Tell me about your low level druid!

[Djeta Thernadier]

Hi all,

I will be creating a new character, probably around 3rd level to join a campaign that has been going on for some time. I am thinking about going for an elf or human druid. (leaning towards elf though...humans bore me...I get to play one of those every day).

But regardless of your druids race, tell me about your lower level druid characters. I want to know anything and everything to give me some ideas. I've never played a druid, nor have I been in a game where anyone has played a druid, so the more info you can give me , the better.

What do you like about druids? What do you hate about druids? Do you have an animal companion? Do you hate animal companions? What race is your druid? Why do you prefer that? Or do you not prefer it? Why did you pick druid? etc...



Thanks all!
Sheri

 

[BiggusGeekus]

A buddy of mine loves playing his druid in our game. Mostly because I play cleric. He gets to use all the "fun" druid spells and he doesn't have to worry about doing boring stuff like healing people.

* Druid damage spells tend to have a long range and cover a respectable area. This sounds cool, but in dungeon crawls it kind of blows. Sort of like being given a box of fireworks and being told you can only use them while you're trapped in a closet.

* Entangle is Super McNifty. Especially when used against foes who don't have ranged attacks. You essentially get to waltz through the encounter.

* My buddy never bothered with a pet. He didn't want to put it at risk.

* If you get to use Masters of the Wild check out the regeneration spells. They cure more damage than the normal cleric-type cures, you just have to wait a while for them to work. Great for downtime healing.

... but again, remember that I'm playing the cleric in this group. If your group doesn't have a cleric, you might be stuck on heal-duty. Nothing says dull like a druid who only has cures memorized.

Just my two cents.

 

[jrients]

My only active PC right now is my 3rd level half-elf druid Endrin Greencloak. I intentionally play down his magical abilities and my only animal companion is a wolf. He's a good little puppy wuppy, he is. I've concentrated my feat selection towards masters of two-fisted staff-fu. Rather than cast a lot of spells or fight a lot, his main method of solving problems is to figure out who else in the party can best handle a task and motivating them. His other main skill is taking credit for any good deeds accomplished by the party.

 

[Liolel]

Low level spells that are useful:

Entangle: If your party has good ranged attacks this is the king of outdoor combat at low levels

Invisibility to Animals: Not the most commonly used spell, but my druid found it to be of great use in a swamp to bypass all the crocodiles

Flame-blade: This is a second level spell but it gives you a decent attack that does fire damage and is a touch attack.

At 6th level there is only one feat worth considering and that is natural spell. Casting while wildshaped is a huge advantage especially with forms like a hawk or eagle.

 

[Angcuru]

What do you like about druids? What do you hate about druids? Do you have an animal companion? Do you hate animal companions? What race is your druid? Why do you prefer that? Or do you not prefer it? Why did you pick druid? etc...

Like: A good combo of offense, defense, spells, and support capabilities plus shapeshifting.

Dislike: Druid tend to stick out like a sore thumb whereever you go, socially and physically; tends to get a bit annoying after a while.

A. C.: Don't really like the animal companion idea. They die off really easily, making it difficult to form a lasting bond with the animal, bringing in the cheesy "Hi! This is my new pet wolf, Two Socks #5!". Ick.

Race: I almost always play elves, as they have the whole long lifespan and all that elfy goodness that allow for long-lasting, deeply involved quality that is hard to develop with other races. Druid-wise, I play the archetypical woodsy dude, which fits right in with elves. Give a solid base for the connection to nature, why you defend it, etc. etc.

Why druid: Why not?

 

[Chronosome]

Hey, I'm playing a druid, too.

Garan "Forgemad" Steelheart is a 3rd-level dwarven metal master (a variant druid from Dragon #311). I just love playing a druid that can wear full plate.

He's definitely a martial character first and a spellcaster second... I tend to keep cures and lesser restoration spells handy but little else. The odd entangle if we're above ground or a resist energy if we know we'll be going up against a "creature that spits". Pass without trace is something I plan on trying out soon, since I found it negates scent trails...

No animal companion, wild shape or wild empathy here (metal masters don't do that stuff).

Why did I pick dwarf and druid to play? I just loved the concept...and when I saw the metal-lovin' variant, it all clicked. We've even defined metal masters (or "Sons of the Ore") as a common dwarven approach to nature lovin'. Garan tends to speak to other druids about this neglected approach to druidic worship in an attempt to fix a faith he believes was broken ages ago.

"Forgey" has got some fun personal history, but I won't bore you.

Have fun.

 

[BOZ]

hey, there was the druid i played in 3E last year, Wild-Eyed Ed. oh yeah, that cursin', drinkin', carousin' half-mad yokel was quite a fun to play rascal...

but not a very good example of a druid.

 

[youspoonybard]

Can't really use "Regenerate X Wounds" as downtime healing, though, as they only cure damage taken while the spell was in effect....

Anyway, Entangle, Faerie Fire, Produce Flames were my best friends, using a mounted Animal Companion. At third level flame blade is an option, and 5th level grants you the Call Lightning and Poison spells, both of which I love.

Not to mention Wild Shape.

 

[Djeta Thernadier]

Thanks for sharing!

Great ideas are starting to brew in my head...

keep em coming

Sheri

 

[Henry]

My favorite is a halfling or gnomish Druid.

Why?

1: Better AC or hit points.

2: Ability to negate strength penalty at 5th level and up with wildshaping.

3: Gnomes can speak with burrowing creatures inherently - a massive boon to druids, and freeing a spell slot in some cases.

4: inherent saving throw bonuses or magical abilities which enhance the already formidable saves of a druid.

5: spell power, and animal companions, more than make up for any lack of physical prowess from these characters.

My two favorite low-level druids were a Halfling Druid with a giant mastiff riding companion, and my half-elven druid/rogue who used his nature powers for personal gain. Whatever you choose, good luck!