Druid/Monk prestige class

[Cowboy_ninja]

Im exploring a character build that includes both druid and monk.

i am remembering a prestige class, i dont remember the specifics but i recall the picture. its a red/blond haired woman dressed in leaves sitting indian style under a tree.

anyone know what im talking about?

[Xuincherguixe]

Well, I know Sacred Fist lets one advance Monk Levels and Casting Levels of a Divine class, which could be a Druid, or something more obscure.

[monty]

I would have to say that the best druid/monk prestige class is Druid 20. Or maybe Druid x / Druid PrC 20-x.

[Nebo_]

The PrC you're thinking of is Fist of the Forest. It doesn't have much at all to do with druids.

[Cowboy_ninja]

The PrC you're thinking of is Fist of the Forest. It doesn't have much at all to do with druids.

THATS THE ONE! Thanks! What book is that in?

edit: googled it. its in complete champions. your right not much to do with druids. thanks again.

[Turcano]

If stuff from Dragon Magazine is on the table, there's also Master of the North Wind (it's in #314, if I remember correctly).

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Turcano is correct, Master of the North Wind (http://www.crystalkeep.com/d20/) is probably the best Monk/Druid PrC you'll find. It gets the Air domain at the 5th level, everything else progresses for all 10 levels based on the first two levels at the link.

Personally, I'd prefer going Druid 20 with a Monk's Belt to get the unarmed strike and Wis bonus to AC. If your DM houserules the Monk's Belt to not grant Wis to AC like many do, just make a Monk 1/ Druid 19, be sure to get Improved Grapple for free.

[Talya]

I would have to say that the best druid/monk prestige class is Druid 20. Or maybe Druid x / Druid PrC 20-x.

I'm actually under the impression that a couple levels of monk on a druid specializing in wild shape can be quite useful.

[monty]

I'm actually under the impression that a couple levels of monk on a druid specializing in wild shape can be quite useful.

I just hate losing caster levels.

[Sstoopidtallkid]

Really, a PrC that advanced monk abilities and Wildshape, but did nothing for Animal Companion or Spellcasting would probably be balanced. More balanced than a straight Druid, even.

[tyckspoon]

Really, a PrC that advanced monk abilities and Wildshape, but did nothing for Animal Companion or Spellcasting would probably be balanced. More balanced than a straight Druid, even.

Not that 'more balanced than straight Druid' is hard; just about anything that eliminates or slows one the progression of one of the Druid's three major features is likely to achieve that. Even if it does swap in new class features in trade; most of them aren't going to be as good as Wildshape and spellcasting.

[Daracaex]

I'm actually under the impression that a couple levels of monk on a druid specializing in wild shape can be quite useful.

Yeah, I was surprised when I realized the amount of synergy druids and monks have since wisdom to AC applies while wildshaped.

[Leon]

get the best of both with the Hunter variant, no loss of caster levels

[Eldariel]

Yes, but you lose Druid. Err, Wildshape, I mean.

[Leon]

Yes, but you lose Druid. Err, Wildshape, I mean.thereisnowhitetexthere

And?

[marjan]

thereisnowhitetexthere

And?

You don't get best of both.

[Eldariel]

And?

Put this way: What's the point of being a Druid if you aren't a Druid?

[Leon]

Best of Both come down to what you consider "best" - and for me that means Spell casting, the Druidic list is a very nice list.

The other things that come along with the standard package may have uses, but are easy to drop and do without

as to what is the best of the Monk, well you dont get the unarmed progression but that is reminded with feats if you want but the WIS synergy in addition to being your armour would be high.

Hmm, with retrospect, you do lose a heck of alot the best of the monk.

[Leon]

Put this way: What's the point of being a Druid if you aren't a Druid?

How do you define what is a druid and what isnt?

[Eldariel]

How do you define what is a druid and what isnt?

A Druid is a Wildshaping, Spellcasting killing machine with a free second character. A non-Druid is a character without full advancement in one or more of the three.

[monty]

as to what is the best of the Monk, well you dont get the unarmed progression but that is reminded with feats if you want but the WIS synergy in addition to being your armour would be high.

Hmm, with retrospect, you do lose a heck of alot the best of the monk.

Heh, you said "best of the Monk."

[Leon]

A Druid is a Wildshaping, Spellcasting killing machine with a free second character. A non-Druid is a character without full advancement in one or more of the three.

I had kinda expected that response, that is a stereotype
A Non Druid is character that is not in the druid class, Wildshape/Companion/Spellcasting all make up the class but dont define it for what it is.

Which by the broadest means is a Nature aligned creature that draws power from nature to protect nature and guide those that they see as worthy of guidance



And yes i said the Best of monk, i dont share the typical view of classes.
That should should be obvious since i hold no care for various aspects of the aforementioned Druid

And before we`Derail this Thread too much further Fist of the Forest is the PrC that you thinking of, one of 3 nature orintated PrCs from Complete Champion. All 3 have some nice synergies with the atypical nature classes (Druid, Ranger, Barbarian) Monk fits with it to a lesser degree but is still workable

[Eldariel]

You talk about flavour, I talk about mechanics. What I said is what makes a mechanical Druid in D&D, what you said is what is the flavour of a Druid. What the heck is the point between that comparison? It doesn't make me any less right, it just means we're talking about different things.

Sure, if I was making a character who is a Druid (as in guardian of the nature), I wouldn't blink an eye if it was a Barbarian or a Ranger mechanically as they can easily be made to represent the same principles. Heck, it wouldn't be hard to make a Fighter, a Wizard, a Sorcerer, a Cleric or pretty much anything else and flavour it into a Druid. However, that doesn't change the fact that none of them are mechanically a Druid as in the Druid-class.


Next time you ask a question like that, specify if you mean mechanics or flavour since frankly, those two things aren't connected on any level which is what makes D&D character construction so awesome; as long as you can get the classes together correctly, you can represent just about any idea and concept with the mechanics the game offers.

You get to play whatever you want and that whatever does exactly what you want it to. Bliss.

[Leon]

A Mechanical Druid is a Warforged Druid


A Druid that is of the Druid PC class is no less a druid for not having the ability to change shape or having a companion


A Druid is a Wildshaping, Spellcasting killing machine with a free second character. A non-Druid is a character without full advancement in one or more of the three.
The Hunter Variant therefore is a Druid It has 2 of the 3 factors mentioned.

The druid in my Sig is similarly a Druid given that he has Druid spellcasting and can speak druidic, he is a Hunter/Avenger variant with a couple of other things linked off the ranger aspect of Hunter, to Encounter him you would not know what he was and thats the way its meant to be

What of the Shapeshift variant from PH2, its not Wildshape and has no pet yet is still a Druid due to spells

Wildshape and Companion are the part that the great population of gamers will hinge their character on for the things that can be done with them, however there is more to a Druid than being a bear all day shooting spells out of your *** and having a Enhanced animal at your side

[monty]

A Druid that is of the Druid PC class is no less a druid for not having the ability to change shape or having a companion

And that's why we can have alternate class features.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

I was going to make a half-minoutar (Dragon mag) using half-orc as the base creature, single-classed Druid with both the Druidic Avenger and Hunter Druid variants. The original idea was for a primary spellcaster of a race that nobody would expect, therefore half-minoutar.

I was considering using Orc as the base race, I figured that since orcs have those tusks I'd give this version tusks as well, then I decided to remove the horns and make him use the tusks for his gore attack, but then took it one step further and replaced bull with boar just to change the flavor of the creature but not the game mechanics.

I was considering making a Rage Mage build, but then found Druidic Avenger which was a near-perfect fit. I didn't want Wild Shape since he'd be naturally strong, so the hunter variant took care of that. It ended up being dead on the money for the flavor and personality I was going for, but the DM said no nonstandard races or UA class variants. Maybe I'll use him as an NPC in the future, or try it out in a different game. For that game I'm playing a PHB Gnome Druid who rides around on his Dire Eagle companion.

My point is, the character I'd thought up would have been as much a druid as the character I ended up playing. Even if it's not the same old druid that everyone else plays, it's still a druid.

[Eldariel]

A Mechanical Druid is a Warforged Druid

Stop misinterpretting everything. It just makes you seem foolish, especially since it's apparent that you merely try to be a smartass.


A Druid that is of the Druid PC class is no less a druid for not having the ability to change shape or having a companion

It lacks the 1-2-3 punch of a Druid so therefore it isn't the machine of victory known as a Druid. But whatever, this is a triviality.


The Hunter Variant therefore is a Druid It has 2 of the 3 factors mentioned.

The druid in my Sig is similarly a Druid given that he has Druid spellcasting and can speak druidic, he is a Hunter/Avenger variant with a couple of other things linked off the ranger aspect of Hunter, to Encounter him you would not know what he was and thats the way its meant to be

What of the Shapeshift variant from PH2, its not Wildshape and has no pet yet is still a Druid due to spells

Wildshape and Companion are the part that the great population of gamers will hinge their character on for the things that can be done with them, however there is more to a Druid than being a bear all day shooting spells out of your *** and having a Enhanced animal at your side

Yes, but that's the best Druid. The rest are just pale imitations. If you wanna play a flavourful Druid, feel free and if you want to intentionally weaken yourself as not to overshadow the party, those are fine choices. It just means you aren't mechanical Druid, you're an Avenger or a Shapeshifter. Yes, the core class is still called Druid, but you're Druid in the name only.

Anyways, it's trivial to the topic at hands so I'm not responding anymore.

[Flickerdart]

Wait, Warforged can be Druids? Something is wrong with that picture.

[Talya]

Wait, Warforged can be Druids? Something is wrong with that picture.

Yes, and yes. I also have issues with them being sorcerers. And probably a half dozen other classes.

[Paul H]

Hi

Why multiclass Druid with Monk? Pure 8th lvl Druid shifts into Dire Ape whilst casting Enhanced Wildshape (SpC) & gains all the extraordinry abilities like Rend, etc.

Put it this way....

You - Dire Ape c/w Enhanced Wildshape, (SpC), cast Girallon's Blessing (SpC) on you & Dire Ape. (Extra set of arms & claws). You're both wearing Rhino Hide Amour (DMG). Also have Heart of Earth (CM) & Gtr Magic Fang cast.

Rnd 1) Cast Bite of Weretiger(Spc) on self, but includes companion.
Rnd 2) Cast Lion's Charge (Spc), on you & companion, and Chaaaarge!

You (charging):

4xClaws +20, Dam 4D6+13 (Magic)
Bite +18, Dam 5D6+7 (Magic)
Rend (if at least 2 claws hit) 8D6+10 (Magic)

Companion (Charging)

4xClaws +19, Dam 4D6+13 (Magic)
Bite +17, Dam 5D6+7 (Magic)
Rend (if at least 2 claws hit) 8D6+10 (Magic)

Note you both gain Pwr Attack & Blind Fight (Not included)

What was that about a Monk?

Oops - Almost forgot - the Heart of Earth also granted you extra 18HP, and can activate Stoneskin (as spell - though without expensive components) for your DR 10/Adamantine.

Cheers
Paul H

[Project_Mayhem]

Stop misinterpretting everything. It just makes you seem foolish, especially since it's apparent that you merely try to be a smartass

Heh, made me chuckle.


Why multiclass Druid with Monk?

'Cause with 1 cheeky level of Monk, you've got your immense wisdom bonus added to your AC while a dire ape. And I was under the impression that you couldn't continue to wear the armour while wildshaped. Cause the ape's like, three times the druid's size.

[Eldariel]

You could wear a Barding. Of course, it always takes time to put 'em on after sleeping and so on (you need to put 'em on after Wildshaping), so it's annoying. Anyways, Monk gives you Wisdom to AC and Flurry, which could arguably be used with Natural Weapons too. Monk 1/Druid 19 is the standard VoP build.

[Rift_Wolf]

A effective detterent to playing a pure druid 5-7th level, I found, was playing a game where most of what goes on is in a barren wasteland (Entangle's out the window. And any other ability that works off plants., the enemies have both spell resistance and damage reduction (Claw-claw-bite does little against DR 10/anything), and your party members include someone who would coup-de-grace your animal companion while under the effect of a charm (Still sore about that. Yes, I could've got a new one the next day, but I'd trained it specifically.)

I wouldn't mind playing a druid again, but it'd probably be a Halfling Druid 5/Beastmaster X specialising in riding, with the clear and unmistakable promise that I would kill anyone who kills my animal companion mount. I feel it fits the character to have such a bond.)

[Eldariel]

Venomfire solves such problems. Make your attacks deal tons of Acid-damage; DR is not an issue. Also, you can use Grapple and similar detainment tactics if your normal damage doesn't work; you're two characters effectively so Grapple works better than normal as you can take two opponents out. Further, Creeping Cold Extended, Call Lightning and similar spells are still fine ways to win encounters when Entangles are not an option. Basically, Druid is versatile enough to overcome such.

[FinalJustice]

Yes, but that's the best Druid. The rest are just pale imitations. If you wanna play a flavourful Druid, feel free and if you want to intentionally weaken yourself as not to overshadow the party, those are fine choices. It just means you aren't mechanical Druid, you're an Avenger or a Shapeshifter. Yes, the core class is still called Druid, but you're Druid in the name only.


Just because they're, god forbid, non full-optimized druids, they are not Druids?
If so, wouldn't that mean Druid 20 is Druid in the name only, since they can't compare to time bending gods of cheating that are the Planar Shepherds?

[Arbitrarity]

Wait, Warforged can be Druids? Something is wrong with that picture.

Not only that... (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20070228a)
City soul, man, city soul.