Druid or Cleric?

[Viktyr Gehrig]

Not at all.

Many Buddhists would argue the point that divinity implies a deity (depending on what subset of Buddhism). Such a cleric would be tapping into the divine energy or nature of the cosmos itself. A quick tour of Wikipedia reveals:

I would argue that this Buddhist definition of 'divinity' in this sense does not correspond with the D&D definition of 'divinity', and would be better represented by the Psionic power source-- since it is a kind of 'divinity' that arises from within each of us and all of us, and the goal is to cultivate this 'divinity' rather than to serve it.

Just as some fantasy religions are a better fit for Primal magic than Divine magic, I would argue that some are better suited for Psionics... and it's not difficult to conceive of religious worldviews that revolve around Arcane or even Shadow concepts.

 

[Li Shenron]

I think a Druid should be very different.

Thus, could be doable with domains only if domains make a huge difference. If they are only as large as 3ed domains, then it won't be nearly enough.

 

[erf_beto]

What does a druid have that a cleric can't replicate with the right tweaks? I mean, we can replicate a paladin or barbarian or ranger with a theme, why not a druid with a domain + theme?

Maybe that's the thing: using both tweaked mechanics and tweaked flavor to create a class out of another. It may be too many tweaks for some people.

I like to have a distinction between Nature magic and Divine magic, so as long as they also have distinct mechanics, I vote for two classes.

 

[TwoSix]

I'd rather get rid of the Cleric then the Druid, personally. But then I've never liked standard D&D polytheism.

 

[Mattachine]

I like the druid class because it isn't being based off of the quasi-Teutonic knight idea that the standard D&D cleric is based on.

 

[El Mahdi]

I'd prefer a nature themed Cleric rather than a Druid class, but have no problem bowing to the majority on this. However, whether Druids are a class or not, the Druid class will not appear in my games (as I feel it has nothing to do with "Druids" and is simply a D&D specific trope). In my games, one will need to make a nature themed Cleric, or go with another nature themed class (i.e. Ranger).

 

[CleverNickName]

Theme, theme, theme. For the hundredth time, THEME.

I think the best druid...the one that would be the most fun to play...would be a druid Theme (and possibly an interesting Background as well.) These could be applied to any class, to fit the style of "druid" they player has in mind.

The traditional D&D nature-priest: cleric + druid theme
A feral, raised-by-wolves warrior: fighter + druid theme
The spell-slinging druids of the Shannara novels: wizard + druid theme
A stalker-in-the-forest hunter: rogue + druid theme

And so on.

 

[Mattachine]

I think the best druid...the one that would be the most fun to play...would be a druid Theme (and possibly an interesting Background as well.) These could be applied to any class, to fit the style of "druid" they player has in mind.

What about a simple game that isn't using themes?

 

[CleverNickName]

What about a simple game that isn't using themes?

I'm sure that would work just fine, too. It depends on what you mean by "simple," I guess. Twenty-something different classes with different abilities, strengths, restrictions, and flavor elements doesn't really seem very "simple" to me. But that's just my opinion.

They can create 40 different classes. Or they could get the same variety and levels of complexity by creating 4 classes and 10 themes. That's pretty simple too.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

Tell me how shapechanging and animal companions are going to work cleanly in the rules, and then I can tell you how the druid (and ranger) fits into that. (And for that matter, figure out summoned creatures while you are at it, though that is a broader issue than the druid.)

I can see at least two theoretical, plausible areas to explore, given a good treatment of all of the above:

• The druid class itself is all about shifting and/or companions. You can multiclass and/or add themes to go for "nature priest" or "nature loremaster" or whatever works for you.
• The druid class itself is all about wielding nature/primal magic as a distinct thing from arcane and divine magic. You can add themes for shifting and/or companions.

It's the tight blend in one class of being the "main way to shapeshift and make friends with bears" with "pseudo divine magic with some fury of nature magic" that causes the problem in the druid. Pick one side or the other for the class, and then use themes or other options for the one you didn't pick. But either way, you'll first need a handle on shapeshifting and companions to make an informed choice.