Druid & Monk

[Darklone]

I have a question for the druid players here on the board... I have a halfling druid 8 (now soon) in my group who is finally able to wildshape into large animals for melee goodness. Animal Growth at level 9 will give another boost for dishing out more damage.

Now the question: This player thinks about taking one or two levels of monk (AC +6 and perhaps Evasion plus some bonus feats and good saves) probably after level 9. I thought about Tattooed Monk (CW) ... but the real question is:

Do you have experience with these builds and, if you were at his place, would you do it? Sacrifice 1 - 3 spellcasting levels for a huge increase in melee durability?

 

[Vraister]

Hey,
my current character is a Human Druid 9. I was thinking about one monk level, but I decided against it. The saves and feats (especially in 3.5, we are playing 3.0) are nice. The AC boost is nice as well, but you can get similiar AC from a Wild Darkleaf armor.
It was a close call for me, but I am the main spellcaster in the group since our sorceress player decided to make a new fighter type charakter, and this was probably my main reason to stay single class druid.
If she were still there and if we would play 3.5 I would have to rethink.

OT: I'm curious what feats does your player have?

Greets from the north border of the Black Forest
Vraister

 

[Brekki]

Evasion is nice, as are stunning fist and improved grapple. It's worth it when you don't want to wear an expensive wild armor and are more of a melee-druid then a casting-druid.

 

[Darklone]

His access to a wild armour is... bad

His feats: Some riding stuff (his animal companion is a cheetah), Natural Spell... can't remember the rest (perhaps he's so nice to post them, he's lurking here now and then).

I guess he has Power Attack or Improved Grapple ... Improved Toughness...

 

[Darklone]

Ok, he's got Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack... looking forward to use it with Produce Flame and later Whirlwind...

 

[Vraister]

Sounds like the two monk levels make perfect sense for this character.
He gets a huge AC boost, even better its a touch AC boost.
+3 on all saves and two bonus feats. One of them helps him getting Whirlwind Attack. The 'only' thing he loss is one point of attack and 2 spellcasting levels. The last would really hurt a casting druid, but not so much a melee type.
I would take these two monk levels.

Vraister

 

[Darklone]

And he can deliver a Poison Spell (or Produce Flame) as well as a stunning fist with a Spring Attack, right? Damn Cheetahs

 

[Vraister]

It definitely can - you poor DM!
The 3.5 Stunning Fist ist vastly superior with this monk(2)/druid(x) build. In 3.0 only the monk level count towards the DC, in 3.5 your character level.
Damn, I want to switch to 3.5.

 

[jarlaxlecq]

how would monk levels work with druid levels in terms of attacks per round and natural weapon damage? for example if i was part monk and part druid could i wildshape into a Legendary ape and break out with my kung fu?

 

[Epametheus]

I don't see why you couldn't do kung fu as an ape, but there apparently aren't good answers for how a monk with natural weapons works. Kung fu as a dire bear would be even better.

My own frontliner druid is sticking to druid; it'll take a while, but I want Wildshape: Huge ASAP.

What's this Wild Armor that people are talking about? Would it be a good idea for my druid to take Craft Arms & Armor at L12 just so that he could make it himself?