Druids

[DrSlikk]

Can someone please post any Druid tips that they have picked up, that don't include cheese, and the benefits of each druid kit over eachother.

[Coot]

I figure the avenger-kit is the most powerful. Most of the shapechanging is more or less useful and the avenger can cast some mage-spells. The penalty in str and con isn't that big a deal, since there are so many strentgh-enhancing items and protection spells.

The shapeshifting-ability of the shapeshifter is, ironically, less useful. In wolfform you can't cast spells (although you can buff up before the change) and it's claws hit like +1 weapons (+3, when you get greater werewolf). Not great, considering some of the opposition. Also, you can't wear armor.
Still, I picked the shapeshifter-kit since the transformation looks sorta cool.

Totemic druids: the spiritanimals don't get more powerful when you lvl. Besides, there are so many powerful summons in this game, this ability becomes obsolete after the first stage of the game. Who needs a spiritwolf when you can get mordaikens sword?

[Mirk]

here are some of mine druid tips:

spells:

lvl 1: armour of faith - decent damage reduction, cumulative with most items and abilities. more important than AC later in the game.

lvl 2: barskin is ok at the beginning, i actually tend to memorize "know alognment". dont' ask...

lvl 3: obvious - call lightning, dispell magic (i like to have one for every spellcaster). i found "strength of one" to be extreamly usefull for summons (m swords, etc.)

lvl 4: call woodland beings - excellent helper (mass heal, anyone?); deatward - u'll need it, more in the later parts. farsight - i like to have one memorised, very helpfull with summons

lvl 5: INSECT PLAGUE!!! IRON SKINS!!! almost don't belong here, as cheesy as they are.

lvl 6: heal, woundrous recall (for even more ironskins and insect plague)

lvl 7: nature's beauty - a single class druid will get this early... no save vs. blindness=enemy spellcasters are dead! (just don't get close to them)

try it, see what u think.

[fable]

Originally posted by Mirk
lvl 5: INSECT PLAGUE!!! IRON SKINS!!! almost don't belong here, as cheesy as they are.

Pure cheese, I agree. That's probably why Insect Plague was eliminated in 3rd edition.

[Mirk]

still, insect plague is a solid anti-spellcasters tactic. imho, it's balanced by the fact that it doesn't work on 2/3 of baddies, as theyr'e XX% magic-resistant.

[fable]

Originally posted by Mirk
still, insect plague is a solid anti-spellcasters tactic. imho, it's balanced by the fact that it doesn't work on 2/3 of baddies, as theyr'e XX% magic-resistant.

Each to their own, said the old lady as she kissed her cow. (My wife's grandmother used to repeat that. A few years ago, I also found it in Rabelais, the 16th century author of Great Books whom no school teacher will mention because they're dirty as hell. -And that's longevity, for ya.) But it's IMO an extreme example of a tactic that tempts players to reload infinitely in the hope that it will work well, immediately cutting down on a lot of fighting. Because when it works, of course, it eliminates the casting of party-harmful spells, frequently lowers morale to the breaking point, and injures your enemies. Besides, you can always have a mage cast a spell like Greater Malison that significantly raises the chance of effectiveness of Insect Plague.

[Mirk]

well, i guess they heard you in 3ed: yesterday i finally got level 5 spells for my IWD druid. in a large group battle i joyfully cast insect plague... ONLY TO NOTICE MY PARTY IS UNDER THE EFFECT AS WELL, with all the fun and games: HP loss, some panic, no spellcasting...


on topic, yet another link to the Xyx's "bible" of BG2 spellcasting:

http://members.chello.nl/~j.vanthull/BG2SR/Main.htm

DrSlikk, visit there, you'll find tons of useful info