kamikasei
2008-01-16, 02:47 PM
I'm putting together a Druid for a level 1 game using both the Shapeshift and Spontaneous Rejuvenation variants from PHBII. This is half for balance, half to cut down on bookkeeping, and a smidgen thrown in of wanting to be shapeshifting right away for character reasons.
Now, I've seen Shapeshift lauded here and elsewhere for being much less uberpowerful than the Wild Shape + Animal Companion combo, and I haven't seen anyone criticize Rejuvenation as sucking too hard (though it does seem a little annoying that it scales only with spell level, not caster level or anything else). That's all fine with me, and I'm not asking about their balance. What I'm wondering is how people find these variants affect the druid's role in the party?
The PHB druid, as I understand it, is a self-buffer with a buddy who shares his buffs, and a spontaneous summoner par excellence. Since I'm giving up both the buddy and the spontaneous summoning, what's my niche? Is a PHBII druid still a full caster who can opt instead to self-buff and charge into melee? Is he better off ignoring the casting except for healing and utility? Is melee a bad idea, and should the shapeshifting be the aspect of the class reserved for utility (movement, scouting, etc.)?
I appeal to you, o wisest of boards, for your counsel.
Now, I've seen Shapeshift lauded here and elsewhere for being much less uberpowerful than the Wild Shape + Animal Companion combo, and I haven't seen anyone criticize Rejuvenation as sucking too hard (though it does seem a little annoying that it scales only with spell level, not caster level or anything else). That's all fine with me, and I'm not asking about their balance. What I'm wondering is how people find these variants affect the druid's role in the party?
The PHB druid, as I understand it, is a self-buffer with a buddy who shares his buffs, and a spontaneous summoner par excellence. Since I'm giving up both the buddy and the spontaneous summoning, what's my niche? Is a PHBII druid still a full caster who can opt instead to self-buff and charge into melee? Is he better off ignoring the casting except for healing and utility? Is melee a bad idea, and should the shapeshifting be the aspect of the class reserved for utility (movement, scouting, etc.)?
I appeal to you, o wisest of boards, for your counsel.