Advice on a melee druid [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice on a melee druid [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
gmhack
01-17-07, 10:46 PM I posted this in the class section, but I think it might be better here:

Currently in the game I run the fighter type we had (Warblade 8) died and the player has decided he wanted to stop playing fighter types.
So he is introducing a 1/2 elf druid 8:

The rest of the party is:
Gnome Cleric 6/Divine Oracle 3
Human Ninja 7/ Psion 2
Halfling Bard 8
Human Wizard (Abjuration spec) 6/Wrym Wizard 2

So basically a player that has never played a Druid before is bringing one in who will have to essentially provide melee power for the party.

I would really appreciate it if I could get some advice to give him as to how he can do this successfully. Thanks in advance.
andinel
01-17-07, 10:57 PM Just make sure he knows how to use wild shape. After you find some good animals to use with it (you can look on the char op boards or just ask) your druid will melee just fine.
Krusk
01-17-07, 11:41 PM Take natural spell, and make sure he wildshapes a lot. Bears work just fine for this. He should be set.
Elemental_Elf
01-17-07, 11:56 PM Make sure he understands Wildshape and everyone is aware of the erratta. As for shapes, I agree with the above poster, bears are simple and effective. Also don't forget about his Animal Companion, which can be just as an effective Melee Tank as the Druid himself.
Tytalus
01-21-07, 08:55 PM It basically boils down to:

- Wildshape + Natural Spell + Self-Buffs
- Animal Companion

This thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=733400) outlines the optimal choices for each.

Note that half-elves are a sub-par race.
Dm_Farble
01-21-07, 09:44 PM I like summoning swarms of natures ally... I can cast 7th lvl spells so I use my tyrannosaurus alot... Then its a butload of natures allies...
On_the_wings_of_TPK
01-22-07, 09:18 AM Step one: change race to human, or not half-elf.

Step two: pick up augmented summoning, and natural spell. If he's human he'll have one feat left over. Don't spend it all in one place.

Step three: choose fun animal companoin. Riding dog trained for combat is fun, as is a dire something or another. And of course the mega raptor is always a crowd pleaser.

Step for: Turn into something fun, wade into combat with the animal companion within five feat of you. besure to double dip bufss, and heal spells. Or druid hangs back and uses summons nature's alley to swarm enemies.

Step five: Do a victory dance.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gmhack 01-17-07, 10:46 PM	I posted this in the class section, but I think it might be better here: Currently in the game I run the fighter type we had (Warblade 8) died and the player has decided he wanted to stop playing fighter types. So he is introducing a 1/2 elf druid 8: The rest of the party is: Gnome Cleric 6/Divine Oracle 3 Human Ninja 7/ Psion 2 Halfling Bard 8 Human Wizard (Abjuration spec) 6/Wrym Wizard 2 So basically a player that has never played a Druid before is bringing one in who will have to essentially provide melee power for the party. I would really appreciate it if I could get some advice to give him as to how he can do this successfully. Thanks in advance.
andinel 01-17-07, 10:57 PM	Just make sure he knows how to use wild shape. After you find some good animals to use with it (you can look on the char op boards or just ask) your druid will melee just fine.
Krusk 01-17-07, 11:41 PM	Take natural spell, and make sure he wildshapes a lot. Bears work just fine for this. He should be set.
Elemental_Elf 01-17-07, 11:56 PM	Make sure he understands Wildshape and everyone is aware of the erratta. As for shapes, I agree with the above poster, bears are simple and effective. Also don't forget about his Animal Companion, which can be just as an effective Melee Tank as the Druid himself.
Tytalus 01-21-07, 08:55 PM	It basically boils down to: - Wildshape + Natural Spell + Self-Buffs - Animal Companion This thread (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=733400) outlines the optimal choices for each. Note that half-elves are a sub-par race.
Dm_Farble 01-21-07, 09:44 PM	I like summoning swarms of natures ally... I can cast 7th lvl spells so I use my tyrannosaurus alot... Then its a butload of natures allies...
On_the_wings_of_TPK 01-22-07, 09:18 AM	Step one: change race to human, or not half-elf. Step two: pick up augmented summoning, and natural spell. If he's human he'll have one feat left over. Don't spend it all in one place. Step three: choose fun animal companoin. Riding dog trained for combat is fun, as is a dire something or another. And of course the mega raptor is always a crowd pleaser. Step for: Turn into something fun, wade into combat with the animal companion within five feat of you. besure to double dip bufss, and heal spells. Or druid hangs back and uses summons nature's alley to swarm enemies. Step five: Do a victory dance.