Tortle: Optimizing Turtle Folk

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Dude, meet the Tortles. These laid-back turtle folk are the ultimate beach bums of the D&D world, carrying their homes on their backs and cruising through life with a chill attitude. Picture a Tortle catching some sun, sipping on coconut water, and you’ll get the idea. They’re naturally in tune with the waves and the wild, making them perfect for any adventurer who wants to take it easy while still kicking some serious shell. Get ready to embrace the zen lifestyle of the Tortle and ride the waves of your next campaign.

What is a Tortle?

How to Play a Tortle

Playing a Tortle in Dungeons & Dragons is a unique experience that combines the laid-back vibes of a beach bum with the practical advantages of a walking fortress. This section will break down the various racial characteristics of the Tortle, highlighting how each one contributes to their distinctive playstyle. From their sturdy natural armor to their impressive ability to hold their breath, we’ll explore how these features can be leveraged to create a character that’s as tough as they are chill.

Ability Score Increase

The Tortle’s Ability Score Increase in the standard package grants +2 Strength and +1 Wisdom. This setup is perfect for melee-focused adventurers, especially Monks and Barbarians.

Monks benefit greatly from this combination. They can use Strength or Dexterity for their strikes, and Wisdom is crucial for their class abilities, determining the DC for certain attacks. A Tortle Monk can be both mighty and perceptive, making them a formidable force in combat.

Barbarians, a strength-based combatant, also benefit from the Tortle’s stats. The additional Strength enhances their physical prowess through athletics checks, while Wisdom boosts skills like Perception, Animal Handling, and Survival, which are often useful for Barbarians.

Claws

Tortles come equipped with natural weapons, “claws.” This provides unarmed strikes dealing 1d4 + Strength modifier slashing damage. Built-in armaments can be handy (get it, handy, because they’re claws) in situations where weapons are unavailable. If the adventuring brings you to a fancy party or restricted location, having these built-in appendages is nice. It’s worth noting that for many classes, unarmed combat is not a primary mode of attack, so this advantage can be a little situational.

In some ways, the claw feature favors warrior classes such as the Barbarian and Fighter, particularly in campaigns that may leave these PCs unarmed on occasion. This may occur in RP-focused games centered around espionage or heists.

Monks may have a double-edged, um, fist relationship with the claw feature, however. Their Martial Arts feature allows them to use a martial arts die when dealing unarmed damage. Initially, this die is a d4, the same as the claws, but it scales with levels. Essentially, a Monk’s martial arts die neutralizes benefits gained by the claws attribute and even makes them obsolete over time. With one interesting exception: damage type.

The Tortle’s claws ability deals slashing damage rather than bludgeoning. If your DM permits, you could argue your unarmed strikes and martial arts die deal slashing damage. At level 5, your fists are as deadly as a short sword, and at level 11, you essentially have built-in long swords. It’s also worth discussing with your DM the possibility of having your punches deal slashing damage while your kicks deal bludgeoning, providing greater flexibility in combat.

Hold Breath

The Tortle’s Hold Breath feature allows them to hold their breath for up to an hour. This can be incredibly handy in campaigns centered around water—think boats, lagoons, and swamps. If your adventures take you to these aquatic settings, this feature can be a lifesaver. However, in campaigns set in deserts or mountainous terrain, it’s unlikely to see much use. So, while it’s a situational ability, it can be a significant advantage in the right environment.

Tortle in a Half-Shell

When you’re built like a tank, you can totally take life as it comes. Relax, kick back, and watch the enemies’ attacks bounce right off. The Tortle’s shell offers fantastic racial features, like Natural Armor and Shell Defense, making them as tough as they are laid-back.

Any adventurer benefits from being a walking fortress, but a few class features stack exceptionally well with this creature’s natural abilities. Sure, if you squint and tilt your head to the side, you might find a weak underbelly to this powerful defensive trait, but you’re going to have to look for it.

Let’s dive into these racial abilities and how to best utilize them in your adventures. Why don’t we build a Tortle that is as unmovable as it is unstoppable. Cowabunga, dude!

Natural Armor

Tortles are naturally armored, giving them a base AC of 17 without needing traditional armor. This makes them incredibly resilient right from the start. For classes that benefit from high mobility and don’t typically wear heavy armor, this is a game-changer.

To put this in perspective, only Half Plate and Splint armor can get you to AC 17. A rogue or dexterity-based fighter might achieve this with studded leather once they’ve maxed out their DEX mod, but that takes time.

Half Plate (medium armor) and Splint (heavy armor) both come with a penalty of disadvantage on stealth checks. Eliminating that disadvantage and walking into battle at level 1 with an AC 17 is nothing to scoff at.

It should be noted that dexterity modifiers are not added to the Tortle’s armor class, so there is a ceiling. It just happens to be a high ceiling.

I’ll dive into which classes benefit from this the most in the class breakdown section. Just keep in mind, no matter what class you have chosen, being a tough target to hit is a stellar benefit.

Shell Defense

The Tortle’s Shell Defense feature allows these powerhouses to withdraw into their shell as an action. This grants a +4 bonus to AC and advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws, at the cost of becoming prone and immobile. This can be a lifesaver in tough situations.

It also allows for a nice moment of self-reflection. Kick back and relax while the world around you goes the Nine Hells.

A Wise Tortle Never Forgets Their Shell

Tortle’s can use their tough exterior in some pretty clever ways. Make yourself a target (or distraction) while the rest of the party finds better positions. With a +4, you’re rocking a AC of 21. That can be tough for most creatures to hit. And your Constitution and Strength saving throws make a fair number of area attacks useless.

Buyer beware, caution should be used! Dexterity Saving Throws are the most common saving throws in DnD 5e, and you get disadvantage on them while hiding in your shell. Watch out for casters who love throwing that kind of damage your way.

Hold the Door

Being an effective decoy is useful, but there are a few other techniques a creative player can utilize. These anthropomorphic turtle humanoids weigh in at 450 lbs. Yeah, that counts as a heavyweight. Actually, that’s the heaviest weight.

For reference, Goliaths range from 220 to 340 lbs., and even Minotaurs max out at 300 lbs.

If you need to bar a door, why not just lean against it and hide inside your shell? 450 pounds is a lot of pressure for most enemies to move. And I’d say an argument could be made that a Strength check could be applied to keep your weight tips in the right direction.

And would you look at that, you have advantage on Strength checks while in your shell.

Finally, what do you think would happen if you set a Tortle into a catapult and launched them into a horde of oncoming enemies? I don’t know, but I’ve got a feeling the rule of cool might apply.

Optimizing Classes for Tortles

Tortles can be played with any class. If you have a unique character concept, don’t restrict yourself for the sake of min-maxing. You’ll enjoy playing a character that you love more than one solely built for optimization. Creativity and imaginative problem-solving are why we play RPG’s. Don’t restrict your ingenuity to stat enhancement.

That being said, there certainly are classes that synergize well with the Tortle’s racial features. In this context, synergy means complementary features that enhance each other when paired together or shore up weaknesses of certain classes.

It’s not just about maximizing potential but also minimizing deficits. For instance, a Tortle’s Natural Armor can be a significant boon for classes that cannot access to heavy armor.

Ultimately, a clever player can find a way to make any class and race combination effective. Working with your DM to determine the nature of the campaign and the game is also crucial. The style and theme of your character should fit the setting to at least a marginal degree.

Whether you’re delving into a gritty, low-magic world or a high-fantasy epic, ensuring your character’s concept meshes with the campaign can enhance your overall enjoyment and immersion.

Casters

Casters are notorious for having poor armor class (AC). Tortles’ Natural Armor provides an AC of 17, which is a substantial boost for any caster. This enhancement shores up the glaring hole in a caster’s defense, making them more durable on the battlefield. But that’s not the end of the story.

Wisdom-Based Casters

Clerics and Druids use Wisdom as their primary casting attribute. The +1 to Wisdom provided by the Tortle race is a small boon, but a boon nonetheless. It enhances their spellcasting capabilities. Every little bit helps when it comes to beefing up your caster’s DC’s and spell attack bonuses.

Armor Comparison

To gain a comparable AC without the Tortle’s Natural Armor, a Cleric or Druid would need to wear Half Plate armor, the stoutest armor they are proficient with. Additionally, they need a +2 in Dexterity to achieve the equivalent AC 17.

Neither Clerics or Druids really focus on dexterity, so eliminating the need to slot ability points into dexterity definitely doubles down on this buff. Those ability points could be spent and Constitution instead. High CON scores boost HP, so the Tortle Cleric/Druid walks in with a sturdy armor class and potential to double down on their hit points.

If you’re looking to play one of these classes, the Tortle provide some interesting optimization potential.

Druid Armor Restrictions

But which is better, the Druid or the Cleric? One thing to keep the note, Druids traditionally avoid metal armor. Unless they have unique, non-metal armor, they should not use Half Plate RAW (Rules As Written).

This restriction makes Tortles’ Natural Armor even more valuable for Druids, providing high AC without conflicting with their traditions. A point in favor for Druids, but it’s not the end of the story.

Needs of the Party

Druids often cast area-of-effect spells, while Clerics dart around the battlefield, casting healing spells and buffs, many requiring touch. Clerics find themselves in the fray more often than Druids, making high AC crucial for their survival.

When Druids do find themselves in the melee mix, it’s often while in the shape of a bone crushing bear or a snarling lion. They can transform into animals and offset many of the weaknesses found in other casters.

 Druids receive a significant defensive boost from Wild Shape. Transforming into an animal grants them additional hit points. When the animal’s hit points drop to zero, Druids revert to their original form with their original hit points intact. This reduces the reliance on Tortles’ Natural Armor.

That tough shell will get some action, but not as much as it would with a cleric.

Cleric Melee Combat

Clerics also engage in melee combat. They swing a mean mace when not casting spells. While their offensive spells can be potent, their cantrips are weak sauce. And let’s face it, healing spells and buffs are just a better use of their spell slots.

The +2 Strength from the Tortle’s build supports the Cleric’s melee combat style. It’s not their primary role, but it comes into play. Don’t waste a spell slot on an okay offensive spell when you can just crack the monstrosity in the head.

The Turtle God Wins

Honorable Mentions

Rogues

Rogues don’t benefit spectacularly well from the Tortle build. While gaining access to a high AC is advantageous, it’s not enough to make up for the other features that don’t synergize with the Rogue’s abilities. Rogues rely heavily on Dexterity for their attacks, skills, and AC, and the Tortle’s lack of Dexterity boosts doesn’t align well with this. The Tortle’s features, like Natural Armor and Shell Defense, don’t significantly enhance the Rogue’s combat style or stealth abilities.

Rangers

Similarly, Rangers don’t match up perfectly with the Tortle. While they can use heavier, strength-based weapons, Dexterity is central to their combat style. Rangers require a minimum of 13 in Dexterity, which doesn’t mesh well with the Tortle’s natural strengths. Although the +1 Wisdom bonus is beneficial for their spellcasting, it’s not enough to offset the lack of synergy in other areas. Ranger spells are designed to enhance their combat versatility and mobility, which doesn’t fully leverage the Tortle’s racial features.

However, there is a notable exception: a campaign centered around water. The Tortle’s ability to hold their breath for one hour and their choice of proficiency in skills like Animal Handling, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Stealth, or Survival from “Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse” can be highly advantageous. The versatility and adaptability of Rangers in different terrains align well with the Tortle’s features in aquatic environments, making a Tortle Ranger a compelling choice for waterlogged campaign settings.

Fighters and Paladins

Fighters and Paladins find some benefits in the Tortle’s features, but they aren’t game-changing. The Natural Armor provides an AC of 17, which is useful for maintaining high defense without the noise and stealth disadvantages of heavy armor.

Dropping the need for jingle-jingly armor can be advantageous for campaigns that require stealth, and let’s face it, most campaigns require stealth. However, it doesn’t offer a significant edge over other armor options available to these classes.

The +2 Strength bonus provided by the Tortle aligns with the combat needs of Fighters and Paladins. It enhances melee attacks and physical feats, supporting their primary role as front-line combatants.

However, this isn’t unique to the Tortle and can be found in other races as well. Not to mention, there are other warrior build the benefit from the STR bonus.

Essentially, the Fighter and a Paladin will work just fine with the Tortle race, but this article isn’t titled “How to Build an Okay Total Character”. We’re talking about optimization. To realize a turtle folks full potential we need to look towards barbarians and monks.

Barbarians

Now, the barbarian’s unarmored defense cannot apply dexterity to the Tortle’s natural armor. Unfortunately, it says so in the rules. However, as stated in the earlier AC 17 is a pretty high ceiling and not needing to worry about dexterity as much allows you to load more into your Constitution.

Having a lot of HP is important to a barbarian. They have the highest hit dice available to classes. They take damage! So walking in with a high AC and the flexibility to load up your Constitution in order to bulk out your hit points is quite a boon.

Strength Bonus

The +2 Strength bonus from the Tortle race enhances a Barbarian’s melee attacks and physical prowess. This directly supports their primary combat role, allowing them to deal more damage and succeed in strength-based skill checks.

Shell Defense

Shell Defense grants a +4 bonus to AC and advantage on Strength and Constitution saving throws. While Barbarians are already tough, this feature can make them nearly invincible in critical moments, providing a significant defensive boost when needed.
A turtle folk barbarian is someone you want to have on your side when you find yourself in a meat grinder.

Playstyle Synergy

The thematic synergy between Tortles and Barbarians is also worth noting. Tortles’ natural resilience and the Barbarian’s fierce combat style create a character that is both tough and powerful. This combination allows for creative and dynamic gameplay, with a character that can take hits and dish out damage effectively.

Monks

Monks are another class that synergizes exceptionally well with the Tortle’s racial features. Here are the key points to consider:

Unarmored Defense

Monks use their Dexterity and Wisdom modifiers to calculate their AC through their Unarmored Defense feature. While the Tortle’s Natural Armor doesn’t allow the addition of Dexterity, it still provides a solid base AC of 17. The Wisdom bonus from the Tortle race further enhances this, allowing for a high AC without the need for traditional armor.

Strength-Based Combat

Monks can use either Strength or Dexterity for their unarmed strikes and monk weapons. Most monk builds focus on Dexterity, but the Tortle’s +2 Strength bonus opens up a different build path. This allows for a unique and powerful monk build that leverages strength-based attacks.

Wisdom and Ki Points

Wisdom is crucial for Monks as it determines their Ki save DC and enhances their Unarmored Defense. The +1 Wisdom bonus from the Tortle race directly supports the Monk’s primary abilities, making their Ki-powered techniques more effective and their defenses stronger.

Claws and Unarmed Strikes

The Tortle’s claws deal 1d4 slashing damage for unarmed strikes. While the monk’s Martial Arts die will quickly surpass this in terms of damage, the ability to deal slashing damage can provide additional versatility in combat. A fair argument could be made to the DM to allow flexibility in choosing whether unarmed strikes deal slashing or bludgeoning damage, enhancing the monk’s versatility.

Shell Defense

Though not typically associated with Monk playstyle, the Tortle’s Shell Defense can be a lifesaver in critical moments, providing a significant defensive boost when needed. This can be particularly useful when a Monk needs to hunker down and avoid damage while still supporting the party.

Who’s the winner?

When it comes to optimizing a Tortle, the Monk class pulls ahead, especially when you delve into the Way of the Ascendant Dragon subclass. This subclass doubles down on the versatility of damage types, allowing the Monk to switch its unarmed strike damage between elemental types such as fire, lightning, ice, etc. This adds even more flexibility to the already effective combination of the Monk’s unarmed strikes and the Tortle’s claws.

The Way of the Ascendant Dragon also grants Monks the ability to unfurl spectral wings and fly short distances at level 6. Imagine a flying 450 lb. Monk with a hardened shell—talk about intimidating! Oh, and did I mention it can produce Dragon breath? Picture this: a Tortle soaring into the air and then simply falling onto its enemies while hiding within its shell. It’s both hilarious and devastating.

Ultimately, a Monk following the Way of the Ascendant Dragon can adopt a physical fighting style similar to that of a sumo wrestler. This build uses agility but also heavily relies on strength and power. It’s more about aesthetic and flair than crunch, but it fits perfectly with the stats and design of this build.

So, if you want to create a Tortle that’s not only tough and versatile but also incredibly fun to play, the Way of the Ascendant Dragon Monk is the way to go. Embrace the power, the versatility, and the sheer awesomeness of a flying, shell-dropping Tortle Monk. Cowabunga, dude!