Are Druids regarded as the most powerful class in 3.5?

[Kestrel]

They are certainly the biggest drain on time in a game.

Imagine the 3rd combat turn of a Druid who has cast 2 Nature Allies and then shapeshifts.

If he summons multiples, he could have up to 6 creatures to run and then he gets to attack with his shifted form AND his pet.

We had a game with a newer player wanting to play a druid. Holy fricking nightmare.

Personally, I think the class really needs to be pared down a bit, but thats just me.

 

[jasin]

Wildshape abuse is easily countered by ruling that they can only adopt of the form of creatures they are familiar with. . . Never seen a dire bear? well, you can't turn into one.

The only problem with this balancing method is that it goes straight down the toilet the moment the druid sees a dire bear.

The other problem is that it's utterly ludicrous for a scholar and priest of nature to be considered "not familiar" with a bear.

No, wait. The only two problems with this balancing method are...

 

[MadMaxim]

I still think Clerics are slightly more powerful. They can spontaneously convert their spells into cure spells and their buff spells like divine favor (pre-eratta), divine power and righteous might (pre-eratta) make a Cleric a dangerous melee combatant and then he casts implosion...

 

[el-remmen]

The other problem is that it's utterly ludicrous for a scholar and priest of nature to be considered "not familiar" with a bear.

A bear? Or a dire bear?

I have never thought of druids as scholars. I guess that is a campaign flavor thing. I think of them as more mystical nature priests (so much so that druids in my campaign can't make/use scrolls).

But there I go, house ruling everything again. . . I just can't help it. . .

 

[GoodKingJayIII]

The ability to destroy an army pales in comparison with the ability to command one.

... until the druid comes along and destroys it

 

[WhatGravitas]

A bear? Or a dire bear?

I have never thought of druids as scholars. I guess that is a campaign flavor thing. I think of them as more mystical nature priests (so much so that druids in my campaign can't make/use scrolls).

But there I go, house ruling everything again. . . I just can't help it. . .

Either way, I really think, that Wildshape is not easily (sometimes even accidentally) abused, but it is very... strange in flavour. My nature-priest... don't go bear. Wildshape should be handled in form of polymorph-self-like spells, and the druid should instead get some "one with nature" abilities.

Seriously, where's the difference between a druidic spell and a druidic Wildshape: Both involve the use of magic to assume the shape of an animal. Stick it into the spellcasting. Far better.

 

[Darklone]

Bard

Everyone focuses on powerful in terms of combat and in my experience combat is just one part of the game. The ability to destroy an army pales in comparison with the ability to command one.

I prefer to make the army destroy itself

Tell Firebeetle!

PS: Druids are the best class. Weaker since Animal Growth has been changed, but still best offense spellcasterclass among others and best defense.

 

[kenobi65]

They're up there. In natural environments, their battlefield control spells can be nasty. And, depending on the version of wildshaping you're using (i.e., whether you're using the WotC errata on the polymorph school), they can be butt-kickers in melee.

 

[jasin]

What's that about animal growth? When/how was it changed?

 

[Nifft]

I have never thought of druids as scholars. I guess that is a campaign flavor thing. I think of them as more mystical nature priests (so much so that druids in my campaign can't make/use scrolls).

Yeah... and Scribe Scroll is one of the top three Druid feats.

IMHO, if you've got lots of ranks in Knowledge (Foo), you are a scholar of Foo. (Clerics of Religion, Sorcerers often of Arcana, and Wizards most frequently of Arcana and several other things besides.)

Cheers, -- N