Best Druid Build - Core Rules + PrC's

[JDragon]

Good day all,

I come here humblly sseeking the advice of my fellow players. Specificly I'm looking for some advice on how to build a druid for a new campaign I'll be playing in later this summer.

The campaign will be in a homebrew world, using a standard generic D&D setting.

We will be starting at 1st level, using a point buy for stats I belive, but I have to confirm that. For initial creation we are using the 3 Core books only. (PHB, DMG, MMI) We will have access to other sources for PrC's with DM approval.

I know there are a couple ways I could go with the build, but having not done a straight druid in a long time I want make sure I know all my options.

So any suggestions on builds, strengths & weaknesses as well as PrC's to look in to would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

JD

 

[Darklone]

Someone with search might be able to dig out the latest few threads like this one...

Summed up, there are different coreclass druid builds, Summoner druid, Monk1 or barbarian1 druid (grappler), archer druid (supporter), blaster/ground control...

I couldn't really say which one is best. It depends a lot on the campaign, how you play and what the other players do.

The most important thing about a druid (except for Natural Spell at level 6): You don't have any real weaknesses. You can do anything (melee, spellcasting, healing, even skills) and you can do it for a long long time.

 

[Corsair]

The only big difference between druids is between those that start at level 1 and those that start at level 5+. The latter, especially in point buy, will often completely neglect strength and dex (and before the most recent errata, they neglected con as well). The former don't have that luxury.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think that straight druid, level 1-20 is a particularly strong option.

 

[AllisterH]

Heh...Straight from the CO boards.

Druid 20, Natural spell, max wis at every possible level, then Con, str or dex, int, cha.

After this, it doesn't matter what feats or skills you use.

 

[JDragon]

Thanks for the info everyone, its a great start.

Someone with search might be able to dig out the latest few threads like this one...

Summed up, there are different coreclass druid builds, Summoner druid, Monk1 or barbarian1 druid (grappler), archer druid (supporter), blaster/ground control...

I couldn't really say which one is best. It depends a lot on the campaign, how you play and what the other players do.

The most important thing about a druid (except for Natural Spell at level 6): You don't have any real weaknesses. You can do anything (melee, spellcasting, healing, even skills) and you can do it for a long long time.

I don't think I said it very well in my first post, but what I'm looking for is details on those different builds while only using the core books, with the option of other sources for a PrC if thats the direction I decide to go with it.

Specifically the Summoner & Grappler options, I played a blaster mage in our last campaign so I want to go for something different.

From the little I know it sounds like we will be in a coastal/swamp area for at least part of the campaign.

Thanks

JD

 

[Nate Jones]

Spell Focus (Conjuration) and Augment Summoning from the PHB are a good place to start for a summoning Druid.

 

[Darklone]

Summoner/Grappler build as Nate wrote. One or two levels of monk does not hurt at all, you get most monk benefits in wildshape and spells such as Produce Flame, Barkskin and others work well with Stunning Fist . It's a good way to get feats like Imp Grapple without fullfilling prerequisites and IMHO the best way to get a good AC in wildshape.

Elf druids with longbows make for good archers from behind summoned creatures and ground control spells help as well. These druid archers (PBS, Rapid Shot, Precise Shot later) is particularly well suited for group support and for long adventuring campaigns with more than 4 encounters per day. Don't forget Produce Flame with Rapid Shot!

All these druids need is a good bow.

 

[Kolvin]

I'm on the straight 20 Druid levels bandwagon. I have a Halfling Druid lvl 14 and I can't think of a Prestige Class that didn't hinder his spellcasting powers without adding valuable other powers.

It's a really complete class.

BTW having a Small Druid enables you to get a Medium mount as your animal companion and that enables you to bypass the nasty 20' movement associated with small races. Longstrider will make you one of the fastest characters in the group since you can share it with your mount.

 

[pbd]

I would point out, if you're planning on spending a good deal of time wildshaped in melee, a level of monk and the Nature's Warrior and Warshaper classes from CW can be a potent combination.

You lose some spell progression, but make up for it in melee badness...