Brother MacLaren
Explorer
I find that my druid is greatly limited in his ability to fix conditions. While he can heal almost as good as a cleric, he doesn't get Remove Blindness/Deafness, Remove Curse, Restoration, Break Enchantment, Raise Dead, or Protection from Evil (any other enemy caster could negate his summons with that simple spell). Six spells whose absence is sorely noted. Party members have been blinded, cursed, killed, charmed, and subjected to negative levels and ability damage. We have a Reincarnate on deck for next session.
His animal companion (a riding dog) has far fewer of the obstacles that you get with a ludicrous beast like a rhino or giant crocodile, but it still has its problems. Had to baleful polymorph the poor thing into a monkey when the party was on a several-day mountain climb. Several times, my druid would have fled a fight in eagle form but for the fact that the dog would be left behind... the animal companion gets to be a hinderance at high levels.
Wild armor? Don't have it. It costs a feat to make it, plus a whole lot of money. Monk's belt? Couldn't make one. If you allow PCs to buy whatever items they want, yeah, druid is overpowered, but that's why magic shops are a bad idea. It really doesn't fit with the character class.
Now, in a party with no cleric and no wizard, the druid is very useful and versatile. But we have to go up against an evil druid, and it's going to be EASY. Summonings? Paladin can cast Magic Circle vs. Evil, problem solved, and the enemy druid can't do anything to defend against my summonings (unless he summons a unicorn). Wildshape? Poor AC, so rogues flank and sneak attack, paladin and barbarian Power Attack, 1 round he's down. Other spells? My druid will counterspell and will have prepped everyone with Mass Resist Energy (electricity and fire).
His animal companion (a riding dog) has far fewer of the obstacles that you get with a ludicrous beast like a rhino or giant crocodile, but it still has its problems. Had to baleful polymorph the poor thing into a monkey when the party was on a several-day mountain climb. Several times, my druid would have fled a fight in eagle form but for the fact that the dog would be left behind... the animal companion gets to be a hinderance at high levels.
Wild armor? Don't have it. It costs a feat to make it, plus a whole lot of money. Monk's belt? Couldn't make one. If you allow PCs to buy whatever items they want, yeah, druid is overpowered, but that's why magic shops are a bad idea. It really doesn't fit with the character class.
Now, in a party with no cleric and no wizard, the druid is very useful and versatile. But we have to go up against an evil druid, and it's going to be EASY. Summonings? Paladin can cast Magic Circle vs. Evil, problem solved, and the enemy druid can't do anything to defend against my summonings (unless he summons a unicorn). Wildshape? Poor AC, so rogues flank and sneak attack, paladin and barbarian Power Attack, 1 round he's down. Other spells? My druid will counterspell and will have prepped everyone with Mass Resist Energy (electricity and fire).
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