Bow-wielding Druids

[Arbiter of Wyrms]

3.5 allows Druids to use weapons outside the class decription without violating their oath, but the Druid weapons list doesn't include the bow.

The druid's only ranged weapon is the sling.

My presumption is that the druid concept only includes "primitive" weapons. I understand that the sling is more primitive than the bow, but I would also argue that the bow (non-composite) is more pirmative than the scimitar.

My wife is complaining that her new druid PC won't be proficient with the bow without blowing a feat on it, and since I can't really see why the bow should be prohibited to druids based on concept alone, I will probably house-rule the druid class to include proficiency with bows.

What problems, if any, do all foresee with allowing druids to use bows?​

Note: I like game balance, but it is not the paramount concern in my game.

 

[Jack Simth]

Whiny players saying you gave *your wife* a free feat?

 

[Shayuri]

Suggestion:

Be an elf druid.

Elves get several weapon proficiencies for free, including bows.

That's what I did, anyway. It works great too.

 

[Jdvn1]

I suppose you might start seeing bow-wielding monkeys and such. That'd be odd. I don't think it's too upsetting, though.

 

[Arbiter of Wyrms]

My other players tend to push harder for power-gamey type character-concept bonuses, and when they fit, I give in to them too. My wife's not really the power-gamer in the group, but then, I guess there really isn't one in the group right now, come to think of it.

Everybody just really gets into their characters more for their stories and motivations and quirks than for their super broken in-game abilities.

 

[Arbiter of Wyrms]

Suggestion:

Be an elf druid.

Elves get several weapon proficiencies for free, including bows.

That's what I did, anyway. It works great too.

DUH! Her character is an Elf - wild elf I think. And I say again, DUH! I can't believe I missed that. Thank you, Shayuri. I'm going to go double check that Wild Elves get the same bonus proficiencies that High Elves do, and then I can take some more time to mull over the bow-wielding druid question.

DUH! I feel silly. I've obviously spent too much time on silly things like romantic era poetry, literature of the child, child psychology, secondary school pedagogy, and original linguistic research...

and not enough time on D&D. Thank you, ENWorld, for reminding me of my priorities.

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

Thank you, ENWorld, for reminding me of my priorities.

That's what we're here for

 

[Bront]

It's probably more of a balance issue. Though I think Scimitars are there more as homage to 1st Ed than anything else. But a longbow would be the strongest weapon, ranged or melee, on the druid's list other than the regular spear, which is a 2 handed weapon.

Personaly, I'm enjoying drawing up my sewer halfling druid with quickdraw, and a boatload of shortspears. Then he shall inspire fear in his foes as he rides his dire rat into battle.

 

[shilsen]

3.5 allows Druids to use weapons outside the class decription without violating their oath, but the Druid weapons list doesn't include the bow.

The druid's only ranged weapon is the sling.

And the dart.

 

[Storyteller01]

Though I think Scimitars are there more as homage to 1st Ed than anything else.

Didn't it have something to do with the scimitar being a 'gaint sickle'? Not that it's correct, but wasn't that the original thought?