• Low AC: Most beast forms have comparatively low AC compared to the martial characters in the party. The brown bear you have based most of your analysis on has an AC of only 11. Most attacks are going to hit so you need those HP to make up for it. Additionally you will be making lots of concentration checks for any concentration spell you cast before Wild Shape. Barkskin can help somewhat but AC16 isn't that high and it means you can't concentrate on spells like Moonbeam or Flaming Sphere instead.
• No casting in Wild Shape: Yes the Druid is a full caster, but they have no access to this while in Wild Shape. You have a lot of option and heaps of resources but are limited by the action economy to only doing one thing at a time.
• Weaker Spell List: Compared to the Wizard/Sorcerer spell list the Druid has a lower damage output for pure spell casting at most levels. Then compared to the Cleric they have access to fewer buffs and high level healing spells. I'm not suggesting this makes them weak, but they certainly aren't the most powerful full caster going around.
• No decent cantrips: When the Druid is casting, they have to use spell slots to get a decent damage output. Their cantrips are very weak compared to other full casters and they have no options to add their casting mod to it unlike clerics, warlocks, or wizards.
• Can't use combat feats: The Moon Druid is a strong melee character while in Wild Shape, but not as strong as Fighter or Barbarian. They have a low AC and can't access feats such as Great Weapon Master or fighting styles to increase their output.
• Complexity: Playing a Druid can be overwhelming. With the wealth of options and abilities available it can be hard to make effective choices. It is not a class I recommend to new players. Unless they are really keen on the Wild Shape part.

• Low AC: Most beast forms have comparatively low AC compared to the martial characters in the party. The brown bear you have based most of your analysis on has an AC of only 11. Most attacks are going to hit so you need those HP to make up for it. Additionally you will be making lots of concentration checks for any concentration spell you cast before Wild Shape. Barkskin can help somewhat but AC16 isn't that high and it means you can't concentrate on spells like Moonbeam or Flaming Sphere instead.
• No casting in Wild Shape: Yes the Druid is a full caster, but they have no access to this while in Wild Shape. You have a lot of options and heaps of resources but are limited by the action economy to only doing one thing at a time.
• Weaker Spell List: Compared to the Wizard/Sorcerer spell list the Druid has a lower damage output for pure spell casting at most levels. Then compared to the Cleric they have access to fewer buffs and high level healing spells. I'm not suggesting this makes them weak, but they certainly aren't the most powerful full caster going around.
• No decent cantrips: When the Druid is casting, they have to use spell slots to get a decent damage output. Their cantrips are very weak compared to other full casters and they have no options to add their casting mod to it unlike clerics, warlocks, or wizards.
• Can't use combat feats: The Moon Druid is a strong melee character while in Wild Shape, but not as strong as Fighter or Barbarian. They have a low AC and can't access feats such as Great Weapon Master or fighting styles to increase their output.
• Complexity: Playing a Druid can be overwhelming. With the wealth of options and abilities available it can be hard to make effective choices. It is not a class I recommend to new players. Unless they are really keen on the Wild Shape part.

#Your analysis is correct but one sided You have accurately pointed out many of the advantages of the Moon Druid. It is true that it is one of, if not the strongest subclass in the game. But you have failed to account for some of the drawbacks that limit their output.

##Experience I am currently playing a Drow Druid. In my party (level 6) we have a Champion Fighter, Rogue Scout, War Cleric, Evocation Wizard. I have been tracking the kills and damage output in combat since the start of our campaign. Early on, I was slightly in front as Wild Shape gives a huge bump at 2nd level. As the campaign continued however the Rogue quickly overtook me as she increased her damage output with additional sneak attack dice. After gaining Extra Attack at 5th level the fighter has also surpassed me in damage output. At 6th level and gaining a magic weapon the fighter in by far our highest damage dealer.

##Level 6 This opens up new Wild Shape forms for the Moon Druid for the first time. CR2 forms are a big step up from CR1 and will address the reduced power at level 5. The best damage combat form at this level is the Giant Elk. 4d8+4 damage against prone targets is nothing to be sneezed at. There are other great options such as Giant Constrictor Snake but they all suffer the same low AC.

##Are they OP? The Druid is likely the most versatile class in the game. They can be a competent healer, decent melee character or a pure damage spell caster. However they can't do it all at once and will never be quite as strong as a character that focuses on one area.

Your analysis is correct but one sided

You have accurately pointed out many of the advantages of the Moon Druid. It is true that it is one of, if not the strongest subclass in the game. But you have failed to account for some of the drawbacks that limit their output.

Experience

I am currently playing a Drow Druid. In my party (level 6) we have a Champion Fighter, Rogue Scout, War Cleric, Evocation Wizard. I have been tracking the kills and damage output in combat since the start of our campaign. Early on, I was slightly in front as Wild Shape gives a huge bump at 2nd level. As the campaign continued however the Rogue quickly overtook me as she increased her damage output with additional sneak attack dice. After gaining Extra Attack at 5th level the fighter has also surpassed me in damage output. At 6th level and gaining a magic weapon the fighter in by far our highest damage dealer.

Level 6

This opens up new Wild Shape forms for the Moon Druid for the first time. CR2 forms are a big step up from CR1 and will address the reduced power at level 5. The best damage combat form at this level is the Giant Elk. 4d8+4 damage against prone targets is nothing to be sneezed at. There are other great options such as Giant Constrictor Snake but they all suffer the same low AC.

Are they OP?

The Druid is likely the most versatile class in the game. They can be a competent healer, decent melee character or a pure damage spell caster. However they can't do it all at once and will never be quite as strong as a character that focuses on one area.

• Low AC: Most beast forms have comparatively low AC compared to the martial characters in the party. The brown bear you have based most of your analysis on has an AC of only 11. Most attacks are going to hit so you need those HP to make up for it. Additionally you will be making lots of concentration checks for any concentration spell you cast before Wild Shape. Barkskin can help somewhat but AC16 isn't that high and it means you can't concentrate on spells like Moonbeam or Flaming Sphere instead.
• No casting in Wild Shape: Yes the Druid is a full caster, but they have no access to this while in Wild Shape. You have a lot of option and heaps of resources but are limited by the action economy to only doing one thing at a time.
• Weaker Spell List: Compared to the Wizard/Sorcerer spell list the Druid has a lower damage output for pure spell casting at most levels. Then compared to the Cleric they have access to fewer buffs and high level healing spells. I'm not suggesting this makes them weak, but they certainly aren't the most powerful full caster going around.
• No decent cantrips: When the Druid is casting, they have to use spell slots to get a decent damage output. Their cantrips are very weak compared to other full casters and they have no options to add their casting mod to it Clerics, Warlocks, or Wizards.
• Can't use combat feats: The Moon Druid is a strong melee character while in Wild Shape, but not as strong as Fighter or Barbarian. They have a low AC and can't access feats such as Great Weapon Master or fighting styles to increase their output.
• Complexity: Playing a Druid can be overwhelming. With the wealth of options and abilities available it can be hard to make effective choices. It is not a class I recommend to new players. Unless they are really keen on the Wild Shape part.

• Low AC: Most beast forms have comparatively low AC compared to the martial characters in the party. The brown bear you have based most of your analysis on has an AC of only 11. Most attacks are going to hit so you need those HP to make up for it. Additionally you will be making lots of concentration checks for any concentration spell you cast before Wild Shape. Barkskin can help somewhat but AC16 isn't that high and it means you can't concentrate on spells like Moonbeam or Flaming Sphere instead.
• No casting in Wild Shape: Yes the Druid is a full caster, but they have no access to this while in Wild Shape. You have a lot of option and heaps of resources but are limited by the action economy to only doing one thing at a time.
• Weaker Spell List: Compared to the Wizard/Sorcerer spell list the Druid has a lower damage output for pure spell casting at most levels. Then compared to the Cleric they have access to fewer buffs and high level healing spells. I'm not suggesting this makes them weak, but they certainly aren't the most powerful full caster going around.
• No decent cantrips: When the Druid is casting, they have to use spell slots to get a decent damage output. Their cantrips are very weak compared to other full casters and they have no options to add their casting mod to it unlike clerics, warlocks, or wizards.
• Can't use combat feats: The Moon Druid is a strong melee character while in Wild Shape, but not as strong as Fighter or Barbarian. They have a low AC and can't access feats such as Great Weapon Master or fighting styles to increase their output.
• Complexity: Playing a Druid can be overwhelming. With the wealth of options and abilities available it can be hard to make effective choices. It is not a class I recommend to new players. Unless they are really keen on the Wild Shape part.