Wildshape forms

Yig · May 04, 2006, 10:17:36 AM

What are your favourite animal forms and why?

Currently my 6th level druid is fond of taking the form of a fleshraker (dino in MM3) because of the leaping pounce

Any good forms I should consider?

Yig · May 06, 2006, 01:56:42 PM

Nobody?

blakkie · May 06, 2006, 03:11:59 PM

I don't normally sully myself with playing treehugging Circus folk, aka Druids

, but I do appreciate when the party Druid uses wildshape the ones i appreciate the most are the ones that have alternate movements such as fish, birds, and snakes.

Cyberzombie · May 06, 2006, 03:30:15 PM

Well, my only druid character didn't get to adventure long enough to get to wildshape.

My ideas, though, were to go with the standard combat options (wolf for trip, tiger for damage, etc.) I was also going to go with small and sneaky forms -- I think the reconnaisance possiblities of wildshape are underestimated. Familiars are only so-so at it, but an intelligent druid could kick ass.

blakkie · May 06, 2006, 11:25:09 PM

Roger on the recon. Eagle form is great for outdoor scouting because of the vantage point, the speed, and the Small size which allows you to use it as soon as you hit 5th.

Yig · May 07, 2006, 02:00:23 PM

I should have specified combat useful forms

I had to suffer thru 5 levels of being useless. Since I knew that I would be shaping all the time, I put my 3 worse scores on my physical stats (11, 12 an 13).

We will hit 6 tonight(missing 32 xp) and I will take my first level of nature warrior.

Dacke · May 07, 2006, 02:54:18 PM

Useless? Produce Flame, Shillelagh, Barkskin, Chill/Heat Metal, Flame blade, Summon Nature's Ally I and II... these are "useless" to you?

blakkie · May 07, 2006, 04:26:44 PM

Three words: En-tan-gle

Unless you were stuck underground or inside a plantless city for the whole 5 levels your uselessness is a direct result of failing to memorize that spell. :imsorry: Even if you were traveling desert wastelands Druids generally rock for their skills of keeping the party alive.

Yig · May 08, 2006, 12:14:45 AM

Quote from: DackeUseless? Produce Flame, Shillelagh, Barkskin, Chill/Heat Metal, Flame blade, Summon Nature's Ally I and II... these are "useless" to you?

Well, yes.

Let see...

Produce flame: only last 1 rd/level when thrown.

Shillelagh: I went with a shield & scimitar.

Chill/heat metal: we fought a lot of monsters without equipment.

Flame blade: Hmmm, totally forgot about that one. Would have been good.

Summons: don't last long enough and take a whole round to cast.

I used a lot of Snake Swiftness

Great spell.

Yig · May 08, 2006, 12:16:25 AM

Quote from: blakkieThree words: En-tan-gle

Unless you were stuck underground or inside a plantless city for the whole 5 levels your uselessness is a direct result of failing to memorize that spell. :imsorry: Even if you were traveling desert wastelands Druids generally rock for their skills of keeping the party alive.

For some reason, I haven't treally checked the spells in the PHB, was concentrated on the spells in the SC.

And we've been in a huge underground dungeon since level 4.

Dacke · May 09, 2006, 10:12:21 AM

Quote from: YigProduce flame: only last 1 rd/level when thrown.

Which still gives you one ranged touch attack per level doing 1d6+level damage. Very good against armored opponents.

QuoteShillelagh: I went with a shield & scimitar.

Shillelagh can be cast on a club, increasing its damage to 2d6+1 (including the enhancement bonus).

QuoteSummons: don't last long enough and take a whole round to cast.

After about level 3 they last long enough, and in most cases the one-round casting time isn't that much of a problem. Maybe if you're fighting opponents with ranged weapons... but in that case, you can probably use Heat Metal instead.

Yig · May 09, 2006, 01:20:33 PM

I'll have to review my spell selection.

I concentrate more on healing spells and snake swifness and a few self buffs (charge of the triceratops and bite of the wereX).

I play my druid like a fighter, not like a caster. I'm always shaped as a fleshraker.

Forgot to add: because of the string of fights we had, all my second level slots are filled with lesser restoration.

Dacke · May 09, 2006, 04:01:31 PM

Quote from: YigI play my druid like a fighter, not like a caster. I'm always shaped as a fleshraker.

There's your problem, then. Druids are primarily spellcasters with a bit of fighting ability. If you spend most of your time in melee, of course you're going to feel useless next to the people who can actually fight.

blakkie · May 09, 2006, 04:13:08 PM

Quote from: YigFor some reason, I haven't treally checked the spells in the PHB, was concentrated on the spells in the SC.

If Entangle was in any book other than the PHB i suspect that many DMs would slap a "munchkin"/overpowered ban on it.

Entangle + Ranged Attack = Game Over.

QuoteAnd we've been in a huge underground dungeon since level 4.

Even if you are stuck there another couple of levels it'll still be well worth memorizing when you get out because that spell continues to be useful well past most 1st level combat spells. Especially in encounters where you have numerous opponets. The ones that it really doesn't do much against are those that are very large, very strong, or stay airborne outside of tree canopies and undergrowth. High Reflex save opponents obviously aren't affected as drastically, but they are still slowed down.

Graywolf · May 09, 2006, 04:29:27 PM

Whether the rules allow for them or not. I like some of the Dire Creatures of varying Hit Dice. For my Druid NPC's

GW