Multiclassed Druids

[Henry]

I am surprised your DM would feel hamstrung by that. The designers have, in several places over the past two years, stated that the druid limitations were strictly for flavor rather than balance, and similar could be said for other minutiae (the monk and paladin multiclass restrictions, for one). Even if we did not have the opinion of multiple designers stating this, every DM should feel free to change something about a class that they do not agree with. It should not take a whole redesign of the druid to get around it.

Even if he felt unsure about allowing a multiclassed druid better weapon restrictions, He can make some sort of minor limitation to make up for it. Even if he didn't keep in mind that owning the weapons does nothing - using them in combat means that all spellcasting powers are lost of 24 hours - not good, but not the end of the world.

My advice to the DM is just let a multiclassed character have his freedom. After all, clerics are not hampered in this way, so why should druids be? And keep in mind that clerics, power for power, actually have the edge on druids.

 

[smetzger]

"...Elven Ranger in the Living Greyhawk RPGA Campaign..."

Therefore he does not have any wiggle room. And shame on you guys for being in the Rules forum and suggesting to break the rules

 

[Pielorinho]

However, if I want to recreate this character in our local game, what kind of options do I have to merge these aspects together?

Back atcha, smetzger!

I'd allow a primitive druid character who can use weapons only of wood, stone, horn, and other non-forged materials. Things like obsidian swords, stone arrowheads, etc. Weapons made from most stone or horn would do -1 damage; weapons made of obsidian would shatter on a successful critical.

Are there any PrCs that would fulfill your weaponly desires, Kizyc? Perhaps there's a PrC whose requirements you could satisfy by taking one or two levels of druid. At that point, you could continue using martial weapons, and you'd lose the druid spells; however, you'd keep the bulk of your abilities.

Daniel

 

[Christian]

"...Elven Ranger in the Living Greyhawk RPGA Campaign..."

Therefore he does not have any wiggle room. And shame on you guys for being in the Rules forum and suggesting to break the rules

Hey, now!

Originally posted by Kizyc
However, if I want to recreate this character in our local game, what kind of options do I have to merge these aspects together?

So, since "Sorry, you're screwed," is the short answer to his primary question, we'll spend some time discussing the more interesting subquestion.

Anyway, we're talking about bending the rules. Um, sort of ...

 

[howlingwolf]

I would tend to agree, that if it is just for flavor, discuss it with your DM for an exception. Personally though, a bow would go against my notion of a Druid, though it is strongly a Ranger thing!

I wanted to add another question to this posting. I am working out a Barbarian/Druid character, and the armour limitations are my concern. I wanted to use the ironwood spell to get around it (6th level spell, 11th level caster) but can't figure out what the price for said magic item would be. The Masters of the Wild book has a Plate +2 armour made with it for Druids, and they price it at 137,500 gp! Now that isn't even in the ballpark with the armours listed in the DMG.

I know how they calculated it (2000 x spell level x level of caster), but that is not the way they have figured up any of the other armours in the DMG.

Thoughts?

 

[Hejdun]

I think you're SOL.

Just use a sling or chuck daggers if you need a ranged weapon.

 

[Michael Tree]

By the rules a Druid can't even throw a rock without losing his powers.

In a word, the rule is moronic. It's a throwback to 2e "thou shalt not make such a character, for no good reason" rules. It's probably the single biggest mistake the designers of 3e made.

So, if you want your character to take druid levels and keep using a bow, do so and throw that useless piece of crap rule away.

 

[Jondor_Battlehammer]

Well, you could use this as a story opprotunity, a sacrifice you make to become closer to nature. You could look at the weapon restriction as a natural ballance. How many tigers hunt at range? With only a partial connection to nature, Rangers can get away with it, Druids cannot. Much in the same way Monks and Paladins require a constant heart.

Of course, since it sounds to me like this is an ingrained part of your character, and you are not just going munchkin, I'd say to hell with the rules and give you the bow. A middle ground might be to give it up untill you gan get Iron Wood arrows, but thats exspensive and picky.

As for a Barbarian/Druid, I've thought of that myself, and it WILL be a very cool combo. Aside from just casting the pell yourself every couple of weeks, Look into having someone cast Permanace on it. It would still be exspensive, but I don't think as bad as that Full Plate, and if Magic Fang can be made permanat, I would say a spell this simple and already long lasting would also qualify.

 

[smetzger]

Of course, since it sounds to me like this is an ingrained part of your character, and you are not just going munchkin, I'd say to hell with the rules and give you the bow. A middle ground might be to give it up untill you gan get Iron Wood arrows, but thats exspensive and picky.

Even with an Iron Wood bow and arrows you would lose your Druidic abilities. The Druid is specifically limited to certain weapons, the weapon limitations make no mention of what those weapons are made of.

On a side note. Awhile back there was a thread on the Druidic Oaths, does anyone know the link are have the Druidic Oaths?

 

[Pielorinho]

You could look at the weapon restriction as a natural ballance. How many tigers hunt at range? With only a partial connection to nature, Rangers can get away with it, Druids cannot.

Sure they can. They just have to throw rocks using a sling. If they use their hands to throw the rocks, of course, they're screwed.

My favorite scenario:

A druid is being chased through the woods by an ogre, close on his heels. He comes to a large tree, changes into a monkey, and scrambles up the trunk.

The ogre stands at the base of the tree and roars, shaking his fists. The monkey, flush with success and a little giddy, sits on a branch, reaches behind him, and grabs a handful of monkeypoo to fling at the ogre.

Too late, he remembers: monkeypoo isn't on the druidic list of allowable weapons! He feels himself losing his wildshape abilities, and as he changes back to a human, he falls from the branch and into the waiting club of the ogre.

Yeah, it's a ridiculous rule.

Daniel