Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Tequila_Sunrise 01-08-07, 12:10 AM	I've never had any interest in druids, and have only played with newbies who didn't know how to optimize them, so every time I hear someone say how awesome druids are (happens pretty often) I think 'huh?' I'd like to get a clue on this topic, so I'm asking all you kind folks to help me out. When you optimize a druid, what items do you buy? Are there any obvious feats (besides natural spell) that are great for a druid? What traits do you look for in a wildshape meant to turn a druid into a combat powerhouse? The best I could find is the grizzly mastadon (MMII), which is right under the 15 HD cap. Many Thanks, TS
JaronK 01-08-07, 12:17 AM	The thing about druids is that they're strong without even any serious optomization (if you want to optomize, check out planar sheppard... yikes). Even if you go pretty much core only, they can rock, for the following reasons: Wild Shape lets you turn into a Legendary Ape, which just gives you huge stats at no drawback (just drop your gear, change shape, and put it back on). Other forms let you trip, pounce, bull rush, or do pretty much any fighter trick you want, and you don't have to do anything to get those abilities. Want to outshine the charging warrior? Jump into one of many high strength forms that give the pounce ability. That's just one example. With Wild Shape, a druid is basically just as strong a melee fighter as the pure martial fighters... and we haven't even gotten into the other abilities yet. Full Caster. Full casters are always strong, and the druid is no exception, so he's adding that on top of his already strong melee abilities. No MAD. Unlike most classes, a druid really only needs Wisdoom, with a bit of Con for good luck. Wildshape removes the need for strength and dex entirely, and that's a huge benefit, especially in point buy games. And of course there's more, but I'm tired! JaronK
fnord 01-08-07, 12:40 AM	The Druid's Handbook (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=165279). And the other, more recent Druid's Handbook (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=465005).
Votan 01-08-07, 12:47 AM	I've never had any interest in druids, and have only played with newbies who didn't know how to optimize them, so every time I hear someone say how awesome druids are (happens pretty often) I think 'huh?' I'd like to get a clue on this topic, so I'm asking all you kind folks to help me out. When you optimize a druid, what items do you buy? Are there any obvious feats (besides natural spell) that are great for a druid? What traits do you look for in a wildshape meant to turn a druid into a combat powerhouse? The best I could find is the grizzly mastadon (MMII), which is right under the 15 HD cap. Many Thanks, TS What approach do you want to take? A druid can be sickening as summoner, primary caster or a wildshaper but it usually requires some careful investment of feats in order to fully excel at any of these roles. However, even a badly constructed Druid can be a useful party member. Be sure that you create a deadly animal companion (War-dog, Fleshraker dinosaur) so as not to overlook how useful this class feature is. Remember that Dinosaurs are animals. So are Bears. Both make decent wildshape forms.
progresslevel9 01-08-07, 01:19 AM	And dont get us started on Venomfire from serpent kingdoms. Combined, of course, with Aberration Wild Shape, from LoM, into a ten headed terror. Add metamagic, shake lightly...and kill. However, Back to Core: Take a good, long look at Animal Growth. Then, take a good long look at the Dire Wolverine. Then, quickly glance over Augment Summoning. At 12th level, you'll be summoning 1d4+1 wolverines, and giving them all +12 str, +8 con, a size increase, and DR. All while in flying around in Dire Bat form, thanks to natural spell.
Tequila_Sunrise 01-08-07, 01:25 PM	Okay, say I'm trying to build a combat machine druid. I shift into grizzly mastodon, I cast stoneskin and greater magic fang, I'm wearing wild armor to keep my armor bonus. What else might I do to bring down that red dragon before the party warrior can swing his sword twice?
hogarth 01-08-07, 01:36 PM	Okay, say I'm trying to build a combat machine druid. I shift into grizzly mastodon, I cast stoneskin and greater magic fang, I'm wearing wild armor to keep my armor bonus. What else might I do to bring down that red dragon before the party warrior can swing his sword twice? There's a little bit less druid love since the errata to wildshape (no more extra HP from having a massive Con, or casting Animal Growth on yourself). Don't forget that there are other nice buff spells like Bite of the Werebear and Lion's Pounce.