D&D 3E/3.5 Driud tweaking under 3.5

[krazykid]

I am currently building a druid and would like your opinion.

Under 3.0 a monk level is very advantagous - but want about under 3.5? The one level gives you the wisdom bonus to AC and Improved grapple. However the second level gives you evasion and combat reflexes, as well as the +1 to saves and BAB. The cost is a caster level.

My gut feeling is that if you are playing a melee druid then this second monk level is worth the spell loss - but then again I have never played a high level druid.

Should a druid take 2 levels of monk under 3.5?

 

[youspoonybard]

Ehh.

Monk's Belt will do the trick for you.

If you're a grappler Druid, I suggest 1 level of monk for IUS and Improved Grapple.

 

[blargney the second]

I would include the slowed-down access to Wild Shape among the costs of taking Monk levels.

Aside from the sheer synergy benefits of combining these classes, what is the idea behind the character? Is he a nature-oriented martial artist, or a chop socky tree hugger?

-blarg

 

[The Souljourner]

From a purely mechanical standpoint, it's not a bad idea. However, keep in mind there's wild armor, which lets you keep your armor bonus while in wild shape, which is pretty much the bomb. It's +3, but with armor being pretty cheap, it's *well* worth it.

It really depends on how easy it is to find specific magic items.... if you're sure you can get some wild dragonhide plate, then definitely don't bother with the monk levels. However, if you think you're probably not likely to find anything that exotic, it might be worth it. I'd only take one level, though. The second really doesn't help as much as the first for a druid.

-The Souljourner

 

[krazykid]

The plan behind the plan

The concept is a "mountain druid" - A human who is a loner of the high peaks - Develops a love of the desolate nature of his surroundings and becomes a druid.

As for class details I plan to focus of what druids do best (summoning) with Augemented summoning feats and wild-shape.

The monk levels do not 100% fit the concept but the synergy and bonus to AC seem to work well. And as both combat reflexes and improved grapple will be of use with wildshape animals (Mountain Gorrilla - (I will use Legendary Ape Stats and rename) or Grizzly mountain bear ) this may be worth the price.

Futher down the track I see me taking the lion of Talisad (BoED) PrC since we are playing a compaign with exalted feats available.

As for the cost of wild armor - the 20 wisdom is +5 - I would need +8 armor for this (128000gp) - it would be a long time befor I could afford it. The monks belt would be cheaper - but can still function when wildshaped? With a bear I'd say yes but an eagle or fish I'd say no. Then again as a fish or eagle would I be fighting - probably not.

Which brings me back to my orginial question - is it worth taking 1 or 2 monk levels as a druid in 3.5??

 

[Pax]

Warshaper. If you want to focus on your wildshaping, go warshaper.

And in general, consider levels of Nature's Warrior; some of the Nature's Armament options are fairly nice (like a +3 to damage with any natural weapons, while wildshaped).

 

[Diirk]

As for the cost of wild armor - the 20 wisdom is +5 - I would need +8 armor for this (128000gp) - it would be a long time befor I could afford it. The monks belt would be cheaper - but can still function when wildshaped? With a bear I'd say yes but an eagle or fish I'd say no. Then again as a fish or eagle would I be fighting - probably not.

? How do you figure?

Assuming your +8 is the +3 from wild armour + the +5 to replace the wisdom... that would cost that much, if you were doing it on padded armour. Even on leather its only +6 (2 armour, +3 enhancement, +3 wild), and at 11th level or so its pretty safe to assume wild wooden plate armour is available (see rules for transmute metal to wood for wooden armours.. cast ironwood once a week or so to get rid of those penalties).

Wild Ironwood Fullplate +1 = 16000 cost (effective +4) for 9 ac... while it limits you to +1 ac from dex, that isn't too much of an issue as most of the animal forms don't have ultra high ac.. bears have +1, apes +2, cats +2 - +3 I think... so its usually well worth it. Especially once you enchant it past +1

 

[krazykid]

Iron wood - Bloody good point

Thanks for that idea - I was not thinking that way at all. This makes the monk levels unattractive - something I am pleased about as I could't really justify them to myself for this druid concept.

Of-course this is all just dreaming at the moment - a way to waste a Sunday Avro. 2nd Level means I have a way to go ...

 

[Oscar carramiñana]

take craft wondrous items and make it a monks belt ioun stones vibrant purple (storing spells)
The buff spells & WS will make a BGG of you
If you take Mnk levels remember what your alignment must be L/N.
In my opinion these alignment is a bad choice for a Druid.
A Druid don't needs Mnk levels or any prestige class. except maybe Nature Warrior

 

[Vraister]

Anybody thought about taking one level of Warshaper? It makes you immune to crits and stunning. Its basically a heavy fortification plus immunity to stunning.
I think its pretty good.

Vraister