The whole exercise wouldn't change much by a starting at 16 wisdom.
Maybe it was not clear why I short-changed str, dex and cha. Str and dex are just not important when you expect to spend the majority of your time as a bear, lion, rhino etc. They all have great str and good dex scores.
Even though you will likely get great con scores as well, con is still important in base form to have HP to survive surprise attacks and low levels. Cha, well thats the usual dump stat, and a easy one for a nature oriented character.
As for feats I would expect stuff like Track (fitting), Scribe scroll (great for all those special case spells), Natural spell (that's a given), Improved initiative (nice for casters), Empower spell (boom), Craft wondrous item (for options) before a feat that will basically just improves my AC by 3.
Level 16+. Hmm thats the elemental forms you are thinking of. As far as I can see only the earth elemental form has any real potential for combat (and actually thats first at level 20 and huge form). The others are for movement, travel and scouting. Don't think you will be caring much about AC in those situations.
In general I'm not concerned about class balance much beyond 15+. IMO there is no balance at all once you hit the 8-9th level spells anyway. Spellcasters just outpowers everyone else. At this point the druid will be shapechanging into far worse things than the wildshape ability allows. Like celestials with huge natural armor bonuses and they still get to use the monks belt to top those massive AC's off with their wisdom.
I disagree. My example shows that the monks belt druid always has at least as good AC as the wild armor one for less gold. On top of it he gets other benefits. How is that not better?
Keep in mind that I'm not stating that the monks belt is the best AC approach for all druids in all campaigns. But it would be far better in mine and possibly many others depending on wildshape rulings, books allowed and house rules.
Maybe it was not clear why I short-changed str, dex and cha. Str and dex are just not important when you expect to spend the majority of your time as a bear, lion, rhino etc. They all have great str and good dex scores.
Even though you will likely get great con scores as well, con is still important in base form to have HP to survive surprise attacks and low levels. Cha, well thats the usual dump stat, and a easy one for a nature oriented character.
As for feats I would expect stuff like Track (fitting), Scribe scroll (great for all those special case spells), Natural spell (that's a given), Improved initiative (nice for casters), Empower spell (boom), Craft wondrous item (for options) before a feat that will basically just improves my AC by 3.
Level 16+. Hmm thats the elemental forms you are thinking of. As far as I can see only the earth elemental form has any real potential for combat (and actually thats first at level 20 and huge form). The others are for movement, travel and scouting. Don't think you will be caring much about AC in those situations.
In general I'm not concerned about class balance much beyond 15+. IMO there is no balance at all once you hit the 8-9th level spells anyway. Spellcasters just outpowers everyone else. At this point the druid will be shapechanging into far worse things than the wildshape ability allows. Like celestials with huge natural armor bonuses and they still get to use the monks belt to top those massive AC's off with their wisdom.
I disagree. My example shows that the monks belt druid always has at least as good AC as the wild armor one for less gold. On top of it he gets other benefits. How is that not better?
Keep in mind that I'm not stating that the monks belt is the best AC approach for all druids in all campaigns. But it would be far better in mine and possibly many others depending on wildshape rulings, books allowed and house rules.
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