Druid variant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Druid variant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
imneuromancer
12-16-06, 09:17 PM Hey all, I have been looking at the variant rules for shapechanging in the UNearthed Arcana, and I just don't like it. While I appreciate the idea of limiting or changing the utterly broken Wildshape rules.

If nothing else, it basically means that Druids can completely dump 2-4 of their stats... STR and DEX are completely dumped, CHA is a dump unless you are a "diplomat" druid (which, incidentally, is viable), and even INT doesn't need to be that high because they get a decent amount of skill points.

CON now needs to be high because your HP don't change, and WIS is good for spellcasting, etc.

OK, so here is my idea:

For every wildshape use, you can instead take one buff spell(personal range) of two levels lower than the highest spell level you can cast and instead make it last for 1 hour/level.

So, instead of Bull Strength lasting 7 minutes at 7th level, it could instead last 7 hours (it is a 4th level spell, so a second level spell could be cast)

Can anyone think of a way that this is completely game breaking, either way? Are there any spells that would completely destroy the game?

This way, being a druid would be a lot like being a cleric: you have a lot of good buffs, but you can't completely dump stats, etc.
ElvenOutlaw
12-16-06, 11:26 PM Hey all, I have been looking at the variant rules for shapechanging in the UNearthed Arcana, and I just don't like it. While I appreciate the idea of limiting or changing the utterly broken Wildshape rules.

Just like the Shapeshift alternative in PHB II too, they are just that "Variant" rules. If you don't like it, no one is making you use it.

This way, being a druid would be a lot like being a cleric: you have a lot of good buffs, but you can't completely dump stats, etc.

Or you could make a cleric with Plant and Nature domains.......
Keterys
12-16-06, 11:28 PM If you really dislike wild shape, try the PHB2 shapeshift variant.

That said, I'd let them keep their pet, or otherwise improve them in some way. It's a big big nerf.

P.S. Just so it's said, I like the design on the PHB2 version _much_ better. Design-wise, awesome stuff. Just... extremely limited.
imneuromancer
12-16-06, 11:50 PM Yep, I just read the variant from a friend's copy of PHBII. Yeah, that is the way it should go. +X enhancement bonuses, but you can't dump the stats.

I think that it would be fair to allow companion progression at Ranger levels... a good compromise between not having a companion and having a very powerful companion.

Thanks for the suggestion, all!!
memberZ
12-17-06, 02:20 AM In the past I completely gutted the druid(player asked for something different). Changed it's psuedo flavor from hippie to more native american battle cry tracker.

Gut the druid of :
animal companion, wild shape, armor + sheild prof., wild empathy, resist natures lure, and nature sense and the skill profession

Give it :
Bonus to armor from wisdom, the DR tree of the barbarian, Bardic knowledge and the inspire tree from the bard, and track, swift track, and favored enemy progression of the ranger, and add the skill perform

It still played out as a tough character. Once buffed it really could hop into combat and shine against it's enemies. Removed from combat it could aid with it's battle songs and healing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
imneuromancer 12-16-06, 09:17 PM	Hey all, I have been looking at the variant rules for shapechanging in the UNearthed Arcana, and I just don't like it. While I appreciate the idea of limiting or changing the utterly broken Wildshape rules. If nothing else, it basically means that Druids can completely dump 2-4 of their stats... STR and DEX are completely dumped, CHA is a dump unless you are a "diplomat" druid (which, incidentally, is viable), and even INT doesn't need to be that high because they get a decent amount of skill points. CON now needs to be high because your HP don't change, and WIS is good for spellcasting, etc. OK, so here is my idea: For every wildshape use, you can instead take one buff spell(personal range) of two levels lower than the highest spell level you can cast and instead make it last for 1 hour/level. So, instead of Bull Strength lasting 7 minutes at 7th level, it could instead last 7 hours (it is a 4th level spell, so a second level spell could be cast) Can anyone think of a way that this is completely game breaking, either way? Are there any spells that would completely destroy the game? This way, being a druid would be a lot like being a cleric: you have a lot of good buffs, but you can't completely dump stats, etc.
ElvenOutlaw 12-16-06, 11:26 PM	Hey all, I have been looking at the variant rules for shapechanging in the UNearthed Arcana, and I just don't like it. While I appreciate the idea of limiting or changing the utterly broken Wildshape rules. Just like the Shapeshift alternative in PHB II too, they are just that "Variant" rules. If you don't like it, no one is making you use it. This way, being a druid would be a lot like being a cleric: you have a lot of good buffs, but you can't completely dump stats, etc. Or you could make a cleric with Plant and Nature domains.......
Keterys 12-16-06, 11:28 PM	If you really dislike wild shape, try the PHB2 shapeshift variant. That said, I'd let them keep their pet, or otherwise improve them in some way. It's a big big nerf. P.S. Just so it's said, I like the design on the PHB2 version _much_ better. Design-wise, awesome stuff. Just... extremely limited.
imneuromancer 12-16-06, 11:50 PM	Yep, I just read the variant from a friend's copy of PHBII. Yeah, that is the way it should go. +X enhancement bonuses, but you can't dump the stats. I think that it would be fair to allow companion progression at Ranger levels... a good compromise between not having a companion and having a very powerful companion. Thanks for the suggestion, all!!
memberZ 12-17-06, 02:20 AM	In the past I completely gutted the druid(player asked for something different). Changed it's psuedo flavor from hippie to more native american battle cry tracker. Gut the druid of : animal companion, wild shape, armor + sheild prof., wild empathy, resist natures lure, and nature sense and the skill profession Give it : Bonus to armor from wisdom, the DR tree of the barbarian, Bardic knowledge and the inspire tree from the bard, and track, swift track, and favored enemy progression of the ranger, and add the skill perform It still played out as a tough character. Once buffed it really could hop into combat and shine against it's enemies. Removed from combat it could aid with it's battle songs and healing.