Andy Collins talks about the Revised Druid

[Kai Lord]

http://pub36.ezboard.com/fgameschat19968frm10.showMessage?topicID=307.topic

The druid was a bit of a tweener class, not really able to replace either a cleric or a wizard in a traditional party. Rather than push it back into the cleric's niche, we strengthened the class's ability to deal out direct damage, while retaining its traditional support features.

I think the 3.5 druid could just about replace the sorcerer or wizard (if the cleric packed a few dispel magics or other spells that you typically rely on arcane casters for, and maybe if the rogue or bard had UMD and a couple wands), or could just about replace the cleric (if you had other characters, such as a paladin, ranger, or bard, with healing capabilities or some extra wands). In some situations, she might even be able to serve as a front-line fighter.

As for specific changes, I can't really go into too many details. I think players of druids will be pretty happy with the changes, though.

Andy Collins
Senior Designer
Wizards of the Coast Roleplaying R&D

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Ahh...I love Andy's board...erm..but I uh...like EN World better..yeah...um...*runs*

 

[Crothian]

I'm not sure about the "more direct damage" part

 

[rounser]

"Direct damage" is M:tG-speak...

As far as not pushing the druid back into the "cleric niche" (presumably that means healing), I ask...

WHY THE HECK NOT?

They're already bribing people to play the healer. We've got fighter classes coming out our ears, and only one decent healing class which the game needs to be played so badly that they porkbarrel it. Chop down the higher level of healing spells for the druid and allow them to substitute-cast them, and you've done both the druid and D&D as a whole a favour! It's not as if healing isn't natural and would water down the druid's flavour, and it wouldn't be encroaching on the cleric's niche because that niche is far too important for only one class to fill it. I don't understand their reasoning, and have to say I'm a bit disappointed with this direction when there were big arrows saying "Go This Way For The Good Of The Class And The Game" pointing in the other (IMO).

 

[the Jester]

The druid was a bit of a tweener class, not really able to replace either a cleric or a wizard in a traditional party. Rather than push it back into the cleric's niche, we strengthened the class's ability to deal out direct damage, while retaining its traditional support features.

Good lord, he's clearly never read Sepulchrave II's story hour!

 

[Nightfall]

Obviously Andy's not seen the druids in the Scarred Lands. Heck all I need is a druid/sorcerer and I got the second coming of Mesos well in hand.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Re: Re: Andy Collins talks about the Revised Druid

Good lord, he's clearly never read Sepulchrave II's story hour!

In fairness, most combats don't happen at long range - where druids shine. I mean, great. I can kill orcs from 400 yards away. How often does that happen in a dungon?

That being said, I think they should pull the Heal-over-time spells from Masters of the Wild and make them core. Perhaps even extend the duration a few rounds. The cleric would still be the master of healing during combat, but the druid would be transitioned into an acceptable downtime healer.

... however, WotC stopped returning my phone calls after the infmaous "beige dragon" incident.

 

[the Jester]

Re: Re: Re: Andy Collins talks about the Revised Druid

In fairness, most combats don't happen at long range - where druids shine. I mean, great. I can kill orcs from 400 yards away. How often does that happen in a dungon?

That being said, I think they should pull the Heal-over-time spells from Masters of the Wild and make them core. Perhaps even extend the duration a few rounds. The cleric would still be the master of healing during combat, but the druid would be transitioned into an acceptable downtime healer.

Eh, the problem with the regenerate x wounds spell is the bookkeeping. I don't want the hassle, and neither do most players in my experience... but YMMV.

 

[youspoonybard]

Regenerate X Wounds

I don't see how the Regenerate spells make the Druid a downtime healer...

The spells only repair damage taken while the spell was in effect.

The Druid isn't a healer. Without the ability to spontaneously drop for Cures, the Bard is the second-best party healer in the PHB.

The Druid always has a Heal ready for herself, though. She has the spell, but because of the fine line she has to walk when preparing spells, choosing between attack, support, and healing, she just can't afford to prepare all healing spells. When was the last time a positive-energy channelling Cleric actually prepared a Cure spell, aside from those with the Healing Domain?

 

[BiggusGeekus]

The "instant heal" spells are more likely to be cast in the middle of combat. The "heal over time" spells are likely to be cast before combat (where they may heal post-combat damge) or after combat (where the druid casts a healing spell because she has it prepped).

edit: youspoonybard, welcome to the forums!