Druid, Be Thyself!

[interwyrm]

I want to play a druid that doesn't wildshape. Is there a prestige class somewhere that trades wild shape for something nifty?

 

[FreeXenon]

This isn't a prestige class sugestion, but Unearthed Arcana, I think, has a version of the Druid which does not wild shape. That might get you where you want to go.

 

[moritheil]

Avenger or something like that - one of the variants - gains barb abilities and loses wild shape.

 

[Klaus]

Races of Eberron has the Shifter Druid substitution levels. In place of Wild Shape, they get improved uses of their shifting ability.

 

[Particle_Man]

Complete Divine has Spirit Shaman, which is kinda like a druid but no wildshaping or animal companions. You get a spirit guide that is really a part of yourself, though.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Avenger or something like that - one of the variants - gains barb abilities and loses wild shape.

Druidic Avenger keeps Wildshape - it loses Animal Companion.

You want the Swift and Deadly Hunter druid from UA:

Druid
The druid might choose to give up her wild shape ability in exchange for becoming a swift and deadly hunter.

Gain
Bonus to Armor Class when unarmored (as monk, including Wisdom bonus to AC), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy (as ranger), swift tracker (as ranger), Track feat (as ranger).

Lose
Armor and shield proficiency, wild shape (all versions).

I'm playing one at the moment. A couple of times, other players have started a sentence with "Well, you could wildshape into a bird, and..."
"I don't wildshape."
"... oh."

-Hyp.

 

[interwyrm]

Unearthed arcana was a good thing to look at. I like the aspect of nature variant for wildshaping. The hunter thing doesn't really fit with the character concept.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

It isn't really what you asked for, but you might consider Fochlucan Lyrist. You can take it before you get Wildshape, still get a lot of druid spellcasting, and bard and druid fit well thematically.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

you could go with striaght druid and take a wild feat and just use up your wildshape uses on thoes. Blindsight and plant type are really nice.

 

[interwyrm]

stormlord from cd might work. It has a full caster progression, special abilities are replaced by being able to walk/fly in storms, and automatic weapon enhancements to javelins and spears.

I think I will go Druid5 and then to Stormlord. I will take a dire bat mount, and throw thundering shocking javelins from it while I'm not casting spells.

Silly thing is though... in high winds... aren't projectile weapons affected?