Druid

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I have played through BG1 several times now as a Bard(CN) and Mage/Thief(NE) and thought I would play as a Druid this time. With the intention of taking the character through BG2 as well.

My characters stats are:
Str 17
Dex 17
Con 15
Int 10
Wis 18
Cha 16

With proficiencies in Blunt and Missiles (using darts, as 3 attacks per round). Later I will add large and small swords to my skills.

I have found that Druids aren't as bad as people make out.

1. HP's are fairly good - 8HP + Con.
2. THAC0 is reasonable - not as good as a fighters, but better than thieves and mages.
3. Divine spells that can be cast while wearing armour - BG1's selection isn't brilliant but there are some very useful ones.
4. Armour may appear limiting at first, but Druid's can wear Ankheg plate which helps a lot.
5. Weapons are poor to start with, but with TOTSC installed, you can pick-pocket Drizzts Scimitar and get a +2 Scimitar from Durlag's Tower.

You may ask why not go for a multi-class Fighter/Druid to make use of the fighters abilities to improve the class. Well, in BG2 the Druid's powers grow after 3000000XPs (I won't go into them here), so a single class Druid will reach this level much sooner.

Why not a dual-class fighter/druid? Well I want to make use of the kits in BG2, so this is out.

I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully played a Druid before, along with any hints/tips they may have.

Also, what about suitable party members? Should they be nature based? Do I want druids and clerics or just druids?

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

I'm not fond of Druids myself, but I have tried it to see how weak/strong they really are. I didn't go all the way through the game, but yes, they work. I see no drawback with Druids. as you said, armour, and weapons can be found for them to use. As for a party, I thought Minsc fit well with a Druid, and he also can be the tank or ranged. Jaheira (sp?) I took as well, being part druid herslef, along with Dynaher (sp?) and Kalid. Faldorn I hated, so I took Kivan as well. I stopped this party due to it being too easy, but I may take it up again...just set the difficulty higher. Minsc and Kivan going ranged were more than enough, and my PC and Jaheira could heal them with no trouble. I would stick with the more natural NPC's, onse that would be kind to nature in your opinion, but possibilities are up to you.

 

My party is progressing fairly well so far, and currently consists of:-

Me - Druid L2
Jaheira - Fighter/Druid L2/2
Kivan - Ranger (superb archer) L2
Imoen - Thief L2
Garrick - Bard L2
Xzar - Necromancer L2

I did have Khalid, but he has morale issues and I prefer Kivan. I am using Jaheira as my tank at the moment and she is doing a grand job. The only problem is what to do about Minsc?

I have kept Xzar as I need a mage, especially when facing other mages. You can't beet MM against them. Garrick is my backup mage, and has some very good uses like PP Algernon's Cloak, stealing Large Shields +1 from Nashkell store and for pilfering Drizzts Scimitar when I get to him.

I am currently wearing the Ankheg Plate so my AC is -2, which is cool. Now to get the bracers of Dex for Jaheira and she'll have really low AC, what with her plate + shield, etc...

I am using Kivan in a mix of roles. He has plate for when standing there and fighting/sniping, plus a suit of studded leather for when I send him scouting which is excellent against groups of enemies.

 

I have never taken a druid through BGI. The only time I use them is when I start them as fighters, then dual to a druid for BGII.

For advice on the kits, shapeshifter is either the best or the worst of them, depending on if you have the fix pack installed. I understand that they are weak without it, but overpowered with it. I wouldn't recommend this kit though - I've played Cernd, so it wouldn't be that different with a PC.

Totemic is nice for summoning creatures, although by midway through BGII, they won't be able to kill much of anything. You can't shapeshift, but really, why would you want to with only wolf and bears as options?

Avenger sounds the best to me. Multiple shapechanging forms, which I bet are especially useful early in the game, and 6 different mage spells to add to the list (which can only help) when you consider things like chain lightning.

For the apporpriate party to bring with you, that's simple - all rangers and druids!

You
Jaheira
Minsc
Kivan
Faldorn
Imoen (you need a thief)

 

My party is currently in Nashkel. Just about to go into the mines.

Currently have:
Me - Druid L3
Jaheira - Fighter/Druid L2/2
Minsc - Ranger L2
Kivan - Ranger L3
Imoen - Thief L3
Xzar - Necromancer L2

Did have Garrick, but he died due to a misplaced lightning bolt. We rock at the moment and will hopefully just get stronger.

This party will change as I progress. I will change Xzar for Dynaheir to keep Minsc happy. And, when I get to cloakwood I might dual-class Imoen to Mage, so 1) I might get rid of Dynaheir and take on Coran as my main thief 2) replace kivan for coran and replace dynaheir with Eldoth. May even take on Faldorn again, but do I need another Druid?

I fancy the shapeshifetr kit at the moment. My thoughts are that after visiting Balduran Island, my character was never truly cured of lycanthropy and learnt to control his skills. Fits with the story nice anyway.

Might change my mind and go Avenger as you don't lose the 2 points of Str and Dex when importing a character from BG1 to BG2.

Will keep you posted.

Have progressed a bit further now. My druid is actually turning out to be quite tough, with good hp and ac. My party has done the mines and rescued dynaheir - unfortunately xzar was killed by a hobgoblin elite.

Me - Druid L4
Minsc - Ranger L4
Kivan - Ranger L4
Jaheira - Fighter/Druid L3/3
Imoen - Thief L5
Dynaheir - Invoker L4

Minsc and Jaheira are proving excellent tanks, along with myself. Kivan has excellent stealth and I use him as a scout and he's an awesome archer. I never liked Dynaheir much, but she is proving fairly useful at the moment.

I am off northwards towards the bandit camp now and will see what happens. What to do when I see Viconia? Should I rescue her and take her with me??

[ July 19, 2003, 12:04: Message edited by: Bard ]