So druids can use ANY weapon they want?

[Painfully]

So I'm looking at the druid weapons proficiencies list and note that they are rather restricted when it comes to armor and weapon selection. The list is quite specific in the classes chapter...with one caveat, the ironwood spell.

So I look up the ironwood spell and it says very clearly that, "Thus, wooden plate armor and wooden swords can be created that are as durable as their normal, steel counterparts. These items are freely usable by druids."

Am I to assume then that so long as I take a proficiency slot for greatsword, that I can make an ironwood greatsword and start hacking bad guys with it? The suggestion that ironwood plate armor could be freely used seems to imply that proficiency isn't the obstacle so much as the metal material.

So whats the final word on this from other DMs out there? Am I missing any errata? I've always been a bit peeved over the fact that a bow isn't a druid weapon myself, but the ironwood spell options seem a bit much--every druid should be using whatever weapons and armor they want after they get the ironwood spell.

 

[Bastoche]

From the SRD:

A druid who wears prohibited armor or wields a prohibited weapon is unable to use any of her magical powers while doing so and for 24 hours thereafter. (Note: A druid can use wooden items that have been altered by the ironwood spell so that they function as though they were steel.)

It's explicitly written.

I don't think the restricition is a matter of balance at all, it's a matter of flavor IMO.

 

[Spatzimaus]

Well, Ironwood only lasts 1 day per level, so you'll have to keep re-making your sword... and it won't have an Enchantment bonus higher than +1... and you'll have to make a Craft check every time (DC 15, 20 if you want Masterwork, which should be required to get the +1 item)... and you're not a tank class, but yes.

It's one of the many reasons the Druid restrictions are pointless. There's too many ways around it, and unless you take one of those ways it's too restrictive. Personally I just said that Druids can use any weapon they can gain a proficiency with, but "inorganic" stuff (metal, crystal, stone) gives an Arcane-Failureish fizzle chance. Same goes for armor, sort of like the Monk's special abilities.

 

[Painfully]

The example in the PHB shows ironwood plate armor as "okay" for druids. So non-metallic armor of all types is okay? In the class description the approved armor types are only padded, leather, or hide. Cast ironwood on some woodshaped plate armor and now it qualifies as druid approved armor? What about armor proficiency?

I'm not looking for house rules...yet. I can do those easily enough on my own.

What's official?

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Originally posted by Painfully What about armor proficiency?

What about it? I'm not sure what your question is.

In addition to their spiritual restriction, druids only get light and medium armor proficiencies as class features. If they want to use heavy armor, they'll have a non-proficiency penalty unless they spend a feat or multiclass appropriately.

 

[Tetsubo]

This is how I handle it in my current FR campaign:

Druids

Druids are not restricted to the weapons selection in the Players Handbook. The only restrictions as far as weapons are concerned are that they must be made from natural materials. Bone, horn, wood and stone. Bows are also allowed. Armour is restricted to light and medium and must also be made from natural materials. Though I am willing to entertain a greater selection than offered by the Players Handbook. Wooden items that have been enchanted by the ironwood spell are allowed.
The 6th level Ironwood spell now applies to all rigid organic materials. Example: bone, teeth, shell, hooves, horn, etc.

 

[smetzger]

By the rules a Druid is prohibited from using metal armor and prohibited from using any weapon that is not on their list. It doesn't matter what the sword is made of, Druids are still prohibited from using swords.

The description in the Iron Wood spell contradicts the Druid prohibitions, the bit about swords in the iron wood spell description should be ignored.

 

[Tiberius]

Re: Re: So druids can use ANY weapon they want?

The description in the Iron Wood spell contradicts the Druid prohibitions, the bit about swords in the iron wood spell description should be ignored.

Or it could simply be reinterpreted to refer to scimitars, which are both a) swords and b) allowed to the class.

-Tiberius

 

[Dr_Rictus]

Re: Re: So druids can use ANY weapon they want?

The description in the Iron Wood spell contradicts the Druid prohibitions, the bit about swords in the iron wood spell description should be ignored.

Or it could mean what it says.

 

[Caliban]

Re: Re: Re: So druids can use ANY weapon they want?

Or it could mean what it says.

Not in this case, when you take it context with the druid class limitations. It iroonwood armor is freely usable by druids, but ironwood weapons are not.

This was clarified by Sean Reynolds on the old WOTC boards.

If you accept that they have a spirtual oath that limits them to a specified list of weapons, what those weapons are made of is irrelevent. One spell doesn't overcome your spiritual oath.

Of course, a lot of DM's think that the spiritual oath thing is silly (given that no other class has hard-coded weapon restrictions), and house rule it so that it's no longer an issue.