Druids
chickenhed
Member Posts: 208
I wanted to get some opinions on this. Do you guys think Druids were just..... neglected in this series? They are downright terrible in Vanilla BG1, and only slightly improved in BG2. Yes they have a few excellent spells (insect line of spells, nature's beauty, Greater Elemental summoning, etc) but far fewer than clerics. I'm only bringing this up because of how much of a blast they are to play in Icewind Dale 1. Another 2nd ed infinity engine game that, for some reason, was able to implement Druids exceedingly well.
So what I'm asking is: Is it just me? Do you guys also feel they were "neglected"? Or do you think there was a purpose to Bioware's madness?
So what I'm asking is: Is it just me? Do you guys also feel they were "neglected"? Or do you think there was a purpose to Bioware's madness?
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Comments
no but seriously druids are subhealers they have just less usefull spells the only benefit is 10th level druid vs 8 cleric max
i think druids in iwd1 are still weaker but elemental transforms can tank better than any cleric so on high level it is pretty similar
actually i think that druids are more powerfull but clerics are more usefull or something like that
1 druidic spell could destroy whole party
clerics are not that powerfull
Sure they can't wear studded leather armour, but hide armour is just as good, if not better.
They also lack complete immunity to all innate spells and abilities of Fey creatures and immunity to web and entangle. The no tracks thing isn't a big deal though.
They lack their metric $%#^ton of animal companions (which they start gaining at level 4, unlike most other classes' followers), they lack their innate ability to attempt to calm and charm wild animals (and yet for some reason rangers DID receive their version. The druid version is similar, just more effective...they get a bonus to their influence roll (which would mean the druid version of charm animal would have a -3 or so save penalty).
And they lack their physical god status after 16. Complete immunity to all natural elements (they're not harmed by natural fire, cold, electricity, acid and poisons), and greater resistance to magical elements, no longer suffer penalties of aging (but can still die if their lifespan runs out). The ability to travel between elemental planes and the Prime AT WILL (and can live there as if they were a native creature), and able to bring others with them (bringing others or an excessively large load is taxing and can only be done once day). The ability to summon an elemental of their choice at will (up to 16 HD) (but only 1 at a time, and if it's slain, they can't summon another of that element for 24 hours). The constant ability to speak with animals and plants, and to speak and understand any spoken language. Can change their body at will into any elemental shape they wish and maintain it for as long as they desire, can shapeshift into ANY natural creature no matter it's size as often as they desire, doesn't not require a system shock roll and grants all abilities of the chosen form.
I think the overall weakness that I hope they fix in bgee2 is the lack of good druid spells. The cleric list is tons better period. You have insect line,iron skin, and nature's beauty that is useful long term.
"Now available via IWDification for BGEE*"
*limited time offer, while supplies last
the best one being summon woodland creatures, which is borderline OP. summon a couple before any bgee battle and it's almost impossible to lose. they access 5th level mage spells, have mass heal, call lightning and they're scripted with decent AI and you get the spell at level 7 which is hit with a poxy 35k XP (to put into perspective, even rogues will only be lvl 6 with 35k XP)
so yeah, I think druids are great in bgee, but will probably suck in bg2
I know the dual will miss out of some thaco but those immunities will be nice.
A multi also has the benefit of pooled hlas.
The Shapeshifter seems pretty underpowered but I really dig the idea of the class.
Any advice?
Also the dispel claw exploit still works. So if you want you can just change into a werewolf and have an NPC cast dispel magic on you. It'll let you attack with your weapon instead of your claws (but with 2 attacks per turn).
Jaheria ( invisible ) and her little friends killed all the beholders ( except the Blind one ). Elementals are immune to beholder magical attack. Just whack a moled that whole level.
Insect swarm rules for keeping mages / priests down.
If Jaheria had been another class I would probably play a Druid. I'm a nature kinda of guy anyway.
I like Druids...reminds me of Allanon.
This is just my third bg1/bgee run, so I'm not an expert, but the class is really interesting so far (level 3).
If you go shapeshifter remember to use bracers to improve your (non shapeshifted) AC with. It won't make your AC amazing or anything but it will somewhat make up for your lack of armour.
Also the dispel claw exploit still works. So if you want you can just change into a werewolf and have an NPC cast dispel magic on you. It'll let you attack with your weapon instead of your claws (but with 2 attacks per turn).
I kind of feel like this is the only way to keep the shifter on par with a F/D but I can't bring myself to do it. It's clearly an exploit and if I'm a giant werewolf I'm expecting to tear things up with my claws not a couple if scimitars.
Hlas are better than clerics
summon elemental prince who is probably stronger in vanilla than deva and planetar
shapeshifter with bugs like using valygars armor and dispelled claws is really good tank like seriously on scsii insane tactics my shapeshifter was tanking shangalar alone!
f/d have some sweet other things like shapeshifted into fire elemental whirlwind attacks pretty cool