Getting the most out of a druid?

[Stalker0]

One other spell not often used, but in your situation could be very hand, is animal messenger. Trying to set up some conspiracies, or coordinate things within your city, who would suspect little kitty kats?

 

[randomling]

See, that's what I think... it's not often you get an information-gathering druid, but you need to be on top of things in a city, right?

 

[Suldulin]

the small animals can be handy in a campaign not completely focused upon combat, my suggestion would be to get a torc of animal speech asap, or see if your DM may maybe let you speak with animals, or at least with a specific type of animals

also if you're doing an urban based druid take a look at the web enhancement for quinesstial druid from mongoose publishing

 

[Jeph]

All I have to say is . . .

nevermind. I have a few things to say.

1) Animal Growth . . . on yourself, in Wild Shape form (I'm not sure if it's totally legal, but yields a great increase in Strength and Natural armor). Then, Greater Magic Fang, and remember that you can use Produce Flame touch attacks in conjunction with normal unarmed (in this case claws/bites) attacks. You might want to take Weapon Focus in Claw or Bite, and maybe Improved Critical next time you gain a level. I also think that the idea of taking a level of monk was pretty good.

2) Remember, because the healing spells are on your list, you can use wands of them.

3) Spike Stones is awesome in a city with cobbled streets. As long as you and your allies remain flying/levitating/climbing (oh, don't forget the Brachiation feat, see if your GM will allow you a varient that can be used with buildings instead of trees), your enemies will be forced to either stay where they are, or have their feet sliced off.

4) Maxamized call lightning. 100 damage per strike. 'nuf said.

5) Transmute Rock to Mud on stone buildings. Wheeeeeeeee!

-Jeph

 

[Hypersmurf]

5) Transmute Rock to Mud on stone buildings. Wheeeeeeeee!

Make sure you're reading that one right. You can't affect worked stone; it's only of use to transmute the foundations of small buildings that rest on unworked stone (regardless of what the buildings are made of).

-Hyp.

 

[Lela]

2) Remember, because the healing spells are on your list, you can use wands of them.

I can't believe I forgot this one. Stock up on these guys. Our party would be long dead w/o our Druid's wand.

Fighter Smacks
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Druid Pokes

It can get a little too commonplace, but it can be what keeps your party going.

 

[James McMurray]

Reincarnation - the lowest level way to revive a character, but risky.

If there is a healer in the party, Last Breath (from MotW) can get a dead guy up and back into combat. Even without a healer, it can save a character's life if you can get to the guy fast enough and he can crawl away from the battle.

 

[Suldulin]

1) Animal Growth . . . on yourself, in Wild Shape form (I'm not sure if it's totally legal, but yields a great increase in Strength and Natural armor).

-Jeph

wildshape doesn't change your type, animal growth doesn't affect humanoids, it affects animals, so no go, though it might be possible to convince a dm to make a house rule to allow awakened animals to still be affected by the spell, a wildshaped druid I couldn't really see unless you come up with a new spell

 

[kigmatzomat]

Since you seem to be making the character "whole cloth", see if the GM will let you have Awakened an animal companion at an earlier level. Druids can awaken at 9th level and using the "follower" XP awards (detailed in the Leadership feat), they would get 1/2 XP you got. So between 9th and 11th you'd have earned 19,000XP which would be 8500XP for the animal. That XP is applied post-awakening.

Assuming a 1HD dog to begin with, boosted to 3HD by awaken for ECL3, and the Dog could get an 2 class levels (3,000XP for ECL3 +8500=>11500XP for ECL5).

Never, never, underestimate the power of an animal companion with sneak attack and evasion, feats like spring attack and weapon specialization, or even spellcasting. (Imagine an awakened animal with it's own familiar.)
For 150XP it is well worth it. You could even have several if you want to spend the XP.

 

[LokiDR]

The best interpretation of an urban druid I have seen can be found in Enemies and Allies. The character was a half-fiendish urban druid spy master. Imagine what ally cats, people's dogs and the pigions hear. Add a torc of animal speach (MotW) and you get a very effective spy master. It fits in a urban setting a lot better than a lot of fire, unless this is a city of evokers.

Also, no one mentioned Briar Web from MotW. This spell acts as an entangle that deals damage, 1d4+level, if those in the area try to move. It also provides concealment. I have known druids to carry gords to use as grenades.

Stone shape is another great spell. Create exits, diversions, secure a retreat, or drop a ceiling on your oppents. Talk to your DM before you try that last one.