where's the druids?

[Clownpuncher]

The next class is most likely to be artificer or warlock to go with their ranged pass. If it is a psionic class, most likely they will add psychic warriors, for the same reason why rangers were added before druids.

I like the idea Psychic Warriors in the game. I completely forgot about Warlocks. That's a pretty good candidate as well.

[Esserbe]

I briefly considered Spirit Shaman, but I doubt that will be the one. Espeiclally if you consider that they most recently added another "divine" class. Remember, while Druids and Spirit Shaman are "nature", their spells are still considered "Divine". I don't think They'll add Spirit Shaman for that reason. Besides, the Druid spell list is in game (mostly) due the the fact that Rangers exist. The only thing that may be keeping Druids out is Shapeshifting and Animal Companion.

The druid and ranger spell lists aren't the same, the druid list is much larger.

Perhaps you're right due to the abundance of divines.

[AcesWylde]

The only thing that may be keeping Druids out is Shapeshifting and Animal Companion.

Those are both easy fixes, swap shapeshifting for the aspect of nature variant rules, and give druids summon nature's ally as a SLA... done.

[dkyle]

Those are both easy fixes, swap shapeshifting for the aspect of nature variant rules, and give druids summon nature's ally as a SLA... done.

Cue massive disappointment.

They'd be better off delaying Druids indefinitely than releasing a Druid that doesn't shapeshift, and has a completely worthless animal companion.

[Bodic]

Its going to be a specialist class.

[Nospheratus]

The next class will be lumberjack.

[ProdigalGuru]

I think the next class released WILL be Druids, and they said it wouldn't be to throw us off the scent.

[Kages]

Cue massive disappointment.

They'd be better off delaying Druids indefinitely than releasing a Druid that doesn't shapeshift, and has a completely worthless animal companion.

I agree. A druid with no shapeshifting and a crappy animal companion(like rangers) would disapoint me more than not getting them at all. Isn't a whole lot I would like to see other than Druids so all in all I am glad they are taking there time.

[Drfirewater79]

DRUID WILL NOT BE THE NEXT CLASS.
they(TURBINE) have said this I don't know how many times.

Yeah and that is exactly why no one is gonna play this game in about 6 months when SWTOR comes out.

We dont need other classes .. we need druid .. we have been asking for it for over 5 years now and they keep ignoring the single most popular class in DnD core classes.

The development team has lost sight of the community ... who the hell cares about artificers in this game.. they will be worthless and druids are the only class people really want added.

I would rather have warmages then artificers

[AcesWylde]

Cue massive disappointment.

They'd be better off delaying Druids indefinitely than releasing a Druid that doesn't shapeshift, and has a completely worthless animal companion.

1. If shapeshifting is the holdup, it probably will be indefinitely delayed as you say. Better I would think to release druids using the aspect of nature variant and add shapeshifting later as an enhancement line.

2. There are 9 levels of Summon Nature's Ally, as a Druid increases in level so would the SLA.

[Roguewiz]

Those are both easy fixes, swap shapeshifting for the aspect of nature variant rules, and give druids summon nature's ally as a SLA... done.

If they include the variants, then perhaps. However the primary problem still is buggy AI for summoned creatures (ask any PM). Shapeshifting, honestly, is too iconic. Variant rules are fine and all, but not fun.To the poster that mentioned Ranger and Druid spells. The spell lists are similar, much like how Cleric and Paladin are. They have spells that are the same, like Barkskin. So they do pull from the same lists. Just for arguements sake of course.

[samthedagger]

We dont need other classes .. we need druid .. we have been asking for it for over 5 years now and they keep ignoring the single most popular class in DnD core classes.

Source?

[dkyle]

1. If shapeshifting is the holdup, it probably will be indefinitely delayed as you say. Better I would think to release druids using the aspect of nature variant and add shapeshifting later as an enhancement line.

Oh yeah, I'm sure that would head off any criticism

"Hey guys, buy this new class that lacks the single most defining feature of the PnP class that all of you want the most, but we promise we'll get it to you really really SOON™®"

I saw the aspect of nature variant before, but if it's just a bunch of buffs... meh. There would have to be some major visual component to it to satisfy the players, I think, and that means going back to the biggest complication with shapeshifting.

2. There are 9 levels of Summon Nature's Ally, as a Druid increases in level so would the SLA.

Summons are not good in DDO. There are a couple that are somewhat nice (Air and Earth eles), but they're afterthoughts. An animal companion should be more than what a Wizard can cast with a single spell slot. It should be special.

If anything, it would be better to hook into the Hireling sub-system than the Summon sub-system.

[AcesWylde]

Source?

Popular opinion. (I don't ever recall a scientific study on the subject)

The 3.5e Druid is (or was) considered the most overpowered of the core classes (hence the most popular) in many circles of the roleplaying community.

It was considered to have the best of both worlds, healing spells, offensive spells, buffs, powerful melee via shape shifting or aspects, true a druids weapons and armor were more limited, but it wasn't much of a hindrance.

[AcesWylde]

Oh yeah, I'm sure that would head off any criticism

Obviously not, LOL.

Well, we've done without Druids this long, so I guess we can just do without...at least until DDO2 come out*

* Though if they do made a DDO2, I'd rather see Pathfinder rules in a pre 4e Forgotten Realms setting ;>

[Diyon]

I'd just like to say that technically the letter says druids are not likely to make in in 2011, and that there will be a new class in 2011 that is not the druid.

Technically, this doesn't mean druid won't be the next new class added, it just means that they are telling us its not very likely.

If animal companions make it in *crosses fingers* I do hope it works better than summons. If they get animal companions and you can't direct them at least as well as hirelings I'll be really disappointed.

Regarding "Natural Spell," this either needs to A)be automatically incorporated into the class; B)be left out entirely; or C)be switched to an enhancement of some sort. I really think C) would be preferable for DDO here, it was always silly being a feat, since any 6th lvl or higher druid would pretty much be taking it without fail.

[Roguewiz]

I'd just like to say that technically the letter says druids are not likely to make in in 2011, and that there will be a new class in 2011 that is not the druid.

Technically, this doesn't mean druid won't be the next new class added, it just means that they are telling us its not very likely.

If animal companions make it in *crosses fingers* I do hope it works better than summons. If they get animal companions and you can't direct them at least as well as hirelings I'll be really disappointed.

Regarding "Natural Spell," this either needs to A)be automatically incorporated into the class; B)be left out entirely; or C)be switched to an enhancement of some sort. I really think C) would be preferable for DDO here, it was always silly being a feat, since any 6th lvl or higher druid would pretty much be taking it without fail.

I can agree with adding them as enhancements. Feats are a rarity for most classes to begin with. We already use enhancements for prestiges, so using them for shapeshifting feats isn't such a bad idea. Especially if you consider the "expend a shapeshifting use to grant (insert effect here)".

[Diyon]

I can agree with adding them as enhancements. Feats are a rarity for most classes to begin with. We already use enhancements for prestiges, so using them for shapeshifting feats isn't such a bad idea. Especially if you consider the "expend a shapeshifting use to grant (insert effect here)".

Completely agreed. Although I was more hitting at the ability to cast spells while wildshaped, as that's what natural spell does. In any case, the "Wild" feats allowed expending wildshape uses as you described, and they'd make great enhancement options.

[Kalosamasan]

Warlock's were always my favorite class, so I would be ecstatic if Warlocks come out next, and would immediately buy it no matter the cost. Druids would be second. Also, if they choose to go with a psionic class, I would prefer the soulknife. Either as the class, or at least turned into a prestige for the psionic class.

[NeutronStar]

Nonsense, artificers share alot more spells with existing classes than Psions. Introducing Psions would requiring a lot of spells (or whatever the psionic versions of spells is called), and thus would be the harder option, regardless of whether they use a similar sp mechanic.

ROFL

The next class is most likely to be artificer or warlock to go with their ranged pass. If it is a psionic class, most likely they will add psychic warriors, for the same reason why rangers were added before druids.

No