Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-19-05, 07:32 PM	Background Information: I think I am posting to the correct board, if I am not, please let me know where the correct place to post is, so I can repost this there. I am still rather new to the D&D world and have only run characters in 3.5 campaigns. A friend of mine is starting a campaign in a few weeks based on 3.0, since that is what he is used to playing and DMing. I managed to find a 3.0 PHB in a used bookstore, and there appears only to be minor differences in the character class I am contemplating running, so that doesn't bother me too much. I am thinking about running a druid. I know that the animal companion is much stronger in 3.5, than 3.0, but that's really a minor issue to me at this point. My Real Post: As I have never run a spell caster before, I just wanted some input as I am setting my stats. We are starting as level 6 characters and the stats scores are being based on a point-buy. We have 28 points to spend on the stats. The preliminary stats that I set (before racial modifers and the increase at level 4) were: STR - 12 DEX - 10 CON - 11 INT - 12 WIS - 17 CHA - 10 I was thinking about being of the gnome race (-2 str, +2 con). And I added the +1 from level 4 to wis, so I could have the +4 modifier to increase my will save. Leaving final scores of: STR - 10 DEX - 10 CON - 13 INT - 12 WIS - 18 CHA - 10 I know that dex is important for reflex saving throws and AC, but AC will also have my sive modifer from being a gnome, so I think I can deal with out a modifer in dex, but am not positive. I chose to have a modifer in con over dex for fortitude saves and concentration checks. I think concentration is important for a spellcaster. I don't know if fortitude or reflex saves are better for them though. I also understand that 10 isn't really that great of a score, but does a spellcaster really need a strenghth of above 10? And if I don't care about being diplomatic, is a charisma score of 10 neccessarily bad? These are not set in stone, so I can still change them around however I see fit. Are these score an okay set for a gnome druid? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. :) Sorry if this post was a bit long.
evilviper77 06-19-05, 08:40 PM	The stats seem pretty solid, but personally i would prefer my int at 10 and moving dex up to 12 for AC, inititive, and ranged touch attack spells among other things i can't/am to tired to think up right now :D
ehrin 06-19-05, 09:40 PM	you can also, at level 6, forego the con number and put the points elsewhere. Your shapechange will allow you all the hitpoints you need soon enough.
allenchan 06-19-05, 09:44 PM	At level 6 you dont need ANY points in str, dex, or con. Thats right, they'd be 6, 10, and 8. Wildshape, anyone? :rolleyes: :P
The Half-Orc Wizard 06-19-05, 10:12 PM	I think those are perfectly fine stats for a Druid. I, personnally, like dex a lot, so maybe I would consider switching it with Int. Just me, though. But, yeah, as the others said, wild shape significantly lowers the importantance of the physical stats. Doesn't mean a high con or dex wouldn't help, but you can do without it. Always loved the idea of a gnome druid...good luck.
Jonnadiah 06-20-05, 09:41 AM	INT and DEX are an obvious switch, but your CHA is a little low, especially if you want to control animals and whatnot. But if you're going to be a wild shaping rambo druid, there's really no need to switch anything but INT and DEX
Beamup 06-20-05, 11:06 AM	28 point buy as a level 6 Druid? That's easy. Str: 8 Dex: 8 Con: 8 Int: 14 Wis: 18 (+1 from level to 19, getting to 20 at level 8 will be worth the 3 points) Cha: 14 If you're already level 6, your physical stats are essentially meaningless. Ignore them. Also, Human is by far the best choice for your race - no other racial benefit comes anywhere close to a bonus feat, especially when your physical stats don't matter.
ajmastrean 06-20-05, 02:10 PM	Those stats are fine, especially considering your race (gnomes aren't are little people, but you can sac Dex for more Con). The important question is...do they fit the role/character? Do these stats compliment where your character came from/is going? and his major role in the party (skills, casting, etc)? As they are, it seems you can cast plenty well. I wouldn't worry about the Cha too much. There are spells and skill points to back up a lower ability score. And the extra Int is useful depending on what you want the character to know...not what the cookie-cutter min/maxed Druid is supposed to be.
Seeker_of_Dragons 06-20-05, 02:30 PM	Looks pretty good to me as well. Like has been stated before, STR, DEX, and CON aren't terribly important once you get wild shape. I've always enjoyed the druids I've played and most have leaned towards the gnomish side. Get yourself a Dire Badger companion and have at it :D free communication at least once per day and a nice burrow to sleep in at night. SoD
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-20-05, 05:05 PM	Thanks to everyone who gave input so far. I didn't realize that strength and dexterity weren't as important to a druid as I thought they were. So I think I may end up lowing them and increasing my charisma. Several of you said that the intellignce could stand to be lower, but I had it at the 12 so I could have the modifer on checks based off intelligence. Last time this DM ran a campaign, most of the checks the party had to make used the int modifer, not that it'll be like that again, but it's always good to be prepared. :) I still have time to decide before making anything final. And I'll still take any input. I just wanted to say thanks to those who had responded so far.
Callista 06-20-05, 05:12 PM	Hey, it's your first character, and you're doing better than I did. You'll learn as you go along :) Speaking of which, can somebody post a link to a good version of the 3.5 SRDs? You should be able to convert what needs to be converted to 3.5 (the animal companion) by looking at them. I'm at the library and don't have my Favorites menu :P
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-20-05, 05:20 PM	Hey, it's your first character, and you're doing better than I did. You'll learn as you go along :) Speaking of which, can somebody post a link to a good version of the 3.5 SRDs? You should be able to convert what needs to be converted to 3.5 (the animal companion) by looking at them. I'm at the library and don't have my Favorites menu :P Well, it's my first spell caster character. My 3rd overall character (but the last 2 campaigns I ran fighters). And I have a 3.5 phb (so I have the 3.5 animal companion stuff), but the DM wants us to use 3.0 character creation rules, which means a weaker animal companion, but oh well.
RogerWilco 06-20-05, 05:29 PM	For the SRD3.5 see my sig. As for the druid, I only know 3.5, but I would put most points in WIS, and INT a close second. WIS is everything for a druid, INT is always nice for skillpoints and such. STR, DEX, CON don't matter that much, if you have wildshape, and d8 hitdice. You need enough STR to carry your equipement, depending on your armor (leather?), and if you want to be encumbered, you could go with STR8 or STR10. I'm playing a Sun-elf druid in the Forgotten Realms, with Education and Sehanine Moonbow as deity, I realy like it. We're at 32 point buy, but with 28 points I would go STR9, DEX10, CON10, INT14, WIS17, CHA12 if playing a human, or gnome. 9,10,8,16,17,12 if playing a Sunelf. (these are after racial adj.)
Count Arioch the 28th 06-21-05, 05:28 AM	You're forgetting Charisma. Charisma is also fairly important for a druid.
IceFractal 06-21-05, 05:55 AM	Well, it's nice to have good Charisma, but I don't know if it's that important for a Druid per se, any more than it is for most classes. Depending on how Wild Shape and HP are ruled IYC, you might want to have a good Con. So I'd put my priority at: [Wis Int-Cha Con-Dex-Str] if you do gain higher HP when wildshaping, or [Wis Con Int-Cha Dex-Str] if you don't. (The dashes indicate two stats that are roughly at the same priority).
Hvitar-Hrafnar 06-21-05, 12:23 PM	28 point buy as a level 6 Druid? That's easy. Str: 8 Dex: 8 Con: 8 Int: 14 Wis: 18 (+1 from level to 19, getting to 20 at level 8 will be worth the 3 points) Cha: 14 If you're already level 6, your physical stats are essentially meaningless. Ignore them. Also, Human is by far the best choice for your race - no other racial benefit comes anywhere close to a bonus feat, especially when your physical stats don't matter. Actually that isn't entirely true. My druid is level 8/druid level 1/iron feather [Class I made up] and although he has an animal companion tank with 29 STR and large wildshape I still rely on my STR for melee attacks with my sword [+3 Flaming Burst Scimitar of Undead Bane], heavily on my DEX for a high AC [22 AC: Glamered Ironwood Armor, Large Wooden Shield, +2 Dex Modifier] and my constitution for high HP [89, as high as the Barbarian in the group] Without my physical stats I wouldn't be half as hardy or powerful. Your stats are not bad for a druid. I'm not used to having low powered characters [My campaign uses 1d20 with house reroll rules, my lowest stat was 15] but here is what I think is the order of importance in stats for a Druid: Wisdom: Adds to many skills, allows higher spells and more spells per day. Constitution: If you want to excel above the physically weak arcane casters, high constitution is the key to having plenty of HP to spare. Intelligence: Your INT bonus will be nice for extra skills. Charisma: It's always nice to look good and have good people skills but this will also help you if you are going to be dealing with animals personally or in a nature setting. Strength and Dexterity: Both of these stats are equal with Charisma in how much you need them. They are not vital but high STR is good for weak companions and high DEX is good for a great AC. If you plan to rely on wild shape to help your physical abilities, make SURE to have the wild spell feat so you can have physical and divine power in wild shape. In my campaign, people least expect a raven to fly in and start casting call lightning. Even so, I don't advise getting ANY stats with negative modifiers. If you need any more help or have questions, post em'.
Squirrel_of_the_Forrest 06-21-05, 04:30 PM	If you plan to rely on wild shape to help your physical abilities, make SURE to have the wild spell feat so you can have physical and divine power in wild shape. In my campaign, people least expect a raven to fly in and start casting call lightning. Even so, I don't advise getting ANY stats with negative modifiers. If you need any more help or have questions, post em'. What book is the wild spell feat in? And it's not one listed in the phb, so I assume it must be in a supplemental book. If you know and could tell me I'd greatly appreciate it, so I could see if the DM will allow the use of it. Thanks.
Merestil Haye 06-21-05, 07:12 PM	I assume from context that Hvitar-Hrafnar means the Natural Spell feat. It's in the 3.5 PHB.
Zerock the Druid 06-21-05, 07:29 PM	I play a druid at 3rd level. and my DM dosent have a problem if i mix the 3.5 rules with the 3.0 rules. Besides that, we roll for scores. I would recemened playing a Half-Elven or Elven Druid. Because they have a good tie with natural creatures. Even though they lose there weapon proficiencys, they are good races to play with. By the way... my scores are very good :D STR 18 DEX 16 CON 14 INT 14 WIS 18 CHA 12 (I did roll these scores)