Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shadowdweller" data-source="post: 7627119" data-attributes="member: 14563">Oh look, more drivel.  The DM can cancel any character abilities by fiat or have rocks randomly fall on people; or merely stack things to get around character strengths  (e.g. throwing a succession of fire-immune creatures at fire-focused draconic sorcerer). This has no place in a discussion about class balance, however.Apart from games I DM, I play in at least 3 games per week.  Some of those with seasoned old-timers like myself in long-running campaigns, some with random people on line, some in organized play (formerly AL) with rotating DMs and a shifting player base in a college city.  Usually the latter two are either one-shots, modular adventures, or short adventure arcs.  Sometimes I go to cons.  I'll admit I don't keep a strict count, but feel free to actually run the numbers instead of talking out of your hindquarters.  They're not what you imagine them to be.Oh yeah, and we all know that games must ALWAYS begin at first level, right?  <img src="http://www.enworld.org/forum/images/smilies/ponder.png"  class="smilie" loading="lazy" alt=":hmm:" title="Hmmm    :hmm:" data-shortname=":hmm:" />Only if, as Maxperson noted, the DM is always playing themselves.  Different enemies have different goals, different priorities and different modi operandi.  Orcs respect martial strength and might presume that warrior-types are the leaders of an enemy group; or choose to target any elves in the party as a result of long-standing hatred.  Demons, devils, and undead might choose to target wielders of holy magic over others.  Goblins might prioritize whoever they think is weakest or has the most valuable belongings.  While even a dumb troll might connect waggling fingers and magic words with an obvious effect...like wolves appearing....the question is more whether they would recognize that in the face of other distractions.  Such as an armored knight in their face, a sneaky pipsqueak poking the back of their knees with a knife, and a pimply chap throwing bolts of fire all at the same time.  Notwithstanding that summoning spells usually have long durations (with many taking too long to cast in front of enemies in the first place); and the products thereof might not be distinguishable from allies instead of magical minions.It's frankly hilarious that you try to use enemies focusing on a druid because they're the greatest threat as an argument for why druids aren't the greatest threat.Guess there must be a lot of highly intelligent creatures the MM, assorted adventure paths and modules that are incredibly stupid then.  Like jackalweres, grell, ghouls, ghosts, xorn, vampire spawn...Not to mention innumerable historical cases where soldiers found themselves in battles there were unprepared for...or couldn't afford / weren't outfitted with the best equipment.  On top of this, the reality is that even amongst intelligent creatures with ranged attacks there are many who have ranged options that either too short in reasonable range or so much weaker than melee options that many times even a tactically skilled DM will choose not to target a druid hanging far enough back.If a dragon ever wastes its breath on summons, that's a win for the druid.  And half the benefit of summoning spells to begin with.Wrong.  And discussed elsewhere.No single tool is best for every possible circumstance.  Clerics have their own unique set of strengths ...such as buffs like Bless; or warding spells like Sanctuary and Shield of Faith.  Which is why my original post focused on particular ways in which druids were better at the combat pillar.  Conjure animals, though, puts everything the cleric has of comparable level to shame offensively speaking.</blockquote>

Verification