Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sirethar Feb 24, 2011 8:34:43	Hello All, I'm going to play a Druid with 3.5 D&D rules. Race should be Elf, cause simply i like Elves. As my general idea I want some spellcasting, but i also enjoy to use my PG into direct fights. So i was thinking about 2-4 levels as barbarian and rest Druid. So as Role Play we can think something like a savage Druid. As prestige Class Warshaper seems nice. But in any case I'm open to All suggestions for prestige classes and feats. i would like to use one prestige class to "characterize" the PG. Thank you!
#2 Krusk Feb 24, 2011 10:39:04	Don't take so many levels of barbarian. Try a single one and the extra rage feat from complete warrior. Find an elven subrace with +2 wis and -2 str or dex. Go into every combat wildshaped. If you are starting below wildshape level, instead try for a dex or int penalty. Barbarian 1/Druid 19. I'd pass on warshaper if you care about wildshape or spells at all and just go with this build. Alternatively, if you want more of a shapeshifting barbarian sort, consider... Barbarian 1/Wildshape Ranger 5/Warshaper 4/Bear Warrior 10 www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/varia... Wildshape Ranger Class.
#3 Maat_Mons Feb 24, 2011 12:06:09	There aren't any elven sub-races with wisdom bonuses. The aren't very many +0 LA races with wisdom bonuses at all. I can find lesser aasimar, anthropomorphic animal, buomman, jermlaine, and vanara (pre Dragon update). Any elven subrace without a constitution penalty should be fine. Some options are: Arctic Elf: +2 dex -2 str (Unearthed Arcana 9) Desert Elf: +2 dex -2 str (Unearthed Arcana 12) Kagonesti: +2 dex -2 int -2 cha (Dragonlance Campaign Setting 18) Snow Elf: +2 dex -2 cha (Frostburn 34) Wild Elf: +2 dex -2 int (Monster Manual 104) There are also some +0 LA templates you might find interesting: Arctic: +2 con, -2 cha, ray of frost 1/day, +0 LA (Dragon 306 – 61) Dragonborn of Bahamut: +2 con, -2 dex, gain choice of heart, mind, or wings aspect, lose some racial features, lose 100 gp, +0 LA (Races of the Dragon 5) Wild: +2 str, -2 int, -2 cha, lose spell-like abilities, +0 LA (Dragon 306 – 65) I'm kind of partial to the arctic snow elf (+2 dex, +2 con, -4 cha). Your physical abilities will matter until you can just be wild shaped all the time, and constitution will always matter, since the errata changed wild shape so you don't use the new form's constitution score for hit points.
#4 sirethar Feb 25, 2011 1:46:51	Ok! I agree with less barbarian levels. Even almost all prestige class are allowed but instead we can't use the class variants and not base classes (for example swashbuckler not allowed). I want some spellcasting, but i want a player capable of fighting in support i know that my druid will not be a fighter and that the main "hard fighting job" would be done by the fighter. But i would like to have a character capable of smashing some heads when needed. from what i've understood the only option for a druid to deal properly when in close combat is to fight wildshaped. That's because i was thinking about warshaper.
#5 Krusk Feb 25, 2011 15:05:27	i know that my druid will not be a fighter and that the main "hard fighting job" would be done by the fighter.  Not with that attitude you won't. Welcome to the optimization forums. Druids are frequently cried out as broken because Their companion is comparable in combat to any fighter. A super optimized fighter might outshine a super optimized companion, but the fact that it is so close really says something. The druid outshines the fighter as soon as he gets wildshape.  The druid can spontaneously call down more guys roughly equivilent to a fighter (Summon Natures Ally). Oh also they get full spellcasting (the best class feature in the game) The joke when people come to the forums asking "Build me an optimized character" is "Druid 20, take natural spell" because it will typically be 3 or 4 times more powerful than anyone else in their party, with that little effort. If you take druid as your main starting point, avoid warshaper because it doesn't advance spellcasting, wildshape, or your companion. Wait, I just remembered you can't cast in a rage. Get rid of all barbarian levels. Just roleplay your druid as extra savage and angry when he wildshapes. New build. Druid 20, feats include natural spell and your companion is a wolf until you get large bears. Then take a bigger bear every chance. You turn into bear often with wildshape, and it lasts multiple combats. If you want a nature guy who fights and rages, you won't be able to shapeshift but Barbarian 1/Fighter 2/Ranger 17 will work really well.
#6 sirethar Feb 27, 2011 6:55:01	Maybe is funny but i was really forgetting about the summon nature ally spell.... Probably i would go for a Wild Elf:  Barbarian 1 and Druid all the rest. I'm too fond of reading "barbarian" on the the PG sheet LOL! In any case even i like a nature guy who fights and rages i prefer to have some spellcasting abilities. I agree with you: even the immunities of the warshaper are cool, probably are not worth losing 5 levels of spellcasting!
#7 Krusk Feb 27, 2011 9:15:56	I'm too fond of reading "barbarian" on the the PG sheet LOL! Yeah, it took me forever to get over that. Sort of like how Cleric 20 is the best divine warrior build over paladins. Just think of your Cleric 1/fighter 1/barbarian 1/prestige class A 2, ect as your own custom made "Barbarian" class. When your friends ask "What class are you playing?" Don't answer "Druid" answer "A shapeshifting barbarian warpriest". It gives them a more accurate description of what you plan to do in the game, and you don't have them making assumptions about your PC. (Don't hide your sheet or anything, if they want to know actual break down tell them)
#8 sirethar Mar 02, 2011 4:00:22	Another second thing that came to my mind would be: Druid and Sacred Fist. It may be different from a barbarian druid, but i think i can role play the "savage" also fighting unarmed. In this case what could be a good build? Monk 2; Druid 5; Sacred Fist 10 ??? I Still have 3 levels left...for what? maybe Druid? I know in this case i lose some spellcasting (7 or 8 level spells)...but i can also enjoying some good fighting abilities maybe. Is this idea worth from an optimized point of view? About myself: I like spells, but i like to have a player also able to deal good damages in close combat. Is it worth to be a sacred fist? Or just being druid, let's go to wildshape and smash hard would be better? thanks. EDIT: i forgot to say that i would like an easy character, sadly i don't have much time to study which spells are better for every situation. To my mind i think i would go for buff spells, summoning and healing. Nothing complicated ;)
#9 Krusk Mar 02, 2011 9:47:29	From an optimization standpoint? No, not really. It could be cool and fun though. And thats pretty important. I would do Unarmed Swordsage 2/Druid 8/Sacred Fist 10 Feats- H- Stunning Fist 1- Combat Reflexes 3- Combat Casting 6- Natural Spell 9- Superior Unarmed Strike 12- Practiced Spellcaster Unarmed damage of a monk of level 16, spells of a level 18 druid (CL 20), some minimal utility wildshape (Or enough to spend entire days as an animal), Wis to AC, and a few utility manuvers. This build is probably strong enough to contribute in most games in a real and meaningful way, and will be able to fight unarmed while a nature guy. I'd also consider Unarmed Swordsage 2/Druid 5/Sacred Fist 10/Fist of the Forest 3 Feats H- Stunning Fist 1- Combat Reflexes 3- Combat Casting 6- Superior Unarmed Strike 9- Great Fortitude 12- Power Attack You give up your wildshape, and are down to level 15 druid spells, but gain... Con to AC, Even better unarmed damage, and the ability to boost dex and grow claws. Probably less powerful, but even more of that theme you are going for.
#10 sirethar Mar 03, 2011 2:04:41	Perfect! Thank you very much. Now I only have to think about this unarmed combat version or the standard wild shaped druid. Lot to think about...But before the D&D day i still have next week. ehehehehe. Thanks, you saved me lot of time.
#11 lormador Mar 13, 2011 20:15:21	There are Unearthed Arcana variants that do, basically or partially, what you want. Druidic Avenger will give you fast movement and rage. The Simple Variant can give you WIS to AC and monk speed. Neither of these are optimized- the core Druid is better, since in the first case you give up your companion and in the second, wild shape + weapon/armor proficiencies. However, they still result in a powerful and playable character. The first variant is probably what you're looking for. Saves the feat for Extra Rage and preserves all caster levels.
#12 ikildkenny Mar 17, 2011 7:05:10	@ Sacred fist. i played this kind of "Druid-esqu-Monk" once ... and believe me, it was a) lots of fun and b) extremely powerfull in the rather not so optimized game I played: human monk2/Druidic avenger4/Sacred Fist X basically, you cast anyone Bite (usually the best, that is available to you atm), have GMF on on your unarmed strikes all day an start into the combat on the second round with: Cast lion's Charge (pounce), activate Rage, Charge, kill ... ... Feats: 1 Superior Unarmed Strike, Combat Casting, Stunnig Fist 2 Combat Reflexes 3 Extra Rage (for Raging 3/day) 6 Improved natural Attack (unarmed strike) (increases your damage die by one size) 9 Practice Spellcaster (Druid) the following is completely free - Improved trip is nice, something to gain more attacks (e.g.snapkick) or anything along these lines important items are: Metamagic Rod of Extend (lesser, for GMF), Monk's Belt, WIS Item, CON ITEM, STR Item (unless you can squeze intuitive attack in ...) so all in all you end up with: Druid casting two levels lower than your level Monk Damage five levels higher and one size larger than you are depending on Bite cast rediculous ArmorClass (remember: you can cast lesser restoration AND Sacred Spells - so greater luminous armor is no problem for you) an good HP acceptable to very good saves POUNCE with a lot of attacks (@ lvl 13 this will be 3(BAB)+1(flurry)+1(snapkick)+1(bite)=6 attacks @11+STR(incl. Rage!)+2(charge)+3(enhancement - allthough not on the bite))-4 (flurry+snapkick) = 12+STR) assuming a STR of 34 in Rage (which is reasonable - you can have Bite of the Werebear at that point) and thus a bonus of +17 and an unarmed damage of an lvl 17 large monk (3d8) sooo in your charge round (at lvl 13!!) you have: 29/29/29/24/19 with 3d8+20 dmg (once of those with 3d8+11) and 27 with 2d8+8 for a grand total of 175.5 average damage ... your AC btw will be somewhere in the mid-40ies sure, from an optimiced point of view, there could be alot of improvement BUT in a mild-optimiced inviroment, this char is sick ...