Druids in DDO & the origins in D&D

[Emili]

@Emili

>Cannot kill an animal except in self-defense

>Wears leather armor

Lolwut? That seems weird.

I much prefer the idea I have of Druid. One who still worships nature, and so naturally would understand that nature is a dog-eat-dog realm, where wild animals carve out and chop down trees (and so, the sentient races cannot be criticized for doing so), and where a Druid accepts that his role is to keep the balance of nature intact (that is, not just prevent people from cutting down too many trees, but preventing trees from overgrowing)

In other words, not a tree-hugger, just a realist.

Also, I never really liked the whole "You've gotta kill the Grand Druid to become grand druid" idea because it is such a hamper in actual game play that doesn't even make logical sense lore-wise. Imagine going through a dungeon and getting 2 level ups... that you can't take because you gotta wait until you get out of the dungeon to actually go find some druids to fight to the death in order to level up.

I would think druids would be more interested in having MORE protectors of the balance, and that the Grand Druid is a title, not the max level, that is just that, a title.

One thing I like about D&D is that you aren't the chosen ones, or the special ones. You're just adventurers that get lucky, or unlucky and die. You're not special. You're average. Having only a single level 20 druid around makes him... special. A chosen one. It completely stands out.

That which I quoted are paragraphs from the AD&D player handbook. Showing that TRS/Gygax era D&D placed tough restriction on the character due the abilities they gave it.

What's really interesting in that publication is that Bard was the first class leaning towards the ideas of a Prestiege Class.

[Zachski]

That which I quoted are paragraphs from the AD&D player handbook. Showing that TRS/Gygax era D&D placed tough restriction on the character due the abilities they gave it.

Oh, I didn't say it wasn't from the AD&D player handbook, I just thought it was ridiculously silly :3

There's tough restrictions and then there's arbitrary restrictions. Like I said, OPness aside, I like 3.5 druid lore better because it doesn't make being a druid this special something.

What's really interesting in that publication is that Bard was the first class leaning towards the ideas of a Prestiege Class.

That is indeed interesting

[Vaardalia]

Do you think Druid will be able to use Light and Darkness the level 18 shield? It has mithril on it so it is metal and I remember reading the devs say that in game shields have to have no metal for Druid use. However, where it is such a strong shield they may overlook the rule because their is no sub.?.?

[Aashrym]

Do you think Druid will be able to use Light and Darkness the level 18 shield? It has mithril on it so it is metal and I remember reading the devs say that in game shields have to have no metal for Druid use. However, where it is such a strong shield they may overlook the rule because their is no sub.?.?

Putting in a restriction just to bypass it seems a bit pointless.

[Uska]

Do you think Druid will be able to use Light and Darkness the level 18 shield? It has mithril on it so it is metal and I remember reading the devs say that in game shields have to have no metal for Druid use. However, where it is such a strong shield they may overlook the rule because their is no sub.?.?

doubt if they make an exception just because its a good shield it will be just part of the price of playing a druid

[msdesign]

Ok, Turbine got everybody talking about this new Druid class, can't wait to see how is it going to be. Its spells, abilities, and so on.

So, in a very general way...

... arcanes (sorcs and wizzies) have spell power, buffs or attacking, but dont rely so much on weapons;
... divines (clerics and fav souls) have a bit of melee kick, but also use good spell power, either offense, either as buffs;
... melees (palis, barbs, fighters, rangers) depend more on physical attacks and defense, altough palis and rangers have spells points, its not their special focus;
... specialists (rogues, artis) each have their own way, and even each toon, each player of the same class, can be very spec and different from the others.

Not an official list of course, but you get the point.

What I do ask about the Druid is, not his special abilities (yes we know, he can shapeshift, may have ubber spells, etc.). I would like to know what are going to be his weaknessess and disadvantages, like in a comparison chart with the other classes. We all have weaknesses or it wouldn't be a fair and balanced game. Some say sorcs are overpowered. They are not. They can DPS even more than some tanks, but they lack defense and melee power when too many mobs attacking up close.

I've read in the start of this post about the Druid being the more powerfull class in the game. If that is going to be true, It will be a very sad thing. Sad because other players will be left behind and overwhelmed by a single player. And sad because in a 6 VIP player party, 3 or 4 will be druids. Where is the fun in that?

[Kulothar]

I moved to this game in Beta with the promise that Druids would be there on release.... Well they may be a little late. I know they kept saying the shape shifting was the problem but now they are about to be here.

The Druid has changed a lot since I started playing them in 1976 (pre-AD&D). They have limits which balance them but they really are the utility player. They are Nature Based but they have never been useless. We are not talking a pure archaine or devine caster. They get elemental spells - firewall, lighting storm etc. and Healing. In other MMO's they act as the backup healer and were basically what the FvS took the place of in this game. If you only had one spot in your group and you didnt have a caster or healer they should be a good choice. The difference was they didn't "have" to have a heal spell. They were the original "Battle Cleric" with their melee on par with the FvS.

As to killing animals, they would to preserve the balance of nature (ie. control population to prevent starvation or kill rogue preditors). They could use metal or tower shields but lost their spell casting ability so that is simular to the spell failure by arcaines using armor. Animal empathy/Charm Animal are powerful as Rangers know but very situational (can they mez the little hounds in HoX?).

There will have to be some weapon allowances since they lose sling and spear for range. Throwing returners are metal so that may have to be an exception. Maybe shortbow/longbow? Scythe for 2hS is gone also.