D&D 5e: Circle of the Manticore Subclass (Patreon)

I recorded an episode of Legend Lore on the Tome Show with Jeff Greiner, Tracy Hurley, and Ismael Alvarez a couple of days ago, and in the course of the episode pondered a druid subclass themed around the manticore. (5e did the manticore dirty, busting the down to CR 3, compared to 4e setting them in the level 10-13 range.) Anyway, the idea has stuck with me and now I’m writing to see if it’s anything.

Circle of the Manticore

Bestial Form of Ferocity and Defiance

Druids of the Circle of the Manticore use it as a symbol of ferocity and defiance, the unconquerable need for independence in a world of suffocating control by others. Its blending of humanoid and bestial shapes resonates strongly with druidic shapeshifting.

Level 3: Aspect of Ferocity

You can use your Wild Shape to adopt one aspect of the fierce manticore. When you use Wild Shape to assume a Beast form, you can give it one of the following additional options.

Lion’s Mane. You have a mane of dense fur and a thick hide. You gain +1 AC and Temporary Hit Points equal to three times your Druid level.

Rending Talons. When you hit with a melee attack using a weapon, natural weapon, or Unarmed Strike, you deal 1d6 additional damage. When you reach level 10, the damage you deal increases to 2d6 + your Wisdom modifier.

Tail Spikes. Your Beast form has a tail, and the end of the tail has quill-like spikes. As a part of the Wild Shape action and as a Bonus Action on later turns, you can make a ranged spell attack, dealing 1d8 + your Wisdom modifier Piercing damage on a hit. When you reach level 10, the damage you deal increases to 2d8 + your Wisdom modifier.

Alternatively, you can expend a use of Wild Shape to gain one of these features in your normal form.

Level 3: Circle of the Manticore Spells

When you reach a Druid level specified in the Circle of the Manticore Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

In addition, you can cast the spells from this feature while you’re in a Wild Shape form.

Circle of the Manticore Spells

Level – Spells

3: Heroism, Spike Growth, True Strike
5: Fly
7: Charm Monster
9: Conjure Volley

Level 6: Manticore Form

When you use your Wild Shape, you can choose the form of a Manticore, except that its Hit Point maximum is 6 x your Druid level instead of 68. You can also add one of the Aspect of Ferocity options to this form.

Additionally, you gain a new Aspect of Ferocity option:

Leathery Wings. You sprout powerful leathery wings. For the duration of the Wild Shape, you gain a Fly Speed equal to your walking Speed. When you adopt a form that already has a Fly speed, your Fly Speed increases by 30 feet.

Level 6: Barbed Magic

When an enemy succeeds a saving throw against a spell you cast with a spell slot, you can take a Reaction to deal 1d8 Piercing damage to that enemy.

When you reach level 14, the damage you deal with this feature increases to 2d8.

Level 10: Manticore’s Defiance

When you take damage while Bloodied, choose one of the following conditions affecting you: Blinded, Charmed, Deafened, Frightened, Incapacitated, Paralyzed, or Stunned. The condition ends and you regain 2d8 + your Druid level Hit Points. You regain the use of this feature when you finish a Short or Long Rest.

Level 14: Unified Form

When you use Wild Shape to take the form of a Beast or to modify your normal form, you gain as many of the four Aspect of Ferocity options as you want.

Design Notes

If you want more Manticore content in your life, start here!

To be honest, I am having a hard time judging what I’ve created here, whether it’s too narrow in its offerings (I mean, melee Druid?) or what. Barbed Magic is probably a good time in any case—a little bit of consolation when anyone saves against your spells.

The big idea that I never pursued in this design is the sense of Manticore as a man-eater—in part because the Monster Manual versions of the creature over the years (even the four versions of it in the 4e Essentials books) haven’t touched on it. Everybody loves a little cannibalism in their druid builds, right?

Guys?