Race for a druid [Archive] - Wizards Community

Race for a druid [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sexy_ferret
10-10-07, 12:53 AM I'm going to be in a 3.5 game soon. 5th level and I'm looking for a race LA+0 or +1 (trying not to use LAs) That would be best for a Druid. I'm probably going to go into beast master when I can.

Anyone know a good race and where to find it that would fit this. Also is there A Alternate Druid that doesn't get wild shape in favor of something else? I know wild shape is a huge thing for druids but I was looking to be a beast master + buffer. Instead of in the front line with wild shape.
Johnny_Angel
10-10-07, 03:24 AM I think a Gnome Druid would probably work fairly well.

There are some alternative Druid options in Player's Handbook 2, but I'm not sure if you have that available or not.

If you don't mind the LA, I suppose an Aasimar would be an ok Druid.
Orchomenos
10-10-07, 10:40 AM Forest Gnomes make excellent druids; so good your DM might be tempted to give them a +1 LA! Speak with Forest Animals, always on, make it easy to communicate with your minions/helpers. The STR & speed penalties are quickly forgotten with a good mount, and are just a bad memory with Wild Shape.

About Wild Shape variants, there is one in Unearthed Arcana, which can also be found in the SRD (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html), here (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedClasses.html). There are also the Avenger variant and the simple variant (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html#druid)where the druid looses Wild Shape for a Monk's AC and speed bonus and ranger's Favored Enemy and Track.
imakuni67
10-10-07, 12:20 PM Svirfneblin make great druids, though your spellcasting will be cramped. The benefit is that in your wild shape you still retain the svifneblin's racial dodge bonus to AC, where other races would lose natural armor. +3 ECL though...
Sexy_ferret
10-10-07, 12:50 PM What book is forest Gnome in? Its not in unearth Arcana since thats jungle gnome and doesnt have speak with animals >.<
Aleolus
10-10-07, 01:38 PM I would say Killoren. No ability adjustments, Fey, no LA, and three manifestations that they can switch between from day to day, providing various bonuses to different skills. Plus, a natural bonus to Handle Animals and Move Silently checks, and Elven immunity to Sleep and a +2 against enchantments. Their only downside is Cold Iron Anathema, which gives them a -2 penalty on any weapon made out of cold iron.
imakuni67
10-10-07, 01:48 PM What book is forest Gnome in? Its not in unearth Arcana since thats jungle gnome and doesnt have speak with animals >.<

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/gnome.htm

At the bottom :0
adamb0nd
10-10-07, 01:55 PM Druid

The druid might choose to give up her wild shape ability in exchange for becoming a swift and deadly hunter.
Gain

Bonus to Armor Class when unarmored (as monk, including Wisdom bonus to AC), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy (as ranger), swift tracker (as ranger), Track feat (as ranger).
Lose

Armor and shield proficiency, wild shape (all versions).
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#druid
RaivokasMagma
10-10-07, 01:59 PM I say Dream dwarf(Races of Stone) or Killoren(Races of wild). Both have LA +0 and favored class druid. Dream dwarf have +2 constitution,but -2 dex and spell power and Killoren has that Manifest thing.
GnomeNinja5
10-10-07, 02:06 PM Killoren or Gnome. Especially gnome or some other small druid, as with an eagle animal companion, it is capable of (slightly slowly) carrying you, allowing flying and maybe flying mounted combat!
HCL
10-10-07, 03:32 PM lizardfolk. If you dont want the racial hit dice just take them out :P
Ninja_Ferret
10-10-07, 04:32 PM Are Killoren Medium or small? Since it doesnt say in their Race stuff other then they are fey and have a 30 movement and can be 5' something. So would that make them a medium?
sir_argenon
10-10-07, 04:57 PM wow, that forest gnome is great. i never paid any attention to it for a druid. i always had killoren a the best 0 LA race.

and add on a riding dog animal companion mount...
Lord_Cronos
10-10-07, 06:19 PM My fav druid that I have played was a razor claw shifter druid/warshaper/weretouched master. He was a blender in melee and he had spells for range made the other melee guys cry.
ToastedAmphibian
10-10-07, 09:47 PM Wow... two things i never expected to say, certaintly not at the same time. I want to play a Gnome! I want to play a Druid! Seriously, wtf. That does look like a good, fun combination, especially with that variant that gives you favored enimes... thoes would stack with your racial bonus. But, why do they list "Kobold" and "Reptillian Humanoids" seperatly?
Ninja_Ferret
10-10-07, 10:24 PM actually yeah i like the forest gnome. but i dont like playing small creatures ether. So I guess ill have to work on that.

Could i use a Wolf as a mount/Companion. Since it should be around the same size as a riding dog. And Ill talk to my GM about the Variant rule. It does seem nice and fun to mess around with.

Also another question with companions. If i was to take one of the "more powerful" companions. which will lower my Effective druid level in companion right? So would taking the feat in complete adventure to raise it back up?
sir_argenon
10-11-07, 02:07 PM Wow... two things i never expected to say, certaintly not at the same time. I want to play a Gnome! I want to play a Druid! Seriously, wtf. That does look like a good, fun combination, especially with that variant that gives you favored enimes... thoes would stack with your racial bonus. But, why do they list "Kobold" and "Reptillian Humanoids" seperatly?
i guess because kobolds are "draconic", not reptillian.. maybe
sir_argenon
10-11-07, 02:15 PM actually yeah i like the forest gnome. but i dont like playing small creatures ether. So I guess ill have to work on that.

Could i use a Wolf as a mount/Companion. Since it should be around the same size as a riding dog. And Ill talk to my GM about the Variant rule. It does seem nice and fun to mess around with.

Also another question with companions. If i was to take one of the "more powerful" companions. which will lower my Effective druid level in companion right? So would taking the feat in complete adventure to raise it back up?
well, even at 5th level, the riding dog is better than a wolf. check out the stats.

as far as the Feat, i think that it does allow you to lower the penalties on the druid's level, but it doesnt allow you to get a higher level companion than you can normally get.

maybe you should check this out though, because i'm not so sure.
HCL
10-11-07, 02:23 PM go with a dire badger for your mount :)
Ninja_Ferret
10-11-07, 05:06 PM Well i know it cant go above my effective druid level. So me being 5th level i want to take a dire badger. But i also want to know if i could take Natural bond so it doesnt drop its 2 extra HD.
Darth Sephiroth
10-11-07, 05:55 PM One major option is a lesser Aasimar for the +2 Wisdom & Charisma, Darkvision, and a few other small bonus' that can do a lot to boost your abilities.

If you snag the Otherworldly feat you add the Native Outsider abilities. Celestial Heritage (Forgotten Realms) to boost Aasimar abilities to closer to a Half-Celestial.
The_Balrog
10-11-07, 10:15 PM Human. Boring but the best option.
Check this, you may find something you like

http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400
Ninja_Ferret
10-12-07, 07:21 PM Would the wild empathy from druid stack with ranger?
Drizztrocks
10-14-07, 02:21 PM Elven druid's I think would be fairly common, because they are so in touch with nature. Halflings and Gnomes sound great. And if you want to get really accentric, a dwarf. This may sound crazy, but it would be very interesting to play a dwarven druid that has completely different habits then other dwarves, and has there own view on things. Just an interesting thought coming from Salvatores character in The Legend of Drizzt, Pikel. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Orchomenos
10-14-07, 06:21 PM lizardfolk. If you dont want the racial hit dice just take them out :P

Bad choice. I like lizardfolks, but absolutely not for a druid. As soon as you get Wildshape, their nice natural armor and natural attacks are as useful as your first shirt.

go with a dire badger for your mount

THAT is a good suggestion! Badgers (http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com)
Ninja_Ferret
10-14-07, 06:31 PM Well im a goliath Druid ranger beastmaster. I have a wolf (companion for now) and two trained dire badgers :D

Thanks for the advice guys.
happy_fuzzy
10-15-07, 12:05 AM see if you can get a fleshraker dinosaur for ur companion instead of a wolf its MM3

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sexy_ferret 10-10-07, 12:53 AM	I'm going to be in a 3.5 game soon. 5th level and I'm looking for a race LA+0 or +1 (trying not to use LAs) That would be best for a Druid. I'm probably going to go into beast master when I can. Anyone know a good race and where to find it that would fit this. Also is there A Alternate Druid that doesn't get wild shape in favor of something else? I know wild shape is a huge thing for druids but I was looking to be a beast master + buffer. Instead of in the front line with wild shape.
Johnny_Angel 10-10-07, 03:24 AM	I think a Gnome Druid would probably work fairly well. There are some alternative Druid options in Player's Handbook 2, but I'm not sure if you have that available or not. If you don't mind the LA, I suppose an Aasimar would be an ok Druid.
Orchomenos 10-10-07, 10:40 AM	Forest Gnomes make excellent druids; so good your DM might be tempted to give them a +1 LA! Speak with Forest Animals, always on, make it easy to communicate with your minions/helpers. The STR & speed penalties are quickly forgotten with a good mount, and are just a bad memory with Wild Shape. About Wild Shape variants, there is one in Unearthed Arcana, which can also be found in the SRD (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/home.html), here (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedClasses.html). There are also the Avenger variant and the simple variant (http://www.systemreferencedocuments.org/35/sovelior_sage/unearthedCoreClass.html#druid)where the druid looses Wild Shape for a Monk's AC and speed bonus and ranger's Favored Enemy and Track.
imakuni67 10-10-07, 12:20 PM	Svirfneblin make great druids, though your spellcasting will be cramped. The benefit is that in your wild shape you still retain the svifneblin's racial dodge bonus to AC, where other races would lose natural armor. +3 ECL though...
Sexy_ferret 10-10-07, 12:50 PM	What book is forest Gnome in? Its not in unearth Arcana since thats jungle gnome and doesnt have speak with animals >.<
Aleolus 10-10-07, 01:38 PM	I would say Killoren. No ability adjustments, Fey, no LA, and three manifestations that they can switch between from day to day, providing various bonuses to different skills. Plus, a natural bonus to Handle Animals and Move Silently checks, and Elven immunity to Sleep and a +2 against enchantments. Their only downside is Cold Iron Anathema, which gives them a -2 penalty on any weapon made out of cold iron.
imakuni67 10-10-07, 01:48 PM	What book is forest Gnome in? Its not in unearth Arcana since thats jungle gnome and doesnt have speak with animals >.< http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/gnome.htm At the bottom :0
adamb0nd 10-10-07, 01:55 PM	Druid The druid might choose to give up her wild shape ability in exchange for becoming a swift and deadly hunter. Gain Bonus to Armor Class when unarmored (as monk, including Wisdom bonus to AC), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy (as ranger), swift tracker (as ranger), Track feat (as ranger). Lose Armor and shield proficiency, wild shape (all versions). http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#druid
RaivokasMagma 10-10-07, 01:59 PM	I say Dream dwarf(Races of Stone) or Killoren(Races of wild). Both have LA +0 and favored class druid. Dream dwarf have +2 constitution,but -2 dex and spell power and Killoren has that Manifest thing.
GnomeNinja5 10-10-07, 02:06 PM	Killoren or Gnome. Especially gnome or some other small druid, as with an eagle animal companion, it is capable of (slightly slowly) carrying you, allowing flying and maybe flying mounted combat!
HCL 10-10-07, 03:32 PM	lizardfolk. If you dont want the racial hit dice just take them out :P
Ninja_Ferret 10-10-07, 04:32 PM	Are Killoren Medium or small? Since it doesnt say in their Race stuff other then they are fey and have a 30 movement and can be 5' something. So would that make them a medium?
sir_argenon 10-10-07, 04:57 PM	wow, that forest gnome is great. i never paid any attention to it for a druid. i always had killoren a the best 0 LA race. and add on a riding dog animal companion mount...
Lord_Cronos 10-10-07, 06:19 PM	My fav druid that I have played was a razor claw shifter druid/warshaper/weretouched master. He was a blender in melee and he had spells for range made the other melee guys cry.
ToastedAmphibian 10-10-07, 09:47 PM	Wow... two things i never expected to say, certaintly not at the same time. I want to play a Gnome! I want to play a Druid! Seriously, wtf. That does look like a good, fun combination, especially with that variant that gives you favored enimes... thoes would stack with your racial bonus. But, why do they list "Kobold" and "Reptillian Humanoids" seperatly?
Ninja_Ferret 10-10-07, 10:24 PM	actually yeah i like the forest gnome. but i dont like playing small creatures ether. So I guess ill have to work on that. Could i use a Wolf as a mount/Companion. Since it should be around the same size as a riding dog. And Ill talk to my GM about the Variant rule. It does seem nice and fun to mess around with. Also another question with companions. If i was to take one of the "more powerful" companions. which will lower my Effective druid level in companion right? So would taking the feat in complete adventure to raise it back up?
sir_argenon 10-11-07, 02:07 PM	Wow... two things i never expected to say, certaintly not at the same time. I want to play a Gnome! I want to play a Druid! Seriously, wtf. That does look like a good, fun combination, especially with that variant that gives you favored enimes... thoes would stack with your racial bonus. But, why do they list "Kobold" and "Reptillian Humanoids" seperatly? i guess because kobolds are "draconic", not reptillian.. maybe
sir_argenon 10-11-07, 02:15 PM	actually yeah i like the forest gnome. but i dont like playing small creatures ether. So I guess ill have to work on that. Could i use a Wolf as a mount/Companion. Since it should be around the same size as a riding dog. And Ill talk to my GM about the Variant rule. It does seem nice and fun to mess around with. Also another question with companions. If i was to take one of the "more powerful" companions. which will lower my Effective druid level in companion right? So would taking the feat in complete adventure to raise it back up? well, even at 5th level, the riding dog is better than a wolf. check out the stats. as far as the Feat, i think that it does allow you to lower the penalties on the druid's level, but it doesnt allow you to get a higher level companion than you can normally get. maybe you should check this out though, because i'm not so sure.
HCL 10-11-07, 02:23 PM	go with a dire badger for your mount :)
Ninja_Ferret 10-11-07, 05:06 PM	Well i know it cant go above my effective druid level. So me being 5th level i want to take a dire badger. But i also want to know if i could take Natural bond so it doesnt drop its 2 extra HD.
Darth Sephiroth 10-11-07, 05:55 PM	One major option is a lesser Aasimar for the +2 Wisdom & Charisma, Darkvision, and a few other small bonus' that can do a lot to boost your abilities. If you snag the Otherworldly feat you add the Native Outsider abilities. Celestial Heritage (Forgotten Realms) to boost Aasimar abilities to closer to a Half-Celestial.
The_Balrog 10-11-07, 10:15 PM	Human. Boring but the best option. Check this, you may find something you like http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400
Ninja_Ferret 10-12-07, 07:21 PM	Would the wild empathy from druid stack with ranger?
Drizztrocks 10-14-07, 02:21 PM	Elven druid's I think would be fairly common, because they are so in touch with nature. Halflings and Gnomes sound great. And if you want to get really accentric, a dwarf. This may sound crazy, but it would be very interesting to play a dwarven druid that has completely different habits then other dwarves, and has there own view on things. Just an interesting thought coming from Salvatores character in The Legend of Drizzt, Pikel. :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
Orchomenos 10-14-07, 06:21 PM	lizardfolk. If you dont want the racial hit dice just take them out :P Bad choice. I like lizardfolks, but absolutely not for a druid. As soon as you get Wildshape, their nice natural armor and natural attacks are as useful as your first shirt. go with a dire badger for your mount THAT is a good suggestion! Badgers (http://www.badgerbadgerbadger.com)
Ninja_Ferret 10-14-07, 06:31 PM	Well im a goliath Druid ranger beastmaster. I have a wolf (companion for now) and two trained dire badgers :D Thanks for the advice guys.
happy_fuzzy 10-15-07, 12:05 AM	see if you can get a fleshraker dinosaur for ur companion instead of a wolf its MM3