OK what class fits...

[Paganboy28]

So I have spoken to the DM and in his opinion the team as it is don't really require a druid.

We have an uber-fighter in the Marrusault.
We have a buffer in the Cleric.
We have a party face/rogue/back up in the Swashbucking/Chameleon/Rogue.

He says the party lacks a "blaster" style character.

I've always played blasters (warlocks, wizards, warmages, sorcerers, etc) and so the Artificer was an attempt to still keep magic but in a different sort of way.

The Druid seemed to also fit the bill as I have never played one and they can do spells as well as other nifty things.


What's the "blaster" potential for the Druid compared to the "blaster traditionals"????


What is a really good blaster class (or PrC) that gives me something different from the above?

I have also thought, maybe going the summoning route so that I summon minions to mush foes up, but then I can't seem to find a decent summoning focused PrC.

[Saph]

Druids aren't good blasters. The traditional Druid way of doing damage is via melee attacks delivered by the druid, their companion, their summons, or all three at once.

Druids are however excellent summoners, so if you want a summoning character don't bother with PrC's, just use a single-classed Druid.

If you want a blaster the simplest and easiest to make effective is a Psion Kineticist, which you can find here. They do lots of damage to lots of targets using lots of different energy types, and they have a variety of backup powers to keep them safe and give them extra attack options.

[kamikasei]

Druid doesn't have great blaster potential. Their schtick is more a) summoning beasties, b) buffing themselves and said beasties, and c) battlefield control via said summoned buffed beasties and various "standard" battlefield control spells.

If you want something that'll blast but be a bit different to what you've already played in that role, may I suggest a psion? A kineticist with Expanded Knowledge: Astral Construct will be able to summon for control/utility, and/or you could pick up some telepathy-based control powers too.

Grrr, ninjas lurks!

[Saph]

*ninja-stabs Kamikasei*

[The Mentalist]

For the summoning route you can't go wrong with the Malconvoker. I don't know much about blasting though so I can't advise there.

[Gnorman]

For the summoning route you can't go wrong with the Malconvoker. I don't know much about blasting though so I can't advise there.

I fully support this, and I feel I should mention:

You're probably aware of the whole "blasters are suboptimal" tack, so I won't belabor the point. But you have a fighter and a rogue, they'll dish out the damage. Might I suggest battlefield control instead? Break the pace, try something new? A good battlefield controller here will concentrate on debuffing the enemy and locking it down with distractions, summons, and the aptly-entitled "kill zone". Conjuration, transmutation, and necromancy would be your go-to schools here, at least as a wizard.

Of course, you shouldn't you take my suggestion to heart if it's not what you want to play. But non-blaster wizards are powerful, full of variety, and most importantly, fun. If you're going down the summoning route (which I highly recommend, as summoners are my favorite archetype) a Malconvoker can be an extremely effective addition to the party, what with mounds of summons providing both tanking, damage, and useful SLAs. Plus, they're nowhere near as broken as some wizard PrCs (note that I said as broken - you're still a wizard). The Malconvoker is, hands down, my favorite PrC. It's well-designed, flavorful, and quite powerful, though rarely resorts to pure cheese to achieve results. Of course, I've been slogging through the class's fiendish repertoire like mad lately (At this point I'd wager that only Treantmonklvl20 has spent more time analyzing the class's potential) so I'm a bit biased. Planar Binding is a broken, broken line of spells, though - make sure your DM understands this.

Druids are still an excellent choice for the BC/summoning route - they do much better there than they do as blasters. Take Augment Summoning, of course, and also look into Ashbound (free extend, +3 attack bonus on all summons) or Greenbound (mighty powerful template) as feats to really amp up your beasties. Imbue Summoning will allow you to throw some nice buffs on them, including the always-overpowered Venomfire.

You have the Big Stupid Fighter. You have the Healbot. And you have the Gimp - I mean, the Glass Cannon. Play God. Whether a god in the shamanistic or hermetic tradition.

[Kris Strife]

Course, if you wanna blast and do battlefield control, as well as a few other nifty abilities, theres DragonFlame Adept with Entangling Exhalation. Make your allies immune to your breath weapon with the Invocation Endure Exposure, grab Freezing Fog when its avalible, and of course, identify magic items for free and Geas as a standard action.

[Aotrs Commander]

Actually, if you have Spell Compendium or other non-core spells, Druids aren't too bad at blasting. Nowhere near as good as an arcanist, but much better than a cleric. However, they aren't great at this until mid-level, when you start to get things like Ice Flowers or Ice Lance.

But, it certainly is possible to have a spell-caster support druid rather than a shape-shifting melee or summoning one (I know, I've done it!) They get plenty of SoDs to (Drown, Extract Water Elemental for example), again at higher level. Okay, so it might be quite as optimal as shifting shananigans, but given as the druid is argueably the most powerful class in the game, playing it not to it's theoretical full potential is hardly damning...

If, however, you are limited to Core, it's not really a viable option as the Druid doesn't have that many damaging spells in Core.

[Myou]

The party doesn't need a blaster.

[Eldariel]

Blaster is basically a casting archer, so it's a role many other characters in the party already handle. Feel free to prepare a Call Lightning for the Stormcrow-act, but mostly focus on summons, buffs and battlefield control as everyone has said. Note that Produce Flame is decent at low levels due to enabling multiple ranged touch attacks.

Overall, Druid's shtick as a "blaster" is that each blasty spell in their arsenal does more than just 1 boom. Most of their spells enable you to use the same spell for multiple rounds conserving ammo, and the ones that don't still stick around (e.g. Ice Storm), which means if you really want to blast, you can just prepare few spells geared towards the purpose while still maintaining your good versatility and real function (this is augmented by your spontaneous summons).

[Sinfire Titan]

You don't need a blaster, you need to get a GOD.

Here's a good one for you.

[Person_Man]

If you want to go the undead route, there's a classic blaster/summoner combo:

1) Take the Lord of the Uttercold feat (Comp Arcane) which let's you change any energy spell into 50% Cold and 50% Negative Energy.

2) Take the Destructive Retribution feat (Libris Mortis). Now whenever an Undead you create is destroyed, it explodes in a small burst of Negative Energy.

3) Convince as many people in the party as possible to take the Tomb Tainted Soul feat (Libris Mortis), which allows you to be healed by Negative Energy (but harmed by Positive Energy). Also, buy items which grant Energy Resistance or Immunity to Cold (or take levels of Frostrager, which is healed by Cold).

Now summon a ton of weak Skeletons (immune to cold). Toss Uttercold Fireballs on top of them. Heal your friends, destroy your enemies, and provide a bunch of battlefield control via your minions.

[Doc Roc]

In this situation, I'm going to argue in favor of a war weaver!

[waterpenguin43]

To make a druid more blasting oriented, become a stormcaster (see stormwrack.)

[Mando Knight]

He says the party lacks a "blaster" style character.

The party also lacks a battlefield controller. Guess which one is more versatile, and which one the Druid can fulfill.

That's right... control. You can blast by having armies of wolves hound your foes, or fire a couple of Ice Storms at them. You can control with Entangle, summoned armies, Rusting Grasp, Plant Growth, Baleful Polymorph...

[Glyde]

Wu Jen have several excellent blasting spells, including Steam Breath - as far as I can tell that's the earliest 'cone' nuke you can grab. A sudden maximized steam breath while specializing in water can turn the tide of a fight right quick.

They might not be anything compared to well... any of the other classes, but their gimmick can be fun to roleplay (Taboos, Spell Secret) and their unique spells can be fun.

Oh, also they have Giant Size.

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Gonna side with the Psion crowd. Every energy type known to Wizards, plus others. Mind Thrust/Psionic Blast that even bypasses almost all known damage reduction and requires Will saves instead of Fort/Ref.

Personally that's not my cup of tea, but with the right build you can get the energizer bunny out of them.

[arguskos]

Wu Jen have several excellent blasting spells, including Steam Breath - as far as I can tell that's the earliest 'cone' nuke you can grab. A sudden maximized steam breath while specializing in water can turn the tide of a fight right quick.

Nitpick: Acid Breath is also level three and does comparable damage, but is acid damage.

However, I'll generally agree that Wu Jen are pretty decent overall.

[Leon]

You're probably aware of the whole "blasters are suboptimal" tack, so I won't belabor the point.

a State of Optimal is only a issue of those that must subsist on it - the majority of the players I'd guess don't have the worry.

Sorcerer is a good blaster type with careful selection of spells (try to go for Force or Sonic Damage types as they are the least resisted types) and always have a selection of non blasty utility types that could be useful.

[Doc Roc]

a State of Optimal is only a issue of those that must subsist on it - the majority of the players I'd guess don't have the worry.

Disagree strongly. Nothing sucks more than forcing your party to limp when they could run. I speak here as a GM, since that's what I am almost exclusively. Arcane\Divine blasting really works poorly because it exhausts resources forcing the pace of the adventure to slow down, can ruin any attempt at time pressure, and is generally unpleasant. I'm not sure what everyone has against casual optimization, particularly when we've suggested excellent ways of playing a blaster without gimping yourself. Now, if you are serious about this, there is a way to play a sorcerer blaster, but it can be something of an uphill battle.

[arguskos]

Disagree strongly. Nothing sucks more than forcing your party to limp when they could run. I speak here as a GM, since that's what I am almost exclusively. Arcane\Divine blasting really works poorly because it exhausts resources forcing the pace of the adventure to slow down, can ruin any attempt at time pressure, and is generally unpleasant. I'm not sure what everyone has against casual optimization, particularly when we've suggested excellent ways of playing a blaster without gimping yourself. Now, if you are serious about this, there is a way to play a sorcerer blaster, but it can be something of an uphill battle.

While quite true, and something I tend to mention to my players as well, it can and frequently does get blown out of proportion. Arcane blasting CAN work, it's just not the BEST option. There are ways to do it decently enough to keep up with a decently put together party, it's just not the best way to contribute most of the time.

Given that 3.5 breaks if you sneeze at it too hard, it's easy to see where casual optimization is often looked down upon. Not everyone puts the effort into making the game optimized, but still unbroken and fun that you do, after all. (Note that I personally really admire your fire and drive in Test of Spite to keep things unbroken and fairly balanced-ish, so please, don't take anything I've said as an insult in any way.)

[Wings of Peace]

Your game is anything goes till orb spells. Once you get orb spells stick with them. Your build should be something along the lines of Sorcerer 14/Arch-Mage 1(Mastery of Elements for ganking foes with weaknesses)/Tainted Scholar 2/Incarnate 3.

Take the tainted scholar as soon as you can. With those three levels of Incarnate plus a 1 feat investment you can invest 3 essentia into your Strongheart Vest soulmeld. This means the thing will reduce all con damage by 4 allowing you to apply all the big blasting meta-magics for free. Next take all the blasting meta-magics. Maximize, Empower, Twin, Quicken, Admixture, The pre-req for Admixture and Rapid Meta-magic. This is an 8 feat investment counting the feat for extra investment in Strongheart so talk to your dm about taking a flaw. If he doesnt allow it I'd lose Empower personally but some people would say maximize instead.

It's a bummer I realize to lose 9th level spells but we're making a blaster here and those meta-magics will keep you doing more than reasonable damage without them.

[lsfreak]

Here's some of the more interesting options for blasty-casters that can also fill in other roles if they need to:

Nevermind on the warlock, you said you'd played it
- Dragonfire Adepts. Like warlocks but differentTM. Plenty of blasty, and when mixed with the breath weapon feats from Races of the Dragon, plenty of awesome. Provided they're focused on breath weapons, you can even tote around full plate and a tower shield and wade into melee.
- Binders. For one thing, they're both the single best fluff-based class and one of the only ones to actually pull it off without being gimped. They fill any role they need to, one being doing 4d6 from two gaze attacks every round. Go here (cached version since gleemax is down) and search for the Direct Damage build to what to work up to. Two 2d6 damage attacks a round in an area without having to do anything plus other stuff.
- Eldariel's Arcane Archer that he's posted a few times. Not recommended if your group looks at you funny for taking two classes and a prestige class. Bard 8/Arcane Archer 2/Sublime Chord 2/Sacred Exorcist 1/Abjurant Champion 4+ and the last in Sacred Exorcist.

[Paganboy28]

Whats the Dread Necromancer like at blasting/controlling?


I have to be level 8 (or equivalent of); Neutral or good alignment.

[Sinfire Titan]

Whats the Dread Necromancer like at blasting/controlling?


I have to be level 8 (or equivalent of); Neutral or good alignment.

Not very good. He's a Debuffer, not a blaster. Unless you use Destructive Retribution+Infested with Chickens to make Chicken Bombs...

[Wings of Peace]

As a blaster I can't say I've heard good things. They get an aoe harm spell as I recall but that's about it and against undead that's not a lot of good. Battlefield control is a possibility but personally I think generic wizard or sorcerer could outdo them at that game too, as a de-buffer though they can be vicious.

Edit 1: *Gets ninjad by Sinfire Titan.* Darn you! Though good to see you around still. Over on the Wizards boards I'm Wings of Peace.

Edit 2: To the topic though if you want to battlefield control your main concern is saves largely. Lots of aoe spells have saves so anything that lets you pump those is good. Blasting wise I would say Meta-Magic is the big ace. Lots of low level spells like orbs can with enough meta-magic deal enough damage to floor a dragon and in the case of Orbs those spells don't offer SR which will be your bane. Even in aoe blasting enough meta-magic will easily boost spells to the point where higher levels matter only for the utility spells and buffs to keep yourself alive.

[Doc Roc]

And please please don't do that.

Oh hey Wings, it's me, Doc Roc!

[Wings of Peace]

Hey Doc. It's funny since I've seen you around here occasionally and that avatar always makes me think of your handbook.

[Sinfire Titan]

Edit 1: *Gets ninjad by Sinfire Titan.* Darn you! Though good to see you around still. Over on the Wizards boards I'm Wings of Peace.

I usually hang out on BG, but when on Gleemax I frequent the Classes, Psionics, Spells (lurk), and Equipment boards. But Gleemax is dead for the rest of the month, so it doesn't matter right now.

And please please don't do that.

Explosive Chickens? You don't like the Revenge of the Cuccos?

[woodenbandman]

If blasting is what you desire, may I suggest a Wilder? Pick a bunch of double threat spells. Also, you should definitely look at either an Incarnate/Soul Manifester dip, or going the full way down.

Wild Surged Midnight Augmented Energy Stun = world of hurt + daze. Seriously, you can get (hell, toss in earth power) up to 10 points of free augmentation on a power with the right build, something like Wilder 15/Incarnate1(take Shape Soulmeld somewhere)/Soul Manifester4. Anarchic Initiate also looks good.

Some good "blast" powers are Energy Stun (Been errata'd to 1d6/pp but only +1DC/2pp), Concussion Blast (no save is always good, and being a wilder you have much more damage potential), and, with some creative usage, Telekinetic Maneuver (situationally dependent, but quite often you'll find someone is standing at the edge of a very large cliff, just asking to be pushed off, and you're only too happy to oblige)

Any number of Energy X power will work for you. Also there is a 9th level power in Complete Psionic that is basically a churning vortex of doom and negative levels that you control. Check that out.