Animal-like weapons for Druids

[Tetsubo]

The recent thread on Druid weapons got me thinking. Why can't druids use nekode (or bagh nakh)? They work a great deal like natural animal claws and that would be right in line with the druidic ideals. If they use scimitars because of the crescent moon (?) connection why not these? Didn't they have something like this in the -13th Warrior-? I could see a Bear Cult inspired Druid just loving these.

 

[MythandLore]

It's a religious thing (don't ask me how )
But, in your own game you can change it to what ever you want.
The Scythes, whips, bows, and flails all seem good to me.
The blade guantlet from sword and fist seems like it would be good too.

 

[CRGreathouse]

It's a religious thing (don't ask me how )
But, in your own game you can change it to what ever you want.
The Scythes, whips, bows, and flails all seem good to me.
The blade guantlet from sword and fist seems like it would be good too.

There's no in-game reason to restrict druids' weapon selection, but there's a slight balance reason. My advice: be careful.

 

[MythandLore]

There's no in-game reason to restrict druids' weapon selection, but there's a slight balance reason. My advice: be careful.

There is. P.34 PHB:
"Their spiritrual oaths prohibit them from using weapons other then these."

Now this is what never really made much sense.
They can use some metal weapons and no metal armor.
It's all screwy.
And as far as balance, they are one of the only classes banded from using diffrent weapons, not that they aren't able to use them they can't even use a feat to use them.
The rule seems like some wacky "flavor" rule from the past.
Even if you droped that rule, they still aren't that super great a class that munchies would flock too.

 

[Tetsubo]

I'm not looking to drop the rule, just make the list of allowed weapons a bit bigger. And the nekode seems like a logical extention of that list. The bladed gaunlets would also be good but are more powerful. The nekode also have the advantage of aiding Climbing.

 

[Zhure]

Add falchion to the list of weapons that would make sense, but aren't on the list.

Greg

 

[photon1966]

The whole list of Druid weapons always seemed odd to me. What I have done, again aimed at flavour is only allowed naturally crafted weapons. So no swords at all, but I have allowed bows, spears, and the nekodes work fine as well as long as they are composed of natural, unworked materials. It has helped to distinguish the Druid Marabrari from the other players, and seems to work balance wise. For me the flavour is the thing and he presently has crafted arrows from bones of things they have encountered, made a dagger like weapon from giant insects mandibles and others. Meanwhile Eric the Paladin wields a sword crafted by Dwarves. For us this clearly separates the characters and better helps us to roleplay them. And seeing this is a roleplaying game I like rules which enhance that and not take away from it.

So Ignore the exact list of Druid weapons and make on based on the flavour of the druids in your own world. Mine are a primitive, wild, group very much attuned with, and wanting to connect with nature in all it's ways.

On a side note i do the same focus for the armour and magic items as well. He wears hides and wooden armour, game mechaniclly it's chainshirt, but I have it appear as wood and hides and he had to gather those items to craft it rather then go to a smith or store or dig up and smelt the armour as Eric did. Again this is just flavour of my world but it helps to separte the characters with out unbalancing the game.

Soon Marabrari will have Ironwood spell and this will be moot to a degree as he'll be crafting his items out of this, if they can find the time....

 

[Crothian]

You might want to consider where the weapons come from historically. Sure nekodes might make sense for a druid, but I doubt they'd ever come across one considering were each developed. I know many people show disdain at bringing in real world stuff into their games, but all weapons have a history of why they came to be. Some wepoans would not hoave been developed in some areas. Just something to think about.

 

[CRGreathouse]

There is. P.34 PHB:
"Their spiritrual oaths prohibit them from using weapons other then these."

Now this is what never really made much sense.
They can use some metal weapons and no metal armor.
It's all screwy.
And as far as balance, they are one of the only classes banded from using diffrent weapons, not that they aren't able to use them they can't even use a feat to use them.
The rule seems like some wacky "flavor" rule from the past.

You know, that really hurts - you assuming I didn't know the basis for the reason that druids are restricted in their weapon use. Frankly, I'm insulted.

I know that nebulous "spiritual oaths" restrict them, but there's no in-game reason that the list should include weapon "x" or exclude weapon "y."

 

[Crothian]

Druid weaponand armor restriction I always saw as flavor. I doubt the playtestes told Wizards "Druids are to powerful, we need to restrict their weapon and armor selections". Personally, I think the restrictions area alittle to tight. Butthe Druid in our group has been able to do fine by them. Longspears are a good reach weapon.