12Druid/6Ranger/2monk... need help on TR build.

[mercedesbinns07]

Okay, here's an idea I have. I'm working on a completionist and next life I want to go druid, but I don't feel like doing a full I'm-my-own-fire-wall-phear-me druid life. I'm thinking of a hybrid... I'm thinking 12 druid, 6 ranger, 2 monk.

Pros: self healing, as well as dps, with free twf feats so I don't need a 13 dex if I can't fit it (with +4 dex tome). evasion.

These are my concerns. Would this be better to go rogue for evasion, SA damage, and true neutral alignment? Also, would this build work better as a bear, wolf, or just humanoid? I'm kinda pulled... if I go rogue, I'll have the ac from superior stability... I will also be better in wolf form with the added SA damage. But if I go monk, I will still get ac, and be more dps in bear form, although slower... or I can just stay humanoid for bear. Either way, I will have evasion and a fairly decent ac.

Note: I have a +4 supreme ability tome on her already, as well as barb, ranger, and fighter past lives. (36pt build) I have several khopeshes to choose from, the most often used being my dual Min IIs. I'm not worried about epic gear yet, because I'm just going to tr again when I hit 20.

Any suggestions would be great, because I feel like I have a really good idea forming, but I haven't gotten the tweaks right yet.

[Steveohio]

What are your goals for this build? I personally don't like the 12 lvl cutoff for druids. If you go 13 you get celerity for 50% double strike in wolf. The most common cutoff I see for druids is 7 for fatal harrier or 9 for natural fighting(which animal form gets no benefit from twf feats)

Spell casting to me is an all or nothing type thing. I honestly don't see a whole lot more offered from druid 7>12 aside from maybe more healing in seasons herald, but IMO fatal harrier is the one thing you'll want from druid. Offensive casting will be limited either way, is there any spells you really like in lvl5 or 6?

If not maybe think about doing a 8druid/6something/6something split. You still get your past life, as well as adding much more into the melee dps dept.

[Maelodic]

What are your goals for this build? I personally don't like the 12 lvl cutoff for druids. If you go 13 you get celerity for 50% double strike in wolf. The most common cutoff I see for druids is 7 for fatal harrier or 9 for natural fighting(which animal form gets no benefit from twf feats)

Spell casting to me is an all or nothing type thing. I honestly don't see a whole lot more offered from druid 7>12 aside from maybe more healing in seasons herald, but IMO fatal harrier is the one thing you'll want from druid. Offensive casting will be limited either way, is there any spells you really like in lvl5 or 6?

If not maybe think about doing a 8druid/6something/6something split. You still get your past life, as well as adding much more into the melee dps dept.

Agreed, though for soloing I prefer reaving roar (Build up a large amount of them, have them all blow up on each other)

There are really only 3 benchmarks for druids, 7 (Fatal Harrier/Reaving Roar) 15 (Fires of Purity/Other Fire Elemental Buffs) and 17 (Mass regenerate)

If you're going for the attack speed/reaving roar, I would go 12 Monk/7 Druid/1 Rogue (traps), 12 Monk/8 Druid (+1 Spell slot) or 13 Monk/7 Druid (Monk spell resistance.) This nets you 2.5[W] unarmed damage, touch of death/rise of the pheonix, abundant step, 20% move speed, Improved Recovery III, and shintao II or ninja II.

If you're going for the spells, I'd do 17 Druid/3 Monk. All you miss is one spell slot, and then you can use your awesome light monk finishers, and get 25% off your spells.

If you want a bit more out of healing, you could always try 11 Druid/9 Monk. This will get you touch of death, improved evasion, improved recovery II, 15% movespeed, 2[W] Unarmed as well as Stoneskin, Fire Shield, death ward, and greater creeping cold.

If you need help building, just ask, and I'd be glad to assist.

Also the link in my signerature is a great reference when attempting to build any type of unarmed castery toon.

[JasonJi72]

Level 13 druid gives you too much to discard easily.

Elemental form
Regeneration
Mass Greater Vigor
Body of the Sun
Elemental Toughness

Now granted, you can only choose 2 spells (really one, since you should take Regeneration), but they are very good spells. On paper it looks like you should take fire form, but remember that your BEST spell is Greater Creeping Cold, and Elemental Toughness is awesome.

If I were to build a twf druid melee/caster, I would probably go with 17druid/2monk/1wizard. 17 Druid gives both elemental forms, and level 9 spells. 2 Monk gives you stance, evasion, and two feats. 1 Wizard gives you a feat, and adds 40 spellpower to your spells.

I agree with steveohio, taking less than 13 Druid is just not worth it unless you just want to get fatal harrier and a good cure spell.

Currently I have a Moncher Druid (13 Druid / 6 Monk / 1 Wizard), and a pure Druid at epic levels.

EDIT: I agree with the reaving roar comment. My moncher druid still uses it at level 25. For the 2wf comment I provided, I had dual flameblades in mind for things that are not immune to fire. The bottom line is that you really can do a lot by multiclassing druids, but it is easy to gimp yourself by taking too many, or not enough druid levels.

[Gadget2775]

You mention animal forms frequently....means TWF feats are wasted. No offhand procs while in wolf or bear.

[mercedesbinns07]

Agreed, though for soloing I prefer reaving roar (Build up a large amount of them, have them all blow up on each other)

There are really only 3 benchmarks for druids, 7 (Fatal Harrier/Reaving Roar) 15 (Fires of Purity/Other Fire Elemental Buffs) and 17 (Mass regenerate)

If you're going for the attack speed/reaving roar, I would go 12 Monk/7 Druid/1 Rogue (traps), 12 Monk/8 Druid (+1 Spell slot) or 13 Monk/7 Druid (Monk spell resistance.) This nets you 2.5[W] unarmed damage, touch of death/rise of the pheonix, abundant step, 20% move speed, Improved Recovery III, and shintao II or ninja II.

If you're going for the spells, I'd do 17 Druid/3 Monk. All you miss is one spell slot, and then you can use your awesome light monk finishers, and get 25% off your spells.

If you want a bit more out of healing, you could always try 11 Druid/9 Monk. This will get you touch of death, improved evasion, improved recovery II, 15% movespeed, 2[W] Unarmed as well as Stoneskin, Fire Shield, death ward, and greater creeping cold.

If you need help building, just ask, and I'd be glad to assist.

Also the link in my signerature is a great reference when attempting to build any type of unarmed castery toon.

I'm not looking for a monk past life, I'm looking for a druid one. So I will definitely be interested in a 13 druid/7 monk, or even 11 druid/9 monk, with heavy emphasis on melee dps and self-sufficiency. If you could possibly think of a build along those lines, I would be much appreciative.

[Maelodic]

I'm not looking for a monk past life, I'm looking for a druid one. So I will definitely be interested in a 13 druid/7 monk, or even 11 druid/9 monk, with heavy emphasis on melee dps and self-sufficiency. If you could possibly think of a build along those lines, I would be much appreciative.

13 Druid gets you regenerate and Body of the Sun or Elemental Toughness, while 7 monk gets you nothing over 6 monk except wholeness of body, which you don't need because you have healing spells.

14 Druid gets you an extra spell slot, which opens up another option, while 13 Druid/6 Monk/X Class allows you to splash another class for a feat, but you probably don't need an extra feat at that point.

13 or 14 druid gets you:
Fire or water form
Regenerate
Greater Creeping Cold
Reincarnate
Death Ward
Stoneskin
Fire Wall
Elemental Toughness
Body of the Sun

Also at 13 Druid, every single druid enhancement is availiable.

From 6 monk:
+10% Movespeed
+3 Feats
+6 AC

Shintao Monk
-Smite Tainted
-Bypass Byeshk
Ninja Spy
-Shortswords
-1d6 Sneak
-Shadow Fade (25% Incorporeality)

Monk WIS II
Unbalancing Strike
Ten Thousand Stars
Way of (Animal) II
Stances II (Wind)

For this build, consider:

Lawful Neutral Half-Elf:
15 STR
15 DEX
15 CON
10 INT
16 WIS

Leveling order:
2 monk
3-9 Druid
10-13 Monk
13-20 Druid

Feats:

Level 1 (Monk) 
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue 
Feat: (Selected) Toughness 
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Two Weapon Fighting 
 
Level 2 (Monk) 
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Stunning Fist 
 
Level 3 (Druid) 
Feat: (Selected) Power Attack 
 
Level 6 (Druid) 
Feat: (Selected) Maximize Spell 
 
Level 9 (Druid) 
Feat: (Selected) Improved Two Weapon Fighting 
 
Level 10 (Monk) 
Feat: (Monk Path) Path of Inevitable Dominion: Fists of Darkness 
 
Level 12 (Monk) 
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Bludgeoning Weapons 
 
Level 13 (Monk) 
Feat: (Monk Bonus) Dodge 

Level 15 (Druid) 
Feat: (Selected) Quicken Spell 
 
Level 18 (Druid) 
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting

Enhancements:

Enhancement: Druid Aggravate I 
Enhancement: Druid Aggravate II 
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature I 
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature II 
Enhancement: Druid Hide of the Crocodile I 
Enhancement: Druid Naature's Warrior I 
Enhancement: Druid Nature's Warrior II 
Enhancement: Druid Reaving Roar 
Enhancement: Druid Shifting Rake I 
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter I 
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter II 
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I 
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II 
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I 
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II 
Enhancement: Static Charge 
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I 
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II 
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I 
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I 
Enhancement: Adept of Wind 
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I 
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II 
Enhancement: Improved Jump I 
Enhancement: Improved Jump II 
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I 
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II 
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Sun I 
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Life I 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of the Sun I 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life I 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life II 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life III 
Enhancement: Druid Strength I 
Enhancement: Druid Strength II 
Enhancement: Druid Wisdom I 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness I 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness II 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness III 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness IV

An 11/9 build for touch of death would take the same feats, except the enhancements are a little tougher to fit in because ToD is so expensive. These enhancements would look like:

Enhancement: Druid Aggravate I 
Enhancement: Druid Aggravate II 
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature I 
Enhancement: Druid Hide of the Crocodile I 
Enhancement: Druid Nature's Warrior I 
Enhancement: Druid Reaviing Roar 
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter I 
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I 
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II 
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I 
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II 
Enhancement: Static Charge 
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise I 
Enhancement: Way of the Patient Tortoise II 
Enhancement: Touch of Death 
Enhancement: Porous Soul 
Enhancement: All-Consuming Flame 
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery I 
Enhancement: Monk Improved Recovery II 
Enhancement: Monk Ninja Spy I 
Enhancement: Winter's Touch 
Enhancement: Adept of Wind 
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I 
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II 
Enhancement: Improved Jump I 
Enhancement: Improved Jump II 
Enhancement: Improved Tumble I 
Enhancement: Improved Tumble II 
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Sun I 
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Life I 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life I 
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Life II 
Enhancement: Druid Strength I 
Enhancement: Druid Strength II 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness I 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness II 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness III 
Enhancement: Druid Toughness IV

Though to be perfectly honest, if you want the full benefits of a druid, you can do so with animal form and going for the capstone. The melee dps is actually fantastic, and you can tear up content really quite easily.
My favorite animal form build is as follows:

True Neutral Half Elf:
Str: 36 (14 base +3 tome +7 item +2 insightful +1 LotD +1 enhancement +4 animal growth +2 rage +2 Yugo)
Dex: 18 (14 base +3 tome +1 profane)
Con: 34 (14 base +3 tome +7 item +2 insightful +1 LotD +1 enhancement +2 rage +4 animal growth)
Int: 13 (10 base +3 tome)
Wis: 40 (18 base +6 levels +3 tome +1 enhancements +7 item +2 insightful +1 profane +2 yugo)
Cha: 21 (8 base +3 tome +7 item +2 insightful +1 profane)
Ability increase every 4 levels: Wisdom.

Skills: 23 concentration, 23 intimidate, 11 UMD, 11 Balance, 1 Tumble, 7 bluff or 14 diplomacy

1: Dilettante: Rogue
1: Toughness
3: Maximize
6: Shield Mastery
9: Natural Fighting
12: Imp. Crit: Bludgeon
15: Improved Shield Mastery
18: Natural Fighting
21: Natural Fighting
24: Quicken

Enhancements:
Healing 3/2/2
Cold 3/2/2
Nature's Warrior II
Celerity
Wild Healing
Reaving Roar
Fatal Harrier
Toughness II
Strength I
Wisdom I
Essence of the Shrike
Aggravate II
Bestial Nature II
Vengeful Hunter III
Racial Toughness II
Imp. Rogue Dill II
Versatility I
Adapt: Con
Imp. Recovery I

-------------------------------------------

For any of these builds, the second you hit 7, you can solo just about anything. Get to red dungeon alert, grab sleet storm, reaving roar and freedom of movement, put the storm down and blow everything up.

[unbongwah]

13 Druid gets you regenerate and Body of the Sun or Elemental Toughness, while 7 monk gets you nothing over 6 monk except wholeness of body, which you don't need because you have healing spells.

Monk 7 also gets you heal amp II; probably not worth giving up lvl 7 spells and an elemental form, but it's something.

[Narfle_the_Garthok]

13 druid, 6 ranger, 1 rogue.
Dualwielding/manyshotting fire ele, trapper, back-up healing, celerity melee dps burst.
It doesn't have evasion, but with a cheap base 14 and that tome you should still get half dmg most if the time, which is fine as you can buff and heal yourself.

[unbongwah]

As long as we're talking flavor builds, here's an AA druid / rgr concept build I came up with a while ago:

Character Plan by DDO Character Planner Version 03.16.01
DDO Character Planner Home Page

Level 25 True Neutral Half-Elf Female
(6 Ranger \ 1 Wizard \ 13 Druid \ 5 Epic) 
Hit Points: 358
Spell Points: 1230 
BAB: 15\15\20\25\25
Fortitude: 16
Reflex: 14
Will: 12

                  Starting          Feat/Enhancement
Abilities        Base Stats          Modified Stats
(32 Point)       (Level 1)             (Level 25)
Strength             18                    28
Dexterity            16                    21
Constitution         14                    16
Intelligence          8                     8
Wisdom                8                    10
Charisma              8                     8

Tomes Used
+3 Tome of Dexterity used at level 14
+2 Tome of Strength used at level 20
+2 Tome of Constitution used at level 20
+2 Tome of Wisdom used at level 20
+4 Tome of Dexterity used at level 23

Level 1 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Undead
Feat: (Half-Elf Dilettante) Half-Elf Dilettante: Rogue
Feat: (Selected) Point Blank Shot


Level 2 (Ranger)


Level 3 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Toughness


Level 4 (Ranger)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 5 (Ranger)
Feat: (Favored Enemy) Favored Enemy: Giant


Level 6 (Ranger)
Feat: (Selected) Weapon Focus: Ranged Weapons


Level 7 (Druid)


Level 8 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Wolf


Level 9 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Ranged Weapons


Level 10 (Wizard)
Feat: (Wizard Bonus) Maximize Spell


Level 11 (Druid)


Level 12 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Selected) Improved Critical: Slashing Weapons
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Bear


Level 13 (Druid)


Level 14 (Druid)


Level 15 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Improved Precise Shot
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Winter Wolf


Level 16 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR


Level 17 (Druid)


Level 18 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Greater Two Weapon Fighting
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Dire Bear


Level 19 (Druid)


Level 20 (Druid)
Ability Raise: STR
Feat: (Druid Wild Shape) Wild Shape: Water Elemental
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Acid Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Explosive Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Force Burst Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Slaying Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Imbue Terror Arrows
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature I
Enhancement: Druid Beastial Nature II
Enhancement: Druid Fatal Harrier
Enhancement: Druid Nature's Warrior I
Enhancement: Druid Nature's Warrior II
Enhancement: Druid Shifting Rake I
Enhancement: Druid Shifting Rake II
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter I
Enhancement: Druid Vengeful Hunter II
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante I
Enhancement: Improved Rogue Dilettante II
Enhancement: Human Adaptability Strength I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery I
Enhancement: Human Improved Recovery II
Enhancement: Racial Toughness I
Enhancement: Racial Toughness II
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage I
Enhancement: Ranger Favored Damage II
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +2 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +3 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +4 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer: Conjure +5 Arrows
Enhancement: Elven Arcane Archer I
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Hoarfrost I
Enhancement: Druid Waxing Hoarfrost II
Enhancement: Druid Zenith of Hoarfrost I
Enhancement: Druid Zenith of Hoarfrost II
Enhancement: Druid Zenith of Hoarfrost III
Enhancement: Frost Manipulation I
Enhancement: Wizard Energy of the Scholar I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost I
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost II
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost III
Enhancement: Druid Eminence of Hoarfrost IV
Enhancement: Druid Strength I
Enhancement: Druid Strength II
Enhancement: Druid Toughness I


Level 21 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Precision


Level 22 (Druid)


Level 23 (Druid)


Level 24 (Druid)
Feat: (Selected) Combat Archery


Level 25 (Druid)

Wiz splash adds a meta and meets AA pre-req; access to lvl 1 buffs like Expeditious Retreat and arcane wands like Blur is a perk. Nature's Warrior is primarily for Fatal Harrier & +2d6 dmg vs enemies below half-health (presuming it works right now); with a bit of tweaking you could add Reaving Roar too (the idea being use FH while ranging, RR while in melee vs mobs). I focused on cold spells because Creeping Cold & Ice Storm have no saves; combine with Freezing Spray (water elemental) and ice-bursted weapons for some nice single-target DPS. One could also tweak enhs to add, say, Life enhs for self-heals.

In your case, I would swap IC:Slash for khopesh since you said you planned to use Min2 khops. Also Combat Archery is only worth taking if it's finally been bug-fixed; otherwise you only need DEX 19 for IPS, in which case you can add IC:Slash instead.