Dragon constellation allows players to “take 10” - treating any roll lower than a 10 as though it were a 10 - when making Wisdom or Constitution saves to maintain concentration on a spell. How this form will function inBaldur’s Gate 3,and what changes will be made, remains to be seen.
