D&D 4E Druids in 4E

[GSHamster]

I really like the druid. But I'd also like to see the druid done properly. If that means that WotC puts it off for PHB II, I'm okay with that. The druid needs a lot of work to be put into it. It would be terribly easy to make it too powerful, or not powerful enough, or lack parts of its essential flavor, especially while working out the rest of the game at the same time.

A solid Druid class in PHB II would be my preference.

 

[ArmoredSaint]

Exactly where does the druid of modern fantasy fiction, with his eco-terrorist outlook and anti-metal crusade come from? What is the ultimate origin of this genre trope? When did the druid stop being a member of the Gallic priestly class, and turn into some sort of neo-Transcendentalist, "Gaea Hypothesis" philosophizing hippie in the popular consciousness?

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

I think we might very well see the druid in the core book, but if we don't I think it will show up in the FR Campaign book before we see it in the 4E PHB II.

Bards, too.

I just don't know how you could do that setting without those two classes.

 

[Wepwawet]

It's weird, but I've been able to come up with a pretty cool justification IMG.

(...)

It's a very good explanation! Makes perfect sense.

Christians can't eat meat at all, but only during special periods of fasting, and they can still eat fish.

Correction: christians can eat everything, except meat on special fasting days (at least catholics do it this way)

It's still weird, but it very much matches the weirdness you actually see in the world, so it's okay in my book (and we'd actually loose something if it wasn't in there).

Yeah, and D&D is all about wierdness

 

[Falling Icicle]

I, for one, will be very disappointed if the Druid is left out of the PHB. I do not feel that the Druid would be a good subclass of the Cleric. They are different and distinct enough to be seperate classes, as much or more so than a Wizard and Warlock, or Ranger and Rogue.

 

[Zweischneid]

When did the druid stop being a member of the Gallic priestly class, and turn into some sort of neo-Transcendentalist, "Gaea Hypothesis" philosophizing hippie in the popular consciousness?

Ever since stories, fiction, literature und escapist (gaming) diversion stopped being history lessons and came to reflect contemporary peoples interests, ambitions and concerns.

 

[ArmoredSaint]

The question wasn't rhetorical; I genuinely want to know when/where it started. Which work of fantasy literature first presented us with the "modern" druid? Did dungeons and Dragons invent it? Or were the first D&D druids made in imitation of some other author's work?

I'm not trying to belittle. I really want to know...

 

[Greylock]

WotC would be unwise to anger Doug Douglasson. I'd hate to see his wrath if Druids don't make the cut.

 

[ImperialParadox]

I'm going to miss druids if they are not in the Player's Handbook. However, I can see very cool possibilities of a feywild warlock replacing the druid.

However, I'm frankly quite surprised that 'nature' wasn't one of the power sources, and that druid and ranger didn't fall under this category.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Ranger is (probably) going the pure martial machine. I bet they'll be an archery threat mostly, with possible TWF to back it up in melee.