POLL: Thinking of starting a druid.

Remove all ads!

Hey all,

as the title goes thinking of starting a druid. I know that they get some cool stuff in 2. wanted to see how they are in 1. figured a poll would be good to judge them.


So Druids Yay.

Or Nay.

Poll Information
This poll contains 1 question(s). 13 user(s) have voted.
You may not view the results of this poll without voting.

Poll Results: Thinking of starting a druid. (13 votes.)

Are Druids fun to play (Choose 1)
* Man they Rock - 62% (8)
* Dude they Suck - 15% (2)
* Why play a druid there are too many npc healers already - 23% (3)

 

Druids make for a great change of pace, but I'd go with a Fighter/Druid for weapon specialization and lower THAC0. All you have to do is take a look at Jaheira to see how good they can be. OTOH, you may want to keep your Druid single-classed to take advantage of the druid kits in BG2, which are also mostly more powerful than a vanilla druid, IIRC.

One last piece of advice: Goodberries. IMO, Goodberries are very under-appreciated. They're carryable HP that doesn't weigh anything, and if you make a minor adjustment to the item file, you can stack them as high as you want.

 

I love druids. Really. But I'd go dual class rather than multiclass.

If you play with BG2 try a Berserker/Druid

 

Druids are very cool. I like having one as my back-up healer. A dual class from a fighter will give you grandmastery in a weapon, better THAC0, better hitpoints and more armor choices. You'll also be able to access the high level spells faster than a multi class. There are 2 spells in BG2 that I find very useful from a druid - Insect Plague/Creeping Doom and Iron Skins. Goodberries and Remove Fear are too helpful in BG1.

Your druid weapon for BG1: Dagger of Venom.

 

I like Druids in P&P D&D, but I feel they're a little short-changed in the CRPG world. I'd suggest a Cleric/Ranger Dual or Multi class instead (due to a Bioware bug, these guys get every Cleric and Druid spell).

If you still want to play a Druid, I'd suggest multi-classing a Fighter/Druid, or playing a human and dual-classing after reaching level 2 (this allows the character to put more than * in weapons, which really helps a lot).

One of my interesting combos I'd like to try one day is playing a Druid in BGI with an 18 STR, transferring him to BGII with the Avenger kit, and then dual-class him to Fighter later on. But just ignore this last paragraph, as I'm ranting and getting into "other forum" territory.

 

With dual-class Fighter -> Druid, I'd suggest levels 3 or 7; 3 for the extra weapon prof., or 7 for another weapon prof. and the extra half-attack/round. Here's a couple other good weapon choices for a druid that can be found in Durlag's Tower (TotSC):
Scimitar +2
Staff of Striking

The Ranger/Cleric thing isn't so much a bug as it is an engine limitation combined with a reasonable explanation for not bothering to code around it. Normally you might split the ranger (druid) spells and the cleric spells into two spellbooks, but the game engine isn't set up for it so you just have to deal. It can also be argued that a R/C has a very deep connection to nature and should be allowed the nature spells in the first place, but that's neither here nor ... well, maybe over there.

 

No point in playing a multiclass since you already have Jaheira (who wants to play a clone?)
I agree with Felinoid dual at level 3 or 7, but since Druid level up really fast level 7 seems to me to be the best option.
Btw grandmastery isn't worth the trouble if you don't have a mod installed in BG2 and it can't be achieved in BG1 anyway (the maximum would be ++++) so you'd be better off with specialization or mastery (+++).
A Ranger/Cleric is really powerful, too powerful.

 

so as it goes atm i have started a druid but he is on hold till i beat the game solo with ft. my party with the druid will so far be myself, Garrick, Minsc, Dynaheir, and Immy. I think i will try to get Viccy to take the last slot. I am doing it this way because witht he exception of minsc and immy i haven't really played with the other characters to see what they are like. oh yeah i think my druid is half elf so no dual classing.

 

Druids are fun characters in PNP but I didn't like them too much in the BG series.

 

True the animal shapes are not very good but their spells rock!

 

Hm Boo, why don't you try to play with less then characters now? 4 is fine....

I don't like idea's like beserker/druid. Common people, where's your sense for roleplaying?

My suggestion: Go for a 4 or 5 person nature-freaks-party:


- Druid (Elf)
- Ranger (Elf)
- Specialist Mage (Summoner) (Elf)
- Bard (Elf)

Possibly one additional ranger. (however playing with four is a bit more challenging)

Btw, I prefer playing multiplayer, for you can create all characters. Else, you can have Kivan as Ranger, Garrick as Bard.... and Dynahair as mage (she's lawful good in a neutral party bit I think that will not cause much trouble). Xan is the only neutral mage, but no invoker. When you prefer 5 of characters, you can get Minsc (and Boo of course) as second ranger and/or Jaheira. .

You can also roleplay a bit on being "nature-freaks" and let that have some weight in deciding how to react on situations and what quests to do and what not.Be careful that your reputation doesn't get too high, being true neutral

I think it would be great to play

 

Uncommon would be more accurate actually.

Well here are my arguments in favour of RPing a B/D:

First here is what the game tells us (sorry if I'm slightly off topic)

The berserker and the druid are both closer to nature and attuned to their animal side and instincts. The druid shapeshifts into an animal, wolf or a bear. Think about Faldorn, she is a pretty feral lady! The berserker acts like a wild animal in combat. The word "berserker" actually comes from the Old Norse words for "bear" and "shirt"... so this is not that farfetched RPwise!

 

ok, you convinced me Maybe I just don't like the whole beserker-idea.... heroes who loose their sense during combat....

So if you can RP a Druid/Berserker well, you should do so!

 

Druids are GREAT! Go with the normal druid so you can become a Great Druid in BG2 (I'm not sure with dual classed or multiclassed druids can do this though) and Great Druids get....I'm not sure...I think just a extra quest...but

DON'T GET Jahiera unless she's your backup healer (i suggest Yeslick the Fighter Cleric to be your backup healer cause he gets Cleric Spells and he's a warrior too) you're but if you're wanting Khalid then when you get them kill Khalid (make sure it's not pernemet) and Remove Jahiera then revive Khalid that way you ditch jahiera and keep khalid.

Anyways I beat BG1 and 2 with a normal druid and so read below UNLESS you don't know about this xD-

*SOMEWHAT SPOILER*
So if you're going with a Normal Druid for BG1 then you should go to Naskeal (spelling mistake I think) and get that Ankeg Platemail because for some reason Druids can wear them (maybe because it came from a monster which was a part of nature lol)

Oh and I'm not sure if the hole in Naskeal is in the Normal BG1 because I only play Tales of the Sword Coast.

 

@Not You - The ankeg armor is there without TotSC. Unless you know where it is, it's hard to find. Multi and dual classed druids can become the Great Druid.

 

So far i have started the Druid. Just a regular one. i will post the stats later. my party i am thinking of having minsc, immy, dynaheir, garrick, and possibly viconia. Let me know what ya think.