Simple Druid Variant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Simple Druid Variant [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
lordyuri24
05-12-04, 07:58 PM Always liked the idea of the foaming at the mouth Druid who is basically a sword nut who cuts everyone that defiles a tree. The somewhat iconic "Druid Warrior" who doesn't use a battery of mystical powers (aside from general spellcasting) but instead lays the smack of nature down with his weapon or hands. To me this means some sort of Druid/Fighter hybrid. But rather than dig for some wierd PrC with a backstory and abilities I could deal without I though of just a basic variant for the druid, raping their special abilities for a little bit more combat prowess. Basically, here she is:
Looses: Animal Companion (screw using a moose to smote them loggers, they are getting some backhand wrath from my own sickle), Spontanious Casting (erm, why summon some freaky fire bat when I can just behead people?), Resist Nature's Lure (Fey don't fight, they are weak. I don't need to resist them, if it is ever a problem I am going a little bit Cold Iron Warrior), Thousand Faces (Change Face? Hit with Sword? The combat applications for this one make my head hurt, how does changing your face make you a better warrior? I can't turn into a dragon so why do I need it?). Basically, you trim some of the more nature based abilities that rely on magic, to focus more of dispensing feet in rears.
Gains: Fighter BAB (I don't have some bear fighting for me so now I can hit things myself, tehehe.) and Fighter Feats Every 10 Levels (I don't summon little beasties to perform freaky little tricks, so at least I can throw off a few).

What say ye? The Maxer in me or have I actually created something decent and balanced?
jagggar
05-12-04, 11:08 PM Well, part of me would just like to say, why not be a Ranger?

Actually, a Ranger/Fighter probably would do the best.
Shadowslayer
05-13-04, 02:40 PM I actually just recently made a druid variant that I quite like. He's not so much a 'death to the loggers' extremist (hey, even humans have their place in the natural order of things), but he does have a little more combat ability. Without giving you the whole list of changes, I call him the Storm Druid: ditched the animal companion and wild shape, granted fast movement and the whirling frenzy rage variant, and gave him a few other weather related abilities, including a specialized spell list. We're playtesting it right now, and it's looking fairly good so far.
Stillgrave
05-14-04, 08:55 AM Why in the world... that's not even considered a druid anymore. Why not just... multiclass Barbarian/Druid? Or be a Chaotic Good Cleric of nature? Or even the shaman from the oriental campaign book? There's plenty of prestige classes for druids in the Masters of the Wild book. I can only see this as a max post.
Shadowslayer
05-14-04, 10:34 AM Originally posted by Stillgrave
Why in the world...
Exactly. Because it is my world; and there I determine what a druid is or isn't.
Stillgrave
05-14-04, 09:14 PM Not you shadow, sorry 'bout that.
Shadowslayer
05-14-04, 10:15 PM Ah. My misunderstanding.
lordyuri24
05-14-04, 11:35 PM Originally posted by Stillgrave
Why in the world... that's not even considered a druid anymore. Why not just... multiclass Barbarian/Druid? Or be a Chaotic Good Cleric of nature? Or even the shaman from the oriental campaign book? There's plenty of prestige classes for druids in the Masters of the Wild book. I can only see this as a max post.
Yeah, because the Wildshape, Spell List, Nature Sense, Animal Empathy, Timless Body, and "Druid" levels don't in any way indicate a Druid?

I don't want to multiclass because that kills Spell/Wildshape options, I just want my character to be more combat versatile and this would accomplish this without sacrificing soem of the more Druid abilities (Yes, turning into a bear and casting Reincarnation is Druidy).
Shadowslayer
05-15-04, 09:48 AM This is in the Unearthed Arcana forum, so I assume you've at least glanced at the Druidic Avenger variant from page 51? Rage and Fast Movement, plus losing several of the class abilities you suggest - not a bad concept for what you're looking for, I think. I understand you want a better BAB, but I think you'd have trim a bit more off the class to justify that (in my campaign, anyway). What do you mean by fighter feats every 10 levels?
lordyuri24
05-15-04, 12:55 PM Originally posted by Shadowslayer
This is in the Unearthed Arcana forum, so I assume you've at least glanced at the Druidic Avenger variant from page 51? Rage and Fast Movement, plus losing several of the class abilities you suggest - not a bad concept for what you're looking for, I think. I understand you want a better BAB, but I think you'd have trim a bit more off the class to justify that (in my campaign, anyway). What do you mean by fighter feats every 10 levels?
Yes, but the Druidic avenger has a very savage feel to it, and I love it (I have used it in a game actually) I am going for a more old man type-druid (think Merlin type) so the frothing at the mouth Druid doesn't really appeal to this character concept.

As for trimming some off I think the best way to go might just be to ditch Wildshape, as it's benefits are basically on par with what I am gaining. As for the Fighter feats every 10 levels basically this variant would get a feat from the Fighter Bonus Feat list at every 10th level after 1, (1, 11, 21, etc...) just to keep it a little bit more competitive, although I am not to picky on dropping that.
Shadowslayer
05-15-04, 04:53 PM Ah, I see. Yeah, ditching Wild Shape is probably the best bet. While many seem to like it, it's always the first thing to go whenever I look at doing a druid variant. A good BAB and a few bonus feats should fill the gap nicely.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
lordyuri24 05-12-04, 07:58 PM	Always liked the idea of the foaming at the mouth Druid who is basically a sword nut who cuts everyone that defiles a tree. The somewhat iconic "Druid Warrior" who doesn't use a battery of mystical powers (aside from general spellcasting) but instead lays the smack of nature down with his weapon or hands. To me this means some sort of Druid/Fighter hybrid. But rather than dig for some wierd PrC with a backstory and abilities I could deal without I though of just a basic variant for the druid, raping their special abilities for a little bit more combat prowess. Basically, here she is: Looses: Animal Companion (screw using a moose to smote them loggers, they are getting some backhand wrath from my own sickle), Spontanious Casting (erm, why summon some freaky fire bat when I can just behead people?), Resist Nature's Lure (Fey don't fight, they are weak. I don't need to resist them, if it is ever a problem I am going a little bit Cold Iron Warrior), Thousand Faces (Change Face? Hit with Sword? The combat applications for this one make my head hurt, how does changing your face make you a better warrior? I can't turn into a dragon so why do I need it?). Basically, you trim some of the more nature based abilities that rely on magic, to focus more of dispensing feet in rears. Gains: Fighter BAB (I don't have some bear fighting for me so now I can hit things myself, tehehe.) and Fighter Feats Every 10 Levels (I don't summon little beasties to perform freaky little tricks, so at least I can throw off a few). What say ye? The Maxer in me or have I actually created something decent and balanced?
jagggar 05-12-04, 11:08 PM	Well, part of me would just like to say, why not be a Ranger? Actually, a Ranger/Fighter probably would do the best.
Shadowslayer 05-13-04, 02:40 PM	I actually just recently made a druid variant that I quite like. He's not so much a 'death to the loggers' extremist (hey, even humans have their place in the natural order of things), but he does have a little more combat ability. Without giving you the whole list of changes, I call him the Storm Druid: ditched the animal companion and wild shape, granted fast movement and the whirling frenzy rage variant, and gave him a few other weather related abilities, including a specialized spell list. We're playtesting it right now, and it's looking fairly good so far.
Stillgrave 05-14-04, 08:55 AM	Why in the world... that's not even considered a druid anymore. Why not just... multiclass Barbarian/Druid? Or be a Chaotic Good Cleric of nature? Or even the shaman from the oriental campaign book? There's plenty of prestige classes for druids in the Masters of the Wild book. I can only see this as a max post.
Shadowslayer 05-14-04, 10:34 AM	Originally posted by Stillgrave Why in the world... Exactly. Because it is my world; and there I determine what a druid is or isn't.
Stillgrave 05-14-04, 09:14 PM	Not you shadow, sorry 'bout that.
Shadowslayer 05-14-04, 10:15 PM	Ah. My misunderstanding.
lordyuri24 05-14-04, 11:35 PM	Originally posted by Stillgrave Why in the world... that's not even considered a druid anymore. Why not just... multiclass Barbarian/Druid? Or be a Chaotic Good Cleric of nature? Or even the shaman from the oriental campaign book? There's plenty of prestige classes for druids in the Masters of the Wild book. I can only see this as a max post. Yeah, because the Wildshape, Spell List, Nature Sense, Animal Empathy, Timless Body, and "Druid" levels don't in any way indicate a Druid? I don't want to multiclass because that kills Spell/Wildshape options, I just want my character to be more combat versatile and this would accomplish this without sacrificing soem of the more Druid abilities (Yes, turning into a bear and casting Reincarnation is Druidy).
Shadowslayer 05-15-04, 09:48 AM	This is in the Unearthed Arcana forum, so I assume you've at least glanced at the Druidic Avenger variant from page 51? Rage and Fast Movement, plus losing several of the class abilities you suggest - not a bad concept for what you're looking for, I think. I understand you want a better BAB, but I think you'd have trim a bit more off the class to justify that (in my campaign, anyway). What do you mean by fighter feats every 10 levels?
lordyuri24 05-15-04, 12:55 PM	Originally posted by Shadowslayer This is in the Unearthed Arcana forum, so I assume you've at least glanced at the Druidic Avenger variant from page 51? Rage and Fast Movement, plus losing several of the class abilities you suggest - not a bad concept for what you're looking for, I think. I understand you want a better BAB, but I think you'd have trim a bit more off the class to justify that (in my campaign, anyway). What do you mean by fighter feats every 10 levels? Yes, but the Druidic avenger has a very savage feel to it, and I love it (I have used it in a game actually) I am going for a more old man type-druid (think Merlin type) so the frothing at the mouth Druid doesn't really appeal to this character concept. As for trimming some off I think the best way to go might just be to ditch Wildshape, as it's benefits are basically on par with what I am gaining. As for the Fighter feats every 10 levels basically this variant would get a feat from the Fighter Bonus Feat list at every 10th level after 1, (1, 11, 21, etc...) just to keep it a little bit more competitive, although I am not to picky on dropping that.
Shadowslayer 05-15-04, 04:53 PM	Ah, I see. Yeah, ditching Wild Shape is probably the best bet. While many seem to like it, it's always the first thing to go whenever I look at doing a druid variant. A good BAB and a few bonus feats should fill the gap nicely.