Caster druid

[mining]

ok, done some tests and got bad news....

In dragon form I KD (not improved KD though, just the bonus feat from dragon form) some "small" mobs (Thieflings)...well, the character sheet shows 46 AB (on first round attack) and the log reports x+46 with the KD attempt; so it seems it doesn't apply for any bonus at all, weather the dragon form should be at least 2 or 3 sizes bigger then thiefling...

I'll ask some ppl in game to do more accurate tests but I fear there's something wrong with that feat in dragon shape

AB isn't adjusted, the check is.

[Rufio]

yeah, knockdown and improved knockdown are both at -4 ab. it doesn't matter what feat you have or how big you are, your ab when making a knockdown attempt is always the same. What changes is the DC of the opponent's discipline check, which doesn't show on the character sheet, which is why it is more difficult to test.

[Lokey]

Try with monk ab (hand or kama) also, I know there's still some quirks there.

[Eldaquen]

*deleted*

[Amoenotep]

can i has my old monk disarm to my backpacks?

[Korr]

can i has my old monk disarm to my backpacks?

long as it works the same on my unarmed pure fighter too!

[Acesen414]

My pure Druid caster dinged 40 today. (No I did not take dragon shape). Stay tuned for more info.

[Arawindor]

My pure Druid caster dinged 40 today. (No I did not take dragon shape). Stay tuned for more info.

I hit 35 today: pure druid build with dragon shape. It will end up to buffed 46 wis (perhaps 48 if I give up with epic focus on conjuration).

For what I've seen druids
- can't excel at offensive spells as wiz/sorc do,
- can't excel at meleeing activity as fighter, wpm, paladin and many other classes do
- can't excel at defensive spells nor buffing spells as cleric, dwd, PM does

nor to mention they can't boost up their AC or soak ability high enough to play as pure caster, weather mages do with PM/RDD and class specific epic spells (a pure druid with low AC will have huge problems with knockdown and incoming dmg)

In the end druids can be fairly good for most game roles but can't excel in anything of them.

I dunno if something is going to change with that, perhaps this just how druid should be: a piece of support to the fight.

Anyhow, druid is probably the class with most affinity with conjuration. Taking that in count, along with the loss of animal companion feature, we could give a little boost to druids summons, maybe a modified version of the dragon knight or summon I->IX, or perhaps make some spells to scale with lvls (barskin, greater magic fang, camuflage, aura of vitality) ?!

[Daltian]

If you get dragonshape with druid caster, it means you can't have discipline. And since you are also slow and have no spells that can control enemies with slows, knockdowns and such you will die as fast as someone can run to you and knock you down. Of course, you can stay in dragonshape but then you can't really call yourself a caster.

[Mixtli]

It wouldn't be fair to say that a pure druid dragonshape build is weak. I have one, and it does pretty well in pvp.

Can it be a good caster at the same time, without fear of KD? No. And it wouldn't be right if it could.

Several of us are trying to make a caster druid, trying to get the best out of them, so they are a decent addition to a pvp defense or offense. We will see where it gets us.

[Arawindor]

I'm experiencing a weird thing with dragon breath: the DC showed out in the log changes time by time. I mean, with the same dragon shape, sometimes it's 38 sometimes it's 45, etc...

Anyone know the reason?

[VagaStorm]

Dos druids have any history as casters? I've never played them, but i've always considdered them summoners and shifters...

[Rufio]

Unfortunately druids are arguably the worst summoners of all the casting classes because they lack some essential summon buffs, particularly haste, and their unique level 9 summon spell is far weaker than Gate.

[Acesen414]

Unfortunately druids are arguably the worst summoners of all the casting classes because they lack some essential summon buffs, particularly haste, and their unique level 9 summon spell is far weaker than Gate.

I agree, lets look at Awaken one spell I think could help with a few changes.

**This is the one player version**
Duration: special

Description: The target animal companion gains +4 constitution, +1d10 wisdom, +4 strength, and +2 to attack rolls for as long as it remains at the druid's side.

**This is from the NSwiki**
Duration: Unknown (Short)

Description: The target summon gains +2 Constitution, +2 Strength, +1d4 Wisdom and +2 to all attack rolls.

So its about half the bonus and really short duration. I think its 1 round per 2 to caster levels and it can not be extended.
How about adding Haste and a spot/listen bonus that increases with focuses. I realize haste gives +1 AB and AC so maybe remove the attack roll or keep it.
Or remove the bonus to con str and wisdom.

[Lokey]

It does other stuff, just doesn't show on sheet.