Suggestions for solo Druid

[PrinceMyshkin]

I've been playing DDO about 9 months and recently purchased MOTU, so am now Premium and have Druid. I'd like to try a Druid but haven't found a build that I think will work for me. I'm strictly a solo player by necessity and haven't been happy with anything that doesn't have a rogue splash and a good spot skill. I'm really not concerned with endgame viability but something fun to play along the way.

Special conditions: 28 pt. build, Drow available, no tomes, no special gear, no money (real or fantasy). :-D
Play style: Besides the rogue splash, my most successful characters have been Rangers (either AA or TWF oriented with either Halfling DM, or Cleric/Pally levels for self-healing), or some kind of Pale Trapper variant. I like to be able to solo Normal/Hard without a hireling.

Suggestions would be much appreciated. A general outline with suggested Stats/Progression/Feats/Enhancements would be fine. A full character plan would be great.

TIA!

[cru121]

this is a popular and good druid:
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/427398-Gingerspyce-s-caster-healer-quasi-tank-build

[PrinceMyshkin]

this is a popular and good druid:
https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/427398-Gingerspyce-s-caster-healer-quasi-tank-build

Thanks for the reply, Cru. I've looked at Gingerspyce but don't know enough to know how to modify it for what I'm looking for. I know some trade-offs have to be made. I don't think Int 8 will work for trap skills. My experience is that DD and Search (and Spot if possible as I'm not very good at remembering where traps are) have to be kept maximized. A Druid with Rogue skills doesn't look like an easy fit, which is why I'm asking for help.

Do I drop CON some for INT or drop both CON and WIS? If so, how much? Do I throw in Rogue about every 4 levels and catch the rogue skills up aiming for a 17/3 split? Or some combinatino of the above? Are the skills listed in Gingerspyce in priority order as far as which to maximize? My experience is that stats and skills have to be done right the first time.

[cru121]

As a 28 point buy, I'd probably go 18 wis, 14 con, 14 int. This gives you 7 skill points per druid level. You need 2 for Disable, 2 for Search, 1 for Spellcraft, 1 for Concentration. One skill point per level is your preference. It could be Spot, UMD, Open Lock, or Heal.

You should start as a Rogue (or Artificer if you own it). I personally wouldn't go for evasion on such a build, and I probably wouldn't take second rogue level. 19th level of Druid is not so hot, so I'd probably go 18/1/1. The third class is a wild card. I would take it after 15 levels of druid (Earthquake). You could take Fighter and pick up Heavy Armor Proficiency automatically and (Improved) Shield Mastery as Fighter bonus feat. Some other dip options might be mentioned in the thread (iirc wizard for feat and SLA, perhaps cleric).

Featwise, you can follow Gingerspyce.

If you like Evasion, you obviously need to take 2 levels of Rogue. And you'd probably spend one of the first level feats on Insightful Reflexes. Going for Evasion probably requires additional build changes from Gingerspyce. You're restricted to light armor, you'd be less tanky. You'd probably need to spend considerable resources to increase your Reflex save so that your evasion actually works. It's possible, but perhaps harder on a 28 point buy character without tomes or wealth.

[PrinceMyshkin]

As a 28 point buy, I'd probably go 18 wis, 14 con, 14 int. This gives you 7 skill points per druid level. You need 2 for Disable, 2 for Search, 1 for Spellcraft, 1 for Concentration. One skill point per level is your preference. It could be Spot, UMD, Open Lock, or Heal. ...

Thanks very much, Cru. That's what I needed. It will be a long time before I hit 16 so I'll decide on the third class later. As you can tell from my OP, I'm used to Evasion, but heavy armor sounds pretty good and should fit my resources better.

[unbongwah]

Sample build:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 04.23.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page (http://www.rjcyberware.com/DDO)

Level 28 True Neutral Human Female
(2 Rogue \ 18 Druid \ 8 Epic)
Hit Points: 332
Spell Points: 1530
BAB: 14\14\19\24
Fortitude: 13
Reflex: 12
Will: 20

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Abilities Base Stats Modified Stats
(28 Point) (Level 1) (Level 28)
Strength 8 8
Dexterity 8 8
Constitution 14 14
Intelligence 14 16
Wisdom 18 29
Charisma 8 8

Tomes Used
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7

Starting Feat/Enhancement
Base Skills Modified Skills
Skills (Level 1) (Level 28)
Balance 3 14
Bluff -1 7
Concentration 4 33
Diplomacy -1 7
Disable Device 6 33
Haggle -1 7
Heal 6 21
Hide -1 7
Intimidate -1 7
Jump 3 11
Listen 4 17
Move Silently -1 7
Open Lock 3 14
Perform n/a n/a
Repair 2 11
Search 6 34
Spellcraft 4 34
Spot 8 21
Swim -1 7
Tumble 3 11
Use Magic Device 3 30

Level 1 (Rogue)
Skill: Balance (+4)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+4)
Skill: Heal (+2)
Skill: Jump (+4)
Skill: Open Lock (+4)
Skill: Search (+4)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)
Skill: Spot (+4)
Skill: Tumble (+4)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+4)
Feat: (Human Bonus) Insightful Reflexes
Feat: (Selected) Least Dragonmark of Passage


Level 2 (Druid)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+3)


Level 3 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Wolf


Level 4 (Druid)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 5 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 6 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Bear


Level 7 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Heal (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)


Level 8 (Druid)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 9 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Winter Wolf


Level 10 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 11 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 12 (Druid)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Heighten Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Dire Bear


Level 13 (Rogue)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Open Lock (+3)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+7)


Level 14 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+2)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+2)


Level 15 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+2)
Feat: (Selected) Spell Focus: Evocation


Level 16 (Druid)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 17 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 18 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Spell Focus: Evocation (or Extend Spell)


Level 19 (Druid)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)


Level 20 (Druid)
Ability Raise: WIS
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Skill: Disable Device (+1)
Skill: Search (+1)
Skill: Spellcraft (+1)
Skill: Use Magic Device (+1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Versatility: Spell Power Boost (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Human Adaptability: Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Orien Dragonmark Focus (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Lesser Dragonmark of Passage (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Traditionalist Caster (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Traditionalist Caster (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Human - Traditionalist Caster (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Human - Improved Recovery (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Human - Greater Heroism (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Seasoned (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Time (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Tide (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Sunburst (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Storm of Vengeance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Season's Greetings: Summer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Season's Greetings: Summer (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Season's Greetings: Summer (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Beguile (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Negotiator (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Improved Metamagic: Maximize (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Produce Flame (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Creeping Cold (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Call Lightning (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wax and Wane (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Wisdom (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Crown of Summer (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Word of Balance (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Time and Tide (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Season's Herald (Drd) - Strength of the Solstice (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Instinctive Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Instinctive Fighting (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Extra Wild Empathy (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Bestial Nature (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Bestial Nature (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Bestial Nature (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 1)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 2)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Flight (Rank 3)
Enhancement: Nature's Warrior (Drd) - Nature's Warrior Wisdom (Rank 1)


Level 21 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell


Level 22 (Epic)


Level 23 (Epic)


Level 24 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Epic Spell Focus: Evocation (or Heavy Armor Proficiency)


Level 25 (Epic)


Level 26 (Epic)
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Epic Spell Power: Fire (or Cold)


Level 27 (Epic)
Feat: (Selected) Epic: Ruin


Level 28 (Epic)
Ability Raise: WIS
Feat: (Epic Destiny) Epic Destiny: Mass Frog


32-pt build can start INT 16; may want to invest in Spot or Heal if you do. If you don't have a +2 INT tome, you'll either have to skip some skill pts or possibly take rog 3 for extra skill pts; you give up Storm of Vengeance SLA if you drop below druid 18, though, and I'm fond of using it. I invested 17 APs into human for +20% heal amp, +1 WIS, Spellpower action boost, Gtr Heroism clickie, +10 Spellpower from Traditionalist Caster (must use staves or orbs), and Dimension Door (Lesser Passage DM); and 13 APs into Nature's Warrior for extra Pos Spellpower (makes up for dumping Heal skill), Bestial Nature, Flight, and +1 WIS; the rest went into Season's Herald (cores, max SLAs, crit bonuses, +2 WIS, etc.).

EDIT: if you find your Reflex saves are too low, you may wish to give up Evasion to use medium or heavy armor for the extra PRR/MRR; hence the option of hvy armor prof at lvl 24. I think the Dodge bonus from Flight ignores your MDB cap, but I won't swear to that.

[Grailhawk]

Do you have monk available if you do I would look up the 17/2/1 and try and fit a 17 Druid 2 Monk 1 Rogue.

[Vooduspyce]

I've been playing DDO about 9 months and recently purchased MOTU, so am now Premium and have Druid. I'd like to try a Druid but haven't found a build that I think will work for me. I'm strictly a solo player by necessity and haven't been happy with anything that doesn't have a rogue splash and a good spot skill. I'm really not concerned with endgame viability but something fun to play along the way.

Special conditions: 28 pt. build, Drow available, no tomes, no special gear, no money (real or fantasy). :-D
Play style: Besides the rogue splash, my most successful characters have been Rangers (either AA or TWF oriented with either Halfling DM, or Cleric/Pally levels for self-healing), or some kind of Pale Trapper variant. I like to be able to solo Normal/Hard without a hireling.

Suggestions would be much appreciated. A general outline with suggested Stats/Progression/Feats/Enhancements would be fine. A full character plan would be great.

TIA!

Hi Prince,

I see someone else already suggested my build :)

It is caster based so if that's something you'd consider, then you might also find my beginner's guide video series helpful. The build is very solo and beginner druid friendly. The video series is linked on the build forum page.

I did 3 lives of shadar-kai 18drd/2rog and it was still very strong on the caster side. You could modify it to be higher in INT instead of CHA and if you don't care about Intimidation and UMD then that will free up a lot of skill points.

Another build to consider is Michele's Evoker (https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthread.php/434207-Evoker). It is an INT focused 17drd/2monk/1rog, but you could easily replace the monk levels for rogue.

Good luck! :)

[PrinceMyshkin]

Thanks, all, for the help. No Monk, not for a very long time. I've only got enough content to get to about level 15 or so, so all TP will go for Adventure Packs for many months to come.

@ubongwah: Thanks for the plan. I'll probably try both it and the Gingerspyce variant Cru defined for me. Also, off topic, thanks so much for your "Revisited" series. They have really been helpful. I wasn't aware until recently that most of the online builds are out of date and was really confused why what I was seeing didn't match the plan. I've got a few gimps to reroll and I'll definitely be trying some of those. But that won't be until I get bored with this Druid, which, from my initial test last night, might be a long time away. :D