first, i'd rather recommend u to try an avenger.with it, besides using the advantage to shapeshift, the 6 mage spell r quite useful.and it is available at the beginning.
second, the totemic is not powerful enough to play later on in the game, though by the first time u play, it'll be a little brutal.for the summonings,it is not worth using it againts later mayor enemies.a totemic is just as weak as the regular druid, but gaining abilities to summon spirit creatures.
--------------------
|