suggestions for druid/monk

[Aidan mac Culloch]

I am starting in a campaign as a 1st level human druid, but planning to multi-class into monk, with a probable eye towards the PrC sacred fist. Sort of a finds-his-zen-in-nature-and-abhors-unnatural-combat angle which I think meshes the classes quite well. I think flavor-wise, I have a good handle on the concept.

Now to the question. Or more like a plea for some suggestions. I want this character to be effective in combat, but he is the only divine spellcaster in the party and thus at least moderate spell progression is important. Tentatively I was thinking druid 3/monk 4/sacred fist X as the build (in that order). What I am struggling with the most is if this character will suffer through the middle levels (i.e. 4-8) at sub-par ability until the PrC catches him up a bit on the spellcasting. His BAB will not be outstanding, and it takes a bit for the unarmed damage to pay off.

I guess the jist of my plea for aid are these 3 issues:
1. Is the druid 3/monk 4/sacred fist X progression workable? Or are there other suggestions for level advancement?
2. What kinds of feats will be useful for this character? Keep in mind I must take Combat Casting to qualify for Sacred Fist. I was thinking perhaps Extra Stunning and taking a coupel of the feats that branch off of stunning attempts (my Wis is 18).
3. The druid list does has some spells that will aid me, but are there any gems you can think of that will particularly be useful to an unarmed combatant?

 

[Question]

As the only divine caster you shouldnt multi-class into monk. Theres no other way around it...lower caster level and lack to higher level divine spells is going to hurt. I think theres a high level druid spell in the spell compendium where you wrap a body in some kind of cocoon and can then raise dead without any level penalty.

Greater magic fang, permanency.

Now if you want to melee up with good spellcasting, i still think a better choice would be to go lion of talisid, full spellcasting and wildshape.

 

[IamTheTest]

Questions advice is solid, as usual. However I have never been one to change a concept just so the group neednt worry about healing. That may sound selfish but healing items are cheap enough. Not to mention that I think it is that line of thinking that makes some players despise playing clerics. As for your build, it seems like fun. I hope you enjoy it.

Briar Web (CD) seems like a pretty rad battlefield control spell.

 

[Plane Sailing]

3. The druid list does has some spells that will aid me, but are there any gems you can think of that will particularly be useful to an unarmed combatant?

It doesn't help with your desire to be an unarmed combatant, but I ought to mention that there is tremendous synergy between the 1st level druid spell shillelagh and the monks flurrying quarterstaff. Flurrying with a +1 weapon that does 2d6 per blow is VERY nice.

A druid can make a good supporting few levels for a monk, certainly. I don't know sacred fist, but it sounds like you are basically producing a fighting character rather than a spell-slinging character.

If you are going that route, I think you might as well forget being the token 'divine caster' in the party because, to be honest, a druid doesn't get any of the cleric standby spells (most healing, raising from the dead) or undead turning etc. Druids spells are mostly good at hurting other people (and they are darned good at that).

Cheers

 

[szilard]

1. The natural synergy between Druid and Monk is centered in wild shaping into combat forms (which benefit from various monk abilities). How much do you want to concentrate on that? If the answer is "a lot" you might want to consider Nature's Warrior instead of Sacred Fist (full wild shaping, best BAB, some spellcasting).

2. Look at the spontaneous rejuvenation option for Druids in PHBII. If you are the primary healer of the group, it will help.

-Stuart