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View Full Version : Ideal cohort for an optimized druid.



backpackjack
2010-10-31, 02:30 PM
I'm playing a fairly optimized druid and have taken the leadership feat at 12th level. What do you think is the ideal cohort for such a situation. The game in question is one where uber-cheese is not permitted, but there is quite a lot of cheese. All WoTC stuff is fair game--though the DM nixes some things at her whim.

jiriku
2010-10-31, 02:32 PM
An awakened animal of some kind (with class levels) would be thematically appropriate, and you could buff it with many druid spells that were intended for your animal companion.

balistafreak
2010-10-31, 02:40 PM
Another 'zilla.

... well, you did say optimized...

Alternatively, Artificer, if you REAAALLY like paperwork. Or Wizard. Or any of the Big 5.

WinWin
2010-10-31, 02:44 PM
Another druid?

It does not have to be a clone of your character. It can simply use all of the druid abilities that your character does not focus on.

eg. If you focus on buff spells and Wild Shape, make the other guy a dedicated caster. An Arcane Heirophant or something.

If your guy is more of a caster or generalist druid, make the cohort a Nature's Warrior/Warshaper or something.

Just an idea.

dsmiles
2010-10-31, 02:47 PM
Awakened Fire Element Dire Bear, with druid levels. So it can summon more bears!

gallagher
2010-10-31, 02:56 PM
CW Samurai

balistafreak
2010-10-31, 03:03 PM
CW Samurai

:smallannoyed:

Moriato
2010-10-31, 03:09 PM
Awakened Dire Werebear bear warrior?

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2010-10-31, 03:44 PM
Should have taken Wild Cohort (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a), to stack its benefits onto your animal companion. The two abilities are tracked separately, but it doesn't say they can't be the same creature. That will give it even more extra HD and ability boosts so its even more powerful.


A Fiend of Possession makes for an extremely strong cohort choice, preferably with a few levels in Warlock and/or Psion. It can possess your character and cast personal-range buffs on you, grant you a +4 Profane bonus to all ability scores, and grant your weapons up to +6 worth of enhancement bonus and/or special properties. If you allow him to take control of your actions when necessary you could gain the benefits of things like a Monk AC bonus (his Wis bonus), and you could both roll saving throws vs effects which affect your character. He can cast spells while possessing you, so it would be like you're acting twice in one round. A +0 LA Aasimar or Tiefling (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040213a) (for which you never have to spend a level (http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20030824a) for the additional racial abilities) with the Ritual of Association from Savage Species to get the evil subtype is probably the easiest way to get into Fiend of Possession without a level adjustment. From there he can go Monk 1/ Warlock 2/ Fiend of Possession 6/ Warlock+, invocations should include Spiderwalk and See the Unseen, and maybe get Leaps and Bounds. You can Wild Shape into a Dire Bear and your cohort can spam Eldritch Blast every round, and make it appear to be coming out of your eyes, plus he can make your claws and bite all Speed and Wrathful Healing (or Speed, Wounding, and Bane for whatever you're fighting) and be sure to use Greater Magic Fang, and don't forget to cast Extended Produce Flame so you'll deal fire damage with every natural attack you make as per holding the charge on a touch spell. Super buff dire bear, super fast attacks, flaming claws and teeth, lasers shooting out of its eyes.....

Toptomcat
2010-10-31, 03:52 PM
Ghost 4/ (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/sp/20040117a)Psion (shaper) 1/Master of the Unseen Hand 5 is a strong option in much the same vein as a Fiend of Possession, but active rather than passive. They possess you but let you control your own actions so they can't be turned or otherwise targeted until you drop, Psionic Minor Create a huge pile of spears and a huge pool of poison into being, and go to town with Telekinesis.

Of course, at high levels your cohort can be a Ghost 4/Psion (shaper) 1/Master of the Unseen Hand 5/Fiend of Possession 6 and give you the best of both worlds, passive and active benefits.