Aspect of nature druid?

[The Underlord]

How does using the aspect of nature (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm#wildShapeVariantAspectOfN ature) wariant effect the druid. It would definitely knock the druid down a tier or two but doess it make the druid un-playable? Has anyone used this variant before?

[Cog]

Druid casting alone is tier one, because of how adaptable core divine casting is and a whole lot of splat love. Anything that leaves that alone can lower the druid within its tier but will not actually change it, and "unplayable" isn't even on the radar.

[Gnaeus]

Agree with Cog.

Consider, a Spirit Shaman is basically a druid, with no animal companion, no wildshape, and some special abilities that are usually trivial unless you fight a lot of incorporeal undead. It is very playable, living in between T1 and T2.

By contrast, Aspect of Nature druid still has full casting + animal companion, and aspect of nature isn't useless.

[Tokuhara]

How does using the aspect of nature (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm#wildShapeVariantAspectOfN ature) wariant effect the druid. It would definitely knock the druid down a tier or two but doess it make the druid un-playable? Has anyone used this variant before?

It is a step down to be sure, but not a full tier drop. Aspect of Nature is fun, especiually in a lower-tier party, because Aspect of Nature is less powerful than traditional Wildshape

[Optimator]

Unplayable? Hardly. I find the variant both fun and flavorful while being an appropriate nerf to droods.

[hex0]

I like having free +4 CON at eighth level.