Is +x[w] does not transfer to animal form...

[redoubt]

how do you keep up with dps?

Many weapons are now up to 2.5[x]. Its seems like animal form will lose out on a lot of dps at high levels.

Thanks!

PS. title should say IF, not is... sry.

[LOOON375]

The 1st level spell "magic fang" is your friend.

[redoubt]

The 1st level spell "magic fang" is your friend.

I use it constantly. I'm only level 9 so far. Does it scale well into epic?

[Tuney]

It goes up to +6 with a primal sphere adding extra 5 to your caster level.

I currently use Agony or E. Sirroco, while both weapons have better non crit damage, the x3 multiplyer on Winter wolf is the only thing that is making stay in animal form... Ok that and Essence of Shriek.

As it is , the only way to increase the base animal form damage to my knowledge is monk splashing (Only way for reinforced fist item enchanment to work as well) and using 'epic level' handwraps. The 1.5 weapon damage increase if centered from Grandmaster of flower does work for handwraps, never bothered to test if being centered using non wraps transfered though.

[Kenni]

General rule, while in animal form the dmg you deal is the dmg your animal form deals (1d10 19-20/x3 Winterwolf, 1d12 20/x2 Dire bear, dmg type piercing/slashing Wolf, bludgeoning/slashing Bear), also in epic content, no increases exept you have monk levels and/or using handwraps. The weapon effects on your mainhand shift to animal form, not the dmg of the weapon, the non offensive effects of your offhand/shield also shift to animal form (i.e. stunning+10, spellpower, etc.).

For EE content i highly recommend to play S&B with US destiny twists or stay at this destiny active and twist in what you like. Max out ice/acid spellpower to minimum tier3, so you can real battlemage trashmobs on EE, if you go natures warrior line. I deal around 42 base dmg plus weapon effects non critical and creeping cold is always ticking. You will get an AC around 104-114 and 56-76 PRR (depends on twists), ~800+hp in wolfform only self and ship buffed. Regenerate and heal abilities make you even in EE a perfect "between the lines fighter" with high self proficiency and decent group healing. A defensive/bluff skilled pet helps you even in EE to turn almost every mob, better than your innate attack does.

So the low melee dps you deal you compensate with your spelldmg and CC (earthquake and sunburst in EE with a wis score of 42 no extra dc twisted, works ok to prone or blind some of the mobs)

I was also thinking of making a hybrid druid, but decided to play it as intended. It´s a whole lotta fun.

[Spartywinz]

General rule, while in animal form the dmg you deal is the dmg your animal form deals (1d10 19-20/x3 Winterwolf, 1d12 20/x2 Dire bear, dmg type piercing/slashing Wolf, bludgeoning/slashing Bear), also in epic content, no increases exept you have monk levels and/or using handwraps. The weapon effects on your mainhand shift to animal form, not the dmg of the weapon, the non offensive effects of your offhand/shield also shift to animal form (i.e. stunning+10, spellpower, etc.).

For EE content i highly recommend to play S&B with US destiny twists or stay at this destiny active and twist in what you like. Max out ice/acid spellpower to minimum tier3, so you can real battlemage trashmobs on EE, if you go natures warrior line. I deal around 42 base dmg plus weapon effects non critical and creeping cold is always ticking. You will get an AC around 104-114 and 56-76 PRR (depends on twists), ~800+hp in wolfform only self and ship buffed. Regenerate and heal abilities make you even in EE a perfect "between the lines fighter" with high self proficiency and decent group healing. A defensive/bluff skilled pet helps you even in EE to turn almost every mob, better than your innate attack does.

So the low melee dps you deal you compensate with your spelldmg and CC (earthquake and sunburst in EE with a wis score of 42 no extra dc twisted, works ok to prone or blind some of the mobs)

I was also thinking of making a hybrid druid, but decided to play it as intended. It´s a whole lotta fun.

US is cool, I like Shiradi as well with the extra dmg procs on offensive spells it can be pretty fun as well.

[FuzzyDuck81]

For a melee druid:

ToD rings with a burst effect - while in animal form the bursts will stack with whatever is on your weapons (assuming it's different damage types)
Sword & board - shield mastery doublestrike boost will transfer to animal form & stack with that granted by natural fighting plus any other boosts from items. Damage effects on shields won't transfer (neither will offhand weapons) though seeker, guard effects, vertigo/shatter etc will effect your main hand attacks & therefore carry over while shifted.

Also, the base weapon type won't matter, so no need to find that awesome scimmy or khopesh or whatever, just find something with nice prefix & suffix effects, even a humble club or dagger - if you can find one with multi-effect prefix & suffixes combined then that, plus a festival icy burst, plus the 2 ToD ring bursts plus sneak attack from wolf form (and rogue dilly if a half elf) plus the high doublestrike chance & fast attack speed will add up to some pretty serious dps capabilities - and you can add creeping cold for some extra DoT damage too, as well as being able to heal & buff yourself & party members!