9th Level Druid feat? [Archive] - Wizards Community

9th Level Druid feat? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Maleous
06-09-04, 11:49 PM Hi,

Here's my character as he stands now. He was origninally designed for 3.0 but is now playing 3.5. He has access to most of the material from Complete Divine.

Level 7 gnomish druid.

Str 6
Dex 8
Con 16
Wis 19 (21 with periapt)
Int 14
Cha 8

Feats: Spell Focus(conjuration), Augmented Summoning, Natural Spell.

Magics Items: Periapt +2, Cloak of Resistance +1, + Heavy wooden Shield, +1 Dragonhide Breastplate. 1st and 2nd level pearls of power. Eyes of the Eagle.

Next Magic Item: lesser Rod of Extend

Animal Companion: Ceril the Rhinocerous

So far the only feat I can think of taking at 9th level is Imp Initiative.

The rapid spell feat from CD isn't quite worth it, imo. The only spells I can rapid cast are summon spells. And I'd much rather have a 5th level summon appear on my next action than a fourth level summon appear on this action etc.

Spell Penetration isn't worth it because if the character runs into anythign with SR, he can just summon something to kill it, Or buff the fighter types, Or even wildshape himself and take it on.

Spell Focus evocation would only apply to one spell (flame strike). and while flame strike gets a lot of mileage, i don't think it's quite worth a feat to boost the DC.

One feat that could be taken as a joke is Alertness. Currently he has about +20 to spot and almost as much on listen. I don't think the +2 really would matter at that point.

So what feats are good for druids. Please note Power attack and Fast wildshape are out as he doesn't have the strength or dex.
SuperThread
06-10-04, 12:03 AM Originally posted by Maleous
Please note Power attack and Fast wildshape are out as he doesn't have the strength or dex.

No, they aren't; he can Wild Shape into something with the requisite scores.

Anyway, Exalted Wild Shape (BoED), Rashemi Elemental Summoning (UE) and Blindsight (MotW) are all good choices. Fast Wild Shape is also nice, as is Power Attack if you're going for a combat oriented Druid. Extend is excellent, but you can probably get almost as much milage from the Rod that's on your wish list. Empower is okay if you do a lot of blasting. I personally like Rapid Spell for the summoner- the fact that an opponent needs to ready an action to interrupt you, instead of simply using their turn to run up and smack you, is definitely a good thing.
Blade2718
06-10-04, 12:33 AM Draconic or Exalted Wildshape are extremely powerful choices, as they allow a Druid to circumvent some of the usual restrictions on form-changing.
Maleous
06-10-04, 12:42 AM Hmm,

I play Living Greyhawk, so I dn't think wildshaping to meet stat requirements would cut it.

As for Rapid spell. I've never had anyone even attempt to interrupt me, let alone succeed. They usually have the other 5 PCs to worry about first.

One of the biggest problems with this character is his low dex. At creation I though I'd just wildshpae all the time, but the problem is that means I can't commnicate with party members. I think the torc of animal speech is next on my wish list, but that'll take a bit to save for.

Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats?
Blade2718
06-10-04, 12:54 AM I've seen it argued here that feats you pick up when you're wildshaped stick around, but are just unusable in a shape that doesn't have the pre-reqs.

For communication, use telepathy-type spells and effects. Or as the CotSQ people are doing, Drow Sign Language.
Sisyfos
06-10-04, 12:59 AM -removed-
Maleous
06-10-04, 01:01 AM What's CotSQ? And what's this about drow sign language?

I don;t have hands in wildshape, but it could prove useful.

Druids don't get telepathy spells do they?
Sisyfos
06-10-04, 01:03 AM Originally posted by Maleous
Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats?

Not with feats BUT you can get tongues cast on you. Either buy it as a permanent spell or get an use activated item/wand/whatever which grants the spell (UMD for wand).
Maleous
06-10-04, 01:22 AM I don't think tongues would work, you still need a mouth capable of articulating the right sounds.
Blade2718
06-10-04, 01:25 AM CotSQ = City of the Spider Queen, a FR adventure that two CO board regulars will be DMing on the Real Adventure boards.

Why wouldn't you have hands in wildshape? Couldn't you be, oh say, a Dire Ape? Even a regular organgutan.
Boo
06-10-04, 12:49 PM Exalted Wildshape (if allowed) or Blindsight would be the best choices I believe. Blindsight is fantastic against any invis/conceal/illusions etc. If you're more of a caster/summoner, blink dog shape is the best possible shape for you with dimension door as a free action 1/round and no disorientation after. Plus blink at will can help if the situation gets tight.
RabidWeasel
06-10-04, 05:20 PM You people are talking like improved initiative is a bad feat! :p

I'd go for II, blindsight or exalted wild shape - they're all excellent. Personally I prefer exalted wild shape but YMMV.
Snow Savant
06-10-04, 07:52 PM In refernence to the CotSQ campaign that is starting up ... its 2 groups of CO Forum regulars being DM'ed by 2 CO Forum regulars.

I am the only Druid. And my build is starting at 10th level. To view the detailed stats of my build, go * here *. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=253884)

My 9th level feat is Exalted Wildshape. The build is intended to be primarily structured around being a melee build based on the Shillellagh/Spikes-on-a-Club and other situational melee/tank build mechanics.

The "Summoning Trifecta" feat chain for a Druid compliments the melee focus, while giving you 3 strong feats that do not severely impact your fighting capability. If anything, it enhances it by giving you a ton of utility and combat options. Do not underestimate the so-called weak link of the 3 ... Spell Focus: Conjuration is used quite often by a Druid. Especially a mid-level Druid. Quill Blast, Wall of Stone (Imprison version), Arc of Lightning, etc. All are good conjuration attack spells.

But for a 9th level feat, Exalted Wildshape is hard to beat. Especially if you plan on walking around most of the day in Celestial Dire Ape form. The Celestial template is amazing!

xO,
Snow :cloud9:
AviLazar
06-10-04, 07:53 PM Originally posted by Maleous
Hmm,

I play Living Greyhawk, so I dn't think wildshaping to meet stat requirements would cut it.

As for Rapid spell. I've never had anyone even attempt to interrupt me, let alone succeed. They usually have the other 5 PCs to worry about first.

One of the biggest problems with this character is his low dex. At creation I though I'd just wildshpae all the time, but the problem is that means I can't commnicate with party members. I think the torc of animal speech is next on my wish list, but that'll take a bit to save for.

Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats?

Well if you take a feat that has a requisite (i.e. combat expertise int 13) and then lose the requisite, then you do not lose the feat. You just can't access it anymore. So since you can shapeshift (and pretty much stay that way 24/7) there shouldn't be a problem for you to take the feat. You just can't use it when you are not in your animal form.

As for speech problem - take an amulet that allows you to speak when you shapeshift. Or get a permenant tongues cast on you?
Maleous
06-11-04, 10:23 AM Hi,

So say I take fast wildshape. I can't use it in normal form. Seeing as that's the only time I need it, it sort of becomes pointless. The method would work for power attack though.

Two problems with Tongues;

One. There are no PC created effects that last between modules. So no permancy spells.

Two Tongues Allows you to speak in any dialect. It doesn't let you speak if you can't speak normally.

Of course permanent speak with animals on my regular adventuring companions would work, If LG allowed permanent effects...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Maleous 06-09-04, 11:49 PM	Hi, Here's my character as he stands now. He was origninally designed for 3.0 but is now playing 3.5. He has access to most of the material from Complete Divine. Level 7 gnomish druid. Str 6 Dex 8 Con 16 Wis 19 (21 with periapt) Int 14 Cha 8 Feats: Spell Focus(conjuration), Augmented Summoning, Natural Spell. Magics Items: Periapt +2, Cloak of Resistance +1, + Heavy wooden Shield, +1 Dragonhide Breastplate. 1st and 2nd level pearls of power. Eyes of the Eagle. Next Magic Item: lesser Rod of Extend Animal Companion: Ceril the Rhinocerous So far the only feat I can think of taking at 9th level is Imp Initiative. The rapid spell feat from CD isn't quite worth it, imo. The only spells I can rapid cast are summon spells. And I'd much rather have a 5th level summon appear on my next action than a fourth level summon appear on this action etc. Spell Penetration isn't worth it because if the character runs into anythign with SR, he can just summon something to kill it, Or buff the fighter types, Or even wildshape himself and take it on. Spell Focus evocation would only apply to one spell (flame strike). and while flame strike gets a lot of mileage, i don't think it's quite worth a feat to boost the DC. One feat that could be taken as a joke is Alertness. Currently he has about +20 to spot and almost as much on listen. I don't think the +2 really would matter at that point. So what feats are good for druids. Please note Power attack and Fast wildshape are out as he doesn't have the strength or dex.
SuperThread 06-10-04, 12:03 AM	Originally posted by Maleous Please note Power attack and Fast wildshape are out as he doesn't have the strength or dex. No, they aren't; he can Wild Shape into something with the requisite scores. Anyway, Exalted Wild Shape (BoED), Rashemi Elemental Summoning (UE) and Blindsight (MotW) are all good choices. Fast Wild Shape is also nice, as is Power Attack if you're going for a combat oriented Druid. Extend is excellent, but you can probably get almost as much milage from the Rod that's on your wish list. Empower is okay if you do a lot of blasting. I personally like Rapid Spell for the summoner- the fact that an opponent needs to ready an action to interrupt you, instead of simply using their turn to run up and smack you, is definitely a good thing.
Blade2718 06-10-04, 12:33 AM	Draconic or Exalted Wildshape are extremely powerful choices, as they allow a Druid to circumvent some of the usual restrictions on form-changing.
Maleous 06-10-04, 12:42 AM	Hmm, I play Living Greyhawk, so I dn't think wildshaping to meet stat requirements would cut it. As for Rapid spell. I've never had anyone even attempt to interrupt me, let alone succeed. They usually have the other 5 PCs to worry about first. One of the biggest problems with this character is his low dex. At creation I though I'd just wildshpae all the time, but the problem is that means I can't commnicate with party members. I think the torc of animal speech is next on my wish list, but that'll take a bit to save for. Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats?
Blade2718 06-10-04, 12:54 AM	I've seen it argued here that feats you pick up when you're wildshaped stick around, but are just unusable in a shape that doesn't have the pre-reqs. For communication, use telepathy-type spells and effects. Or as the CotSQ people are doing, Drow Sign Language.
Sisyfos 06-10-04, 12:59 AM	-removed-
Maleous 06-10-04, 01:01 AM	What's CotSQ? And what's this about drow sign language? I don;t have hands in wildshape, but it could prove useful. Druids don't get telepathy spells do they?
Sisyfos 06-10-04, 01:03 AM	Originally posted by Maleous Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats? Not with feats BUT you can get tongues cast on you. Either buy it as a permanent spell or get an use activated item/wand/whatever which grants the spell (UMD for wand).
Maleous 06-10-04, 01:22 AM	I don't think tongues would work, you still need a mouth capable of articulating the right sounds.
Blade2718 06-10-04, 01:25 AM	CotSQ = City of the Spider Queen, a FR adventure that two CO board regulars will be DMing on the Real Adventure boards. Why wouldn't you have hands in wildshape? Couldn't you be, oh say, a Dire Ape? Even a regular organgutan.
Boo 06-10-04, 12:49 PM	Exalted Wildshape (if allowed) or Blindsight would be the best choices I believe. Blindsight is fantastic against any invis/conceal/illusions etc. If you're more of a caster/summoner, blink dog shape is the best possible shape for you with dimension door as a free action 1/round and no disorientation after. Plus blink at will can help if the situation gets tight.
RabidWeasel 06-10-04, 05:20 PM	You people are talking like improved initiative is a bad feat! :p I'd go for II, blindsight or exalted wild shape - they're all excellent. Personally I prefer exalted wild shape but YMMV.
Snow Savant 06-10-04, 07:52 PM	In refernence to the CotSQ campaign that is starting up ... its 2 groups of CO Forum regulars being DM'ed by 2 CO Forum regulars. I am the only Druid. And my build is starting at 10th level. To view the detailed stats of my build, go * here *. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=253884) My 9th level feat is Exalted Wildshape. The build is intended to be primarily structured around being a melee build based on the Shillellagh/Spikes-on-a-Club and other situational melee/tank build mechanics. The "Summoning Trifecta" feat chain for a Druid compliments the melee focus, while giving you 3 strong feats that do not severely impact your fighting capability. If anything, it enhances it by giving you a ton of utility and combat options. Do not underestimate the so-called weak link of the 3 ... Spell Focus: Conjuration is used quite often by a Druid. Especially a mid-level Druid. Quill Blast, Wall of Stone (Imprison version), Arc of Lightning, etc. All are good conjuration attack spells. But for a 9th level feat, Exalted Wildshape is hard to beat. Especially if you plan on walking around most of the day in Celestial Dire Ape form. The Celestial template is amazing! xO, Snow :cloud9:
AviLazar 06-10-04, 07:53 PM	Originally posted by Maleous Hmm, I play Living Greyhawk, so I dn't think wildshaping to meet stat requirements would cut it. As for Rapid spell. I've never had anyone even attempt to interrupt me, let alone succeed. They usually have the other 5 PCs to worry about first. One of the biggest problems with this character is his low dex. At creation I though I'd just wildshpae all the time, but the problem is that means I can't commnicate with party members. I think the torc of animal speech is next on my wish list, but that'll take a bit to save for. Does anyone know how to overcome the speech problem with feats? Well if you take a feat that has a requisite (i.e. combat expertise int 13) and then lose the requisite, then you do not lose the feat. You just can't access it anymore. So since you can shapeshift (and pretty much stay that way 24/7) there shouldn't be a problem for you to take the feat. You just can't use it when you are not in your animal form. As for speech problem - take an amulet that allows you to speak when you shapeshift. Or get a permenant tongues cast on you?
Maleous 06-11-04, 10:23 AM	Hi, So say I take fast wildshape. I can't use it in normal form. Seeing as that's the only time I need it, it sort of becomes pointless. The method would work for power attack though. Two problems with Tongues; One. There are no PC created effects that last between modules. So no permancy spells. Two Tongues Allows you to speak in any dialect. It doesn't let you speak if you can't speak normally. Of course permanent speak with animals on my regular adventuring companions would work, If LG allowed permanent effects...