Druid Variants for Animal Companion/Wild Shape

[Corwin of Amber]

I'm working with a concept for a Druid that harnesses the raw power of nature (controlling weather/elements, etc) and I want to downplay the animal/plant affinity. I plan to take Vow of Poverty to mimic a sort of aceticism, thus I wll rely largely on magic. Since Wild Shape is meant for combat, I want to find a magic-increasing substitute. I also want to use something besides the animal companion.

So far my best choices are the Aspect of Nature variant for Wild Shape, from Unearthed Arcana, and Elemental Companion, from Complete Mage. Both options are nice, but I want to see what else exists and I want to hear some feedback from people that have experience with those ACFs.

If it is of any consequence I am going to try to be a blaster (I spend too much time playing BF control as a Cleric/Wizard) and I will use the Spontaneous Divine Caster option from UA.

I have not given any thought to PrCs yet, but it will go one of 2 ways.
If I focus on casting:
I will use a class that enhances damage output/utility, such as Elemental Savant.

If I focus on combat:
I will use Warshaper in conjunction with Aspect of Nature (although I'm not sure if this actually works).

Also, are there PrCs that advance wildshape?

 

[Dandu]

Wildshape is more powerful than Aspect of Nature, or the Shapeshift variant in the PHB2 for that matter.

Not many good prestige classes exist. Planar Shepard is an exception, of course.

 

[Dandu]

Wildshape is more powerful than Aspect of Nature, or the Shapeshift variant in the PHB2 for that matter.

Not many good prestige classes exist. Planar Shepard is an exception, of course.

 

[Corwin of Amber]

Wildshape is more powerful than Aspect of Nature, or the Shapeshift variant in the PHB2 for that matter.

Not many good prestige classes exist. Planar Shepard is an exception, of course.

I agree completely that wildshape is more powerful, I just don't like the animal/feral aspect of the druid and want to make one that favors the raw power of nature (I AM CAPTAIN PLANET... DA DA DAAAAAA).

 

[steeldragons]

So...how about you do away with wildshape and, in lieu of, allow for added spells/powers.

Say...2 additional spells per spell level. The additional spells MUST be elemental in nature...and set up a "traditional" cycle within the druidic teachings.

The first level additional spells must be 1 earth-related and 1 air-related. Next spell level, they must be fire and water related. Next spell level, earth and air again...and so on. Or, set it up one at a time: an extra earth spell then air then water then fire...or whatever order you like...but I'd start with earth for sure

--SD

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

If it's available to you, there's a Storm Druid (base class) variant in Dragon #328. Among other things, it loses animal companion, spontaneous summoning and wildshape in exchange for some immunities/resistances, a X-times-per-day "thunderstrike" attack, frightful presence, and spont casting of electricity/weather spells.

 

[Dandu]

So...how about you do away with wildshape and, in lieu of, allow for added spells/powers.

I would say that we do not need to power up druids.