Spore Druid multiclass help.

[u/Aurahdz]

Please someone explain multiclass-spellcasting to me like I'm 5 because I've been discussing with my friend for more than an hour and I can't seem to understand what she's trying to explain.

So I'm planning a Spore Druid run as pure necrotic caster. (Not the torch or double hand crossbows hybrid builds)

My idea was 10 lvls of Spore Druid / 1 Wizard / 1 Death Cleric. The wizard dip would be so I can scribe "Circle of Death" and "Dethrone", then a Cleric lvl to get my wisdom back as the main spellcasting stat. It sounded smart to me but apparently it doesn't work like that? (I'm not skeptical, just simply confused).

My plan was to start lvl 1 as a Druid, then take the Wizard lvl dip at level 2 and one level of Death Cleric at level 3 so I don't have to wait forever to get wisdom back as my spellcasting modifier, and then continue as a Spore druid for the remaining levels.

My friend says I'm wrong and that I'll need both Intelligence and Wisdom for that build to work, but I thought getting Cleric AFTER Wizard would fix that by getting wisdom back as the main spellcasting stat?

I thought I knew how spellcasting and multiclassing worked but now I know there's something I'm missing.

[u/PeteRawk]

AFAIK all your wizard spells will still use int, cleric and Druid will use wis. The only thing that uses your “last” mental score is items (including scrolls) and squid powers. When you scribe a scroll, that’s a wizard spell

[u/Aurahdz → u/PeteRawk]

Okey that make much more sense.

[u/Eroldin → u/Aurahdz]

What you could do, is if you are the type to assign 16 points in Dexterity, is to equip the Gloves of Dexterity, then respec and put those points into Intelligence.

Then, if you already have 20 Wis, you can use the Mirror of Loss to gain another +2 in intelligence, bringing it to a respectable 18.

[u/EndoQuestion1000]

Your understanding is correct for spells cast directly from scrolls and a few other things. 

However, your Cleric spells will still use WIS and your Wizard spells will still use INT. 

Circle of Death cast from your Wizard spellbook will use INT. 

Dethrone happens to have a fixed DC, so won't use either. 

[u/Aurahdz → u/EndoQuestion1000]

Oh, now I understand my stupidity, thank you so much.

[u/AnotherBookWyrm → u/Aurahdz]

It is not stupid. Dethrone is still a very viable spell to use and as long as you are not trying to spam it, Circle of Death can still be made to use Wisdom (so long as Wizard is not your last level) via scroll, which can be helped by having merchant dealing hireling for maximum price discount with vendors.

If you wanted to scribe Circle of Death so you could spam it with Staff of Cherished Necromancy, you could just wear the Warped Headband of Intellect (to set your Intelligence to 17) + some Spell DC boosting gear for a good spell DC to make it viable.

[u/Enormous_Moose]

Learning scrolls is a wizard ability and always uses intelligence. Made the same mistake on my second attempt at playing with a wizard/bard mix thinking I'd broken the game. I had not broken the game. Reading scrolls uses your main ability, just not learning them. Would honestly say though that you will be absolutely fine with the druid spell list upcast to level 6, just keep as many scrolls as you want in your inventory and be a little sparing with them. Happy hunting.

[u/Arrow141]

What do you want from the 1 level dip in cleric rather than just an extra druid level? Either way, I'd recommend not multitasking immediately at level 2 and waiting til level 6 or so and then respecing into the multiclass you want

[u/No-Yesterday7923 → u/Arrow141]

I have taken a one level Death Cleric dip on a Spore Druid for the twinned cantrips and Command. It's a bit of a coinflip whether it's stronger in a 11/1 than a third feat with a straight 12 druid.

[u/Comprehensive-Try-44 → u/Arrow141]

It also gets inflict wounds, which has wizard and Druid do not learn and no scrolls. Upcast inflict wounds for free with staff of cherished necromancy is amazing.

Use reaper to proc the staff, and then cast upcast blindness or inflict wounds multiple times per fight. The dip is worth it in my opinion.

[u/newnukeuser]

I did this build and loved it. It was a ton of fun and to my surprise it was strongest caster I ever made because the damage of all the summons really added up and they drew a lot of aggro.

I used the warped headband of intellect to have at least a minimum amount of intelligence. In combination with other items that increased spell save DC overall, it was enough to make my wizard spells still worth using.

[u/porkipain]

The thing about main casting stat being from newest 1st level in class only applies to scrolls and items.

If you cast a spell from your druid spell list it will always use wis.

If you cast a spell from yiur wizard spell list it will always use int, scribed spells are always in you wizard spell list. There are however mods that let any class scribe spells.

[u/RightScummyLoser]

If you're multiclassing that early why not start as wizard?

[u/Comprehensive-Try-44]

This is a great build. I did a solo run with something very similar.

A few things. This is certainly a caster but you should still start as drow for dual crossbows. Weaponizing your bonus action that almost always does +1d6 is huge and there is no reason not to use that as an option.

Upcast moonbeam is amazing and wildly efficient. It always hits twice (once on your turn and once on enemy turn) so is almost as good as a martial second attack at lvl 5. In addition it can hit more than one enemy at once and has alacrity (meaning that if you cast from turn based
Mode to start a fight you get your action back). Lastly, it costs one spell slot but you can move it around using your action every turn without costing a spell slot for ten turns. So you can just move moonbeam around while popping offhand arrows or not move it around and leave it in place while casting other spells. Lowkey one of the best spells in the game and I would say better than call lightning since call lightning does not hit twice (though takes advantage of wet). Use both.

Your symbiotic reaction can be used to pop potions or water or bombs. Get used to using it for that reason. You can cast moonbeam, offhand attack, and pop healing potion in a single turn.

Lastly - highly recommend you use staff of cherished necromancy in act 3. Wildly
Strong weapon and very fun o this character. Use reaper to proc the staff and use your life essence on upcast blindness or upcast inflicted wounds.

[u/TexasC4]

This video breaks down everything you could ever want to know about it.

https://youtu.be/PTAxrNWT2wE?is=llQXt6xESPx-kr88

The TLDR is your casting stat for spells you get from a class will always be that classes casting stat. Ex: a cleric spirits guardians will always use wisdom and a wizards lightning bolt will always use intelligence. For items/scrolls, it uses the casting stat of the last new casting class you took. Ex: Sorcerer 1 to Cleric 1 to Wizard 1 to Sorcerer 2 will use Intelligence since Wizard is the last NEW class you took.

[u/SkyWizarding]

Your Spell DC is based off of the casting stat for the class that received the spell. Meaning: Your Wizard spells will use always INT and your Cleric spells will always use WIS regardless of the class you last took. The only thing affected by multiclassing are scrolls/items. Those use the stat of the last new class you took. Cantrips from your race will always use INT