How do I make the best druid? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How do I make the best druid? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Brotha_T
07-11-06, 03:10 PM I'll be starting a new campaign soon and I will be playing a druid, but I've never played one before. I've browsed wizards and read up the class, but I would like some advice from the druid veterans, or just players who have interacted with them a lot. Right now the race is undecided, but I do know that the DM sticks pretty close to v3.5 and the complete ___ series. I would appreciate tips on feat selection, skills, the role in a 4 person party (other classes unknown at this point), or just some anecdotes about your own experiences.
rogue_lettuce
07-11-06, 03:19 PM If you want to be effective casting, you're going to need Natural Spell unless you've got a variant that doesn't wildshape. You might want to look at Complete Divine for feats that will improve your spellcasting, new spells, etc. You might also want to specialise in wildshaping, in which case you can look at the Warshaper and so on. Finally, don't neglect your animal companion. An improved trip companion, or one with rend/etc can really turn the tide of the battle.
Azezel
07-11-06, 04:11 PM Try the Character Optimisation boards, that's what they're there for.

Er, Good luck, it's scary down there...
kuhTHOOloo
07-11-06, 04:12 PM What level are you starting at? If you're able to wildshape early on in the campaign, I suggest your druid be higher up in age. That way you'll have a couple +1's to wisdom, and the penalties to str/con/dex won't mean anything once you're in the form of another creature.
Stumm_Dolch
07-11-06, 04:35 PM I'm not suggesting you won't get good responses here with good answeres but you're almost guaranteed to get what you are looking for from the character optimization boards.
SoldierOfFortune187
07-11-06, 04:46 PM (all views presented in this post are opinions)

Short version : I see Druid's as secondary characters. No I don't mean they pale in comparison to other, more specialized classes. Rather, I see them as being able to take up many different responsibilities within a party, sort of picking up the slack on whatever is required. Powerful buffs, combat and spell versatility, they really do a bit of everything.

Then there's the build. You really need to ask yourself, having never played a druid as you suggest, 'what do I want to be able to do?' Is spellcasting important for your druid or do you want to focus on other class features and the related prestige classes?

Also, read the errata! Wildshape differs now from other sorts of polymorph effects. If you are going to focus on your Wildshaping abilities you can't simply dump a low ability score into Constitution.

Long version : As above, check the CO boards.

Welcome to a very diverse class that can be just about anything you want or need it to be. Enjoy!
Brotha_T
07-11-06, 05:27 PM If you're able to wildshape early on in the campaign, I suggest your druid be higher up in age. That way you'll have a couple +1's to wisdom, and the penalties to str/con/dex won't mean anything once you're in the form of another creature.

For everyone that has suggested the character op boards, thanks. I've been there and so far the response hasn't been nearly as good, so thanks for offering the advice here.

Now as for the quote, the age is one thing that I'm trying to decide on now. I originally wanted to be venerable (+3 wis/int/cha, -6 dex/str/con), but I'm not sure he'll survive. We are starting out at lvl 1, so I would have a diffucult time just getting to lvl 5. I think I want to focus on summoning and wildshaping, so I don't need particularly high dex, str, or AC, but that may change depending on what classes the rest of the party chooses. Has anyone else had experience playing a venerable character? What are some of the not-so-obvious consequences?

Also, read the errata! Wildshape differs now from other sorts of polymorph effects. If you are going to focus on your Wildshaping abilities you can't simply dump a low ability score into Constitution.

I checked out the errata, and I don't see where my constitution comes into play when wildshaping. The alternate form special ability still uses the creature's str/dex/con.
Nived
07-11-06, 05:59 PM A lot of things vary, there are a lot of different kinds of builds. My personal favorite relies heavily on their ability to random cast Summon Nature's Ally.

For this you'll need a good few feat slots so Human is always good.

Spell focus: Conjuration (which actually wont be that useful but is a needed prereq).
Augment Summoning (BEAUTIFUL feat).
Natural Spell (indespencible feat really).
Eschew Material Components (not absolutely needed, might be able to get away without it all together, but if your DM is a stickler for it... wild shape does make it hard to cast spells with material components... this helps.)

This build like other Wild Shape builds it's good to put most of your stats in mental stats as your physical will become pointless when wildshaping. (Unless you're using the newest errata'd polymorph rules where you keep your HP total regaurdless of new shape's con... then you might want to pump com).

Low levels can be tough since you really have no offensive power until 5th level. You are really going to be dependant on your Animal Companion and Summon Nature's Ally's to survive. Once you can wildshape tactics remain the same, only you can now take part in the melee. ALWAYS read special qualities of an animal. Remember every time your wolf animal companion or summoned natures ally hits he gets a free trip attempt.

Now there are various guides around that deal more in depth with the best Animal Companions per level and the best Natures ally's to summon for what situation. But you can be seriously versitle with the Ally spells.

If you don't have a cleric in the party: Buy a wand of Cure Light Wounds as soon as possible (really any party should). Get your party to throw down with you, helps everyone and free's up your spell slots. If you don't have a cleric or a want of CLW, prepare some cure spells and always save some.

If you have a cleric or other form of healing: Buff spells, for your party tank, for your animal companion, for you.
Brotha_T
07-11-06, 06:26 PM Eschew Material Components (not absolutely needed, might be able to get away without it all together, but if your DM is a stickler for it... wild shape does make it hard to cast spells with material components... this helps.)

Actually, I believe that the natural spell feat explains that material components don't matter while wildshaped because they are considered to be melded into the animal. Although, come to think of it, I think it was referring to material focus instead...
Nived
07-11-06, 07:22 PM No you're right. Wonder why I thought it didn't. Ah well.
SoldierOfFortune187
07-11-06, 11:21 PM I checked out the errata, and I don't see where my constitution comes into play when wildshaping. The alternate form special ability still uses the creature's str/dex/con.

The piece of significance (and the change from previous editions) is that wildhshaping into the form of something with a higher/lower Constitution now no longer changes your hit points.

Having a low(er) Con. score than you might otherwise didn't mean much to druids, as they could wildshape into another form and get a free hit point boost.

For example a typical brown bear has a 19 Constitution (a +4 bonus). A druid with anything lower would suddenly have significantly more hit points in this form before the errata.
Brotha_T
07-12-06, 12:22 PM Having a low(er) Con. score than you might otherwise didn't mean much to druids, as they could wildshape into another form and get a free hit point boost.

For example a typical brown bear has a 19 Constitution (a +4 bonus). A druid with anything lower would suddenly have significantly more hit points in this form before the errata.

Thanks for pointing that out. I was trying to figure out how my hp would be effected. The new rule is much simpler, but it sounds like it diminishes the power of wildshaping. Has anyone had experience with this? Also, everyone seems to recommend being venerable if lvl 6 or above, but with the new rule it sounds like that would be suicide because of the -6 to con.

I'm moving the thread to the new forums, so please follow the link below and post replies there.

http://community.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=9587588#post9587588

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Brotha_T 07-11-06, 03:10 PM	I'll be starting a new campaign soon and I will be playing a druid, but I've never played one before. I've browsed wizards and read up the class, but I would like some advice from the druid veterans, or just players who have interacted with them a lot. Right now the race is undecided, but I do know that the DM sticks pretty close to v3.5 and the complete ___ series. I would appreciate tips on feat selection, skills, the role in a 4 person party (other classes unknown at this point), or just some anecdotes about your own experiences.
rogue_lettuce 07-11-06, 03:19 PM	If you want to be effective casting, you're going to need Natural Spell unless you've got a variant that doesn't wildshape. You might want to look at Complete Divine for feats that will improve your spellcasting, new spells, etc. You might also want to specialise in wildshaping, in which case you can look at the Warshaper and so on. Finally, don't neglect your animal companion. An improved trip companion, or one with rend/etc can really turn the tide of the battle.
Azezel 07-11-06, 04:11 PM	Try the Character Optimisation boards, that's what they're there for. Er, Good luck, it's scary down there...
kuhTHOOloo 07-11-06, 04:12 PM	What level are you starting at? If you're able to wildshape early on in the campaign, I suggest your druid be higher up in age. That way you'll have a couple +1's to wisdom, and the penalties to str/con/dex won't mean anything once you're in the form of another creature.
Stumm_Dolch 07-11-06, 04:35 PM	I'm not suggesting you won't get good responses here with good answeres but you're almost guaranteed to get what you are looking for from the character optimization boards.
SoldierOfFortune187 07-11-06, 04:46 PM	(all views presented in this post are opinions) Short version : I see Druid's as secondary characters. No I don't mean they pale in comparison to other, more specialized classes. Rather, I see them as being able to take up many different responsibilities within a party, sort of picking up the slack on whatever is required. Powerful buffs, combat and spell versatility, they really do a bit of everything. Then there's the build. You really need to ask yourself, having never played a druid as you suggest, 'what do I want to be able to do?' Is spellcasting important for your druid or do you want to focus on other class features and the related prestige classes? Also, read the errata! Wildshape differs now from other sorts of polymorph effects. If you are going to focus on your Wildshaping abilities you can't simply dump a low ability score into Constitution. Long version : As above, check the CO boards. Welcome to a very diverse class that can be just about anything you want or need it to be. Enjoy!
Brotha_T 07-11-06, 05:27 PM	If you're able to wildshape early on in the campaign, I suggest your druid be higher up in age. That way you'll have a couple +1's to wisdom, and the penalties to str/con/dex won't mean anything once you're in the form of another creature. For everyone that has suggested the character op boards, thanks. I've been there and so far the response hasn't been nearly as good, so thanks for offering the advice here. Now as for the quote, the age is one thing that I'm trying to decide on now. I originally wanted to be venerable (+3 wis/int/cha, -6 dex/str/con), but I'm not sure he'll survive. We are starting out at lvl 1, so I would have a diffucult time just getting to lvl 5. I think I want to focus on summoning and wildshaping, so I don't need particularly high dex, str, or AC, but that may change depending on what classes the rest of the party chooses. Has anyone else had experience playing a venerable character? What are some of the not-so-obvious consequences? Also, read the errata! Wildshape differs now from other sorts of polymorph effects. If you are going to focus on your Wildshaping abilities you can't simply dump a low ability score into Constitution. I checked out the errata, and I don't see where my constitution comes into play when wildshaping. The alternate form special ability still uses the creature's str/dex/con.
Nived 07-11-06, 05:59 PM	A lot of things vary, there are a lot of different kinds of builds. My personal favorite relies heavily on their ability to random cast Summon Nature's Ally. For this you'll need a good few feat slots so Human is always good. Spell focus: Conjuration (which actually wont be that useful but is a needed prereq). Augment Summoning (BEAUTIFUL feat). Natural Spell (indespencible feat really). Eschew Material Components (not absolutely needed, might be able to get away without it all together, but if your DM is a stickler for it... wild shape does make it hard to cast spells with material components... this helps.) This build like other Wild Shape builds it's good to put most of your stats in mental stats as your physical will become pointless when wildshaping. (Unless you're using the newest errata'd polymorph rules where you keep your HP total regaurdless of new shape's con... then you might want to pump com). Low levels can be tough since you really have no offensive power until 5th level. You are really going to be dependant on your Animal Companion and Summon Nature's Ally's to survive. Once you can wildshape tactics remain the same, only you can now take part in the melee. ALWAYS read special qualities of an animal. Remember every time your wolf animal companion or summoned natures ally hits he gets a free trip attempt. Now there are various guides around that deal more in depth with the best Animal Companions per level and the best Natures ally's to summon for what situation. But you can be seriously versitle with the Ally spells. If you don't have a cleric in the party: Buy a wand of Cure Light Wounds as soon as possible (really any party should). Get your party to throw down with you, helps everyone and free's up your spell slots. If you don't have a cleric or a want of CLW, prepare some cure spells and always save some. If you have a cleric or other form of healing: Buff spells, for your party tank, for your animal companion, for you.
Brotha_T 07-11-06, 06:26 PM	Eschew Material Components (not absolutely needed, might be able to get away without it all together, but if your DM is a stickler for it... wild shape does make it hard to cast spells with material components... this helps.) Actually, I believe that the natural spell feat explains that material components don't matter while wildshaped because they are considered to be melded into the animal. Although, come to think of it, I think it was referring to material focus instead...
Nived 07-11-06, 07:22 PM	No you're right. Wonder why I thought it didn't. Ah well.
SoldierOfFortune187 07-11-06, 11:21 PM	I checked out the errata, and I don't see where my constitution comes into play when wildshaping. The alternate form special ability still uses the creature's str/dex/con. The piece of significance (and the change from previous editions) is that wildhshaping into the form of something with a higher/lower Constitution now no longer changes your hit points. Having a low(er) Con. score than you might otherwise didn't mean much to druids, as they could wildshape into another form and get a free hit point boost. For example a typical brown bear has a 19 Constitution (a +4 bonus). A druid with anything lower would suddenly have significantly more hit points in this form before the errata.
Brotha_T 07-12-06, 12:22 PM	Having a low(er) Con. score than you might otherwise didn't mean much to druids, as they could wildshape into another form and get a free hit point boost. For example a typical brown bear has a 19 Constitution (a +4 bonus). A druid with anything lower would suddenly have significantly more hit points in this form before the errata. Thanks for pointing that out. I was trying to figure out how my hp would be effected. The new rule is much simpler, but it sounds like it diminishes the power of wildshaping. Has anyone had experience with this? Also, everyone seems to recommend being venerable if lvl 6 or above, but with the new rule it sounds like that would be suicide because of the -6 to con. I'm moving the thread to the new forums, so please follow the link below and post replies there. http://community.wizards.com/showthread.php?p=9587588#post9587588