Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-19-05, 08:27 PM	Background Information: I think I am posting to the correct board, if I am not, please let me know where the correct place to post is, so I can repost this there. I am still rather new to the D&D world and have only run characters in 3.5 campaigns. A friend of mine is starting a campaign in a few weeks based on 3.0, since that is what he is used to playing and DMing. I managed to find a 3.0 PHB in a used bookstore, and there appears only to be minor differences in the character class I am contemplating running, so that doesn't bother me too much. I am thinking about running a druid. I know that the animal companion is much stronger in 3.5, than 3.0, but that's really a minor issue to me at this point. My Real Post: As I have never run a spell caster before, I just wanted some input as I am setting my stats. We are starting as level 6 characters and the stats scores are being based on a point-buy. We have 28 points to spend on the stats. The preliminary stats that I set (before racial modifers and the increase at level 4) were: STR - 12 DEX - 10 CON - 11 INT - 12 WIS - 17 CHA - 10 I was thinking about being of the gnome race (-2 str, +2 con). And I added the +1 from level 4 to wis, so I could have the +4 modifier to increase my will save. Leaving final scores of: STR - 10 DEX - 10 CON - 13 INT - 12 WIS - 18 CHA - 10 I know that dex is important for reflex saving throws and AC, but AC will also have my sive modifer from being a gnome, so I think I can deal with out a modifer in dex, but am not positive. I chose to have a modifer in con over dex for fortitude saves and concentration checks. I think concentration is important for a spellcaster. I don't know if fortitude or reflex saves are better for them though. I also understand that 10 isn't really that great of a score, but does a spellcaster really need a strenghth of above 10? And if I don't care about being diplomatic, is a charisma score of 10 neccessarily bad? These are not set in stone, so I can still change them around however I see fit. Are these score an okay set for a gnome druid? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. :) Sorry if this post was a bit long.
Need_A_Life 06-20-05, 05:48 AM	For getting tips on optimizing, go to the optimization boards. Here, we help with roleplaying, backgrounds and personalities. On to your question: I find it odd that you'd want those physical scores, wildshape is avaliable at 5th level (IIRC) and at 6th level you can maintain it for 6 hours. So once combat breaks out you simply wildshape into a bear (or whatever is most useful) and your physical scores will be changed. Following the logic of the game, there should be only a single random encounter on your way somewhere and most hit-and-run attacks will be over by the time your 6 hours is up. So my suggestion is that you leave your physical scores at 8 or 9, reflex saves would be for traps only (since you wouldn't be wildshaped then) and you must have a rogue somewhere to so your scouting, fortitude would be for poison and you have a lot of poison/disease negating spells. To explain a score of 10: 10 is the average. Your mailman might have a con of 12 while the guy who sits in your local supermarket has one of 8. Things even out, having a Cha of 10 is not bad but not great either. You need a high Wis, that is for sure, by level 16 you should have a Wis of 19 (not hard to do, but might as well save yourself some trouble) to cast level 9 spells, and you don't want to miss out on those. Have fun!
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-20-05, 05:09 PM	For getting tips on optimizing, go to the optimization boards. Okay, thanks. Thanks for your input on the issue too.
Dire Hamster 06-21-05, 03:57 AM	Good druid = highest scores in wis, dex, con, str...respectively.