Types of Spellcasting Druids

[dungeon blaster]

Make a new class, it's that simple. Reduce the power of wildshape and get rid of summon nature's ally; add extra spells per day, ability to rebuke/command animals and plants, larger spell list, or whatever you feel balances out the class or makes it fit your idea of a "druid".

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Make a new class, it's that simple. Reduce the power of wildshape and get rid of summon nature's ally; add extra spells per day, ability to rebuke/command animals and plants, larger spell list, or whatever you feel balances out the class or makes it fit your idea of a "druid".

I think that is the best idea. Give up Wildshape progression and give the Druid a "Druid Domain" -- extra spell per day and a Domain ability. Could be phased in as a PrC.

Would not be difficult to come up with lots of themed Domains for a Druid. Summoning, Weather, Plant Magic, Elemental Magic, etc.

 

[Voadam]

Any advice on how to emphasize spellcasting for a druid?

I would really like to do that. I see a druid as protective of animals, so for rp reasons I really don't like using summons and companions (for combat at least.) For personal reasons, and because its often considered overpowered, I don't like heavily using wild shape.

That leaves spells, which I really do like and think the druid has some great flavor for. I'm just not sure how to strengthen it well. If thats the only major thing your druid is doing, it needs to be done well.

Feats. Metamagics and magic affecting feats. Focus conjuration and augment summoning is a start. Extend is good. Persistent can be nice but I haven't checked it out for druids in general.

The druid I'm playing has a focus on summoning but I got permission from the DM to change the flavor of druid summoning so it is animal "spirits" that he summons, not actual animals. Same mechanics, but they appear a little different and his roleplay is based off that and it allows him to send them into situations where he might not do so with actual animals.