A Druid in Ravenloft [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Druid in Ravenloft [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jackelope King
01-20-04, 04:43 PM Okay, I have recently started playing a druid in the Ravenloft setting, and I'm trying to decide where to take the character. I've lucked out in terms of adventuring companions... our group is relatively well-rounded for once:

Barbarian/fighter using a mighty whip-dagger and spring-attack
Monk/fighter acting as a mobile archer/light fighter
Hexblade acting as a light fighter
Cleric focused on support (protection and luck domains)
Sorcerer trying to maintain flexibility with his spells

My character currently looks like this...

True Neutral Human Druid 5

Abilities
STR: 11
DEX: 12
CON: 16
INT: 16
WIS: 17
CHA: 14

Feats
Track
Spell focus (conjuration)
Augmented summoning

Animal Companion
Dire bat (for grappling enemy spellcasters / scouting... that and having a huge bat hanging around just seemed too cool to pass up)

At this point, I'm trying to decide how to best direct this druid to support the party. I'm trying to keep my options open. The only definite is going to be Natural Spell at level 6, and possibly Craft Wondrous Item at level 9 (though CWI is anything but set in stone at this point).

I am considering taking four levels of Nature's Warrior (Complete Warrior) to allow for more powerful wildshaped combat forms, but that is also just a consideration at this time, and little more. I'd like to maintain full or near-full spellcasting progression throughout this build (I rarely play a spellcaster and would like to maintain at least a level 17 caster level by level 20).

I expect to deal primarily with undead and lycenthropes as enemies (intelligent undead like vampires especially), judging by what enemies have been encountered and alluded to so far. Of course, "normal" arrays of enemies aren't going to be unheard of either.

My question is this: with the setting and the party composition in mind, where would you take this character? What sort of things would you do to maximize his contribution to the party as a whole?

Books allowed are Ravenloft and 3.5 only: Core Rules are specifically allowed, material from Complete Warrior, Miniature's Handbook, and Draconomicon can be allowed on a case-by-case basis (at this point, no Book of Exalted Deeds... we just don't have the book).
Prism
01-21-04, 08:24 AM As you said yourself you have pretty rounded party so I wouldn't worry too much about covering anyone else's areas. Its nice that you have taken track but remember to turn into a wolf form to make it easier to hunt those stinking ghasts and such like

Whether to take natures warrior or not really depends on if you plan on playing into epic levels - highly unlikely in Ravenloft I have to say as the various lords would get involved far earleir. Also I would seriously consider the implications of going exalted in Ravenloft should you get the book. Most DM's would certainly up the pace somewhat. I play a paladin in Ravenloft currently at 6th level, and I'm starting to attract a great deal of attention.

So I would think about Natures Warrior, maybe to 3rd to get wildgrowth and definately serpents coils. This gives you a +4 grapple plus the effective constrict ability. The main thing you will find about Ravenloft is that your combat foes are usually medium size and therefore bear and cat wildshapes will give you great grapple opportunities. If you meet large stuff then you've always got animal growth to help. I've yet to meet anything huge in Ravenloft.

For feats, I really like fast wildshape for a druid. It lets you change and cast maybe a buff in the same round ready for when you foe's close on you the next round. I also like all the feats you have taken especially the summoning feats. This I believe will be one of your main focus's - to provide a living shield to allow the party to run away and regroup usually knowing Ravenloft
Jackelope King
01-21-04, 01:03 PM Good point on the sizes of creatures, Prism. I hadn't even thought of how effective grappling could prove against them, especially considering how very few things would be of any great size.

Book of Exalted Deeds stuff... well that's probably not even on the horizon for this character. Even if I do get the book, he's definitely not Exalted material.

As for the other stuff... if I go Nature's Warrior, I plan on grabbing four levels to get my BAB up to +16 by level 20. I was thinking of going with wild growth and using the damage reduction ability, but serpent's coils could be very nice indeed.

Fast wildshape is Masters of the Wild, so it's not on the slate right now. No 3.0 for this game. Ah well.

Summoning is actually one of the things I'd like to improve if possible, but I don't think I'd be willing to do so at too much of a hit to my wildshape progression (at least until we've gotten comfortable enough with the group to know how much melee power we need).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jackelope King 01-20-04, 04:43 PM	Okay, I have recently started playing a druid in the Ravenloft setting, and I'm trying to decide where to take the character. I've lucked out in terms of adventuring companions... our group is relatively well-rounded for once: Barbarian/fighter using a mighty whip-dagger and spring-attack Monk/fighter acting as a mobile archer/light fighter Hexblade acting as a light fighter Cleric focused on support (protection and luck domains) Sorcerer trying to maintain flexibility with his spells My character currently looks like this... True Neutral Human Druid 5 Abilities STR: 11 DEX: 12 CON: 16 INT: 16 WIS: 17 CHA: 14 Feats Track Spell focus (conjuration) Augmented summoning Animal Companion Dire bat (for grappling enemy spellcasters / scouting... that and having a huge bat hanging around just seemed too cool to pass up) At this point, I'm trying to decide how to best direct this druid to support the party. I'm trying to keep my options open. The only definite is going to be Natural Spell at level 6, and possibly Craft Wondrous Item at level 9 (though CWI is anything but set in stone at this point). I am considering taking four levels of Nature's Warrior (Complete Warrior) to allow for more powerful wildshaped combat forms, but that is also just a consideration at this time, and little more. I'd like to maintain full or near-full spellcasting progression throughout this build (I rarely play a spellcaster and would like to maintain at least a level 17 caster level by level 20). I expect to deal primarily with undead and lycenthropes as enemies (intelligent undead like vampires especially), judging by what enemies have been encountered and alluded to so far. Of course, "normal" arrays of enemies aren't going to be unheard of either. My question is this: with the setting and the party composition in mind, where would you take this character? What sort of things would you do to maximize his contribution to the party as a whole? Books allowed are Ravenloft and 3.5 only: Core Rules are specifically allowed, material from Complete Warrior, Miniature's Handbook, and Draconomicon can be allowed on a case-by-case basis (at this point, no Book of Exalted Deeds... we just don't have the book).
Prism 01-21-04, 08:24 AM	As you said yourself you have pretty rounded party so I wouldn't worry too much about covering anyone else's areas. Its nice that you have taken track but remember to turn into a wolf form to make it easier to hunt those stinking ghasts and such like Whether to take natures warrior or not really depends on if you plan on playing into epic levels - highly unlikely in Ravenloft I have to say as the various lords would get involved far earleir. Also I would seriously consider the implications of going exalted in Ravenloft should you get the book. Most DM's would certainly up the pace somewhat. I play a paladin in Ravenloft currently at 6th level, and I'm starting to attract a great deal of attention. So I would think about Natures Warrior, maybe to 3rd to get wildgrowth and definately serpents coils. This gives you a +4 grapple plus the effective constrict ability. The main thing you will find about Ravenloft is that your combat foes are usually medium size and therefore bear and cat wildshapes will give you great grapple opportunities. If you meet large stuff then you've always got animal growth to help. I've yet to meet anything huge in Ravenloft. For feats, I really like fast wildshape for a druid. It lets you change and cast maybe a buff in the same round ready for when you foe's close on you the next round. I also like all the feats you have taken especially the summoning feats. This I believe will be one of your main focus's - to provide a living shield to allow the party to run away and regroup usually knowing Ravenloft
Jackelope King 01-21-04, 01:03 PM	Good point on the sizes of creatures, Prism. I hadn't even thought of how effective grappling could prove against them, especially considering how very few things would be of any great size. Book of Exalted Deeds stuff... well that's probably not even on the horizon for this character. Even if I do get the book, he's definitely not Exalted material. As for the other stuff... if I go Nature's Warrior, I plan on grabbing four levels to get my BAB up to +16 by level 20. I was thinking of going with wild growth and using the damage reduction ability, but serpent's coils could be very nice indeed. Fast wildshape is Masters of the Wild, so it's not on the slate right now. No 3.0 for this game. Ah well. Summoning is actually one of the things I'd like to improve if possible, but I don't think I'd be willing to do so at too much of a hit to my wildshape progression (at least until we've gotten comfortable enough with the group to know how much melee power we need).