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Guinaur
2007-08-15, 09:49 AM
Can someone explain to me why Druids are proficient with scimitars and not bows? My girlfriend loves playing druids, but also loves using bows, so I usually house-rule that she can use a bow... but still... bows are made of wood and fibers, while a scimitar is made of steel... I dont get it?

Lord Lorac Silvanos
2007-08-15, 09:53 AM
Scimitars are curved blades and sickles are curved too, so naturally the Druid is proficient with both.

QED.

Falrin
2007-08-15, 09:56 AM
Has something to do with the traditional "profession" the class is based on, drop it if you want to.

Next: Giving bow proficiency is no big deal. On the other hand the druid already is a powerhouse.

More: i find the Crossbow a better choice in most cases. When you focus on ranged weapons the Longbow owns, but the humble crossbow allows a dumped str and has a good threat range.

Ikkitosen
2007-08-15, 09:59 AM
2nd ed hangover. Druids were not very awesome back then, and giving them a sword made them slightly more attractive.

Darrin
2007-08-15, 11:56 AM
Can someone explain to me why Druids are proficient with scimitars and not bows? My girlfriend loves playing druids, but also loves using bows, so I usually house-rule that she can use a bow... but still... bows are made of wood and fibers, while a scimitar is made of steel... I dont get it?

The druid's weapon selection is a mishmash of holdovers from previous editions, fluff justification, and extremely poor research on the historical background of what little we know about real-world druids (with a few dashes of new-age/neopagan revisionism for extra flavor).

On one hand, druidic culture was either stone or bronze age, so iron or steel-based weapons wouldn't necessarily be forbidden so much as they *didn't exist yet*. So they'd be familiar with simple weapons such as clubs, staves, and spears. Assuming you don't have access to stronger metals, these weapons can be easily made out of wood, stone, bone, or soft metals like copper, bronze, and crude iron.

Also, weapons developed from agricultural implements or strongly associated with a religious signifigance makes sense for druids. This is where we get the sickle and dagger... unfortunately, the absence other weapons with agricultural origins, such as the scythe, kukri, kama, and nunchaku is particularly troubling.

The absence of bows is also puzzling, and is maybe best explained as it "doesn't fit the traditional image of druids", which we think as being associated with agriculture and the harvest. Bows are representative of hunter-gatherer cultures rather than agriculture-based cultures (but then again, so are spears, which apparently are "druidic"). As far as we know, druidic cultures hunted game just as much as the visigoths down the road, but that sort of activity wouldn't be associated with the "priest caste" (if there was such a thing). Although why a druid would pick up a sling over a bow for hunting is beyond me... I would guess because it's a simpler weapon, whereas being trained to use a bow requires way more time than a priest might have.

The scimitar was added most likely with the reasoning that "we have to give them at least one hand weapon that doesn't completely suck", and "well, it kinda resembles a sickle". It also gives the druid a bit of an exotic flavor (even though the middle east, where the weapon originates, isn't all that well known for it's "druidic culture"). They became particularly prevalent during 2nd edition, where you just weren't considered much of a druid without a scimitar. Explaining why a celtic-based nature priest would favor a middle-eastern weapon that relies on more advanced iron-age metalsmithing techniques... uh... cuz it has a curved blade... like the moon, so nature gawds think it's groovy.

tainsouvra
2007-08-15, 11:57 AM
Can someone explain to me why Druids are proficient with scimitars and not bows? [...] bows are made of wood and fibers, while a scimitar is made of steel... I dont get it Druid weapon proficiencies are based on the (in-game) Druidic traditions--they have nothing to do with what the weapons are made of. Those are the weapons available because those are the weapons Druids would be taught how to use, due to their ceremonial or traditional value.

Metagaming a moment, it's a weapon selection based on theme (like the Rogue's) and also has some limited balancing value (also like the Rogue). Giving the Druid free access to bows does make them a bit more powerful, but if that isn't a concern in your game, go for it.

MrNexx
2007-08-15, 12:17 PM
On one hand, druidic culture was either stone or bronze age, so iron or steel-based weapons wouldn't necessarily be forbidden so much as they *didn't exist yet*. So they'd be familiar with simple weapons such as clubs, staves, and spears. Assuming you don't have access to stronger metals, these weapons can be easily made out of wood, stone, bone, or soft metals like copper, bronze, and crude iron.

You are, quite simply, wrong. The Celtic culture (both continental and in the British Isles) at the time of the Roman invasions was quite solidly an Iron Age culture. They used bronze, but not for their weapons; it was a pretty metal.


Also, weapons developed from agricultural implements or strongly associated with a religious signifigance makes sense for druids. This is where we get the sickle and dagger... unfortunately, the absence other weapons with agricultural origins, such as the scythe, kukri, kama, and nunchaku is particularly troubling.

Not to mention the flail, and glaives, guisarmes, usw.


As far as we know, druidic cultures hunted game just as much as the visigoths down the road, but that sort of activity wouldn't be associated with the "priest caste" (if there was such a thing).

The druids were the learned caste of the Celts. The continental Celts, especially, matched Dumezil's trifunctional hypothesis... a warrior caste which were the general political leaders, a learned caste, which included priests, and the farmers, who were the majority.

The weapon selection for druids doesn't make a lot of sense. If we were to base it on traditional Celtic weapons, it would include the short sword, long sword, spear, dagger, and short bow, probably with clubs and staves thrown in, as well. They had axes, but didn't use them for combat.

Miraqariftsky
2007-08-15, 12:26 PM
Also, weapons developed from agricultural implements or strongly associated with a religious signifigance makes sense for druids. This is where we get the sickle and dagger... unfortunately, the absence other weapons with agricultural origins, such as the scythe, kukri, kama, and nunchaku is particularly troubling.



Hmm, how about flails?

skywalker
2007-08-15, 12:32 PM
Because scimitars are nature swords? They just seem like the kind of sword a druid would use. They're kinda exotic and mysterious, you know? Just like druids. I've never seen a WotC built druid using a scimitar, though. That's some food for thought.

But they aren't proficient with bows because they're primary casters. Why would anyone who plans on being a spell-slinger waste time learning how to use a bow?

Also, bows are hunting implements. They make hunting a lot easier than it was before they were invented. Now, as D&D druids go, I'm sure they'll hunt for subsistence. But I also think they would shy away from learning how to use weapons that make the raping of the land by the masses even easier.

tainsouvra
2007-08-15, 12:32 PM
The weapon selection for druids doesn't make a lot of sense. If we were to base it on traditional Celtic weapons, it would include the short sword, long sword, spear, dagger, and short bow, probably with clubs and staves thrown in, as well. They had axes, but didn't use them for combat. Weapon selections in general aren't made to make a lot of sense when compared to their real-world analogues. A medieval Warrior who wears full plate and carries a scimitar in a world where gunpowder isn't even imagined, well, that really isn't a lot better.

Weapon choices in D&D are based on particular elements from the fantasy genre, and simply do not relate to their real-world equivalents. The D&D Druid is only very loosely based on real-life druidic culture, it has a fantasy culture of its own. Given the somewhat unusual set of conditions that D&D gives for its version of druidic tradition, along with the fantasy-driven weapon availability, the Druid's weapon selection does make as much sense as can be reasonably expected.

Darrin
2007-08-15, 12:33 PM
You are, quite simply, wrong. The Celtic culture (both continental and in the British Isles) at the time of the Roman invasions was quite solidly an Iron Age culture. They used bronze, but not for their weapons; it was a pretty metal.

Sorry, sloppy research on my part. I'm confusing "druidic culture" with the pre-bronze age people that built the stone circles such as Stonehenge. The D&D version of druid includes both the Celtic concept of druid as well as neolithic stone-age cultures and proto-agrarian groups switching from hunting-and-gathering to early forms of agriculture. A lot of what we think we know about druids has been hopelessly confused with popular myth and revisionist anthropology.

Telonius
2007-08-15, 12:36 PM
Personally I wouldn't be so much worried that the Druid can or can't use any specific weapon, as worried that he's going to suddenly turn into a giant bear and cast a spell at me as he devours my spleen.

EvilRoeSlade
2007-08-15, 12:45 PM
Tell her to play an elf.

Magi_Ring_O
2007-08-15, 01:07 PM
Elves still have to face the no-casting-with-metal-unless-its-a-scimitar thing.
Also, using a bow is not as hard as everyone seems to think. Its using a bow well that is difficult, and that is what BAB is for.

Aquillion
2007-08-15, 01:09 PM
I think the scimitar is a holdover from 2nd edition that was left in because it doesn't really matter one way or the other anymore--Druids have better things to do now than hit things with an ok-ish melee weapon.

Giving them a bow would make them a bit stronger, which they really don't need. It's not like it would make a huge difference either way, though.

Krrth
2007-08-15, 01:13 PM
just FYI, I think it's 3.0 FR, but a druid of Milekki(sp) can use metal weapons and armor with no penalty.

Mael
2007-08-15, 01:15 PM
The weapon selection for druids doesn't make a lot of sense. If we were to base it on traditional Celtic weapons, it would include the short sword, long sword, spear, dagger, and short bow, probably with clubs and staves thrown in, as well. They had axes, but didn't use them for combat.

The javelin was also used (definatly used in Ireland anyway, probably other Celtic areas as well).

EvilRoeSlade
2007-08-15, 01:20 PM
Elves still have to face the no-casting-with-metal-unless-its-a-scimitar thing.
Also, using a bow is not as hard as everyone seems to think. Its using a bow well that is difficult, and that is what BAB is for.

Druids are only prohibiited from wearing metal armor. They can use metal weapons. So if you want to play a druid who can use a bow, either be an elf, or be a man (pun intended) and take the Martial Weapon Proficiency feat. That's what it's there for.

MrNexx
2007-08-15, 04:35 PM
just FYI, I think it's 3.0 FR, but a druid of Milekki(sp) can use metal weapons and armor with no penalty.

Druids of Mielikki can use any martial or simple weapons, and any light or medium armor. In 3.0, druids were limited in weapons, not just "only knew a few".

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 04:39 PM
The scimitar was added most likely with the reasoning that "we have to give them at least one hand weapon that doesn't completely suck", and "well, it kinda resembles a sickle". It also gives the druid a bit of an exotic flavor (even though the middle east, where the weapon originates, isn't all that well known for it's "druidic culture"). They became particularly prevalent during 2nd edition, where you just weren't considered much of a druid without a scimitar. Explaining why a celtic-based nature priest would favor a middle-eastern weapon that relies on more advanced iron-age metalsmithing techniques... uh... cuz it has a curved blade... like the moon, so nature gawds think it's groovy.

Actually, I think it's inclusion was on the grounds that "There's no khopesh in 3e." Which, y'ask me, is lame.

Jayabalard
2007-08-15, 04:43 PM
Actually, I think it's inclusion was on the grounds that "There's no khopesh in 3e." Which, y'ask me, is lame.probably the case, though there's not much reason to match up druids with the khopesh (not many druids in persia/egypt)...

From what I recall, back in 1ed druids were limited to "ancient weapons" regardless of whether they were Celtic in origin.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 04:50 PM
Reference image:
http://www.africamaat.com/IMG/jpg/khopesh-2.jpg

I think the khopesh/druid link was made because of their sickle-like qualities.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:01 PM
1e Druid
Weapons - Club, Dagger, Dart, Hammer, Scimitar, Sling, Spear and Staff

2e Druid
Weapons - Club, Sickle, Dart, Spear, Dagger, Scimitar, Sling, and Staff

3e Druid
Weapons - Club, Sickle, Dart, Spear, Short Spear, Dagger, Scimitar, Sling, and Staff

Khopesh is in the 2e PHB, Druids are not proficient its use.

[Edit]
The 2e Complete Druid's Handbook had Kits that allowed use of the Khopesh and also revised the 1e Druid so that he was also allowed.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:02 PM
My AD&D 2e book says that druids get the khopesh, Matthew.

EDIT: This book, for reference:

http://www.d20.cz/images/books/2e/adnd_phb.jpg

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:08 PM
I'm looking at that book right now, can't see it on p. 35. Mine is First Printing 1989, by the looks of it.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:09 PM
Maybe I'm on acid. I'll check when I get home.

Lavidor
2007-08-15, 05:10 PM
1e Druid
Weapons - Club, Dagger, Dart, Hammer, Scimitar, Sling, Spear and Staff

2e Druid
Weapons - Club, Sickle, Dart, Spear, Dagger, Scimitar, Sling, and Staff

3e Druid
Weapons - Club, Sickle, Dart, Spear, Short Spear, Dagger, Scimitar, Sling, and Staff

Khopesh is in the 2e PHB, Druids are not proficient its use.

[Edit]
The 2e Complete Druid's Handbook had Kits that allowed use of the Khopesh and also revised the 1e Druid so that he was also allowed.

I noticed that 2e druids replaced hammer with sickle.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:15 PM
Heh. Get off the Acid Train, Fax!


I noticed that 2e druids replaced hammer with sickle.

Yes, odd isn't it? The revised 1e Druid that appears in the Complete Druid's Handbook has the following Weapons available:

1e Druid (Revised)
Weapons - Club, Dagger, Dart, Hammer, Khopesh, Scimitar, Scythe, Sickle, Sling, Spear and Staff

Jayabalard
2007-08-15, 05:16 PM
1e Druid
Weapons - Club, Dagger, Dart, Hammer, Scimitar, Sling, Spear and Staff

Khopesh is in the 2e PHB, Druids are not proficient its use.

[Edit]
The 2e Complete Druid's Handbook had Kits that allowed use of the Khopesh and also revised the 1e Druid so that he was also allowed.
/shrug ... I didn't play 2nd edition, nor did I ever get the 2e complete anything. I'll have to take a look if I can dig out my books, but as I recall druids were indeed proficient in the khopesh in 1ed ad&d

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:17 PM
The 2e Complete Druid's Handbook had Kits that allowed use of the Khopesh and also revised the 1e Druid so that he was also allowed.

That's gotta be what I was thinking of.

Fhaolan
2007-08-15, 05:18 PM
If I remember correctly (I'm nowhere near my books at the moment), khopesh was added to the druid's weapon list in 1st edition book Unearthed Arcana along with defining the stats for the khopesh. The khopesh is a member of a group of weapons known as 'sickle-swords', so it was thought to be an appropriate weapon for a druid.

The first printing of the 2nd edition PHB had it as khopesh, but the revised printing had several little changes, one of which was dropping the khopesh out of the equipment lists. In order to deal with that, they substituted scimitar in the druid's weapon list. 3.x just picked it up out of that.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:22 PM
/shrug ... I didn't play 2nd edition, nor did I ever get the 2e complete anything. I'll have to take a look if I can dig out my books, but as I recall druids were indeed proficient in the khopesh in 1ed ad&d

I'm yet to even find the Khopesh in a 1e Book. It might have been part of a supplement, but it doesn't appear on the Weapon tables in the 1e PHB or Unearthed Arcana, but it could have done in later printings. It would be interesting to see. [Edit] Found it in Unearthed Arcana.


That's gotta be what I was thinking of.

More than likely.


If I remember correctly (I'm nowhere near my books at the moment), khopesh was added to the druid's weapon list in 1st edition book Unearthed Arcana along with defining the stats for the khopesh. The khopesh is a member of a group of weapons known as 'sickle-swords', so it was thought to be an appropriate weapon for a druid.

Not that I can see, it's not even on the list. [Edit] See Above.


The first printing of the 2nd edition PHB had it as khopesh, but the revised printing had several little changes, one of which was dropping the khopesh out of the equipment lists. In order to deal with that, they substituted scimitar in the druid's weapon list. 3.x just picked it up out of that.

Odd, my printing has the Druid listed as allowed the Scimitar and the Khopesh still appears on the Weapons Table, as does my digital version.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:22 PM
So really, what we have, is a misinterpretation of a bad substitution which was errated out of existence shortly after not existing before?

Fhaolan
2007-08-15, 05:35 PM
Odd, my printing has the Druid listed as allowed the Scimitar and the Khopesh still appears on the Weapons Table, as does my digital version.

Okay, when I get home, I'm going to go through my books. I could have *sworn* it was in some printings but not others. We may be dealing with old Dragon magazine articles as well.

When they went from 3.0 to 3.5, it wasn't the first time D&D has gone through an incremental rule change inside the same 'edition'. It's just the first time they actually numbered it like that. :smallbiggrin:

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:37 PM
Here's the reference in Unearthed Arcana, p. 78:


This weapon has no place in medieval warfare, for it is an Egyptian weapon which went out of use around the tenth century B.C. However, it is so interesting and it fits so well into the concepts of the game that it can be added if the DM approves of such...

...Because of this weapon’s ancient origin and unusual shape, it is an ideal druidical instrument. The DM should consider placement of both normal and magical khopeshes in the campaign, aiming especially at druidical use. Of all magical scimitars discovered, 10% will be khopeshes.

...and on the Table on p. 13:

1e Druid (Unearthed Arcana)
Weapons - Aklys, Club, Dagger, Dart, Garrot, Hammer, Lasso, Sap, Sling, Scimitar, Spear, Staff, Staff Sling, Sword (Khopesh), Whip

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:41 PM
Here's the reference in Unearthed Arcana, p. 78:

and squirreled away on a table:

1e Druid (Unearthed Arcana)
Weapons - Aklys, Club, Dagger, Dart, Garrot, Hammer, Lasso, Sap, Sling, Scimitar, Spear, Staff, Staff Sling, Sword (Khopesh), Whip

AHA! Is that this book?

http://home.flash.net/~brenfrow/dd1/ua.jpg

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:42 PM
That's the one. Yep.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:44 PM
That's the one. Yep.

Man, I hate that book. It's missing entire pages of material. And it's not like there's actual pages missing; the information just stops mid-paragraph on one page and continues into something else on the next.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 05:56 PM
It was a massive rush job, unbalanced as hell and culled from the pages of Dragon.

Most Broken Stuff:
Double Weapon Specialisation, especially with Bows.
The Cavalier Class (assuming you could ever qualify)
The Barbarian Class

Any particular passages in mind? I can't recall any off hand, but I wouldn't be surprised.

[Edit]
Oh yeah, this book as also single handedly the source for Drizzt Do Urden:


Dark elves, also known as drow, are the most divergent of the elven sub-races. Their form similar to that of other elves, but their skin color is the inky black of a moonless night and their hair is normally pure white or silver. Classes open to dark elf player characters are cleric, fighter (including ranger), cavalier, magic-user, and thief (including thief-acrobat and assassin). Males and females of this sub-race differ in the maximum level attainable in the cleric, fighter, and magic-user classes. Drow are generally evil and chaotic in nature, though player characters are not required to be so.

A dark elf player character is considered an outcast from his or her homeland deep within the earth, whether by matter of choice, alignment, or merely being on the losing side of some family-wide power struggle. As such, drow characters do not have immediate access to the weaponry, armor, cloaks, and poisons that are normally found in the possession of non-player characters of this sub-race. The 50% magic resistance possessed by NPC dark elves is likewise not a property of player characters, who have abandoned their homeland; it is likely that this power is the result of extended dabbling in the dark arts as well as the effects of their environment. Once having made the decision to embark upon an adventuring career, a drow player character can never regain this magic resistance short of the use of wish spells or similar magics, but can still rise in power and dominate fellow dark. elves. Outcast dark elves do retain the customary elven resistance tc 3 charm and sleep, and they receive a bonus of + 2 to all saving throw: 3 versus magical effects.

Dark elves do not gain the combat bonuses of the surface elves with regard to sword and bow, but may fight with two weapons without penalty, provided each weapon may be easily wielded in one hand. They cannot use a shield when performing this type of combat, but may use a spiked buckler as one of their two weapons. Drow can speak the common tongue, the language of “undercommon” (a trade language of those who dwell beneath the earth), plus the elvish and gnomish languages, as well as other languages up to the limit prescribed by intelligence score. In addition, all dark elves “speak” the silent tongue of subterranean dwellers, a language of
complex hand signals and gestures, combined with facial expressions and body language. The range of communication in this silent tongue is only 30’, but it is as informative as any other language within that range. Only the drow may fully master this tongue, though other races may be taught its basic signs and symbols.

Dark elves have infravision out to a 12” range. The base movement rate of female drow is 15”, while that of male drow is 12”. Drow have the ability to detect secret and concealed doors just as other elves can, and they can also detect new construction, stonework traps, sliding walls, and depth underground as do dwarves. Dark elves can move silently in the same manner as other elves, under the same conditions, and are surprised only on a 1 in 8 chance.

All dark elves have the innate ability to use the following magic spells once per day: dancing lights, faerie fire, and darkness, 5’ radius. Upon attaining 4th level in any class, dark elves gain the ability to cast detect magic, know alignment, and levitate, also once per day. Females of 4th level or higher also can use clairvoyance, detect lie (or its reverse), suggestion, and dispel magic, each once per day.

Ability scores for drow characters may be generated either by normal means, or by the method described on page 34 of the FIEND FOLIO@ Tome, at the option of the DM. If the latter method is used, the adjustments to initial dice rolls for elves given in the “Penalties and Bonuses for Race” section (Players Handbook, page 14) do not apply.

Drow are affected by light in the same manner as gray dwarves (see above). They will prefer to travel either at night or in gloomy, overcast conditions when they venture out into the surface world.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 05:56 PM
Any particular passages in mind? I can't recall any off hand, but I wouldn't be surprised.

The Thief-Acrobat comes immediately to mind.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 06:00 PM
Hmmn. Looks quite complete in my version. Maybe it was reprinted correctly?

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 06:04 PM
Hmmn. Looks quite complete in my version. Maybe it was reprinted correctly?

Oh, I'll pull it out when I get home and show the people on this forum just how good the copy-editing is these days.

MrNexx
2007-08-15, 06:05 PM
It's correct in mine, and it's a 1st printing.

Matthew
2007-08-15, 06:06 PM
Sounds interesting.

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 06:07 PM
It's correct in mine, and it's a 1st printing.

I'm still probably acid-tripping. I do remember seeing something in the ToC that I couldn't find in the book.

MrNexx
2007-08-15, 06:24 PM
I'm still probably acid-tripping. I do remember seeing something in the ToC that I couldn't find in the book.

That's easily explained.

You suck.

;-)

Fax Celestis
2007-08-15, 06:26 PM
That's easily explained.

You suck.

;-)

The smiley makes it entirely non-offensive.:smallbiggrin:

MrNexx
2007-08-15, 06:39 PM
Just think how few people on the boards I would say that to. You should be honored that I told you that you suck. :smallbiggrin:

Fhaolan
2007-08-15, 08:37 PM
HA! Found it. I knew if I searched through my pile'o'****, I'd find the stupid references I needed.

Druids using the scimitar was brand new in the 1st edition PHB. The previous edition (known lovingly as Original D&D or OD&D), druids could only use wooden weapons, period. And UA added khopesh to the list *in addition* to the scimitar.

Now, why the druid suddenly gained scimitar.... I found a comment by Gary Gygax made on the EN World forum (edited for space, not content):

---

Just a question that stretches back down the eons to 1e.: why do druids use scimitars?

It is because the scimitar is as close a sword weapon I could come up with to match the druids' mistletoe-harvesting sickle.

---

http://www.enworld.org/printthread.php?t=171753&page=11&pp=50

Guinaur
2007-08-16, 02:22 AM
heh...
I just saw that the druid is only restricted in using metal armor or shields...
I thought that they were restricted from using weapons out of their natural proficiencies as well. My bad (Checked the SRD just now, I have the PHB 3.0ed at home).
So I guess a elven druid can use bows and even longswords...

PS: Its funny how in Baldur's Gate 1 (I dont know how close this is to 2nd ed) an elf cannot be a druid... Is that true for pnp 2nd ed?

Kurald Galain
2007-08-16, 06:53 AM
Its funny how in Baldur's Gate 1 (I dont know how close this is to 2nd ed) an elf cannot be a druid... Is that true for pnp 2nd ed?

Yes. Many classes are restricted in 2E. For instance, paladins must be humans (I've always houseruled this to include dwarves, at the very least) and wizards must be human, elf or half-elf, or gnome illusionist (which may or may not make sense depending on your campaign).

Matthew
2007-08-16, 06:57 AM
HA! Found it. I knew if I searched through my pile'o'****, I'd find the stupid references I needed.

Druids using the scimitar was brand new in the 1st edition PHB. The previous edition (known lovingly as Original D&D or OD&D), druids could only use wooden weapons, period. And UA added khopesh to the list *in addition* to the scimitar.

Now, why the druid suddenly gained scimitar.... I found a comment by Gary Gygax made on the EN World forum (edited for space, not content):

---

Just a question that stretches back down the eons to 1e.: why do druids use scimitars?

It is because the scimitar is as close a sword weapon I could come up with to match the druids' mistletoe-harvesting sickle.

---

http://www.enworld.org/printthread.php?t=171753&page=11&pp=50
Right, that clears that up.


heh...
I just saw that the druid is only restricted in using metal armor or shields...
I thought that they were restricted from using weapons out of their natural proficiencies as well. My bad (Checked the SRD just now, I have the PHB 3.0ed at home).
So I guess a elven druid can use bows and even longswords...

PS: Its funny how in Baldur's Gate 1 (I dont know how close this is to 2nd ed) an elf cannot be a druid... Is that true for pnp 2nd ed?

As Kurald says, by default that was the case. However, there were Optional Rules in the DMG for allowing other Races access to Race restricted Sub Classes.

Funkyodor
2007-08-16, 06:59 AM
But on a funny side note. Being that Rangers in 2e had to be good, and Druids had to be true neutral. Half-elves could be multiclass Ranger/Druids... Go figure.

MrNexx
2007-08-16, 08:43 AM
But on a funny side note. Being that Rangers in 2e had to be good, and Druids had to be true neutral. Half-elves could be multiclass Ranger/Druids... Go figure.

In the Realms, that was only as specialty priests of Meilikki, and they had to be Neutral Good.

Matthew
2007-08-16, 09:15 AM
But on a funny side note. Being that Rangers in 2e had to be good, and Druids had to be true neutral. Half-elves could be multiclass Ranger/Druids... Go figure.

That was only ever printed in the Half Elf Racial Description and was strictly by DM allowance only (as Druids were considered Speciality Priests). In the Revised PHB it still appears in the Race Section, but has been singled out as not a valid combination in the Multi Class section.