Circle of the Crawler v1.1

Not all druids take to the forest and wilds of the bestial world. Some prefer the dark and decrepit caverns and swamps that are inhabited by only the most vile of creatures. A more devoted few even take to becoming that which most would fear. These druids practice and perfect the art using wildshape to transfigure themselves into all forms of massive insects and arachnids. All in an effort to preserve the perverse nature which they have come to call home.

Insect form

You aren't like other druids, your wildshape is only capable transforming you into an insect or an insectoid creature. This transformation is much more violent than its bestial counterpart, as insectoid limbs burst from the flesh and skin falls off to reveal a chitin exoskeleton. To an onlooker the process looks more alike to that of a rapid mutation than a magical transformation.

When you choose this circle at 2nd level your wildshape ability is modified in the following ways...

Wildshape modifications

You may ignore the limitations in CR and movement of the wildshape table in the PHB You may only use your wildshape to turn into an insect or insectiod creature from the Circle of the crawler creature table (homebrew creatures allowed at DM's discretion) At 2nd level the max CR of a creature you may wildshape into is 1 and after level 2 the max CR is equal too 1/3 your druid level rounded down You may wildshape as a bonus action



Unnatural Potency

At 2nd level you may add your proficiency modifier to the DC of any constitution saving throw or escape DC you force an opponent to make while in your wildshape form.

Caustic Venom Glands

At 6th level you gain the ability to alter the nature your wildshape's chemical biology. When you make an attack in wildshape form that has associated poison damage, you may choose to make that acid damage instead

Apex predator

At 10th level you may use both uses of your wildshape ability to become a creature with a CR equal to 1/2 your druid level instead of 1/3.

Friends in low places

At 14th level you always have the Giant insect spell prepared. In addition you may cast Giant insect without expending a spell slot . Once you use this feature you must complete a long rest before you use it again.

art by Nathan Rosario & Gawain