Wizards of the Coast has released the latest Unearthed Arcana playtest material for Dungeons & Dragons, titled "Villainous Options." This update brings back undead transformation rules from the 2004 sourcebookLibris Mortisand introduces the Pestilence Domain for clerics. However, the standout addition is the "Circle of the Titan" druid, a subclass that allows players to "protect nature" by transforming into massive monsters.
The Destruction of City-Smashers
According to the playtest document, "Druids of the Circle of the Titan believe that for nature to flourish, society must sometimes fall." This means one of the player’s core objectives is to restore balance by dismantling cities. Unlike the existing Circle of the Moon druids, the Circle of the Titan can reach "Gargantuan" size by level 14, occupying at least a 20-foot square on the battlefield, with no upper limit on their scale.
The design of the subclass leans heavily into the chaotic feel of monster movies. Once transformed, players can use elemental attacks to scorch, freeze, or electrocute their foes. Upon reaching Gargantuan size, players can even use a bonus action to "swallow" enemies whole, dealing damage with digestive acid. The playtest notes that maintaining this state requires successful concentration checks, making the War Caster feat nearly essential for this build.
Players can choose from three distinct forms. The Behemoth form is reminiscent of Godzilla, excelling at structural destruction and powerful breath attacks; the Leviathan form is an amphibious monster capable of spewing toxic gas and creating smokescreens for escape; and the Insectoid form draws inspiration from Mothra, granting flight, telepathy, and the ability to provide healing through pollen.
While the Circle of the Titan may have limited utility in standard dungeon crawls due to the difficulty of navigating narrow spaces at such a massive scale, it offers Dungeon Masters (DMs) a fresh template for villain design. Whether for a party of evil-aligned players or a new, high-stakes threat, this subclass adds a unique narrative flavor to the game.