Dwarven Druid!

[TheKai]

Hey folks,

So I'm excited about this one. It looks like a ton of fun to RP. Like Pikel Bouldershoulder on roids. Completely new to druid meleers so any input would be greatly appreciated! I may just roll this once the 100% RCR hits.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?307170

Some perks I like:
CL 29 druid buffs
F8 Weapon feats
24th level animal companion
42 AB (I think)
56 AC with 8% displacement
Full cavestalker goodies
2 FE's

Really trying to emulate an Earth Druid. Any tips to make it better would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!
Kai

[Okan]

One thing to consider, I don't think 2 FE's really worth too much. Those Cavestalker feats can also be spent on Combat Expertise and Improved Combat Expertise. Your AB won't be high enough to sustain constant usage of ICE but more AC is always a bonus.

For weapon choice, I might also suggest scimitars if warhammer is not a fixed choice. Flame Blade spell does benefit from Weapon Focus(scimitar) line and might be a good alternative to your regular weapon where you are fighting high AC enemies as it's attacks are touch attacks.

[Theodore01]

Having leveled a dwarfen melee druid12,hos9,ds5,hiero4 (STR28 and 6 attacks/round),
i can say it kills awfully slow and because you are almost invulnerable, it felt even more boring watching him clap & slap at monsters and doing such low damage. I did abandon my idea of a melee druid in mid-epics.

Your build seem to do even less damage....., guess it depends on how often you find someone to party with.

[TheKai]

Gah, forgot about damage. Thanks you both!

[LasteEnygma]

I actually was messing with the idea of a melee druid last week... My split was druid 12/4 fighter/4 heiro/10 cavestalker... Essentially had 30 CL, companion level of a 30 druid, 26Bab. Heiro was taken just to have fun with oak friend for the companion or party play with 12 druid accessing plant shape, thus oaken resilience. My conclusion as other's have said was coming up with damage, but you do have thron skin, flame weapon, and correct me if im wrong but you can tack storm avatar to that as well... I realized it woildnt have crazy damage but considering a companion, summon, and maybe a no save spell here and there, i thought the "collective damage" might be enough. Good luck with the concept, i learned from tweaking the build that you need at least 10 cavestalker and 4 of another high Bab class (or 14 total of any) to retain 26 BaB.

[TheKai]

Yea, as cool as the build looked on paper, I decided against it

[Steve]

If I was going to utilize the Druid spellbook for a sword and/or board Character, I would instead go with Spirit Shaman. Specifically: Spirit Shaman (8), Dragonslayer (10), Hierophant (6), Hospitaler (6) w/ Northlander Hewing. Damage would be 1-handed avg of 31 and 2-handed avg. of 35.

My version of Dwarven Druid is a shifter focused with: Druid 12 / Dragonslayer 10 / Hierophant 4 / Fighter 4.

High 27 AB for Wild Shape (plus Unarmed Feats bonuses)
Magical Beast Wild Shape (custom BGTSCC improvements)
Level 9 spells
Epic Spell Focus for Shapechange +3 bonuses
Dire / Plant shape
CL 28 w/ Spellpower II

I actually played this up to mid-Epics as a Human, and it was stellar. Once you get Level 9 spells you just utilize Shapechange ALL THE TIME and especially the Planatar, and slay mobs like nobodies business. Then, eventually, you can get Magical Beast Shape and the cook new shapes of THAT. CL 28 isn't the best, but your damage is really good, compared to what you have realized in your earlier build.

[TheKai]

If I was going to utilize the Druid spellbook for a sword and/or board Character, I would instead go with Spirit Shaman. Specifically: Spirit Shaman (8), Dragonslayer (10), Hierophant (6), Hospitaler (6) w/ Northlander Hewing. Damage would be 1-handed avg of 31 and 2-handed avg. of 35.

My version of Dwarven Druid is a shifter focused with: Druid 12 / Dragonslayer 10 / Hierophant 4 / Fighter 4.

High 27 AB for Wild Shape (plus Unarmed Feats bonuses)
Magical Beast Wild Shape (custom BGTSCC improvements)
Level 9 spells
Epic Spell Focus for Shapechange +3 bonuses
Dire / Plant shape
CL 28 w/ Spellpower II

I actually played this up to mid-Epics as a Human, and it was stellar. Once you get Level 9 spells you just utilize Shapechange ALL THE TIME and especially the Planatar, and slay mobs like nobodies business. Then, eventually, you can get Magical Beast Shape and the cook new shapes of THAT. CL 28 isn't the best, but your damage is really good, compared to what you have realized in your earlier build.

OMG Steve! As I am at work for the next several hours, could I ask a favor? Could you throw the spirit shaman melee build into the builder to see what it looks like?

My original concept was spirit shaman and sort of an “Earth Speaker” sort of RP

[TheKai]

Further napkin math completed and i dont think that SS/Hosp/Hiero/DS combo can be completed. At least, not with that level split due to spirit shamans getting 7th circle spells at 14th level vice 13th

[LasteEnygma]

I came across this build Deathgrowl posted awhile back, havent ran it personally, but looked like it checked out. Its an aasimar but could be tweaked to fit your vision.

http://nwn2db.com/build/?269593

[TheKai]

Hey there,

Found that one last night, too. DG is amazing. Modified it a bit here: http://nwn2db.com/build/?307232

Just have a pending cavestalker question in another thread before i actually go through with it. Should be some fun RP!

[Steve]

Yes, but remember that Hierophant will now require 19 base Ability in either WIS or CHA for a Spirit Shaman.

[TheKai]

The link i posted excludes hierophant as its not needed.