Help creating Lizardfolk Barbarian1/Druid8

[Kalendraf]

What bonuses can I look forward to w/ creatures attacking from beneath the water? Any creative terrain advantages?

Sure are. This is probably the most likely one to come into effect:

Attacks from Land: Characters swimming, floating, or treading water on the surface, or wading in water at least chest deep, have improved cover (+8 bonus to AC, +4 bonus on Reflex saves) from opponents on land. Landbound opponents who have freedom of movement effects ignore this cover when making melee attacks against targets in the water. A completely submerged creature has total cover against opponents on land unless those opponents have freedom of movement effects. Magical effects are unaffected except for those that require attack rolls (which are treated like any other effects) and fire effects.

That +8 AC bonus is really handy in assisting the low AC of the druid, his companion and/or summon NA's. Once they enter the water, they'll likely stay there since the water helps their AC so much. Unless the party can somehow drive them out (possibly with enough ranged attacks) or lure them away, the druid and his pals are likely going to stay in their great position floating in the water.

You'll likely want to check out the entire section that talks about aquatic combat. Normally landbound character who wind up fighting in/under water suffer various penalties which are described on a table. Also, water impacts spellcasting and how fire works as well.

 

[Sejs]

I will definitely use the Summon NA for all the swamp nasties.

Two words: Assassin. Vines. Grab 'n Drown. Toss in some fog to make extra use of the vine's blindsight.


I wonder if you could get swarms of leeches in a swamp with Summon Swarm...

 

[Eye Tyrant]

I wonder if you could get swarms of leeches in a swamp with Summon Swarm...

Shoot, they're gonna probably be on my random/wandering encounter list anyway. What's a swamp without leeches!?

Thanks again for all the suggestions!

 

[Darklone]

Too bad you're not level 9 for Animal Growth ... hehehehehehe.

Extra Rage would be a nice feat... and wildshape into a giant octopus. Even without animal growth the reach and 8 attacks are superb.

 

[two]

This is probably obvious dumb and impossible -- but --

(i'm not a druid guru)

Can you use the natural spell feat (allowing you to cast in your animal form) while, for example, underwater?

Transform into a water-breathing shape, see the party, drop underwater. swim some.

Sit at the bottom of a swamp 10' deep, and summon animals -- then augment them -- then let them attack.

If/when they die, repeat. It will be very difficult for the party to spot something invisible casting a spell silently underwater. At some point, when spells gone, slink away and return the next day. Or just attack.

(unless there are rules disallowing this).

Even if the water is murky, I suspect some underwater-dwelling creatures could see at least 5' or 10' out, enough to summon monsters underwater (which then burst up and attack).

 

[Darklone]

I see no reason why a waterbreathing creature shouldn't be able to cast spells underwater. But druids can't go invisible.

Out of sight, ok...

 

[Eye Tyrant]

I see no reason why a waterbreathing creature shouldn't be able to cast spells underwater. But druids can't go invisible.

Out of sight, ok...

Yeah Dark, I think that submergerd creatures get a huge concealment bonus. And IIRC, creatures partially submerged get nice cover bonuses too. This is gonna get nasty

 

[Nail]

1st rnd = shift to large Komodo
2nd rnd = Summon NA for lots of medium or several large swamp themed creatures
3rd rnd = Animal Growth

Only problem: Drd 8 means no 5th level spells. Thanks for playing!

As others have pointed out, the Giant Croc is good for grabbing someone and drowning them. It's mucho scary, no? ....of course, drowning takes quite awhile, so it's quite likely the PCs companions can save him....but the PCs don't need to know that!!!

That's the fun, you see: make it look like they''re in BIG trouble...when, in fact, they can handle it....as long as they keep their wits about them.

 

[Tilla the Hun (work)]

This is probably obvious dumb and impossible -- but --

(i'm not a druid guru)

Can you use the natural spell feat (allowing you to cast in your animal form) while, for example, underwater?

Transform into a water-breathing shape, see the party, drop underwater. swim some.

Sit at the bottom of a swamp 10' deep, and summon animals -- then augment them -- then let them attack.

If/when they die, repeat. It will be very difficult for the party to spot something invisible casting a spell silently underwater. At some point, when spells gone, slink away and return the next day. Or just attack.

(unless there are rules disallowing this).

Even if the water is murky, I suspect some underwater-dwelling creatures could see at least 5' or 10' out, enough to summon monsters underwater (which then burst up and attack).

-rofl- Now you're getting the creative bug...

Make the swamp a -true- marshy area, like the everglades or the fenlands. Average depth of the water is 6-8 feet, cresting to 2' in places. Druid Barb1/Druid8 with tribe of lizardman warriors. First warrior that dies, they all run away and hide (extremely difficult to find a lizardman in a swamp that doesn't want to be found ). The druid dives in the water and shifts to a fish or snake (something small + innocuous) and dives to the deepest/farthest point away from the enemy. Natural spell to SNA several creatures and buff them w/ previously mentioned spells (MoW + Complete Divine GREAT resources here...). Repeat once per hour. Have previously created infusions (MoW) for summon spells and for buff spells. A lizardman druid will have _lots_ of time for this. Keep repeating spells SNA II or III + Bulls + Cats + Adrenaline + Might of Oak + Speed of Wind + Barkskin every hour on the hour. Guess how you use an infusion? You can -eat- it... Fish food anyone?

Use plant growth on the algae/water plants to make total cover for you and your pets. Every hour, your pets (crocs, alligators, komodos, snakes, etc.) attack from total cover = surprise round.

About the third or fourth hour when a horde of crocs with + 12-16 str have attacked from total cover for a surprise round and are apparently being directed.... Well, lets just say I hope you post back with what you did and how the party handles it, because I for one would be extremely interested

Heh, drop the barb1 and go druid9 and add in a few (their expensive) infusions of animal growth for the initial encounter...

 

[LightPhoenix]

I think this is actually a real tactic that gators and crocs use, so it's not that far-fetched. With that big croc someone listed, who has a +21 grapple check, it's quite difficult, possibly even impossible to escape from its jaw once it hits. You may want to read up on the rules for drowning/holding your breath. It takes several rounds so you'd need some method of holding off other characters to do this. Summoned NA's can help there. Characters will need to work together to rescue anyone who gets pulled down.

It is a real tactic that they use, and to great success. They grab a creature and basically roll over, attempting to drown the prey. With both the Druid and the Companion doing this at the same time, you could probably guarantee at least one PC death, if not more if they're unprepared for it. Keep in mind the croc is going to keep dealing damage as well, while the character is being grappled underwater.