Druid feats....what do I take?

[Funkthis]

I'm about to start a new character from lvl 1 and I've decided on a druid. I haven't played one at all and I can't make up my mind a feat progression.

Obviously you take natural spell at 6 but other than than I'm just not sure. I'm playing a human and with the 2 feats at 1st lvl I can't make up my mind... Do I take both Spell Focus (Conjuration) and Augment Summoning at 1st; or do I take Skill Focus (Concentration) and some other feat; or some combination of the above?

Besides core we can use all the complete books, PHBII and Stormwrack. So if anyone who has or is playing a druid could give me suggestions on what feats to take and when it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[SteelDraco]

What do you want to do? Heal? Blast? Shapeshift? Summon? Druids can do any of these, particularly shapeshifting and summoning. The feats for a druid who intends to get into melee as quickly as possible in animal form will be pretty different from someone who intends to stay in the back, summon animals, buff them, and stay out of direct combat.

I like Track for a druid, if there's not a ranger in the party. You'll probably have a good Survival skill, and it's useful for someone in the party to be able to do it.

 

[Legildur]

I agree with Steeldraco that Track is a very attractive feat. Although it is competing with a lot of other very attractive feats.

I'm currently running an elven druid 15 with Spell Focus (conjuration), Augment Summoning, Natural Spell, Sudden Extend, Sudden Maximise and Fast Wild Shape.

Spell Penetration (and the Greater version) would be nice, but not strictly necessary when relying on summoned allies.

Sudden Extend was taken to qualify for Sudden Maximise, but is used daily on Barkskin buff or a top level summons (like Greater Earth Elemental).

Improved Initiative is always solid.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with Skill Focus (conjuration).

 

[Moon-Lancer]

the best feats i think, are dragon wildshape. Its a very nice feat, but minimum level 12. Its in draconomicon. may take you a year to get.

Summoning is very powerful. If you can, take that summon feat in ebberon. ashbound? if you cant do that, why not, go with augmented summoning? their are also good feats in book of exalted deeds for druids, if your into the roleplay challenge. VOP works very nicely, exalted wildshape is pritty good too. I have yet to find a really good 3rd level feat for druids though. Track is nice but it dosent pop !awesome!... You will find that most of the good druid feats are actually at level 6. I think this is to take away from natural spell. theirs a feat called steady concentration that lets you take 10 on concentrate checks. its in races of stone. improved natural attack is also a good feat if your going to brawl in wildshape.

*edit* sorry, dident see your book list.

I would go with augment summoning (and its pre req), then steady concentration, then natural spell, then something from complete divine/improved natural attack, then plead with your dm to let you get dragon wildshape

 

[SteelDraco]

Just for comparison's sake, here's the feat progression of my 15th level dwarf druid, at Druid11/Nature's Warrior 3/Fighter1.

Char 1 - Track
Fighter 1 - Power Attack
Char 3 - Brew Potion
Char 6 - Natural Spell
Char 9 - Natural Bond (+3 level for purposes of animal companion progression, from one of the Complete books.)
Char 12 - Oaken Resilience (spend a wild shape to gain Plant immunities for a while, including Critical Hits and Stun. Very handy for a combat machine to have.)
Char 15 - Frigid Spell (The equivalent of... I think it's called Scalding Spell, from the desert terrain book. Lets you bypass cold resistance with your [Cold] spells)

The character had a simple play style - cast a battlefield control spell or two, then turn into the biggest bear I could and tear people apart. He wasn't complicated, but he was a lot of fun.

 

[Harm]

Feat from complete divine that lets you convert spells to heals like a cleric is very good. If you're going to be the only healer in the party the feats that add +2 per spell level to amount healed or that let you convert a spell into a mass vigor spell are also very nice. Elephent Hide for +7 natural armour is nice. Those are the main ones I'd take over the normal metamagic ones like maximize etc.

 

[Quartz]

How about Scribe Scroll?

 

[shilsen]

How about Scribe Scroll?

That would be my pick. Druids have lots of spells that are very handy in emergencies, but which you won't have prepared, so Scribe Scroll can be invaluable.

 

[Nifft]

Obvious and excellent:

Natural Spell -- "Dude, you're gonna get Natural Spell."

Scribe Scroll -- so many Druid spells are highly situational.

Improved Initiative -- winning this roll gets more important as you level up.

Skill Focus (Concentration) -- better than Combat Casting, especially as you level up.

Craft Wondrous Item -- well, unless someone else already has it.

Cheers, -- N

 

[pallandrome]

Might I suggest spending a feat on Spontaneous Healer from complete divine? You'll need to spend four skill points into Knowledge: Religion, but then you can spontaneously convert a number of spells equal to your wisdom bonus into cure spell that are on your spell list. It essentially means that you'll never need to memorize another cure spell at the expense of your utility and blasting power, ever again. It is also really nice for dumping Cure Criticals into undead baddies...