best form for a 5th level druid?

[daemonslye]

what is the best combat-oriented animal form for a 5th level druid?
any wotc books (non faerun) are fine. thanks very much

~D

 

[domino]

Define "best."

Best damage doer?
Best damage TAKER?
Best tripper and/or grappler?

 

[Thanee]

Leopard (standard animal) is pretty good.

Bye
Thanee

 

[daemonslye]

thanks thanee;

Could an ape wield a weapon?

(best = best combination of strength, con, and AC with relatively decent damage potential; grapple/trip stuff is nice... but basics are the focus)

 

[daemonslye]

....er, of course an ape is.... large. doh.

~D

 

[Al'Kelhar]

In my view, the black bear is slightly "better" than the leopard for combat purposes. The riding dog is excellent for tracking - because you get the Track feat as a racial bonus feat, and presumably your druid has a few ranks in Survival - and is a reasonable combatant. But remember the restriction that druids have to be familiar with the animal shape chosen. In a "default" temperate European setting, your DM may well rule that your druid is not familair with leopards (although you do still find leopard-like big cats in temperate climates, e.g. mountain lions).

Cheers, Al'Kelhar

 

[Goolpsy]

well, the combat is a big place, there is space for spellcasters, hit and run fighters, special fighters, frontlines meatshield.. etc.

which one do you want? an Eagle could be nice, it has very free movement. Then therss the Leopard, with soem good dex and some free movements as well as its able to deal some damage. And THen theres the Bear.. Big bad frontline meat, not meant to move, but has an insane STR bonus.. It all depent on your combat style..

 

[Ballard_Alvar]

The riding dog is excellent for tracking - because you get the Track feat as a racial bonus feat, and presumably your druid has a few ranks in Survival - and is a reasonable combatant.

WS doesn't give Rac Bonus Feats, but you could train you riding dog comanion or black bear companion to track for you.

edit: Keep in mind WS gives you Special Attacks(not supernatural or spellike)and no Special qualities. So you get improved grab, but not darkvison.

 

[moritheil]

Bear is pretty standard in all the games I've played in. It's your usual declaration of "oh, you thought I was a defenseless spellcaster, so you got close? Let me maul you now."

 

[Krelios]

I prefer the Monitor Lizard myself, but the Wolf is a close second.