Druid Build - Need Commentary and help - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Druid Build - Need Commentary and help

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
sickseelah1
May 28, 2008 2:54:22 My build is primarily focussed on summoning. I'm currently in a party of 3; myself as a level 5 druid, another as a defensive fighter, and the last a ranged based rogue.

Feats I've taken so far:
Spell focus conjuration
Augment Summoning
Beckon the Frozen
Ashbound

Spells I've been preparing so far.
Level 0: Create Water, Detect Magic x2, Read Magic, Guidance
Level 1: Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame x2, Entangle, Thunderhead
Level 2: Creeping Cold, Embrace the Wild, Snake's Swiftness
Level 3: Call Lightning, Spike Growth

Animal Companion:
Dire Eagle

Items related to summoning I have thus far:
Elhonna's Brooch
Nature's Child

Equipment:
Masterwork Club
Masterwork Sling
Dragonhide Plate
Heavy Wooden Shield
Ring of Protection +2

(1) If any of you guys could advice me on feats, items, or spells that you think would be more useful to me by all means please speak up.

(2) There was a feat that I was quite interested in a while back whereby it allowed me to share spells with my animal companion up to 30 feet instead of just 5 feet, the name of it escapes me though and I don't recall which book to look in either. Do any of you know?

(3) I've been told that although I have most of the books I need, I am missing out on a few that have some pretty good spells. I was never told which ones so I was wondering if you guys could enlighten me on which other books you'd recommend for a druid's spell list. (Currently using: Complete Adventurer, Complete Divine, Spell Compendium, Player's Handbook)

(4) I'm not sure how to improve my animal companion anymore. I'm willing to use feats, but also I'm not entirely sure how the rules work so I was wondering if some kind of armor or weapon could be mounted on the dire eagle. I vaguely recall someone suggesting some kinda metallic bite weapon but I don't recall which book its from (or maybe it was for claws).

I know these are a lot of questions guys, and I hope you'll understand since i'm a Noobie:P
I appreciate all responses. Thank you in advance.
#2
zazq
May 28, 2008 10:26:44 I highly recommend Rapid Spell. Getting a crocodile on that caster before he starts casting is tactically sound. It's got a +1 level, but that can be made up for with the BEST SUMMONING ITEM EVAH! Which is the Ring of the Beast from the Mantle of the Beast set in Complete Champion. It makes each summon nature's ally summon from the next higher list, except your top one. so you can cast a SNA2 in a lvl 3 slot using rapid spell, and summon a lvl 3 monster anyway. (or you could spend the time casting and use only a lvl 2 slot.) A Belt of Battle is also in order so you can dish out 2 summons a the begining of the boss encounter.

You seem to have too many feats, or not enough if you are using flaws. Regardless, your 6th level feat is Natural Spell, and just be a Dire Hawk or something and never be human again. I'd recommend loosing Ashbound or Beckening Frost for Rapid Spell. 9th level feat is for Minor Shapeshift and be a tanking bear. by then you should afford Wild armor also. (I recommend Wild Dragonscale Breastplate)

Abuse mass snakes swiftness more. It's great with summons.

EDIT: Yeah, and
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400
#3
sickseelah1
May 28, 2008 12:22:59
I highly recommend Rapid Spell. Getting a crocodile on that caster before he starts casting is tactically sound. It's got a +1 level, but that can be made up for with the BEST SUMMONING ITEM EVAH! Which is the Ring of the Beast from the Mantle of the Beast set in Complete Champion. It makes each summon nature's ally summon from the next higher list, except your top one. so you can cast a SNA2 in a lvl 3 slot using rapid spell, and summon a lvl 3 monster anyway. (or you could spend the time casting and use only a lvl 2 slot.) A Belt of Battle is also in order so you can dish out 2 summons a the begining of the boss encounter.

You seem to have too many feats, or not enough if you are using flaws. Regardless, your 6th level feat is Natural Spell, and just be a Dire Hawk or something and never be human again. I'd recommend loosing Ashbound or Beckening Frost for Rapid Spell. 9th level feat is for Minor Shapeshift and be a tanking bear. by then you should afford Wild armor also. (I recommend Wild Dragonscale Breastplate)

Abuse mass snakes swiftness more. It's great with summons.

EDIT: Yeah, and
http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400

Thanks a lot for the reply. I was wondering which book the Belt of Battle was found in?
#4
shokatsuryou
May 28, 2008 12:53:37
I was wondering which book the Belt of Battle was found in?

It's in the Magic Item Compendium.

There was a feat that I was quite interested in a while back whereby it allowed me to share spells with my animal companion up to 30 feet instead of just 5 feet, the name of it escapes me though and I don't recall which book to look in either. Do any of you know?

I think you're talking about Companion Spellbond feat, from Player's Handbook 2.
#5
joemama1512
May 28, 2008 12:59:54 How about using Greenbound? I think it is the best for early game summoning, as it adds a monster greenbound template to all animal summons with massive AC and stat boosts.

It is in a different book than the Ashbound and others... the campaign setting I think. Sorry, I forgot exactly where it is.

Rapid spell as mentioned is a winner.

Also, you could have considered arcane hierophant. Kinda late now Id imagine, but a 1wizard-conjuror/6 druid/ 10 AH would work pretty well.

As a conjuror specialist, you could get Augment Summoning for free replacing scribe scroll. With DM approval, you could even get its special fast summoning to work with summon natures ally.

Plus, your animal would be much stronger due to gaining familiar intelligence, and other abilities.

See last page of Arcane Hierophant thread for more details
#6
shriekingdrake
May 30, 2008 17:50:03
Items related to summoning I have thus far:
Elhonna's Brooch
Nature's Child

What are these items and on what pages of what books do you find them? Thanks.
#7
reddleman
May 30, 2008 23:03:21
What are these items and on what pages of what books do you find them? Thanks.

They're in the Magic Item Compendium, under Holy Symbols. I'm not sure if they're intended to stack though. I suppose as written they do, and it's not at all overpowering.
#8
seekanddestroy
May 30, 2008 23:04:00 Greenbound is in Lost Empires of Faerun
#9
Chaos_Redefined
May 31, 2008 2:57:59 Although, I should point out that Greenbound is kinda broken, and may not be the best choice for most campaigns.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 sickseelah1 May 28, 2008 2:54:22	My build is primarily focussed on summoning. I'm currently in a party of 3; myself as a level 5 druid, another as a defensive fighter, and the last a ranged based rogue. Feats I've taken so far: Spell focus conjuration Augment Summoning Beckon the Frozen Ashbound Spells I've been preparing so far. Level 0: Create Water, Detect Magic x2, Read Magic, Guidance Level 1: Obscuring Mist, Produce Flame x2, Entangle, Thunderhead Level 2: Creeping Cold, Embrace the Wild, Snake's Swiftness Level 3: Call Lightning, Spike Growth Animal Companion: Dire Eagle Items related to summoning I have thus far: Elhonna's Brooch Nature's Child Equipment: Masterwork Club Masterwork Sling Dragonhide Plate Heavy Wooden Shield Ring of Protection +2 (1) If any of you guys could advice me on feats, items, or spells that you think would be more useful to me by all means please speak up. (2) There was a feat that I was quite interested in a while back whereby it allowed me to share spells with my animal companion up to 30 feet instead of just 5 feet, the name of it escapes me though and I don't recall which book to look in either. Do any of you know? (3) I've been told that although I have most of the books I need, I am missing out on a few that have some pretty good spells. I was never told which ones so I was wondering if you guys could enlighten me on which other books you'd recommend for a druid's spell list. (Currently using: Complete Adventurer, Complete Divine, Spell Compendium, Player's Handbook) (4) I'm not sure how to improve my animal companion anymore. I'm willing to use feats, but also I'm not entirely sure how the rules work so I was wondering if some kind of armor or weapon could be mounted on the dire eagle. I vaguely recall someone suggesting some kinda metallic bite weapon but I don't recall which book its from (or maybe it was for claws). I know these are a lot of questions guys, and I hope you'll understand since i'm a Noobie:P I appreciate all responses. Thank you in advance.
#2 zazq May 28, 2008 10:26:44	I highly recommend Rapid Spell. Getting a crocodile on that caster before he starts casting is tactically sound. It's got a +1 level, but that can be made up for with the BEST SUMMONING ITEM EVAH! Which is the Ring of the Beast from the Mantle of the Beast set in Complete Champion. It makes each summon nature's ally summon from the next higher list, except your top one. so you can cast a SNA2 in a lvl 3 slot using rapid spell, and summon a lvl 3 monster anyway. (or you could spend the time casting and use only a lvl 2 slot.) A Belt of Battle is also in order so you can dish out 2 summons a the begining of the boss encounter. You seem to have too many feats, or not enough if you are using flaws. Regardless, your 6th level feat is Natural Spell, and just be a Dire Hawk or something and never be human again. I'd recommend loosing Ashbound or Beckening Frost for Rapid Spell. 9th level feat is for Minor Shapeshift and be a tanking bear. by then you should afford Wild armor also. (I recommend Wild Dragonscale Breastplate) Abuse mass snakes swiftness more. It's great with summons. EDIT: Yeah, and http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400
#3 sickseelah1 May 28, 2008 12:22:59	I highly recommend Rapid Spell. Getting a crocodile on that caster before he starts casting is tactically sound. It's got a +1 level, but that can be made up for with the BEST SUMMONING ITEM EVAH! Which is the Ring of the Beast from the Mantle of the Beast set in Complete Champion. It makes each summon nature's ally summon from the next higher list, except your top one. so you can cast a SNA2 in a lvl 3 slot using rapid spell, and summon a lvl 3 monster anyway. (or you could spend the time casting and use only a lvl 2 slot.) A Belt of Battle is also in order so you can dish out 2 summons a the begining of the boss encounter. You seem to have too many feats, or not enough if you are using flaws. Regardless, your 6th level feat is Natural Spell, and just be a Dire Hawk or something and never be human again. I'd recommend loosing Ashbound or Beckening Frost for Rapid Spell. 9th level feat is for Minor Shapeshift and be a tanking bear. by then you should afford Wild armor also. (I recommend Wild Dragonscale Breastplate) Abuse mass snakes swiftness more. It's great with summons. EDIT: Yeah, and http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400 Thanks a lot for the reply. I was wondering which book the Belt of Battle was found in?
#4 shokatsuryou May 28, 2008 12:53:37	I was wondering which book the Belt of Battle was found in? It's in the Magic Item Compendium. There was a feat that I was quite interested in a while back whereby it allowed me to share spells with my animal companion up to 30 feet instead of just 5 feet, the name of it escapes me though and I don't recall which book to look in either. Do any of you know? I think you're talking about Companion Spellbond feat, from Player's Handbook 2.
#5 joemama1512 May 28, 2008 12:59:54	How about using Greenbound? I think it is the best for early game summoning, as it adds a monster greenbound template to all animal summons with massive AC and stat boosts. It is in a different book than the Ashbound and others... the campaign setting I think. Sorry, I forgot exactly where it is. Rapid spell as mentioned is a winner. Also, you could have considered arcane hierophant. Kinda late now Id imagine, but a 1wizard-conjuror/6 druid/ 10 AH would work pretty well. As a conjuror specialist, you could get Augment Summoning for free replacing scribe scroll. With DM approval, you could even get its special fast summoning to work with summon natures ally. Plus, your animal would be much stronger due to gaining familiar intelligence, and other abilities. See last page of Arcane Hierophant thread for more details
#6 shriekingdrake May 30, 2008 17:50:03	Items related to summoning I have thus far: Elhonna's Brooch Nature's Child What are these items and on what pages of what books do you find them? Thanks.
#7 reddleman May 30, 2008 23:03:21	What are these items and on what pages of what books do you find them? Thanks. They're in the Magic Item Compendium, under Holy Symbols. I'm not sure if they're intended to stack though. I suppose as written they do, and it's not at all overpowering.
#8 seekanddestroy May 30, 2008 23:04:00	Greenbound is in Lost Empires of Faerun
#9 Chaos_Redefined May 31, 2008 2:57:59	Although, I should point out that Greenbound is kinda broken, and may not be the best choice for most campaigns.