Help building a druid?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Lotus_Crane

Apr 17, 2008 16:36:25		Hey guys, I'm thinking of building a druid that uses the personal army approach, both permanent and summoned. At the moment I'm going with a human with 2 flaws, making Str and Dex dump stats (possibly Int as well if I don't roll well for ability scores, but I'd like decent Cha for the Leadership bonus) thanks to wildshape abuse.

So far my feat build is (I'd be starting at 3rd or 4th, so I'm listing them by level, assuming straight druid 20 as the goal):
1 Ashbound
1 Augment Healing
1 Augment Summoning
1 Spell Focus (Conjuration)
3 Wild Cohort
6 Natural Spell
9 Leadership

As soon as I can afford one, I plan to prioritize a ring of the beast (Complete Champion), so I can save my highest level spell slots for non-summon spells.

Now, I have a few questions, some fact-finding, and some opinion-asking.

Fact-finding:
1) Is there anyway for a druid to get an ability similiar to a wizard conjuration specialist's rapid summoning alternate feature? I know there's the Rapid Spell feat (Complete Divine), but I'd rather not deal with a spell level adjustment, especially since I only need to speed up my summons, not other spells.
2) Can air elementals carry creatures and/or items? Because I was thinking of taking an elemental companion (Complete Mage) instead of the normal animal companion (especially since I'm taking Wild Cohort anyway), but it seems like unless you have the proper terrain advantage, the elementals don't fight as well as the twinkier animal choices (dinosaurs) do. So really, the only mechanical advantage to elementals I can think of, would be if I could use the air elemental to fly me around (1st-4th level), or to transport my allies (5th+, after I can just turn into a bird myself).
3) Does Augment Healing affect vigor spells, and if so, to what extent? Just once upon casting? Or for every round of the spell?

Opinion-asking:
1) What other druid alternate class features do you recommend, and where can I find them?
2) Which wildshape and summon nature's ally choices are considered the most powerful?
3) Does it seem reasonable that instead of humanoid followers, a druid with the Leadership feat might attract fey and magical beast followers instead? If you were the DM, how would you rule CR->ECL conversions for these creatures as followers, since some of them don't have LA entries?
4) Would purely physical flaws (such as Meager Fortitude and Slow) affect a druid even when in wildshaped form?
#2

jackmojo

Apr 17, 2008 17:01:58
Now, I have a few questions, some fact-finding, and some opinion-asking.

Fact-finding:
1) Is there anyway for a druid to get an ability similiar to a wizard conjuration specialist's rapid summoning alternate feature? I know there's the Rapid Spell feat (Complete Divine), but I'd rather not deal with a spell level adjustment, especially since I only need to speed up my summons, not other spells.
2) Can air elementals carry creatures and/or items? Because I was thinking of taking an elemental companion (Complete Mage) instead of the normal animal companion (especially since I'm taking Wild Cohort anyway), but it seems like unless you have the proper terrain advantage, the elementals don't fight as well as the twinkier animal choices (dinosaurs) do. So really, the only mechanical advantage to elementals I can think of, would be if I could use the air elemental to fly me around (1st-4th level), or to transport my allies (5th+, after I can just turn into a bird myself).
3) Does Augment Healing affect vigor spells, and if so, to what extent? Just once upon casting? Or for every round of the spell?

1) The only thing that comes to mind is the Shifter Spirit Companion sub level (but that would eat one of your permanent companions although it can buff the summons and you in various ways).

2) Yeah based on strength, decent for utility, not so much in combat probably

3) Yes, the FAQ recommends just applying the bonus healing on the first round from the vigor.


Opinion-asking:
1) What other druid alternate class features do you recommend, and where can I find them?
2) Which wildshape and summon nature's ally choices are considered the most powerful?
3) Does it seem reasonable that instead of humanoid followers, a druid with the Leadership feat might attract fey and magical beast followers instead? If you were the DM, how would you rule CR->ECL conversions for these creatures as followers, since some of them don't have LA entries?
4) Would purely physical flaws (such as Meager Fortitude and Slow) affect a druid even when in wildshaped form?

Check the more recent druid guide for ideas on these (and in general really).

Jack