Baldur's Gate : The Sword Coast Chronicles : NWN2 Persistent World

Been thinking of making a druid/master alchemist so I can make the few elixirs my Mystic Theurge cannot, but I've never played a druid here so I have some questions:

The wiki is a little confusing about Natural Spell. It says that the spells CAN be cast from the Quickcast menu without it, so do I not need it? Or is that a bug that will eventually be fixed?

What about armor? Can druids cast in Mithral armor or do I need darkleaf? And speaking of darkleaf, does Armor Optimization work on darkleaf?

What about weapons? If my character has exotic weapon proficiency can she use a bastard sword or will spellcasting be disabled if a non-druid weapon is equipped?

Thanks in advance for your help

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pm The wiki is a little confusing about Natural Spell. It says that the spells CAN be cast from the Quickcast menu without it, so do I not need it? Or is that a bug that will eventually be fixed?

That was a bug in vanilla that I think is fixed here. It would be considered an exploit if not. You need natural spell to cast while wildshaped.

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pmWhat about armor? Can druids cast in Mithral armor or do I need darkleaf? And speaking of darkleaf, does Armor Optimization work on darkleaf?

Only druids of Mielikki can wear metal armour and stay true to the druidic oath. On armour optimisation, I'm not entirely sure.

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pmWhat about weapons? If my character has exotic weapon proficiency can she use a bastard sword or will spellcasting be disabled if a non-druid weapon is equipped?

Druids can use any weapon they have proficiency with, without affecting their druidic oath.

Ghost wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:20 pm

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pm The wiki is a little confusing about Natural Spell. It says that the spells CAN be cast from the Quickcast menu without it, so do I not need it? Or is that a bug that will eventually be fixed?

That was a bug in vanilla that I think is fixed here. It would be considered an exploit if not. You need natural spell to cast while wildshaped.

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pmWhat about armor? Can druids cast in Mithral armor or do I need darkleaf? And speaking of darkleaf, does Armor Optimization work on darkleaf?

Only druids of Mielikki can wear metal armour and stay true to the druidic oath. On armour optimisation, I'm not entirely sure.

Green Monster wrote: ↑Tue Aug 08, 2023 4:10 pmWhat about weapons? If my character has exotic weapon proficiency can she use a bastard sword or will spellcasting be disabled if a non-druid weapon is equipped?

Druids can use any weapon they have proficiency with, without affecting their druidic oath.

Thank you so much! I'll find out about the armor opt on jegs later tonight if I have time. Answes to the rest are greatly appreciated!