Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Caius 06-10-07, 07:19 PM	I'm a relatively new player to D&D and have been playing a Druid character. I was wondering if there were any prestige classes that still allowed the druid to progress in spellcasting ability. Thank you all for any help.
JulesCARV 06-10-07, 08:26 PM	Yes, there are, but what do you want? In generally, druids are fine as they are, and druid 20 is considered one of the strongest builds in the game. That isn't to say, "don't bother taking a prestige class," but rather, "what do you want from your prestige class?" Do you want more skill points, sneak attack, and stealth ability? A mix of druidic and arcane progression? Complete betrayal of your druidic oaths to become a destroyer of nature? The ability to shapeshift into outsiders and get free wishes? (j/k, kinda) If you generally just want to be a powerful but well-rounded character, druids are fine. If there's something specific you want that druids don't get, then there might be a prestige class for you.
Jamven The Fighter 06-10-07, 10:59 PM	There are tons of prestige classes that advanced Druid spellcasting. Anything that lists "+1 to existing spellcasting class" or "+1 to existing divine spellcasting class" under "Spellcasting progression" will advanced Druid casting. However, as far as recommendations go? For power? Planar Shepherd. Mmmm.
Mobius Man 06-10-07, 11:00 PM	Well, I heard the popular Druid build is Druid 5/Planar Shepard 10/Commoner 5. :)
runestar 06-10-07, 11:17 PM	Yeah, I have heard nice things about the planar shepherd... But of course, "nice" by CO board definition ...:embarrass
Yadot 06-11-07, 01:23 AM	Yeah, I have heard nice things about the planar shepherd... But of course, "nice" by CO board definition ...:embarrass Bah, the CO boards wouldn't touch that class with a ten-foot pole. As opposed to the nine-foot pole they don't touch the Candle of Invocation with.:D
Alyss 06-11-07, 11:08 AM	Warshapers are fun. You can get them at 6th
RobbyPants 06-11-07, 11:15 AM	Druids are a spectaular class. They have three good things going for them, as well as a slew of other features: Wildshape Animal Companion Full spellcasting with a solid spell list A lot of PrCs will advance your casting, which is nice, but I would consider your maximum hit dice for Wildshape more important. If I were to ever multiclass out of druid, I would want a PrC that allows my max hit dice for Wildshape to advance as well. Beefing up your animal companion is also a must. It's a great class feature, and if you let it lag behind too long, it not only becomes weak, but it becomes useless. Now, because I don't know of any PrCs that advance your wildshaping and your animal companion and your spellcasting, I would strongly suggest that you not multiclass out, unless you're doing it purely for flavor reasons, and not game mechanics. If you think you will have fun with a new PrC, then by all means, go for it! I just wanted to warn you that you might be disapointed with the results if you're looking for a powerful character. As Rich Burlew has eloquently stated: http://s175.photobucket.com/albums/w139/robbypants/Druid.jpg
The_Shaman 06-11-07, 11:44 AM	I'm a relatively new player to D&D and have been playing a Druid character. I was wondering if there were any prestige classes that still allowed the druid to progress in spellcasting ability. Thank you all for any help. As others have said, if it advances "spellcasting", or "divine spellcasting" levels, it advances druid levels. With druids, picking a PrC is simply a matter of flavor and roleplaying; in terms of optimization, druid 20 is no worse than anything, at least anything not including planar shepherd.
deviknyte 06-11-07, 11:55 AM	I'd go for a prestige class that focused on myself or wild shape thought. Animal companion = foddler. Animal companion buffs could be cast on you or the fighter or offense on enemies.
NoldorForce 06-11-07, 01:31 PM	Bah, the CO boards wouldn't touch that class with a ten-foot pole. As opposed to the nine-foot pole they don't touch the Candle of Invocation with.:DOr the hundred-foot pole they won't touch the Thought Bottle with. (Note: The Sage/FAQ ruling on it simply introduced an extra step in its abuse.)I'd go for a prestige class that focused on myself or wild shape thought. Animal companion = foddler. Animal companion buffs could be cast on you or the fighter or offense on enemies.Some of those buffs are quite potent AND exclusive to animals or at least not possible to be cast on most of the party.
utilitarian 06-11-07, 02:35 PM	Bah, the CO boards wouldn't touch that class with a ten-foot pole. As opposed to the nine-foot pole they don't touch the Candle of Invocation with.:D On the contrary, we've actually designed a new kind of pole with a special variable length enchantment specifically for touching the planar shepard. Unfortunately it deletes a plane every time we use the pole, so we try to use it sparingly. Back on subject: I like Stormlord for a wrathful druid PrC. Full divine spellcasting and you can throw shocking lightning and sonic javlins to your heart's content. No Wild Shape or Animal Companion progression though.
The_Shaman 06-11-07, 04:28 PM	I'm fascinated by the twist introduced by the Master of Many forms and its little brothers, Warshaper and Nature's warrior. Between those three, you can make something quite memorable and possibly different from the "Nature's Whoopass in a Can" archetype most druids end up as.
sally_jones 06-14-07, 01:08 AM	if you have access to the book of exhalted deeds go for the lion of talisid. it stacks with druid for animal companion and wildshape.
Hellsbells 06-14-07, 09:13 AM	I recemend arcane hirophant and natures warrior. Also if you want to mix things up a bit you could take the alternate class options from PH2.
Mai_ariti 06-14-07, 10:09 AM	Master of Many Forms is fun (CAd) Blighter (if you become LE or CE) (CD) Dagger Spell Shaper is admissable (CAd) Geomancer Provides a lot of cool strange abilities (though you look like. . .well. . .wierd) (CD) I'd shy away from Dagger Spell Shaper and Blighter and Master of Many Forms has no Spellcasting.
RobbyPants 06-14-07, 10:25 AM	The Blighter is really only good for flavor reasons, and it doesn't advance the Druid's spellcasting. The class is bad to the point where you actually get weaker the first few levels you take! Compare: Druid 5: 5d8 hit dice BAB +3 Saves: Fort +4, Ref + 1, Will +4 5th level spellcasting (3rd level spells) Animal compainion (of 5th level ability) Wild shape Druid 5/Blighter 1: 6d8 hit dice BAB +3 Saves: Fort +6, Ref + 1, Will +6 1st level spellcasting (1st level spells) Burning Hands at will (or is that at a later level?) Not a particularly good trade-off. The only thing that works out for them is that they'll get access to 9th level spells quicker in the long haul (15th level). Don't get me wrong: I love the flavor of this class. I just think the mechanics are all wrong. The whole design concept revolves around Ex-Druids, which removes all of their abilities. They should either give them back earlier as variations (undead wildshape and undead companion), so you don't have to suffer for them. Also, a blackguard-like mechanic where you can immediatly trade in your druid levels could be interesting.
NorthSaber 12-25-07, 10:59 AM	I've also been looking for a good prestige class for a druid - what do you think of this one: Requirements: wild shape, ability to cast 3rd level divine spells Class features: - d8 hp, 4+int skill points - BAB 8/10 (+8 at level 10) - +5 to fort and will, +4 to ref (at level 10) - full 10/10 spellcasting to your druid Level Special 1st Wild shape +1/day*, Animal Companion* 2nd Wild shape +2/day 3rd Wild shape (Large) 4th Venom Immunity 5th Wild shape +3/day 6th Wild shape (Tiny) 7th Wild shape (Plant) 8th A thousand faces 9th Wild shape +4/day 10th Timeless body, wild shape (Huge) *) levels of this class fully stack with druid levels for these abilities. I think this would be an awesome prestige class. Full spellcasting, better-than-average BAB, and the specials are great. Look familiar? It's the druid levels from 6 to 15. You can't really get much better than that...
Cartigan 12-25-07, 01:21 PM	Why are you bumping a 6 month old thread just to be a smart ass?
NorthSaber 12-26-07, 08:13 AM	Why are you bumping a 6 month old thread just to be a smart ass? I thought it was relevant, and I thought this was the most appropriate thread for this comment. I did a search on druid prestige classes and wound up here.
Cartigan 12-26-07, 08:23 AM	I thought it was relevant, It wasn't.
RobbyPants 12-26-07, 01:18 PM	I've also been looking for a good prestige class for a druid - what do you think of this one: Requirements: wild shape, ability to cast 3rd level divine spells Class features: - d8 hp, 4+int skill points - BAB 8/10 (+8 at level 10) - +5 to fort and will, +4 to ref (at level 10) - full 10/10 spellcasting to your druid Level Special 1st Wild shape +1/day*, Animal Companion* 2nd Wild shape +2/day 3rd Wild shape (Large) 4th Venom Immunity 5th Wild shape +3/day 6th Wild shape (Tiny) 7th Wild shape (Plant) 8th A thousand faces 9th Wild shape +4/day 10th Timeless body, wild shape (Huge) *) levels of this class fully stack with druid levels for these abilities. I think this would be an awesome prestige class. Full spellcasting, better-than-average BAB, and the specials are great. Look familiar? It's the druid levels from 6 to 15. You can't really get much better than that... So what's this? 10 levels of Druid +1 BAB? :P They don't really need it ;) Yeah, in a game where Planar Shepherd isn't allowed (most hopefully), Druid 20 is a perfectly acceptable (and probably the best) build. Unless you're looking for some specific special ability and are willing to give up casting progression, wild shape progression, and/or animal companion progression, you're probably best off advancing all three with the base class.
Cartigan 12-26-07, 08:07 PM	Though if you really want to focus on wildshape over everything else, Master of Many Forms is a good choice. Warshaper would also be a good secondary PrC to support the MoMF.
archerpwr 12-26-07, 08:10 PM	Though if you really want to focus on wildshape over everything else, Master of Many Forms is a good choice. Warshaper would also be a good secondary PrC to support the MoMF. MoMF is good for about three levels. Enhance wildshape (SC) is a must.
Cartigan 12-26-07, 08:28 PM	MoMF is good for about three levels. Enhance wildshape (SC) is a must. I have to say "meh" to that. If you are going to stay Druid, or otherwise keep with a spellcasting progression, then yes, it is.
Anton_Vess 01-03-08, 01:05 AM	Is it possible to have a Druid/Necromancer(Cleric) Hybrid without losing his Druid abilities. Maybe go Lich later?
archerpwr 01-03-08, 09:11 AM	Is it possible to have a Druid/Necromancer(Cleric) Hybrid without losing his Druid abilities. Maybe go Lich later? Possible, yes. As long as the PC stays neutral in at least one componant. A good idea? Hell no.
RobbyPants 01-03-08, 09:04 PM	Let me elaborate on what archerpwr is saying (or what I think he's saying :P): while possible, this involves multiclassing out of druid, and not advancing the druid's abilities. One of the things that makes druids so freakin awesome is that they have three solid abilities that all advance nicely with level. Still, I guess for flavor the idea could be cool. I could see running an NPC like this, but not a PC.
archerpwr 01-03-08, 09:25 PM	Let me elaborate on what archerpwr is saying (or what I think he's saying :P): while possible, this involves multiclassing out of druid, and not advancing the druid's abilities. One of the things that makes druids so freakin awesome is that they have three solid abilities that all advance nicely with level. Still, I guess for flavor the idea could be cool. I could see running an NPC like this, but not a PC. Yep. I may be a bit sparse in my writing at times.
The_Shaman 01-04-08, 08:01 AM	Hmm, has anyone tried a Divine Disciple (FRCS/PGtF) on a druid? The extra domain could be useful, although the lack of shapeshifting progression is a pain. Still, it's only for 4 or 5 levels.
DonThelonious 01-04-08, 03:20 PM	I am currently playing a druid focused on wildshape and casting in wildshape, and I have to say that Warshaper is a very good class for a 2 level dip. You get immunity to criticals at first level, the ability to GROW new weapons (IE: Horns on a DIRE BEAR!) and you get the nifty ability to increase the damage for one of your natural weapons one step. Pretty sweet...
Timespike 01-06-08, 11:36 AM	I'd say there are really only about 4 druid PrCs worth actually using in play. (The planar shepherd is out because it's banned by so many) Daggerspell Shaper: Good for a druid that specializes in stealth and/or likes to operate in urban settings. Some nice other abilities, too. Arcane Hierophant:This thing is crazy good. druid 7/wizard 3/arcane hierophant isprobably the best path to take with this one, though druid 5/wizard 3/arcan hierophant 10/mystic theurge 2 isn't bad, either. Having dual-progression casting, wildshape advancement, and 3/4ths BAB is really nice. Lion of Talisid: You lag 2 levels behind in wildshape, but get pounce, full spellcasting progression, and access to exalted animal comanions as a class feature. Not too shabby. Fochlucan Lyrist: You'll hardly be recognizable as a druid after you take this one, but you also may not care much. It's extremely versatile (designed that way!) and makes you at least passably decent at, well, basically everything.
Cartigan 01-06-08, 11:43 AM	Fochlucan Lyrist: You'll hardly be recognizable as a druid after you take this one, but you also may not care much. It's extremely versatile (designed that way!) and makes you at least passably decent at, well, basically everything. And you have to be equally 'versatile' to qualify. You have to be a Bard, Druid, and Rogue.
archerpwr 01-06-08, 03:19 PM	I'd say there are really only about 4 druid PrCs worth actually using in play. (The planar shepherd is out because it's banned by so many) Daggerspell Shaper: Good for a druid that specializes in stealth and/or likes to operate in urban settings. Some nice other abilities, too. Arcane Hierophant:This thing is crazy good. druid 7/wizard 3/arcane hierophant isprobably the best path to take with this one, though druid 5/wizard 3/arcan hierophant 10/mystic theurge 2 isn't bad, either. Having dual-progression casting, wildshape advancement, and 3/4ths BAB is really nice. Lion of Talisid: You lag 2 levels behind in wildshape, but get pounce, full spellcasting progression, and access to exalted animal comanions as a class feature. Not too shabby. Fochlucan Lyrist: You'll hardly be recognizable as a druid after you take this one, but you also may not care much. It's extremely versatile (designed that way!) and makes you at least passably decent at, well, basically everything. Daggerspell shaper is OK if you houserule it to stack fully for wildshape (larger forms aren't given, probably an oversight). Still very niche AH- is niche. It's not outright bad, but I prefer ur priest for my dual progressions. It's not bad, but it's not as good as druid levels. Lion of Talisad (along with moonspeaker) is one of the prestige classes I consider to break even. Not ahead, but even with druid levels. Fochlucan Lyrist is a trap. I've never seen a viable build using it that doesn't assume starting at level 15 or so.
Cartigan 01-06-08, 04:08 PM	Also, Daggerspell Shaper has this small problem with there being only enough Druid touch spells to count on two hands (including supplements).
Timespike 01-07-08, 09:45 AM	Also, Daggerspell Shaper has this small problem with there being only enough Druid touch spells to count on two hands (including supplements). Some of those are nasty, though. Inferno, for instance...