I'd go so far as to say that the druid is probably the least used and least appreciated character class in the BG series. What do you guys think of them? Do you really consider them the weakest class out there?

For those of you who have gone onto BG II, how do they measure up later on? What are some of the abilities they gain, and why would someone pick a druid over a cleric?

I've never played a druid all the way through before, and while I've had druidic NPCs in my party, they've only been part of a multi-class combination (Jaheira, etc.). I'm interested in playing one just for the sake of variety, so I'd be happy if you guys could provide some info. Cheers. [img]smile.gif[/img]

No, i have never created one, though I have had Jaheira in my party. As far as I can tell they can do little more then clerics other then turning into animals, an ability which I seldom used throughout Baldur's Gate. However, having never used one I can't pass much judgement.

In my opinion, Druids are overall a little bit weaker than Clerics in BG2, but much more so in BG1.

In BG2, Druids have a slight edge, spell-wise (Insect Plague and Creeping Doom are simply amazing), but the fact that they suffer in the equipment department limits their power somewhat. Still, the two Priest classes are close to equal in BG2.

During BG1, however, Clerics tromp all over Druids, because Druids don't get access to any really good spells, and Clerics do. Animate Dead alone is enough to win a battle for you, and BG1 Druids simply can't compete with that.

i started a BG1 druid party game but it was one of the ones that i didn't finish

worth remembering that the druid armour restrictions mean they can't wear metal armour but that doesn't mean they can only wear leather . . .

BG2 druids do get more power (i'd add ironskins to six's spell highlights) and the BG2 druid character kits add some groovy features (powerful shapechanges or powerful summons) that are more powerful at lower levels -

i'm not sure whether level 1-6 totemic druids get to summon their spirit animal or whether a level 1 shapechanger can turn into a werewolf but if they can that would be almost game unbalancing for big chunks of BG1 - how about trying one of the MODs that allow you to play BG1 with BG2 rules and give it a go?

I don't know, I played a Druid in BG1 soloing, and she was fairly competent. When I tried using a bard, I gave up at halfway through the Nashkel mines with my party. I don't know why, I just greatly dislike bards. So they are the least used class for me. Druids are a close second.

As Six says, Druid is the weakest class in BG1. I played one in IWD where they are much better. I did create one in BG1 a while back and played through as far as CH5, but there is so little to contribute to the action. In the end I made her into a champion Dart thrower. Fighter/Druid on the other hand is much more user friendly. If I recall correctly the DSOTSC mod gives Druids much better equipment and spells, but I don't have it installed any more. Anyone who can solo a Druid gets my respect, so well done Brainless One