Gingerspyce's caster/healer/quasi-tank build

[Bricklok]

Hi Bricklok,

The build post is still current, still plays as indicated and I still play the build. My newest videos series The Gingerspyce Tiefling Druid is a post-Sharn guide, however I went back to playing as a Deep Gnome. You can also check out today's Twitch live stream where we did R8 legendary Ravenloft chain 2-3 if you'd like to take a look at how it's performing these days with a full party.

Regarding landing spells, druids have an arsenal of spells that aren't save-based such as Ice Storm, Storm of Vengeance, Sleet Storm, Creeping Cold, Greater Creeping Cold, Word of Balance, Produce Flame and Enveloping Swarm. Generally the only spells that I use that have saves are Earthquake, Call Lightning (most just the SLA because it's cheap to cast), Creeping Doom and Salt Ray. In most content I don't have issue with landing these spells despite not being a max DC build, however I definitely have issues with these spells landing in legendary Sharn. I compensate for this by using Tsunami as a twist, which hits very well and is better crowd control than Earthquake in high skull reaper since Earthquakes duration is reduced to the point of making it basically useless in R7+. I would recommend that a first life version of the build stick to much lower difficulties, especially for a new or returning player.

If you'd like to see how an under-geared first or second life version of the build performs I'd recommend taking a look at either Northwynd: The Druid True First Life Series or Northwynd 2: The Druid True Second Life Series. In every episode I show and discuss how the build performs all along the way.

I also welcome you to stop in the live stream any time to ask questions. I stream nearly every day at Twitch channel vooduspyce.

Hope that helps

It did indeed. Thanks for the response. I will check out your stream when I'm off these dang night shifts. Coming back to the game was a little daunting with all the changes, but I watched your entire first-life no twink youtube series and that made a huge difference in remembering what was important or not.

One last question, I picked up one of the barovian weapons at level 10 from the ravenloft content. Do you recommend the green steel weapon in your spreadsheet over the fancy ravenloft freebies?

Thanks for your help!

[Vooduspyce]

It did indeed. Thanks for the response. I will check out your stream when I'm off these dang night shifts. Coming back to the game was a little daunting with all the changes, but I watched your entire first-life no twink youtube series and that made a huge difference in remembering what was important or not.

One last question, I picked up one of the barovian weapons at level 10 from the ravenloft content. Do you recommend the green steel weapon in your spreadsheet over the fancy ravenloft freebies?

Thanks for your help!

Barovian caster sticks are nice. Whatever works for your gearset is fine. I only use the triple positive green steel for a couple levels because I like the heal amp but it's not necessary, just try to work in some heal amp elsewhere. Wild Frost and/or Wild Flame is a pretty easy farm out of Madness of Crowds once you hit level 14.

[Ellumin]

Hello!

I am playing a caster druid for the first time and I am recently back from a multi-year hiatus. I am doing a slight variation to your build and decided on sun-elf because I want that past-life as well as Arcanum seems to be worth it in the racial tree. Do you have any suggestions for Sun-elf or do you think the build should work fine?

[Vooduspyce]

Hello!

I am playing a caster druid for the first time and I am recently back from a multi-year hiatus. I am doing a slight variation to your build and decided on sun-elf because I want that past-life as well as Arcanum seems to be worth it in the racial tree. Do you have any suggestions for Sun-elf or do you think the build should work fine?

Hi Ellumin, wb! The Sun Elf tree has a few useful things for a druid caster but overall I think there are better choices. If you're just knocking out a past life or trying some flavor then no big deal, but I don't think I'd recommend it for a permanent race choice for druid caster. Arcanum's extra sp is nice but the spell penetration is mostly wasted on a druid because a druid doesn't have any spells that require a spell penetration check except for Finger of Death. Other things like Intelligence in the core and Enchantment DC are wasted on druid. The Aid/SR/Deathward buff is nice for classes that can't cast those, however Druid already gets Deathward and SR can be scrolled with a bit of UMD. Sun Elf also has Sunburst which is nice, however druid already has 2 Sunbursts by level 12 so a third is overkill imo. My favs races for this build are Dragonborn, Deep Gnome, Human, Tiefling and Half-Elf (Monk Dilettante), but at the end of the day if you enjoy Sun Elf then go for it and let me know what you think after you've played through it

Also, if you are interested in caster druid, be sure to check out Tipav's Ultimate caster druid build.

Hope that helps!

[SirValentine]

Don’t spend resources on necro or spell penetration on ANY druid build. FOD is the only druid spell with a spell penetration check...

After all this time, you still have this statement in here? So I have no issue with your build or playstyle, though it's different from my own. But it's blatantly false to say FoD is the only Druid spell that needs Spell Penetration, and it's hugely presumptuous (and wrong) to claim you can speak for the needs of "ANY" Druid build.

How about removing the factual inaccuracy, and sticking to what is or isn't needed for your build?

[Vooduspyce]

After all this time, you still have this statement in here? So I have no issue with your build or playstyle, though it's different from my own. But it's blatantly false to say FoD is the only Druid spell that needs Spell Penetration, and it's hugely presumptuous (and wrong) to claim you can speak for the needs of "ANY" Druid build.

How about removing the factual inaccuracy, and sticking to what is or isn't needed for your build?

Hi SirValentine,

Thank you for the note. So much has changed over the years and my build post is quite lengthy with so many entries to tweak as DDO evolves. For example, I've heard that it is now possible for DC spec'd caster druid to make FOD land at end game, whereas for years it wasn't viable on a druid. I'll rephrase to make it more clear that this is my recommendation for most druid builds. I do want to be factually accurate in the information that I provide. I took a closer look at druid spells to see if there were others that require a spell pen check. I can see now that Quench and Dominate Animal do and I didn't realize that. I also knew that Howl of Terror does, but that's a wolf form spell and not really a "caster" druid spell per se. Are there other druid spells that require a spell pen check?

[SirValentine]

For example, I've heard that it is now possible for DC spec'd caster druid to make FOD land at end game

115+ is reachable for all off-schools even for a caster who's mainly specced for, say, Evocation. Yes, that's way behind the low-to-mid-130s Evocation can have, and it won't work on high-Fort mobs in high-skull Sharn, but will be fine for casters etc., even in high-skull Sharn, and work great everywhere other than Sharn. Personally, I'm currently getting some Alch PLs, but when I get back to Druid, I'm expecting to have...116, I think, Necro. But I don't have Aasimar PL for more Wis, or Complete Racist, so even higher is possible.)

And, really, a DC caster has been able to land FoDs just fine for years. Rumors about it not being viable aren't accurate. If you've invested in your Wisdom and DCs across the board, FoD doesn't need any special attention; it automatically becomes just as viable as all your other off-schools. Would I spec a Druid in Necro as primary school? No; 3 spells isn't enough for a primary school. But FoD can still be a useful and viable spell, as much for a Evocation Druid as, say, an Enchantment Wizard (or Evocation Sorc, for that matter). Like many tools, it's not for every situation, but it's great in some situations. I could say the same stuff about, say, Hold Animal.

I took a closer look at druid spells to see if there were others that require a spell pen check. I can see now that Quench and Dominate Animal do and I didn't realize that. I also knew that Howl of Terror does, but that's a wolf form spell and not really a "caster" druid spell per se. Are there other druid spells that require a spell pen check?

There have already been multiple posts in this thread listing more of them:

charm animal, hold animal, dominate animal and howl of terror which are enchantment spells
and fod which is of course a necro spell.

More than that. At least Faerie Fire, Quench, Poison, and Animal Trance all need Spell Pen too.

Sure, nukers, healers, tanks, they don't need spell pen. But DC casters do. So, really, no offense at all to your build. But offense to "ANY" Druid build claims.

[LordFancyPants]

Hey Ginger,

Since it’s anniversary time, I wanted to check back in on this thread to see what all I need to have for your current endgame gear. If I am reading it correctly, three anniversary gifts are used at endgame by you. Dethek Runestone (as essence); epic litany (as essence); and the quiver. Am I missing anything else? I’m not currently playing at 30, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything useful right now.

[Vooduspyce]

Hey Ginger,

Since it’s anniversary time, I wanted to check back in on this thread to see what all I need to have for your current endgame gear. If I am reading it correctly, three anniversary gifts are used at endgame by you. Dethek Runestone (as essence); epic litany (as essence); and the quiver. Am I missing anything else? I’m not currently playing at 30, but I want to make sure I don’t miss anything useful right now.

Hey LordFancyPants,
I just got done with a gearing overhaul, replacing every piece of gear a couple weeks ago. The op reflects all my recent changes, except I will be replacing 3 of my augments with the 3-piece Wild Fortitude set for +4 artifact bonus to con. I just made these last 3 augment changes now, and Runic Revitalization was one of the augments I removed to make room for the set. I'm very happy with how things are performing after I've finally abandoned my 5 pieces LGS set and am now going with 3 piece Legendary Hruit's Influence and 4 piece Eminence of Winter. I was a bit surprised that my hp is actually higher with the feywild set compared to the big LGS ender set. In fact all my stats went up except I lost 35% spell crit damage from the LGS material set. Some of the stats will be updated when I get back to cap because I just got my racial completionist back and am leveling back to 30 and the 3-piece Wild Fortitude set also isn't reflected in the numbers yet. Will update in a couple weeks with stats that should show higher hp and intimidate.

[Amastris]

How viable is this for solo heroic R1-R2? after running what will soon be my 23rd warlock life (mostly racials) my brain is wired to warlocking but my heal-bot hires just die way too much in R3 and R4 and i need to add in a couple more druid lives to see if it helps. Ill prolly just run R1's since i am not very familiar with druid.

Addendum: i will just be running 1-18, banking 19 and tr'ing at 20. no epics

[Vooduspyce]

How viable is this for solo heroic R1-R2? after running what will soon be my 23rd warlock life (mostly racials) my brain is wired to warlocking but my heal-bot hires just die way too much in R3 and R4 and i need to add in a couple more druid lives to see if it helps. Ill prolly just run R1's since i am not very familiar with druid.

Addendum: i will just be running 1-18, banking 19 and tr'ing at 20. no epics

This build will do well in low skull heroics. I was soloing R2-3's on a second lifer of this build when I did Northwynd 2: The Druid True Second Life Series, however lack of familiarity with druid will likely make for an adjustment period for you. Stop by the live stream M-F 9am-3pm ET if you have any questions that you want to discuss live https://www.twitch.tv/vooduspyce

[Marcb81]

This build will do well in low skull heroics. I was soloing R2-3's on a second lifer of this build when I did Northwynd 2: The Druid True Second Life Series, however lack of familiarity with druid will likely make for an adjustment period for you. Stop by the live stream M-F 9am-3pm ET if you have any questions that you want to discuss live https://www.twitch.tv/vooduspyce

Any updates for u51? Would love to hear your thoughts on destinies for a tanky druid caster, or how destiny changes may have propagated through your build resulting in changes elsewhere if any. Thanks for all your hard work.

[Vooduspyce]

Any updates for u51? Would love to hear your thoughts on destinies for a tanky druid caster, or how destiny changes may have propagated through your build resulting in changes elsewhere if any. Thanks for all your hard work.

Hey Marcb, I've updated my stats to reflect U51 but the breakdown links are not yet updated. I've also updated with my current ED setup, though I'm sure my off destinies will evolve and I'd love to hear what others are doing

[LordFancyPants]

Hello again Voodu,

I'm back after a long hiatus and am once again cranking out RPLs on this build. Two questions...

1) What is your starting ability score breakdown for Shifter?
2) Where do I get the +5 intim augment that you have slotted into your Crown of Butterflies?

Thanks so much for keeping this build going all these years.

LFP

[Vooduspyce]

Hello again Voodu,

I'm back after a long hiatus and am once again cranking out RPLs on this build. Two questions...

1) What is your starting ability score breakdown for Shifter?
2) Where do I get the +5 intim augment that you have slotted into your Crown of Butterflies?

Thanks so much for keeping this build going all these years.

LFP

Welcome back!
Looks like I forgot to add starting stats for shifter. But really for any race just max wis and con and put the rest in int for skill points.
The intim augment is a rare drop so if you don't have one maybe look around the auction houses or try to trade for one.

I welcome you to stop by the live stream if you have any other questions M-F 9am-3pm ET
https://www.twitch.tv/vooduspyce

[crazycaren]

Thanks for the OP and all the updates. I'm interested in trying a druid-caster with my character who's been a sorc or warlock depending on the latest buffs/nerfs.

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but the OP talks about playing a shifter with rage. My understanding is that you can't cast while raged. What am I missing?

There's also the medium and heavy armor and shields. How do you get around spell failure? Are they divine? She typically wears medium armor once I can get proficiency without spell failure from the EK tree. But I don't see that in the enhancements.

TIA

[SocratesBastardSon]

...the OP talks about playing a shifter with rage. My understanding is that you can't cast while raged. What am I missing?

There's also the medium and heavy armor and shields. How do you get around spell failure? Are they divine?

This build takes advantage of a basic, if somewhat obscure, fact about DDO: for every rule there's an exception somewhere. There are several exceptions packed into this Druid.

The exception for Rage is in the Shifter tree for Wildhunt Shifters, Empowered by Nature: "Wildhunt: +[25/50/100] Maximum Spell Points. You can now cast while Raging. You are now immune to Fatigue, including Fatigue from Shifting."

The second exception is spell failure, which you already suspected: Druids are divine casters, although they're not allowed to wear metal armor.

Third, Heavy Armor use is granted to Druids by the third core of Nature's Protector, Magical Beast: "Grants Heavy Armor Proficiency".

A fourth exception: obtain non-metallic heavy armor and shield, e.g., the heavy armor from the Hruit's Influence set from Sharn, Bronze Dragonscale Plate, and the Crystalline Ward from Wraithcallers.

The end result is a powerful spell caster, and while it may not be quite as destructive as a pure Sorc, it is very tanky plus it's a healer. I'm playing a very similar build myself right now. Like most people who run the build up into epic going I prefer cold caster. At some point I'd like to try a fire Druid with Exalted Angel, but current equipment options favor the cold route.

[Vooduspyce]

Thanks for the OP and all the updates. I'm interested in trying a druid-caster with my character who's been a sorc or warlock depending on the latest buffs/nerfs.

Sorry if I missed it in the thread, but the OP talks about playing a shifter with rage. My understanding is that you can't cast while raged. What am I missing?

There's also the medium and heavy armor and shields. How do you get around spell failure? Are they divine? She typically wears medium armor once I can get proficiency without spell failure from the EK tree. But I don't see that in the enhancements.

TIA

Socrates beat me to it, but answered perfectly! (thanks Socrates!) I welcome you to stop by the live stream M-F 9am-3pm ET if you have any questions https://www.twitch.tv/vooduspyce

[magaiti]

Are there any downsides of using heavy armor (without proficiency) as a Druid Caster?
I could save a few AP by not grabbing Nature Protector core 3

[QuantumFX]

Are there any downsides of using heavy armor (without proficiency) as a Druid Caster?
I could save a few AP by not grabbing Nature Protector core 3

You lose the bonus PRR from being proficient in with your armor. (40 If proficient and wearing heavy armor. 30 If proficient and wearing medium armor. 0 if not proficient.) And considering the reason Ginger is going with the heavy armor is for all the bonus PRR, you can see the drawbacks.

If you're dead set on medium armor, you could work around it by comparing the value of the extra 10 PRR from proficiency to the potential of having a higher dodge score. High end heavy armor has up to 6 MDB, and high end medium goes all the way to 14. If your potential gearset options reflect this, then you need to compare 10 PRR to 8 dodge. Meaning, if you can take hits and quickly recover while wearing the medium armor, then you should consider the option of straight damage avoidance from dodge.

This does require work. You'll need to actually look at the stats on your armor, and figure out what works best for you.