Druid14/Monk2/Ftr2 - Its Fruidonkulous?

[sianaka]

I am excited to try this build, but I am not exactly sure how to go about leveling? Should I play as a wolf until I get to the point where I can be a fire elemental, or do I just stay out of form? I am pretty ignorant when it comes to this game, but want to play with a couple friends so I was hoping someone could give me an idea of how to level this build. Thanks for any input.

[Claver]

Should I play as a wolf until I get to the point where I can be a fire elemental, or do I just stay out of form?.

I defer to Jortann on this but I would think you stay out of form until you are able to be a fire elemental.

The thing about being a wolf is that it increases the cool down timer on many of your spells.

As a 7/2 Druid/Monk I find I'm able to have 34 to 35 strength with buffs, gear and sun stance. You do a lot of damage with long swords in each hand with the magical properties best suited to the encounter at hand. Plus, with Whirling Green Steel strike you get to stack on Ki attack moves for extra damage. As you are running toward the encounter you can soften up the enemy with lightining strike or fight in an ice storm.

....I just don't see the slower casting time while being in wolf form to be an adequate trade off.

[jortann]

I defer to Jortann on this but I would think you stay out of form until you are able to be a fire elemental.

The thing about being a wolf is that it increases the cool down timer on many of your spells.

As a 7/2 Druid/Monk I find I'm able to have 34 to 35 strength with buffs, gear and sun stance. You do a lot of damage with long swords in each hand with the magical properties best suited to the encounter at hand. Plus, with Whirling Green Steel strike you get to stack on Ki attack moves for extra damage. As you are running toward the encounter you can soften up the enemy with lightining strike or fight in an ice storm.

....I just don't see the slower casting time while being in wolf form to be an adequate trade off.

Bairclaw approve this message.

[Mubjon]

I defer to Jortann on this but I would think you stay out of form until you are able to be a fire elemental.

The thing about being a wolf is that it increases the cool down timer on many of your spells.

As a 7/2 Druid/Monk I find I'm able to have 34 to 35 strength with buffs, gear and sun stance. You do a lot of damage with long swords in each hand with the magical properties best suited to the encounter at hand. Plus, with Whirling Green Steel strike you get to stack on Ki attack moves for extra damage. As you are running toward the encounter you can soften up the enemy with lightining strike or fight in an ice storm.

....I just don't see the slower casting time while being in wolf form to be an adequate trade off.

I missed where he took the whirlwind feat to make longswords KI weapons and therefore allow you to stay in stance.

[Claver]

I missed where he took the whirlwind feat to make longswords KI weapons and therefore allow you to stay in stance.

You didn't miss it.

Bairclaw's build described a half-orc using Khopeshes.

I'm following his build with some slight departures i.e. Half-Elf dilatante using longswords (see my post # 40) and whirling greensteel strike....but otherwise I intend to follow the wisdom of Bairclaw on the road to enlightenment.

[Darkfury]

Bairclaw has two words for you 'fire elemental form'.

+1 for making me giggle!

[Aeirnn]

/donut

I've been having lots of fun with a melee/caster druid that I put together after reading through this post. Though. I have very little experience with epic levels and destinies, having been away from the game for a while. My question is, how would an overwhelming Bairclaw perform using a two hander? They're bigger than even the largest khopesh, so silliness wouldn't be a factor, and from what I've been reading lately, THF seems to push bigger numbers using the dreadnought destiny. I guess this would probably require a lesser reincarnation in the high teens, once the fighter levels come into play. Thoughts?

[oldweasel]

Not sure if anyone is following this thread, but i have two questions:

1) Would it be feasible to make this using a 28-pt build? If so, what stat should be cut?

2) Unless one did half-elf with Fighter dilly to get access to melee weapons, what weapons did bairclaw use prior to taking the Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh feat?

[Purkilius]

Not sure if anyone is following this thread, but i have two questions:

1) Would it be feasible to make this using a 28-pt build? If so, what stat should be cut?

2) Unless one did half-elf with Fighter dilly to get access to melee weapons, what weapons did bairclaw use prior to taking the Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh feat?

1) As this is a TWF build you will need a 17 base dex to make it work (15 base +2 tome). If you are willing to buy a +2 dex tome then I would sort the stats like this: str 15 dex 15 con 14 int 8 wis 14 cha 8.

2) Scimitars, the spell flameblades I think, though good wraps are much better imo.

[nxthammer]

This seem a pretty fun/good build to play. I'm looking forward to getting back into ddo afther a break of almoost eight month's and start out a new toon. So this druid seems pretty fun to start again.
Though I would love and appreciate it very much if someone (preferably someone who hase played this build :P) put this build a character planner or wrote it down a little more "level by level" as I have no experience with druids whatsoever.
Also what alignment do you recommend?
Thx again for sharing this build and for the great thread

**EDIT(X2)**
If took some time and tried to put it in a planner myself (This time with the enchantments though) and this is what I came up with

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.14.02
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Nxtclaw 
Level 20 Lawful Neutral Half-Orc Male
(2 Fighter \ 2 Monk \ 16 Druid) 
Hit Points: 316
Spell Points: 1070 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 19
Reflex: 12
Will: 16

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 20)
Strength             18                    28
Dexterity            16                    18
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          6                     8
Wisdom               14                    17
Charisma              6                     6

Tomes Used
+1 Tome of Strength used at level 3
+1 Tome of Dexterity used at level 3
+1 Tome of Constitution used at level 3
+1 Tome of Wisdom used at level 3
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 7
+2 Tome of Dexterity used at level 7
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 7
+2 Tome of Intelligence used at level 7
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 7

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
                 Base Skills         Modified Skills
Skills           (Level 1)            (Level 20)
Balance               5                    22
Bluff                -2                    -2
Concentration         6                    24
Diplomacy            -2                    -2
Disable Device       n/a                   n/a
Haggle               -2                    -1
Heal                  2                     3
Hide                  3                     4
Intimidate           -2                    -2
Jump                  4                     9
Listen                2                     3
Move Silently         3                     4
Open Lock             n/a                   n/a
Perform              n/a                   n/a
Repair               -2                    -1
Search               -2                    -1
Spot                  2                     3
Swim                  4                     9
Tumble                n/a                   n/a
Use Magic Device     n/a                   n/a

Level 1 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+2)
Skill: Concentration (+4)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life I
Enhancement: Druid Toughness I


Level 2 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Power Attack
Enhancement: Orcish Fury I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost I


Level 3 (Monk)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Orcish Strength I
Enhancement: Way of the Clever Monkey I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Monk Wisdom I


Level 4 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Bear


Level 5 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature I
Enhancement: Orcish Fury II
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Life I


Level 6 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Empower Healing Spell
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life II
Enhancement: Druid Strength I


Level 7 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Wolf
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter I
Enhancement: Druid Toughness II


Level 8 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Druid Season's Herald I


Level 9 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature II
Enhancement: Druid Spring's Resurgence


Level 10 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Dire Bear
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost III


Level 11 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter II


Level 12 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Enhancement: Druid Energy of the Locus III


Level 13 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Winter Wolf
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun III


Level 14 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Druid Season's Herald II


Level 15 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Fire Elemental
Enhancement: Druid Crown of Summer
Enhancement: Druid Strength II


Level 16 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter III


Level 17 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II


Level 18 (Druid)
Skill: Balance (+1)
Skill: Concentration (+1)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life III
Enhancement: Druid Toughness III


Level 19 (Fighter)
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Cleave


Level 20 (Fighter)
Ability Raise: STR
Skill: Balance (+0.5)
Feat: (Fighter Bonus) Great Cleave

What do you guys think of this? Especialy the skills and echantments. I just put evrything into concentration (--> ki and casting) and balance.

Also I noticed that in your 2nd list of feats (post 19 : Overwhelming Fruidonk) that exotic weapon profiency kophesh is left out, does this mean you're using scimitars now?

[oldweasel]

This seem a pretty fun/good build to play. I'm looking forward to getting back into ddo afther a break of almoost eight month's and start out a new toon. So this druid seems pretty fun to start again.
Though I would love and appreciate it very much if someone (preferably someone who hase played this build :P) put this build a characterplanner or wrote it down a little more "level by level" as I have no experience with druids whatsoever.
Also what alignment do you recommend?
Thx again for sharing this build and for the great thread

If you plan to do monk / druid, you have to be lawful neutral

[Deshiken]

Thanks for posting such a great build!

I have a wolf form pure druid that I have been leveling and I almost have enough epic tokens to TR into this build but I had a few questions first.
First, I read that weapon focus feat is no longer required for overwhelming critical, so would you still advise to take this feat? Would Oversized two weapon fighting or khopesh proficiency be better? Would using Khopesh over scimitars be a significant DPS increase?

What gear is Bearclaw wearing these days? Are the Bracers of the Wind and Frozen tunic still working for you.

I would love to see a post U17 update for Bearclaw!

[jortann]

So, Bairclaw has been on break for a while. After Bairclaw beat down the spiderlady, he take vacation in Korthos. Some may say he was livin' it up in Donutville. But a couple of weeks ago one of his friends came and told him about new stuff that was going on. Something about Giants and Dragons and someone called the Truthfull One.

Then Bairclaw say to himself, "Self, maybe you should dust of the blades and head out to help these people." So, Bairclaw got a dozen donuts to go and headed back to Ebberon. Now Bairclaw was feeling that he needed to complete his training, so he quickly leveled up to 25 and started trying to figure out what his destiny would be. He has spent a little time as a Legindairy Drednot and a little as a Feary of the Whild and he thinks that he will end up in one of those, but he is still testing things out. One thing that Bairclaw really thinks he will want to do is twist in Inergy Burrst.

Anyway, Bairclaw sees that lots of people has been asking questions, so he is going to repost build here...

Da Fruidonk build….. by Bairclaw

RACE: Well I am a Half-Orc. I don’t know if being a Fruidonk is the best choice for Half-Orcs. Human would probably be better for the extra feat and skill point. But then you would need to be a skinny little human and not big and cool like me, but I guess if you can live with that, then human would be a good choice.

CLASSES: Druid 16/Monk 2/Fighter2

STATS:
STR: 18 (I put all level ups here)
DEX: 15 (I needed +2 Tome for TWF)
CON: 14
INT: 6
WIS: 14
CHA: 6

FEATS: (11 total – 12 if human)
Toughness
Power Attack (monk)
TWF (monk)
Weapon Focus (or OTWF or Extend or Weapon Proficiency: khopesh))
Empower Healing
ITWF
Imp. Crit - Slash
Maximize
GTWF
Cleave (fighter)
Great Cleave (fighter)
Quicken (epic)
Overwhelming Critical (epic) this requires you to be really strong too. Bairclaw think its a 23 base strength

Now Bairclaw will try to answer some questions... But first wonders why they don't make pencils big enough for Half-orc hands....

My question is thus: Greensteel items. I plan on making just two (forgoing weapons unless I TR which is unlikely at this time); Hp item, and a con-op. Now, what slots? The con-op...probably goggles. HP item is where I'm confuzzled. Choices seem to be a MinII helm (great consolidation on effects-HP's/Fort/Prot) or a SmokeII, maybe cloak.

Bairclaw would make a Con-op Spell Point item. With all the gear that is available nowadays it is hard to say where to put it. I would not go cloak, because I use the Cloak of Flames to boost Body of the Sun. Maybe, Helm, Necklace or Belt, but you will need to figure out your own gear plan... like Bairclaw says, there are lots of options with all the new gear, so many Bairclaw not even have gear plan yet... thinking about it makes Bairclaw dizzy.

My question is, how would an overwhelming Bairclaw perform using a two hander? They're bigger than even the largest khopesh, so silliness wouldn't be a factor, and from what I've been reading lately, THF seems to push bigger numbers using the dreadnought destiny. I guess this would probably require a lesser reincarnation in the high teens, once the fighter levels come into play. Thoughts?

Bairclaw think this could be good idea. Find a way to work in bow use and call it the JuggerBair! RAWR!

1) Would it be feasible to make this using a 28-pt build? If so, what stat should be cut?
2) Unless one did half-elf with Fighter dilly to get access to melee weapons, what weapons did bairclaw use prior to taking the Weapon Proficiency: Khopesh feat?

Bairclaw's Answers..
1) Yes. Up to you.
2) Bairclaw not take Khopesh Proficiency... Scimitars are pretty good.

Also I noticed that in your 2nd list of feats (post 19 : Overwhelming Fruidonk) that exotic weapon profiency kophesh is left out, does this mean you're using scimitars now?

Right now Bairclaw is using Epic Kronzek's Cruelty and Oathblade. What Bairclaw would really like is an alchemical weapon and a Balizarde... but Bairclaw has been on vacation, so we will see if he gets back to work at getting stuff like that or not.

What gear is Bearclaw wearing these days? Are the Bracers of the Wind and Frozen tunic still working for you.

Bairclaw is still rocking the Tunic and Bracers, but there is a lot of new items out there. Bairclaw would like to ditch the Tunic for Whisperchain, but needs to find something that will help his cold spells. The bracers will probably go away and get replced with something better. Bairclaw definately needs a new gear plan.


Ok. Bairclaw is exhausted and his box of donuts is empty. So, he wishes you good luck.

He will try to report back soon when he has his Destiny figured out.

[ThomasHunter]

Interestingly enough, I ended up playing my "caster" druid quite similarly to this (he used qstaff however). Plus, he simply isn't as strong. However, I definitely saw the potential and it makes me even more excited to TR my Dwarven Bard Warchanter into this build.

The question that now haunts me (heh), is simply: Is going with the strength build the best choice over the wisdom build? In other words, will even the Body of the Sun be hitting for full damage often enough? Can you get mobs to kneel before you with Earthquake enough? Maybe you don't need them to as you can simply mop up with the DPS!

With the new enhancement shakeup, is 16/2/2 still a decent mix? Obviously, the 2 each of monk and fighter yields an extra feat while still keeping enough druid levels.

Thanks and have a donut on me!

PS - While I am essentially "ready" to TR my dwarf, I thought it would be prudent to wait until U20 for TR change clarification.

[unbongwah]

I was thinking druid 15 / rgr 3 / monk 2 would be a nice post-U19 variant. Rgr instead of ftr gets you a couple of ranged feats (add in PBS + Manyshot); +10% offhand procs from lvl 3 Tempest core and possibly +10 PRR from Imp Parry (while still getting Haste Boost & +1 STR); +75% Pos spellpower and +3d6 SA from DWS; up to +2d6 SA from Ninja. Depending on race & weapons used, could go STR-, WIS-, or DEX-based.