Druid recommendations

[Nerull]

If for some reason this belongs in the polls, please move it there.

I am looking for recommendations. I am planning to start a druid character, but I have looked at the kits, and each seems to have strengths and weaknesses. I guess my point is that I was wanting input from people who have finished both SoA and ToB with a druid character. Which kit is best? Or did you dual (or multi) class? If so, what combination did you use? How do the advantages and disadvantages aid (or hinder) you? In other words, do you have a favorite kit, and if so, what makes it better than the others?

(Can't you tell I've never played a druid before?)

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Xero279]

i like the totemic druid

[Nerull]

Originally posted by Xero279: i like the totemic druid

What makes it better than the other kits (I was kind of leaning away from the shapeshifting types, since I don't think you can use spells in other forms)?

[Jafin]

I've never been a totemic druid but I PRETTY much know the ups and downs of them. Totemic Druids are very similar to regular druids except for one small fact: They don't shapeshift. Instead they summon "Spirit Animals" to aid them. These are summoned creatures, like any other summoned creature. They are summoned randomly between a spirit lion, spirit bear, spirit wolf, or spirit snake. I'm not sure of all of their exact properties. This is a good choice as far as I've heard, is you can summon all of the little buddies you want, and still be able to cast your spells in the middle of battle without having to shapeshift back. The only downfall to a totemic druid is no shapeshifting (not a real downfall IMO)

My favorite druid is the Avenger. They have a -2 to str and con on creation so you won't really have crazy good rolls but they're innate power makes up for it. They have several mage spells at their disposal (memorized as priest spells). These are:
1st level: Chromatic Orb (Ever useful)
2nd level: Web
3rd level: Lightning Bolt (pesky little things!)
4th level: Improved Invisibility (I love that spell)
5th level: Haste
6th level: Chaos
They also shapeshift into sword spider, fire salamander, and baby wyvern. Each form has its uses, I like the salamander though. Very powerful.

If you're going for a non-shapeshifting druid, I would definitely go with totemic and avoid shapeshifters like the plague!

-Jafin

[SixOfSpades]

From a roleplaying perspective, intentional Lycanthropy is pretty damn cool, but when seen from a powergaming standpoint, the Shapeshifter sucks moldy fish poo. They'd be worth something if they were better fighters in their Human form--like a toned-down Monk or something. As it is, they're worthless. Not being allowed to wear any armor at all is a HUGE limitation, considering the swell gear that everyone else in your party can put on. They way they gave Cernd the worst Druid kit, and ridiculously inept stats to boot, makes me think they deliberately made him suck so bad so they wouldn't have to write a romance for him, like they did with all the other Priests in the game.

The Avenger is good, both for roleplay and ass-kicking. More shapeshift forms to play with, and the slight armor restriction is negligible: You're eventually gonna find some really good Leather Armors out there. Just be aware that the Leather-Only rule still applies if you Dual to Fighter.

My favorite kit is the Totemic Druid: I never Shapeshift anyway, and my free Summons are immune to all Fear effects, Level Drain, and some other stuff like Stun and maybe Maze. I'd have to check. (This data will be on the Priest-kits page of my Guide, which is the next page on my list. I'm on the Warriors now.)

In ToB, all Multiclassed characters really come into their own, with their MASS High-Level-Abilities. Playing a Half-Elf Fighter/Druid never looked so good, but you'll have a hard time rolling one with a higher stat total than Jaheira.

Alternatively, a Totemic Druid->Fighter is powerful as well, as you can regain your Druid half very quickly. I've heard that as soon as a Druid hits Level 15 (gotta have ToB), he gets six memorization slots for every level, including seventh. Sounds like a good time to Dual to me. Or you can wait a little longer and get a couple of HLA Druid spells, and maybe the Elemental Resistances Druids get in ToB. I don't know if these benefits are open to Multiclassed Druids.

Enough info for ya?

[Nerull]

Thanks for the insight! I think I'm going to try the totemic druid (I wish they made a fighter kit that shapeshifts; it sucks to have a shapeshifting caster). I didn't know that the spirit animals were immune to fear and energy drain (Cool!).

[Shadowpup]

My main character is a Shapeshifter and I have to say it's a pain in the ass at times. The only saving grace is that he hits hard and his claws are magical. It would be helpful if he had regeneration of some sort (like real werewolves) and had some resistance to normal weapons (like real werewolves). I just had to get used to casting summons (or whatever), then shifting to fight. During rest periods, shift back to human form so he can heal. Not the greatest but still fun to run around with the hairy beast.

[daan]

I've played an Avenger-druid right up to the last fight in ToB ... never finished it though.
Definetly in the earlier lvls, your Avenger-druid is going to be very powerfull .. it makes Irenicus dungeon FUN !!!
A sword spider has -5- poisoned attacks, attack 'em once, and they'll be hurting for a long time.
It gets you through Goblins and low lvl mages ( stoneskins gone in a round or less) easily. The fire salamander is nice too, since he can spit a fireball-like thing, twice a day, does some nice damage.

At higher lvl though, all druids are more or less the same i guess ... sword spiders and salamnders dont have a high enough THAC0 to hit anything after a while.

P.s.
-2 cons. does nothing, only figter-types benefit from a con. above 16 ...
-2 str. does nothing either, since there are plenty of strenht-enhancing items.
The mage-spells are quite nice, but i really didnt use them a lot, except maybe Improved Invisibility.

Hope it helpz [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Nerull]

Hmmm...sounds like the Shapeshifter is definitely out (cool concept though...I agree with Sixofspades). The Avenger is a cool concept (someone better at shapeshifting than anyone else), but it does seem that the shapes eventually become obsolete as you get closer and into ToB (unless they improve). Summons never get obsolete (you can always throw more fodder at the enemy), so Totemic Druid sounds like the best choice. I just wish you could cast spells in another form (in 3rd edition D&D they introduced a feat that allows spellcasting in other forms).

[Helspanth]

I have an avenger and he is pretty fun up untill now.
Don't worry about forms becoming obsolete!If you have fun begining from Irenicus' dungeon it is worth it!