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Completed 4e Druid (Updated 7/11, New Items; More Versatile)
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<blockquote data-quote="Eyada" data-source="post: 4358858" data-attributes="member: 59589"><p>First, thanks for putting forth all the work required to design this. Over all, I really like what you've created. I especially like the caster-Druid. I'm currently preparing to run your Druid in 2 different campaigns, so soon I'll have some (hopefully) helpful feedback. </p><p></p><p>However, I have one complaint, which I hope simply stems from a misunderstanding on my part. Wild Shape states that your gear melds into your new form, effectively becoming non-functional, except for "magical enhancement bonuses and properties". As far as I can tell, this cripples the Druid in a way that the bonuses from Wild Shaping do not compensate for. Was it intentional that Wild Shaping prevents the Druid from gaining that critical +2/+3 Proficiency bonus from wielding a weapon when making attacks vs AC? It seems like a melee "Shifter" Druid will always lag significantly behind other characters because Wild Shape prevents him from benefiting from weapon Proficiency bonuses. The +1 bonus to attacks while in Offensive form doesn't offset this handicap --a problem that is worsened when one sees how pitifully low an AC any Druid will have while in Offensive Form.</p><p></p><p>My primary character is a "Tank" Druid (Defensive Focus), and his fighting abilities at level 1 are, to say the least, unimpressive. As the party "Tank", he will never be able to afford to choose Offensive Form for any battle, due to the fact that he would have a pitifully low AC, coming in at a mere 13 (thanks to a high Dex). So, he must always choose Defensive form. This fixes his AC problem somewhat (sets him at 19 AC), but does nothing to help him hit foes --a task that is nearly impossible when using abilities that target AC. A comparable 1st level Fighter has +6/+7/+8 to attacks vs AC; while a Druid only has +3/+4/+5. This frustratingly low attack bonus results in Tear (Str vs Fort) being the Druid's only viable attack option, as attacking Fort helps alleviate the situation slightly against certain enemies.</p><p></p><p>Basically, a 1st level "Tank" Druid will have 19 AC, and +3/+4 to attacks, with a d6 weapon damage. A 1st level "Tank" Fighter will have 20 AC, +6/+7 to attacks, and a d8 weapon damage, and far more abilities that make him "sticky".</p><p></p><p>Am I misunderstanding Wild Shape, or was it intended to weaken the Druid so severely? What bonus does Wild Shape give the Druid that makes up for the harsh penalties associated with using it? (No AC bonus from armor or shields, no Proficiency bonus from weapons, no activated abilities from magic items, no ability to make ranged attacks without having to forsake your Wild Shape for the rest of the Encounter, difficulty communicating, and a "cooldown" of several minutes --a Short Rest--, during which a Wild Shape-focused Druid is not battle-ready.)</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Eyada, post: 4358858, member: 59589"] First, thanks for putting forth all the work required to design this. Over all, I really like what you've created. I especially like the caster-Druid. I'm currently preparing to run your Druid in 2 different campaigns, so soon I'll have some (hopefully) helpful feedback. However, I have one complaint, which I hope simply stems from a misunderstanding on my part. Wild Shape states that your gear melds into your new form, effectively becoming non-functional, except for "magical enhancement bonuses and properties". As far as I can tell, this cripples the Druid in a way that the bonuses from Wild Shaping do not compensate for. Was it intentional that Wild Shaping prevents the Druid from gaining that critical +2/+3 Proficiency bonus from wielding a weapon when making attacks vs AC? It seems like a melee "Shifter" Druid will always lag significantly behind other characters because Wild Shape prevents him from benefiting from weapon Proficiency bonuses. The +1 bonus to attacks while in Offensive form doesn't offset this handicap --a problem that is worsened when one sees how pitifully low an AC any Druid will have while in Offensive Form. My primary character is a "Tank" Druid (Defensive Focus), and his fighting abilities at level 1 are, to say the least, unimpressive. As the party "Tank", he will never be able to afford to choose Offensive Form for any battle, due to the fact that he would have a pitifully low AC, coming in at a mere 13 (thanks to a high Dex). So, he must always choose Defensive form. This fixes his AC problem somewhat (sets him at 19 AC), but does nothing to help him hit foes --a task that is nearly impossible when using abilities that target AC. A comparable 1st level Fighter has +6/+7/+8 to attacks vs AC; while a Druid only has +3/+4/+5. This frustratingly low attack bonus results in Tear (Str vs Fort) being the Druid's only viable attack option, as attacking Fort helps alleviate the situation slightly against certain enemies. Basically, a 1st level "Tank" Druid will have 19 AC, and +3/+4 to attacks, with a d6 weapon damage. A 1st level "Tank" Fighter will have 20 AC, +6/+7 to attacks, and a d8 weapon damage, and far more abilities that make him "sticky". Am I misunderstanding Wild Shape, or was it intended to weaken the Druid so severely? What bonus does Wild Shape give the Druid that makes up for the harsh penalties associated with using it? (No AC bonus from armor or shields, no Proficiency bonus from weapons, no activated abilities from magic items, no ability to make ranged attacks without having to forsake your Wild Shape for the rest of the Encounter, difficulty communicating, and a "cooldown" of several minutes --a Short Rest--, during which a Wild Shape-focused Druid is not battle-ready.) [/QUOTE]
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