Druid Help Please

[Darklone]

Now what would be good spell choices for 1st and 2nd level spells? besides Magic Fang (going to have at least 1 of them memorized, 2 when i can. 1 for monk, 1 for wolf)

Yeah, monk druids... Hell on earth! Same spell progression as sorcerers... more hitpoints, skillpoints, special abilities, AC, healing spells... Yihaa!

Forget Magic Fang. (What level is your monk? I hope not more than 2, otherwise the missing spellcasterlevels will suck very fast)

Since he is the only healer: Goodberries. As soon as you reach higher levels, you will very fast carry a real big bunch of them around if you cast them once each day.

Next best spell: ENTANGLE. Absolutely the best lvl1 spell in 3rd edition.

 

[Pielorinho]

Yeah, monk druids... Hell on earth! Same spell progression as sorcerers... more hitpoints, skillpoints, special abilities, AC, healing spells... Yihaa!

Forget Magic Fang. (What level is your monk? I hope not more than 2, otherwise the missing spellcasterlevels will suck very fast)

Since he is the only healer: Goodberries. As soon as you reach higher levels, you will very fast carry a real big bunch of them around if you cast them once each day.

Next best spell: ENTANGLE. Absolutely the best lvl1 spell in 3rd edition.

My DM agreed to let me change Goodberry so that it produces exactly 5 berries each time it's cast. That's the average number, and it makes goodberry bookkeeping much, much easier.

I usually cast it twice a day; if I'm travelling, I'll cast it 3x/day. And I distribute the berries so that every party member has at least 8 (a single person can only benefit from 8 goodberries/day anyway).

Entangle isn't nearly as great as it might seem, I think. In most games, the bulk of adventures happens in cities or underground; the spell is useless in these environs. However, when you do get a chance to use it, it freakin rocks.

And our monk always gets a magic fang from me in battle: it makes him much, much more effective.

A couple of fun notes:
-If you're assaulting a compound, remember stone shape and soften earth and stone: they can allow you to make your attack from an unexpected direction, bypassing the guards.
-You can cast produce flame on your friends. If one of your friends has the rapid shot feat, all the better: they can throw the flame several times per round.
-Make sure that your party members buff up your animal companions. Your wolf or bear is a lot likelier to survive if she's wearing a suit of mage armor and/or is under the influence of cat's grace.

Daniel

 

[Vander]

What has been found to be the best races for a Druid? I imagine a Fey race (satyr, etc.) would be a natural choice, as would Elf and Gnome. Any others?

 

[Xarlen]

Entangle isn't nearly as great as it might seem, I think. In most games, the bulk of adventures happens in cities or underground; the spell is useless in these environs. However, when you do get a chance to use it, it freakin rocks.


A couple of fun notes:
-If you're assaulting a compound, remember stone shape and soften earth and stone: they can allow you to make your attack from an unexpected direction, bypassing the guards.
-You can cast produce flame on your friends. If one of your friends has the rapid shot feat, all the better: they can throw the flame several times per round.
-Make sure that your party members buff up your animal companions. Your wolf or bear is a lot likelier to survive if she's wearing a suit of mage armor and/or is under the influence of cat's grace.

Daniel

Note that Stone manipulation may only work on unworked stone. I know 'Meld with Stone' does. But that's Very useful in caves.

 

[rampant insanity]

I would say forest gnome does it best. Or any type of gnome for that matter. The strength penalty is non-existant by 5th level and the con bonus is simply AMAZING. That's if you're number crunching.

I think the gnome also cuts a very powerful image of an irate demi-human protecting his forest home from predators who underrate him only to find sudden flame strikes and dire badgers popping out and clawing them to bits.


Number-wise the Dwarf is the next best because once again, by 5th level all his disadvantages are compensated for except Charisma.... the classic dump stat.

RP Wise, I think it may be very difficult for new players, but the concept is definately workable if you don't mind being outcasted from Dwarf Society.

Still going by numbers I would say elves have it worst because their bonuses do not contribute to the Druid and the penalties can not be compensated for.

Also the elven druid is too typical for my tastes though some players may enjoy it.

 

[Celebrim]

If he really wanted to be Genasi, couldnt' he start off as a 0 level apprentice?

 

[Pielorinho]

I went for a dwarven druid, although at first I didn't realize what a numbers-crunching bonus it was, and used the outcast concept to good effect. Forty years in dwarven society mining the shining blood of the dead mother, six months of insanity in which he heard the mother wailing beneath the pickaxes and realized she wasn't dead, ten years of isolated wandering, six years of training under a capricious elven druid woman, and ten years of sitting alone on an alpine peak, caring for eagels and mountain goats, before being called to adventure.

The dwarf schtick works great (although the CHA penalty hurts your handle animal/animal empathy skills). But then, for RP reasons, I requested to be reincarnated as a female elf. Which really freakin sucks, statwise.

I agree that elves make poor druids. Consider asking your DM to allow druids to use bows (although they won't start with the proficiency): it's logical, and it makes elven druids more suitable.

Daniel

 

[mikebr99]

The Deity Mielikki in FR is very lenient with her druid's weapon selections...

 

[Krafen]

My DM agreed to let me change Goodberry so that it produces exactly 5 berries each time it's cast. That's the average number, and it makes goodberry bookkeeping much, much easier.

I usually cast it twice a day; if I'm travelling, I'll cast it 3x/day. And I distribute the berries so that every party member has at least 8 (a single person can only benefit from 8 goodberries/day anyway).

Daniel

Is'nt the material component of Goodberry fresh berries? How do you find fresh berries when they are not in season?

 

[Pielorinho]

Dredging up an old topic...

Krafen, the answer to your question about how I cast goodberries in the middle of winter is, "oops."

I just shot an email off to my DM about it. I can see two possible rulings:

1) As you say, it should only be castable from May-September (or thereabouts), when edible berries are widely available.
2) The rules don't prohibit casting it on mistletoe berries and holly berries, both available in winter.

We've also expanded the spell before for flavor reasons, allowing Goodmushrooms and Goodacorns. But I'll see what my Dm says.

Daniel