Post/Author/DateTime	Post
malcolm_n 05-18-05, 03:38 PM	Hey all, I'm playing a Halfling druid in my friend's campaign tonight. We've just made 5th level, and I want to level as a druid so my companion gets stronger. Problem is, the wildshape class feature really doesn't fit him as a character. In the interest of good roleplay/character growth, I wanted to know if there are any ideas for a substitution to wildshape. My halfling's name is Flip. He's kinda young, and acts like it. His animal companion, Gingi, is his best friend. I've got some feats to increase my spoontaneous casting of Sum Nat Ally, and the requirements to start beastmaster next level. Suggestions are always appreciated. Thank you.
icedrake2002sr 05-18-05, 04:47 PM	It really depends on you, bud. I've been playing druids for years. Love 'em to death. My absolute favorite class. My advice is, please don't discount wildshape. It's pretty darn useful, especially at higher levels. Also, with you being a halfling, I'd suggest...And this is just me...Picking up natural spell or possibly taking the Halfling Druid Racial Substitution level from page 158 of the Races of the Wild book. This will allow you to get Undersized wildshape, allowing you to reduce your normally medium/small wildshape gained at 5th level to small/tiny. However, if you're dead set against wildshape, I'd suggest taking ranger levels possibly...Give yourself a better base attack and a few more interesting combat related skills. Plus, unless I'm mistaken, ranger levels still add to your animal companion at higher levels...Someone correct me if I'm wrong there...Anyhow, man, I am not aware of anything to "replace" wildshape...If you and the DM can come up with a variant, then it should work out. If nothing else, you could get some of the feats from The Complete Adventurer that allow you to expend wildshape uses to gain benefits elsewhere, such as blindsense, climb like an ape, cougar's vision, hawk's vision, savage grapple, and scent (all on page 114 of said book). Happy hunting, man.
malcolm_n 05-18-05, 06:00 PM	I love wildshape myself. Had several druids with it in the past. It's just, for this character I'm trying to lean away from it. it doesn't fit him as a person. I've looked at my options from RoW, liked the companion spells (in lieu of Sum Nat Ally) but i'm a summoner. Also, considered Ranger, but don't get companion abilities 'til 4th. then only half. What i am considering is asking my dm if i can substitute Wildshape for the Conjurer bonuses from Unearthed Arcana. For Quick Summon/heightened summon abilities. I think those would make a decent tradeoff. Hmm. that's an option, hadn't considered the [wild] feats. I'll look at those, thanks
Nayk 05-18-05, 06:26 PM	Have a look at unearthed arcana, there is several class abilities alternatives in there, and maybe one of them will fit your purpose. Also, races of the wild have an alternative for halfling druids.. Y@