Druid Kits. Are they worth?

[Apeiron]

In all other classes kits seem to bring some advantages, but I can´t see the Druid ones.
Avanger - Shapeshifting? only on the first two or three levels. After that they become obsolete.
Shapeshifter - Greater Werewolf is ok, but not with strong opponents
Totemic Druid - seems even worse...

[FireLighter]

I remember someones avenger (not sure but one of the poster's here) solo'd it through bg1 to ToB. As I remember, she(?) said it was very powerful with its mage spells and could dispatch any enemy easily, even posted the avengers stats somewhere. (Maybe someone can show you the thread, Im about to load up my game and play some more. Currently going through firkraags place already killed him, headin out.)

[Faust]

Well the thing to keep in mind about kits, is that kits are suppose to be a trade off. Meaning, the original class needs to remain a viable option. Certainly, the Avenger's advantages are fairly obvious. The extra mage spells can be very useful (particularly if you are good at using lightening spells); the shape shifting has some moderate usefulness. The Totemic advantage is being able to summon a companion, while fighting as normal. So, for many play styles that will be a more than adequate trade off for shape shifting. The shapeshifter advantage is being able to transform into the greater werewolf. Honestly, I never found this to be a hugely useful advantage, but its something that will appeal to some play styles.

[Nimiety]

I've always preferred the totemic druid - even better if you go totemic until level 12 (around 300K xp) and then dual to fighter - by the time you get your druidic powers back, you're virtually unstoppable.

Thaco of a fighter that progresses with fighter HLAs, area damage spells, anti-mage spells, healing spells, iron skins for defense, wear top armor, and the innate (ie - very fast, uninterruptable) ability to summon allies to divert enemy attention.

A very strong character, but like any other style, you have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of each and plan accordingly.

N....

[the_limey]

It's interesting to note that the (greater) werewolf that the Shapeshifter becomes is so much different that the ones you fight in game. There is actually a mod- a component of Ease-of-Use actually) which seeks to address the short comings in the werewolf shapshift. I've actually tested it briefly and my PC became a walking mincing machine.