Playtest: The Druid (merged)

[Rechan]

The minion killableness of Flame Seed isn't as important, to me, as the zone-creation aspect. I likes me some battlefield control, and covering flanks.

As far as "Killing minions", it's far more on par with Scorching Burst. Same area of effect.

The only upside to Cloud of Daggers is that you can target a single enemy who seems interested in staying in one place (such as the target of a fighter's Combat Superior, or a Viper Strike). Not to mention that the single target in the center it hits isn't in the zone, but is merely attacked for d6 damage. Also, Cloud of Daggers can cover a single space, which is much better aiming (like say, covering a door).

 

[Zsig]

I found it rather amusing that right now, the best Guardian Druids (stat-wise) are the Dwarves.


Oh, and Booming Blade from the Swordmage followed by Storm Spike from the druid. To move or not to move?

 

[thecasualoblivion]

The Druid is among the most versatile classes we've seen in terms of playstyle. From what we've seen of the first three levels, I can see a stand firm and slug it out melee type Druid, a hit and run specialist, an inside out ranged melee hybrid, and a full time ranged spellcaster. You can combine any or all of them. All of these can be achieved via powers, with no real demands on your ability score array.

Druids are definitely the best hybrid melee/ranged concept they've done for 4E, as other current choices are either demanding stat-wise or require heavy feat investment or both.

I forsee this class being a favorite.

 

[Vael]

I'm already chomping at the bit to play one of these. If Ampersand will allow me to play up to level 10 ... my Wizard PC may develop a death wish.

There's a lot of versatility in this class, and a lot of fun. The ranged AoE strikes aren't as damaging as the Wizard's, but they're solid Controller fun.

 

[Rechan]

Hm. I'm racking my brain to come up with some good feats for the druid.

So far, the only ones that leap out are:
Improved Init
Burning Blizzard/Raging Storm
Toughness/Durable
Defensive Mobility (For your skirmisher builds)
Powerful Charge

This is the folly of having all these feats specific to classes.

 

[yesnomu]

Some line by line critique, and then some thoughts at the end to sum up.

[druid shifting when going from beast to humanoid]
This is absolute genius. This is going to be the hidden MVP of the entire Druid class.

If it weren't for this, you'd basically start by casting spells, then shift to beast form for some melee cleanup. But thanks to this one line here, you can switch to beast form, charge into melee, do some damage, shift back and shift back a space to throw down a control spell, then shift to beast form again next round and reenter the fray. This one little line permits the class to function as a sort of dance between beast and human form, instead of just one or the other.

I was running in to post this. It's really a beautiful idea, and makes me really excited to play a balanced druid who can do both. I want higher levels, right effing now!

Druids have always been my favorite class, and I don't foresee this changing.

Also: Savage Rend is excellent. Your OAs push enemies into the fighter?! Too awesome.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

Am I the only one who saw the Preview of the druid and immediately thought of making a warforged/druid who transforms into mechanical beasts and is basically a transformer?

Yeah, it was probably was just me.

Well considering the Warforged Dragon Article has shoulder guns for Warforged that are built it, that really isn't going that far out.

And yeah I thought of that too.

 

[Kishin]

Man, Wizards are hurting after this. The Druid is an infinitely more interesting class to play already, and I've only seen 3 levels of it.

Controller is such a weird role.

I do, however, really like this here druid.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Hm. I'm racking my brain to come up with some good feats for the druid.

So far, the only ones that leap out are:
Improved Init
Burning Blizzard/Raging Storm
Toughness/Durable
Defensive Mobility (For your skirmisher builds)
Powerful Charge

This is the folly of having all these feats specific to classes.

I would really hope that PHB2 has lots of feats specific to the classes contained, nullifying this problem. Heck Wizards have not much that is useful to spend their feats on (after leather armour proficiency!)...Burning Bliz etc is so nerfed compared to wep focus. IMC I allow Implement focus, that balances it IMO.

 

[Rechan]

I would really hope that PHB2 has lots of feats specific to the classes contained, nullifying this problem.

Oh, I'm certain they will. Just sayin'. There's a dearth of non-racial, non-class specific feats.

I hope PHBII has more general feats, in addition to class specific ones.