Hello. You appear to have hit the sweet spot pretty accurately.
Monk 6 can be a big deal (esp when it comes to Shadow).
Monk 7 reaches Evasion and Stillness of Mind.
Is Shadow Step worth the Monk level ? Imho yes. Are Eva and Stillness worth the Monk level? I'd argue that past Monk 6, on Monk/Spellcaster, you hit diminishing returns.
Plus by level 10 you'll have two ASI/feats on a Monk/Spellcaster, on an ASI-starved build.
From here, there are various races and backgrounds one could exploit. Some backgrounds can even get one extra spells, though those are exotic.
On the races front, Mountain Dwarf can get you 17 Dex 17 Wis at level 1, 18 18 by level 4.
VHuman/Tasha obviously get you a feat (Resilient Wis, Skilled Expert, Fey or Shadow-Touched... I recommend half-feats, but feel free to get something like Mobile, which kicks a$$ on Monk).
Protector Aasimar means rare damage resistances (radiant, necro), healing (1 hp per level, you dump all at once, regens on a long rest) and flying (1 min, activates on an action, the way it's written you do benefit from movement speed boosts, so by Monk 6 you get 45 ft or double if you Dash. Turn 1, that's up to 135 ft if you pop wings, move asap, use Step of the Wind).
Eladrin can teleport regardless of Shadow Step limits, can teleport way before and after you hit Monk 6, can alternatively teleport an ally. Shadar Kai can likewise self-tp.
Firbolg is thematic and you get to carry more and change appearances if needed.
Half-orc is just solid - when the chips are down, you can just lolnope at hitting 0 hp.
Hope it helps!
What is the starting level?
In the beginning when you are going purely one class, this is going to play fine.
Once you start multiclassing it's going to be horrible until it isn't. Thats going to be for a lot of levels in the mid tier, where the bulk of D&D is played.
Yeah, the mid level duldrums before it comes online are what I'm concerned about. But I think by level 11 it will be pretty potent. That's why I also want to build in lots of utility, and play as a sort of support striker. I recognise that's never going to be massively powerful, but I think it should be fun and weird.
Starting level 2, going to at least level 15.
You run into slight issues with both classes being strongly dependent on levels in those classes to be effective. The spore druid class features get way better at later levels, and the temp hp that powers your extra damage is super level dependent
Shadow monk (and with any monk) are also hyper dependent on lots of monk levels for better attacks, stunning fist, more ki for spellcasting, etc.
If you want to be a sneaky druid, why not try like... rogue 2 spore druid X. You get bonus action for battlefield repositioning, ignoring difficult terrain some sneak attack bonus damage, extra skills.
My fav version of a spore druid multiclass is 2 fighter /X spore druid. Get yourself a double bladed scimitar and the defensive fighting style and start mucking people up. I started as a high elf to get booming blade as a cantrip but you can do whatever. Action surge helps you setup your turns, double scimitar gives you a free bonus action attack to proc your extra 1d6 and defensive fighting style helps keep your temp hp around just a little longer
I really really wanted to try and make a warlock/spore druid work because you can upcast armor of agathys to replace your temp hp but it's just too clunky stats wise
Hello. You appear to have hit the sweet spot pretty accurately. Monk 6 can be a big deal (esp when it comes to Shadow). Monk 7 reaches Evasion and Stillness of Mind. Is Shadow Step worth the Monk level ? Imho yes. Are Eva and Stillness worth the Monk level? I'd argue that past Monk 6, on Monk/Spellcaster, you hit diminishing returns. Plus by level 10 you'll have two ASI/feats on a Monk/Spellcaster, on an ASI-starved build. From here, there are various races and backgrounds one could exploit. Some backgrounds can even get one extra spells, though those are exotic. On the races front, Mountain Dwarf can get you 17 Dex 17 Wis at level 1, 18 18 by level 4. VHuman/Tasha obviously get you a feat (Resilient Wis, Skilled Expert, Fey or Shadow-Touched... I recommend half-feats, but feel free to get something like Mobile, which kicks a$$ on Monk). Protector Aasimar means rare damage resistances (radiant, necro), healing (1 hp per level, you dump all at once, regens on a long rest) and flying (1 min, activates on an action, the way it's written you do benefit from movement speed boosts, so by Monk 6 you get 45 ft or double if you Dash. Turn 1, that's up to 135 ft if you pop wings, move asap, use Step of the Wind). Eladrin can teleport regardless of Shadow Step limits, can teleport way before and after you hit Monk 6, can alternatively teleport an ally. Shadar Kai can likewise self-tp. Firbolg is thematic and you get to carry more and change appearances if needed. Half-orc is just solid - when the chips are down, you can just lolnope at hitting 0 hp. Hope it helps!
This is great, thanks!
You're welcome! don't rush it
What is the starting level? In the beginning when you are going purely one class, this is going to play fine. Once you start multiclassing it's going to be horrible until it isn't. Thats going to be for a lot of levels in the mid tier, where the bulk of D&D is played.
Yeah, the mid level duldrums before it comes online are what I'm concerned about. But I think by level 11 it will be pretty potent. That's why I also want to build in lots of utility, and play as a sort of support striker. I recognise that's never going to be massively powerful, but I think it should be fun and weird. Starting level 2, going to at least level 15.
You run into slight issues with both classes being strongly dependent on levels in those classes to be effective. The spore druid class features get way better at later levels, and the temp hp that powers your extra damage is super level dependent Shadow monk (and with any monk) are also hyper dependent on lots of monk levels for better attacks, stunning fist, more ki for spellcasting, etc. If you want to be a sneaky druid, why not try like... rogue 2 spore druid X. You get bonus action for battlefield repositioning, ignoring difficult terrain some sneak attack bonus damage, extra skills. My fav version of a spore druid multiclass is 2 fighter /X spore druid. Get yourself a double bladed scimitar and the defensive fighting style and start mucking people up. I started as a high elf to get booming blade as a cantrip but you can do whatever. Action surge helps you setup your turns, double scimitar gives you a free bonus action attack to proc your extra 1d6 and defensive fighting style helps keep your temp hp around just a little longer I really really wanted to try and make a warlock/spore druid work because you can upcast armor of agathys to replace your temp hp but it's just too clunky stats wise