Any reason to pump Survival? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Any reason to pump Survival? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
FrostHammer
11-18-07, 03:47 AM I'm a Druid and I don't have the Track feat. I've got a +19 survival modifier at level 6. Will I ever need it that high? I've got Endure elements as a spell, and I'm sure I can feed myself and my entire party with no problem.
KIDS
11-18-07, 07:57 AM It's always useful, stacking of negative modifiers (for tracking but well, you don't have the feat, you might want to take it though) can still make a high DC and you could always roll low or etc., you won't always be able to take 10 etc. I think it is your signature move (one of) and an even better modifier can't hurt. It also depends on how far your game will go, in epic you need a high modifier to track in water or air.

That said, if you have other more pressing needs, +19 will carry you on very well for at least several more levels.
FrostHammer
11-18-07, 12:39 PM Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do.
Salla
11-18-07, 01:08 PM Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do.

I wouldn't put more than 5 ranks in it, myself. Just enough to determine which way is north. Let the Ranger take it from there.

Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :)
PhaedrusXY
11-18-07, 01:58 PM If you already have a ranger, then no. I wouldn't put many ranks in it. Unless he's not...
FrostHammer
11-18-07, 02:00 PM Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :)

Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6?
BW0222
11-18-07, 02:01 PM FrostHammer,

I'm a Druid and I don't have the Track feat. I've got a +19 survival modifier at level 6. Will I ever need it that high?

Not likely. It is high enough to do almost anything you will typically need -- finding food, predicting the weather, give pluses on fortitude saves against weather, making a shelter, etc. Even if you need to do something which for some reason you can't do, minor spells will do it for you (goodberry makes food, create water makes water, wall of stone makes shelter, find the path gets you out of a forest, etc.)

I normally stop at +10 or so on survival. After that, put ranks into concentration, listen, stop, perhaps handle animal, craft, etc.
Monstar
11-18-07, 02:16 PM Plus if you wild shape into a wolf or some other animal with track as a bonus feat you gain that feat while in that form. So if the ranger looses the trail you can find it again real quick. If you cast the spell that gives you scent you'll be a much better tracker than the ranger.
I don't know if your DM uses weather but if he does you can predict it a day in advance. This can be handy sometimes.
FrostHammer
11-18-07, 02:54 PM Well if I only invest 5 ranks in it, I'll still have a +15 modifier. that's probably good enough.
StevenO
11-18-07, 04:25 PM Except for Tracking a +14 modifier is probably all you'd ever need as even a natural 1 gets you a 15 on your check which hits all the DCs in the PHB.
Salla
11-18-07, 04:39 PM Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6?

Unfortunately, I only know of Druid tricks second-hand, having never been interested in playing one. :)
The_Shaman
11-18-07, 05:04 PM Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6?

What do you mean? It's not like you learn how to morph into 1 animal every level. You can take the form of whatever is most convenient at the time. It's up to you and the DM to determine if there will be any limitation - say you being able to morph only into animals you've seen, or depending on your knowledge (nature) skill, or whether any animal is okay. Out of the MM forms you can access, I'd say the crocodile (decent attacks, powerful, improved grab), leopard (pounce, climb) and the eagle (flight, good spot modifiers) will probably see most use. If you can find a medium-sized dire bird, it might be the best idea for the outdoors.
navar100
11-18-07, 07:31 PM Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do.

It doesn't hurt to have two characters in the party track. It's possible for one tracker to miss something (rolls low) while the others spots it (rolls high). It could be used to get more information from tracking. Ranger's track might tell you 5 orcs passed by 2 days ago. Druid's track says they met 3 hobgoblins 30ft that away and they weren't fighting as you looked in a different direction from the ranger. The ranger could have spotted it, but it would have required a second roll as he searched a different area.

Both of you making the roll for the same track marks might give the DM a reason to give more information as if it were a higher DC. Granted, that's probably a Rule 0 since it's more than just Aid Another, but it's reasonable and not so broken the game can no longer be played. Tracking is merely the means to get to the meat of the adventure, not the adventure itself.
chitzk0i
11-18-07, 08:34 PM I wouldn't put more than 5 ranks in it, myself. Just enough to determine which way is north. Let the Ranger take it from there.

Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :)

As per the errata, you can't gain scent from wildshape. Wildshape is now based on Alternate Form, not polymorph.
Axiomatic_vampire
11-19-07, 12:45 PM I normally stop at +10 or so on survival. After that, put ranks into concentration, listen, stop, perhaps handle animal, craft, etc.

Wish I had ten ranks in the stop skill. Maybe I wouldn't lose my shirt every freaking time I gamble.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
FrostHammer 11-18-07, 03:47 AM	I'm a Druid and I don't have the Track feat. I've got a +19 survival modifier at level 6. Will I ever need it that high? I've got Endure elements as a spell, and I'm sure I can feed myself and my entire party with no problem.
KIDS 11-18-07, 07:57 AM	It's always useful, stacking of negative modifiers (for tracking but well, you don't have the feat, you might want to take it though) can still make a high DC and you could always roll low or etc., you won't always be able to take 10 etc. I think it is your signature move (one of) and an even better modifier can't hurt. It also depends on how far your game will go, in epic you need a high modifier to track in water or air. That said, if you have other more pressing needs, +19 will carry you on very well for at least several more levels.
FrostHammer 11-18-07, 12:39 PM	Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do.
Salla 11-18-07, 01:08 PM	Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do. I wouldn't put more than 5 ranks in it, myself. Just enough to determine which way is north. Let the Ranger take it from there. Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :)
PhaedrusXY 11-18-07, 01:58 PM	If you already have a ranger, then no. I wouldn't put many ranks in it. Unless he's not...
FrostHammer 11-18-07, 02:00 PM	Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :) Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6?
BW0222 11-18-07, 02:01 PM	FrostHammer, I'm a Druid and I don't have the Track feat. I've got a +19 survival modifier at level 6. Will I ever need it that high? Not likely. It is high enough to do almost anything you will typically need -- finding food, predicting the weather, give pluses on fortitude saves against weather, making a shelter, etc. Even if you need to do something which for some reason you can't do, minor spells will do it for you (goodberry makes food, create water makes water, wall of stone makes shelter, find the path gets you out of a forest, etc.) I normally stop at +10 or so on survival. After that, put ranks into concentration, listen, stop, perhaps handle animal, craft, etc.
Monstar 11-18-07, 02:16 PM	Plus if you wild shape into a wolf or some other animal with track as a bonus feat you gain that feat while in that form. So if the ranger looses the trail you can find it again real quick. If you cast the spell that gives you scent you'll be a much better tracker than the ranger. I don't know if your DM uses weather but if he does you can predict it a day in advance. This can be handy sometimes.
FrostHammer 11-18-07, 02:54 PM	Well if I only invest 5 ranks in it, I'll still have a +15 modifier. that's probably good enough.
StevenO 11-18-07, 04:25 PM	Except for Tracking a +14 modifier is probably all you'd ever need as even a natural 1 gets you a 15 on your check which hits all the DCs in the PHB.
Salla 11-18-07, 04:39 PM	Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6? Unfortunately, I only know of Druid tricks second-hand, having never been interested in playing one. :)
The_Shaman 11-18-07, 05:04 PM	Any suggestions on which animal form to take at level 6? What do you mean? It's not like you learn how to morph into 1 animal every level. You can take the form of whatever is most convenient at the time. It's up to you and the DM to determine if there will be any limitation - say you being able to morph only into animals you've seen, or depending on your knowledge (nature) skill, or whether any animal is okay. Out of the MM forms you can access, I'd say the crocodile (decent attacks, powerful, improved grab), leopard (pounce, climb) and the eagle (flight, good spot modifiers) will probably see most use. If you can find a medium-sized dire bird, it might be the best idea for the outdoors.
navar100 11-18-07, 07:31 PM	Well that's the thing. We've already got a Ranger who does tracking, so I only need survival for other things, and the most difficult thing is to provide food for large gorups of people which I can already do. It doesn't hurt to have two characters in the party track. It's possible for one tracker to miss something (rolls low) while the others spots it (rolls high). It could be used to get more information from tracking. Ranger's track might tell you 5 orcs passed by 2 days ago. Druid's track says they met 3 hobgoblins 30ft that away and they weren't fighting as you looked in a different direction from the ranger. The ranger could have spotted it, but it would have required a second roll as he searched a different area. Both of you making the roll for the same track marks might give the DM a reason to give more information as if it were a higher DC. Granted, that's probably a Rule 0 since it's more than just Aid Another, but it's reasonable and not so broken the game can no longer be played. Tracking is merely the means to get to the meat of the adventure, not the adventure itself.
chitzk0i 11-18-07, 08:34 PM	I wouldn't put more than 5 ranks in it, myself. Just enough to determine which way is north. Let the Ranger take it from there. Besides, if you need to track, just Wild Shape into something with Scent. :) As per the errata, you can't gain scent from wildshape. Wildshape is now based on Alternate Form, not polymorph.
Axiomatic_vampire 11-19-07, 12:45 PM	I normally stop at +10 or so on survival. After that, put ranks into concentration, listen, stop, perhaps handle animal, craft, etc. Wish I had ten ranks in the stop skill. Maybe I wouldn't lose my shirt every freaking time I gamble.