Druid incapacitating spells?

[mostholy2]

All good answers to my observation.

Again I'm not arguing that the Druid is in anyway underpowered or worse than the other caster classes, and I understand the spell selection of the Druid is more geared towards battlefield control than "taking out" parts of the the opponents' groups.

I was just curious if other's felt that there could be a case for not exclusively pursuing attribute increases in WIS for the Druid past a score of 19.

Whereas other caster classes may exclusively want to boost their primary stats to as high as possible for the double benefit of having a higher DC and the bonus spell slots, the Druid's spell selection is not as geared towards not being DC-based as the other classes.

Therefore, I see the main benefit of the Druid with extremely high WIS (20+) would be for the bonus spell slots (which is a HUGE benefit, particularly for those higher level slots).

Do you think a case could be made for a Druid to pursue attribute increases outside of WIS? Having the extra spell slots and DC checks (for spells requiring them) is still a very big consideration, but having an extra +1 hp/lvl is nothing to sneeze at either.

Again, as I play exclusively from core books, I cannot comment on any Druid spells that are in other books outside of the PHB.

 

[Pielorinho]

I was just curious if other's felt that there could be a case for not exclusively pursuing attribute increases in WIS for the Druid past a score of 19.

I absolutely think you could--especially if you're not interested in the direct-damage spells (flame strike, firestorm, flaming sphere, call lightning, greater call lightning, etc.), and if you're willing to give up a cross-section of the battlefield-control goodies (the trapping-effects of Transmute Rock to Mud and Transmute Mud to Rock, the slowing effects of Spike Growth and Spike Stones, etc.)

However, I also think the same is true for other classes. A wizard who decides to focus on summoning spells doesn't need a high intelligence, for example; nor does a wizard or cleric who focuses on buffing spells. Protection spells and countermagics don't require a high ability score. you could be a wizard who focuses on ray attacks and be pretty effective with a high dex and low int.

I think what you're seeing is that one subtype of druid--the one that eschews DD spells and some control spells--doesn't benefit as much from wisdom. Having played a druid to 13th level over 2 years, I definitely found that high DCs for my saves made a lot of difference in battles.

Daniel

 

[Nail]

....and really: what other stats do druids use? Wildshaping takes care of the physical stats......and do druids really care about Int or Cha? Why?

 

[pbd]

....and really: what other stats do druids use? Wildshaping takes care of the physical stats......and do druids really care about Int or Cha? Why?

Druids get some good skill selections and can use the int. I am currently palying a druid 8, who has the tracking feat. With his high wisdom and bonusses for class and synergy with knowldge nature, he can out track any ranger. Plus, the wisdom is nice for the spot and listen...

 

[Nail]

But is there any good reason to put your level-dependent stat mods in Int over Wis? I doubt it.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Arguably fewer spells that require a save to incapacitate people could be seen as a strength rather than a weakness. It is amazing how often the enemy makes the save regardless

IMX casters pump their primary stat for the extra spells. Anything beyond that is gravy

 

[pbd]

But is there any good reason to put your level-dependent stat mods in Int over Wis? I doubt it.

Oh, gosh no! Some had suggested that wisdom was the only stat you need worry about for a druid and I'm just saying that druids can benefit from decent int too.

 

[moritheil]

....and really: what other stats do druids use? Wildshaping takes care of the physical stats......and do druids really care about Int or Cha? Why?

You still need Str 13 to learn Power Attack and begin picking up those handy melee feats . . . even if you only use them while wildshaped.

 

[Pickaxe]

Even if druids don't have as many DC-dependent spells, the bonus spell slots, IMHO, still make it just as important to have a high Wis as a high casting stats for other spellcasters.

Also, don't forget that druids get Spot as a class skill, which is modified by Wisdom.

--Axe