What Kind of Druids Do You Like?

[CleverNickName]

One of the developers has written a blurb about the 4E druid, and hinted at some of its powers and roles in the game. Since this little tidbit was released, a thread sprung up where everyone was debating about the things that they believe a druid should/should not emphasize.

I thought I would see what the masses think...I've collected a handful of the most popular druid concepts from my table and from these forums, and posted them up here in a "choose as many as you like" poll. So how would you like to see the 4E druid written up?

Animal druid: focused on summoning, controlling, and communing with animals.

Elemental (Greek) druid: focused on one, some, or all of the classic Greek elements of Air, Earth, Fire, and Water

Elemental (Wu-Jen) druid: focused on one, some, or all of the Wu-Jen elements of Earth, Fire, Metal, Water, and Wood.

Nature druid: focused on summoning, controlling, and communing with fey.

Plant druid: focused on summoning, controlling, and shaping plants.

Shaper druid: focused on shapeshifting, wild-shaping into animals, etc.

Spirit druid: focused on summoning, controlling, and communing with celestial animals.

Weather druid: focused on controlling weather, throwing lightning and wind, etc.

 

[Baka no Hentai]

I chose other, simply because I can't limit my types of druid that I like to one type. I really do like the idea of Nature, Plant, Weather, Spirit, and Shaper druids equally.

Likely, whichever of those subsets that are not covered in the PHBII version of the 4E Druid will make an appearance as a homebrew class(es) in my homebrew campaign world.

Edit: Argh... I missed the part about it being a choose as many as you like poll. Ah well. >.<

 

[lukelightning]

Nature druid: focused on summoning, controlling, and communing with fey.

Why not call that a fey druid then?

For me "natural" would imply plants, animals, and terrain. Fey don't necessarily fit in as nature beings; they are more outsider types, in my view, with ties to enchantment and other magics that aren't specifically nature-themed.

 

[kennew142]

I went with nature, plant and weather druid. For me, these are the central elements to the class.

 

[Surgoshan]

I like the idea of the druid as having a very few spells at his disposal, but mostly being a shapeshifter. Sort of like the Navajo witch or ancient celtic druid.

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I choose Shaper and Other.

I choose Shaper since my Druids do tend to shapeshift into animal-esque forms. But they are quite different then your normal Druid.

These Druids, when you see them will notice their bodies are always slightly in-flux, their eyes pupils shift from normal to slits, their tongues become forked and then normal, their fingernails grow long then back again, etc.

Their animalistic side is always bubbling beneath the surface, however it is fully within the control of the Druid.

The Druid can shapeshift between near-human to fully-animal and everything between at will.

While they have this animal side, it does not make them nature's friend. Druids commonly perform rituals of animal-sacrifice to acquire more knowledge of their animal side or to better their powers. They also commonly will use their knowledge of nature to warp it to its needs, causing mutated plants to strangle wanderers in their homes, etc.

 

[Wystan]

I would choose to make two classes out of the Druid:

1. Druid - Spells and Nature/Elements focused
2. Warden - Shape Changing Animal focused

Possibly a Third Animal Companion/summoning based.

 

[phloog]

I absolutely don't want to turn this into a 4E pros/cons thread, but keeping to this subject, this poll and the article point out what I see as a flaw in the 4E egalitarian approach that makes MY favorite kind of druid (which would be a combination of many of the above - - all things natural is his bag, daddy-O) no longer an option.

Note that with the introduction of roles, the current belief is that much of the WIZARDS abilities related to charms and such will be lost to provide space for the psionic 'role'. So wizards won't have as much (or perhaps more accurately THE SAME) variety that I'm used to.

So I can't imagine that they ever will create the druid I've known and loved, because it would cover too many roles. It's either got to be the 'animal shapes role', or the "Hey! The new druid is a striker - he fires little berries at people!'...okay, it won't be that silly.

But the point is that for me the druid draws power from nature, and shapes that power to achieve their goals. Druids can change shape to animal forms, have spells related to nature, and can control weather, manipulate elements, etc. They can even do a good job of sneaking (when in the woods or grasslands), etc.etc.etc.

I guess I'm just against heavily-dictated roles....for me the druid could do about anything, so long as it related to nature. Not in an overly powerful way - but incredibly good in his element(s).

 

[CleverNickName]

It's mostly a matter of personal preference, but I never really liked the idea of shapeshifting druids. Instead, I like druids that focus mostly on weather and nature spirits (fey).

 

[Fallen Seraph]

Oh I should also put in just because it fits quite well, this is why I adore the new connection between the Druid and the Barbarian since it fits so well with my Druid.

The Druid being the one that uses her animal-side in a more ritualistic, supernatural sense and while it is more potent has more control over it.

While the Barbarian gives himself fully over to his animal-side when he begins to fight and becomes a raging, primal monster.