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Help With The Druid Class
Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 3:54 pm
by Thegeneral
Druid/Shifter/Monk good or bad?
I am very new to neverwinter nights. I am trying to build a effective druid. I was thinking of a Druid/Shifter/Monk combination would this be effective?
Also is animal empathy worth it. I don't really care a whole lot about it as far as what the discription tells me. Advantages? Disadvantages? Does it augment other skills? I would like to focus on my stealth and avoidence skills instead, is this wise?
If anyone can give me some advice I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 1:45 pm
by dhessler
Don't try it
I've tried messing with this build a bunch of different ways -- it ain't worth it. The Multiclassing penalties really add up. Secondly, the maximum Ki Strike Bonus is only +5 with Improve Ki Strike when you choose the feat twice. That means for a +5 damage bonus, and your going use 21 levels (if you put any sink any more levels into monk your finished because epic Monk only get a feat every 5 levels) getting that epic monk to even choose Improve Ki Strike Feat. Plus you are already using 5 levels getting wildshape. Furthermore, only the Construct & Dragon Shapes really have the kind of Strength Stats needed to make that +5 really move. Yet, in order to get those feats your going to need a Wisdom of 27 (Construct) or 30 (Dragon). This means that put every stat point into Wisdom, plus you may need a few Greater Wisdom feats in order get your Wisdom high enough.
If you really want to go the shifter route, I suggest a straight Druid/Shifter build. This way, you get a more levels that you can put into Druid and thus that Huge Wisdom bonus can really be put to use.
So basically, unless you cheat your little heart out, for most of the game your going to have a really really weak character.
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:07 pm
by Thegeneral
Thanks for the advice dhessler, Can the druid/shifter become powerful? You said it is very weak through most the of the game. Does that mean I will be weak until I can change into a dragon or construct or undead? What if I multiclass with a rogue to gain more ability in avoidance? Basically my high avoidance and defense is my best offense. Sorry for all the questions, but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 2:55 pm
by Fiberfar
You should rather take 1 lvl of monk to get the monk bonus AC (if you got 30 wis that would be 10). Since you can get lots of good robes in the game. Your char would also get evasion, hide, move silently and tumble (which would make you hard to hit and spot).
Posted: Tue May 17, 2005 3:16 pm
by Magrus
I actually have an unfinished build like this. 1 level of monk, enough druid levels after that to get into the shifter class and the rest shifter levels. You get a bonus for the wisdom like whats said above, and you get the unarmed attack rating for monks in the forms that use natural weapons (claws, etc.). I feel it's worth it. You end up needing to boost your druid levels a little more until you hit level 20 and can continue with your shifter class, but I take that as extra healing and buff spells, just in case things go poorly.
Animal empathy isn't worth it unless you are playing in a mod with a ton of wild animals running around. HoTU for example would make that skill pointless aside from the occasional bat and rat. Who wants those fighting with them?
My only problem with the dragon shape feat is that you get stuck in doorways between rooms. I end up needing to save my 3 times I can shift into dragon form when I know it's a tough fight and the fight will stay in one room.

Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 12:22 pm
by Thegeneral
Thx for replying everyone and for the advice, very helpfull. I think I will stick with the Druid/Shifter/Monk build then. Thanks again!