Reserved for FAQ
1) Since an unarmed attack is synonimous with a natural attack in
4e, I've left the verbage Natural attack.
2) Wild Shape as a
Channel Divinity Variant: Both here and on the
WotC boards, it's been said over and again that druids should have their wild shape represented by different shapes they take through their powers. This is a mechanic I think was very well done by Wizards and so I have used a similar method to my approach with wild shape. Unlike Channel Divinity, not all Wild Shape feats will grant you a new power. Some, rather, tack onto the existing powers. Since I decided Wild Shape itself would be best represented as a stance, writing feats is easier since they all run only as long as you stay in your wild shape.
3) Druids and Items: Druids get a +3 proficiency bonus when in wild shape to attacks; after all, even a rites druid should be as good at dealing 1d4 + Strength damage as a Wizard. Druids gain +2 AC in offensive form and +3 in defensive (tweaked by choice of focus).
4) Offensive druids should deal an average of 3-12 damage less than a rogue of their level on an increasing scale to level 30. They also get to knock foes down quite a bit, which grants decent combat advantage if they decide to spend an action point.
5) Defensive druids should have about 1 less AC than fighters at any level. Their schtick for keeping monsters on them is similar because they get attacks when the monster tries to do something; in this case, attack other creatures. A defensive druid who takes all defensive encounter powers is also surprisingly very good at grappling, so they stick to monsters by literally sticking to them.
6) Rites druids should deal reasonable damage compared to a warlock. Although they don't get a damage bump, they do get versatility in having an additional encounter power at any given level.
7) A defensive druid in offensive form is a lesser rogue with a short-sword. A rites druid in offensive form is a lesser rogue with a dagger.
8) An offensive druid in Defensive form is a lesser fighter with a great-sword. A rites druid in Defensive form is probably running away.
9) Any druid outside of wild-shape during combat is either rite's focused, multiclassed, or doing something sneaky.
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