Geomancer build help!

[timbannock]

I'm running in a Red Hand of Doom campaign (though it's starting in Lost City of Barakus for levels 1-5) and I have a few ideas for a strange build: a Bard/Druid -> Geomancer.

32 point buy, and I have to choose one of the following variants (because the DM doesn't want wildshaping):
- Shapeshift variant from PHB2
- Variant from Unearthed Arcana where I lose wildshape and armor/shield prof in order to gain bonus AC (as monk), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy, swift tracker and Track feat (as ranger)
- Aspect of Nature variant from Unearthed Arcana

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Random other info:

Now, the group as a whole is a little weird, and I want to make sure I can be effective in combat (don't care which: melee or ranged, but probably ranged). The group so far:
- Sorcerer 1 (plans to be a Sorcerer/Rogue/Arcane Trickster)
- Cleric 1 (plans to stick with Cleric for the forseeable future)
- Ranger 1 (also plans to stay with Ranger)

The cleric and ranger are going for melee builds and I want to be able to support them (bardic abilities, occasional healing) and fight as well (druid abilities and eventually Geomancer abilities).

So...any ideas? I'd prefer to start as a Bard for the skills and support abilities, but I'm not married to any one progression.

 

[Nifft]

My helpful suggestion is: don't. Just play a straight Shapeshift variant Druid.

You'd be terribly weak as an optimal Geomancer; mixing it up with those two classes sounds like a recipe for failure.

Cheers, -- N

 

[XCorvis]

Yah, that particular combo is pretty odd. You're going to be a poor warrior and a spellcaster with a really odd selection. Consider replacing Bard with a buff-focused Sorcerer or Beguiler and choose the first option from Unearthed Arcana (monk AC, etc). You'll have a good AC from your Wisdom, move fast and cast buffs from your sorcerer spells and use your neat druid spells offensively.

The geomancer drift is by far the coolest thing about the class. The rest of it is only kind of OK. Maybe you can play a straight druid and trade some class features for good drift?