Author Topic: optimizing the druid?  (Read 7175 times)

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Chilastra022

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optimizing the druid?
« on: February 09, 2010, 01:03:37 PM »
Hello all :) First id like to say im not very good at char optimization (thus why im here ;p ) So bare with my newbieness if at all noticible hehe.

So ive been wanting to play a druid, only problem is ive no idea how to structure her class wise. Im starting at level 1, can take 2 flaws (for 2 feats) and 1 trait. I would like to play, if possible, a melee druid, or a melee/spellcasting hybrid involving wildshaping (i enjoy being able to shift into monstahs, the versatility makes it fun for me). LA's are okay though nothing too extreme since ill be starting out at 1.

Some ideas i had were a shifter druidic avenger / MoMF / Daggerspell Shaper with sizing daggers for her claws but im not sure if that would work hehe (im not too familiar with how natural weapons on creatures are handled and if they follow the same limitations by size as wielding manufactured weapons do) If its possible to just size them up to colossal (as amusing as it might look from a cosmetic standpoint) id probably name her Frida Krueger or something ;p

Another possibility was somehow working momf in with soul eater to make an evil druid but dunno. :) I dont know if theres a way to perform as good as a martial character as a druid without just going full martial, but i am wondering if it is possible to make a more optimal meleeing momf other than the typical druid 5 / MoMF 7 / Warshaper 3 / x whatever?

Thanks in advance :)

-Chilastra

PhaedrusXY

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2010, 01:04:37 PM »
Just go druid 20 and take Natural Spell at 6th level. It is that simple.
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archangel.arcanis

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2010, 01:10:26 PM »
i would recommend strongly against daggerspell if you want to be optimized, nice theme build but isn't very practical. Our druid in the game I run was recently rebuild from the ground up because daggerspell killed their wild shape abilities and they just couldn't find ways to be effective in combat, though this player isn't a good optimizer either.

Like PahedrusXY said just get natural spell and pick the things that catch your eye to focus on from there.
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Chilastra022

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2010, 01:14:51 PM »
So i should just forget about the wildshape ability and use the 9th level shapeshift spell?

-Edited: PS: Thankyou for the replies ^_^

bearsarebrown

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2010, 01:16:21 PM »
Druid builds
  • Druid 20
  • Druid 10/Planar Shepard 10
  • Wizard 3/Druid 7/Arcane Hierophant 10 /w that Amulet from Magic of Faerun to fix your Wildshape

Druid is simple to work with. If you want to build one based on casting and dump Animal Companion && Wild-shape then just make a Cleric.

Havok4

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2010, 01:17:13 PM »
Really druid 20 is probably the most optimized druid build you could make. Unless you want to take levels in Planar Shepherd (faiths of ebberon) and break the game over your knee with your godlike might.

Agita

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2010, 01:18:27 PM »
No, you shouldn't forget about Wild Shape. Wild Shape is an awesome ability. Shapeschange is awesome-r, but it's a ninth-level spell, so you won't get it for a looong time.

You get an animal companion that's a better meleer than our party Fighter. Starting at level five, you get to be a better meleer than your party Fighter too. And you get ninth-level spells (also known as Ultimate Cosmic Power) on top of it all, because you're such a good customer.
« Last Edit: February 09, 2010, 02:05:11 PM by Agita »
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archangel.arcanis

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2010, 01:19:41 PM »
wild shape is a big part of making sure you make it to get shapeshift. It provides you tons of power and versatility through the mid levels where you really need it. Early on just do your best to help keep the party alive, once you get wild shape use it to become powerful in melee and/or provide support others can't (like flying to scout or cast spells), don't forget your animal companion too they can be very helpful.
Clerics and Druids are like the 4 and 2 in 42. Together they are the answer to the ultimate question in D&D.
Retire the character before the DM smacks you with the Table as the book will feel totally inadequate now.-Hazren

Ramaloke

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2010, 01:55:23 PM »
Here is a nice vow of poverty build. :D


Code: [Select]
HUMAN CLASS FEATS
LVL01 Druid 01 Sacred Vow, Vow of Poverty, Spell Focus (Conjuration), Augment Summoning, (Take 2 Flaws)
LVL02 Druid 02 Nymph's Kiss
LVL03 Druid 03 Extend Spell
LVL04 Druid 04 Exalted Companion
LVL05 Druid 05 -
LVL06 Druid 06 Natural Spell, Exalted Wild Shape
LVL07 Druid 07 -
LVL08 Druid 08 Touch of Golden Ice
LVL09 Druid 09 Initiate of Nature
LVL10 Druid 10 Sanctify Natural Attack
LVL11 Druid 11 -
LVL12 Druid 12 Persistent Spell, Words of Creation
LVL13 Druid 13 -
LVL14 Druid 14 Spell Focus (Good)
LVL15 Druid 15 Natural Metamagic (Persist Spell)
LVL16 Druid 16 Purify Spell
LVL17 Druid 17 -
LVL18 Druid 18 Chain Spell, Intuitive Attack
LVL19 Druid 19 -
LVL20 Druid 20 Nimbus of Light

Initiate of Nature gives you the ability to turn and rebuke plants and animals, this is amazing. You have a separate HD pool for animals, and for plants, but you share turning attempts for both. You can probably use this to qualify for a druid version of Divine Metamagic, which I am calling "Natural Metamagic".
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bearsarebrown

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2010, 01:59:50 PM »
Initiate of Nature gives you the ability to turn and rebuke plants and animals, this is amazing. You have a separate HD pool for animals, and for plants, but you share turning attempts for both. You can probably use this to qualify for a druid version of Divine Metamagic, which I am calling "Natural Metamagic".
As fun as turning animals and plants is, Divine Metamagic only works with turning Undead. Or other things that explicitly say so(Channel Essentia and Turning Dragons).

Prime32

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2010, 02:02:27 PM »
You could consider taking 2 levels of monk to pick up evasion and +Wis to AC, but the delayed spellcasting probably isn't worth it.

You could qualify for the Rapidstrike and Improved Rapidstrike feats if you pick the right race - the best way to qualify is a kobold with the Dragonwrought feat (venerable age for free stat bonuses), though elan is another option.
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2010, 02:02:59 PM »
So i should just forget about the wildshape ability and use the 9th level shapeshift spell?

-Edited: PS: Thankyou for the replies ^_^
Christ no. Just because you're not a Master of Many Forms doesn't mean you can't Wild Shape. It just means you didn't give up your spellcasting and otherwise suck. And it is Shapechange. Why did the rest of you keep repeating the OPs mistake? Starting out at level 1, you'll be very lucky if you ever see a level where you can cast Shapechange. Most games end before that.

Seriously, the only druid build more optimized than druid 20 is druid 10/planar shepard 10, and that one is so overpowered that it should never be allowed in a real game. The only "must have" feat is Natural Spell at 6th. It really doesn't matter much what else you take, because you already have everything you need to kick ass.
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Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
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Ramaloke

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2010, 02:05:42 PM »
Initiate of Nature gives you the ability to turn and rebuke plants and animals, this is amazing. You have a separate HD pool for animals, and for plants, but you share turning attempts for both. You can probably use this to qualify for a druid version of Divine Metamagic, which I am calling "Natural Metamagic".
As fun as turning animals and plants is, Divine Metamagic only works with turning Undead. Or other things that explicitly say so(Channel Essentia and Turning Dragons).
Id talk to your DM about it :D, Ive had one say yes before. It was surprising but he did say yes.

The ability to control plants and animals though is still really nice. Having a Dire Polar Bear under your control is pretty uber. For nice plants to control, how about some Yellow Musk Creepers?
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Agita

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #13 on: February 09, 2010, 02:06:52 PM »
So i should just forget about the wildshape ability and use the 9th level shapeshift spell?

-Edited: PS: Thankyou for the replies ^_^
Christ no. Just because you're not a Master of Many Forms doesn't mean you can't Wild Shape. It just means you didn't give up your spellcasting and otherwise suck. And it is Shapechange. Why did the rest of you keep repeating the OPs mistake? Starting out at level 1, you'll be very lucky if you ever see a level where you can cast Shapechange. Most games end before that.
Because I'm too lazy to look it up or remember it. It's broken anyway, so I've never actually used it. :P

Seriously, the only druid build more optimized than druid 20 is druid 10/planar shepard 10, and that one is so overpowered that it should never be allowed in a real game. The only "must have" feat is Natural Spell at 6th. It really doesn't matter much what else you take, because you already have everything you need to kick ass.
This, pretty much. After you write Natural Spell on your character sheet, you can pretty much take the rest of your feats, set them on fire, and dance naked around them. You're awesome anyway, who needs feats?
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PhaedrusXY

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #14 on: February 09, 2010, 02:11:06 PM »
For nice plants to control, how about some Yellow Musk Creepers?
The tendriculous is ridiculous, also, and with regeneration, it won't die easily. So you won't have to worry about replacing it all the time.
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Sounds like the makings of a gay porn film.
...thanks
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Ruam

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2010, 02:14:49 PM »
I have to admit that I would like to try out "Dragon Wild Shape" some time, at a first glance it looks like a fun way to confuse new players and still kick ass "You transformed into a what?!"

Tonymitsu

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #16 on: February 09, 2010, 02:15:15 PM »
+1 to what was already stated, +2 if this is the first time you've played a druid.

Play druid 20, take Natural Spell at level 6, and sit back and be amazed at how freaking powerful you are.


Straight druids are very hard to mess up as long as you keep your paperwork straight.  Every monster resource published makes you more powerful because you have new things to wildshape into.


Resources that interest you are useful things to wildshape into (not just for melting faces but for utility out of combat too), the strongest animal at particular levels you can take for your companion, and best ways to use spells.

KellKheraptis

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #17 on: February 09, 2010, 02:30:04 PM »
I'm going to go out on a limb and advocate Wild Reaper variant Druid 20 as more powerful than a base druid, as they get inherent fast healing, fast ability healing, and real turn undead as class features.  Oh, and they get to keep wild shape and full spellcasting, and also have an animal companion.
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bearsarebrown

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Re: optimizing the druid?
« Reply #18 on: February 09, 2010, 02:32:55 PM »
You don't get Turning until level 12 anyways.
And I think either their Animal Companion or Wild Shape is gimped to some extent.