Need some Druid (Caster - Evoker) advice, naturally

[Sebastrd]

Next up will be my last life before completionist: Druid. I haven't quite settled on a build yet, and I have some questions regarding a few different aspects. I have zero interest in running a melee Druid at the moment, but a caster looks like a blast. I really like Michele's Evoker, but I see room for customization. I definitely plan on taking this life into epics for at least a couple of epic TRs, and I run EEs almost exclusively.

SPLIT

Usually, I try to run casters pure my first time out to get a feel for the class. However, I'm not seeing much that I want past level 17 or 18 Druid. A Monk splash for Evasion is an obvious choice, and I think that part is settled. However, there are a few other options that might be worth exploring...

• 17 Drd/2 Mnk/1 Wiz: Taking a Wizard level trades +1 Atk, +1 Saves, and an 8th and 9th spell for a feat and access to Wiz trees.
• 18 Drd/2 FvS: Gives access to Just Reward.
• 17 Drd/2 FvS/1 Wiz: Just Reward and the potential for infinite MM SLA spam in Shiradi.
• 18 Drd/2 Pal: Outstanding saves?

Are there any I missed? Any of these worth the split?

RACE

Half-elf looks like the obvious choice, but a couple of others look interesting.

• Half-elf: Gives some Healing Amp, bonus SP and Spell Pen. I'd probably go with Pally Dil, but the intermediate Improved Dils are worthless. Still, +5 saves is nothing to sneeze at on an Evasion build. Monk is only an option if going pure or with a Pally split.
• Human: Gives an extra feat, Healing Amp, and GH SLA. The extra skill point is a waste, since I can dump Int and still have enough points to max Concentration, Heal, and Spellcraft.
• Elf: Gives bonus SP and Spell Pen, Entangle SLA, an intriguing Dragonmark, and the all-important Feywild Tap. The downside is a lower Con.

ENHANCEMENTS

I have no idea what's good here outside of knowing I couldn't care less about the Nature's Warrior tree. Should I care? What is must have from Season's Herald?

LEVELING

On my way through heroics, I figure I'll take the first few staff enhancements from Henshin and stick fight my way to effective caster levels. Sound plan? Unnecessary? Is there a better option?

EPIC DESTINY

Shiradi is the obvious choice for an Evoker, especially if I go with a caster-heavy split. However, Draconic gives some really nice DC/Spell Power boosts. The revamped Exalted tree looks like it might be amazing, as well, but looks like it may suffer without all the light spell power boosts from AoV. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, guys.

[unbongwah]

• 18 Drd/2 Pal: Outstanding saves?

Can't due to alignment restrictions: druids have to be at least partially neutral.

[SirValentine]

Half-elf looks like the obvious choice, but a couple of others look interesting.

• Half-elf: Gives some Healing Amp, bonus SP and Spell Pen. I'd probably go with Pally Dil, but the intermediate Improved Dils are worthless. Still, +5 saves is nothing to sneeze at on an Evasion build. Monk is only an option if going pure or with a Pally split.
• Human: Gives an extra feat, Healing Amp, and GH SLA. The extra skill point is a waste, since I can dump Int and still have enough points to max Concentration, Heal, and Spellcraft.

Interesting assessment; just goes to show different people value things differently. To me, Human and Half-Elf both look good, and nothing else comes close.

To me, an extra feat from race is pretty good; I'd rather do that than give up a caster level to get an extra feat (Wiz splash).

And, personally, I have a hard time ever seeing skill points as a waste. UMD? Balance? Some Jump, a little Tumble & Perform? If you're going to run in Shiradi sometimes, Diplomacy?

To me, the biggest advantage of Half-Elf, is being able to pick up +1 more Wisdom...but you kind of eliminate that option out of hand.

I have no idea what's good here outside of knowing I couldn't care less about the Nature's Warrior tree. Should I care?

Not much of it is directly useful for a caster, but there's +2 Wisdom in there.

[Pilgrim1]

• 17 Drd/2 Mnk/1 Wiz: Taking a Wizard level trades +1 Atk, +1 Saves, and an 8th and 9th spell for a feat and access to Wiz trees.
• 18 Drd/2 FvS: Gives access to Just Reward.
• 17 Drd/2 FvS/1 Wiz: Just Reward and the potential for infinite MM SLA spam in Shiradi.
• 18 Drd/2 Pal: Outstanding saves?

Are there any I missed? Any of these worth the split?

I find it really difficult to get reflex saves high enough to make evasion viable for EE quests. Also half damage is often good enough if you are making your saves as druid healing is so strong, thus I rank evasion lower as a druid. Pure druid gives a few advantages as well, +2 wisdom, more spell points, and the big one, more caster levels, I don't think there is much you can get that's better than that in thoes 2 levels. I go pure, others split.

RACE

Half-elf looks like the obvious choice, but a couple of others look interesting.

• Half-elf: Gives some Healing Amp, bonus SP and Spell Pen. I'd probably go with Pally Dil, but the intermediate Improved Dils are worthless. Still, +5 saves is nothing to sneeze at on an Evasion build. Monk is only an option if going pure or with a Pally split.
• Human: Gives an extra feat, Healing Amp, and GH SLA. The extra skill point is a waste, since I can dump Int and still have enough points to max Concentration, Heal, and Spellcraft.
• Elf: Gives bonus SP and Spell Pen, Entangle SLA, an intriguing Dragonmark, and the all-important Feywild Tap. The downside is a lower Con.

Frankly I would consider any race that does not have heal amp to not be good for a druid, and splashing for feats on one side then picking up elf for spell points over the feet on human seams a little silly. You could also consider PDK, they have a better enhancment list then human. Human/PDK is my favorite choice, but if you were set on the evasion splash I would go for half elf with pally for saves.

LEVELING

On my way through heroics, I figure I'll take the first few staff enhancements from Henshin and stick fight my way to effective caster levels. Sound plan? Unnecessary? Is there a better option?

The SLA are intensely good, thoes would be my first priority.

EPIC DESTINY

Shiradi is the obvious choice for an Evoker, especially if I go with a caster-heavy split. However, Draconic gives some really nice DC/Spell Power boosts. The revamped Exalted tree looks like it might be amazing, as well, but looks like it may suffer without all the light spell power boosts from AoV. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance, guys.

Shiradi and draconic are rather low on my list of destiny choices for a druid. At this point I would go Exalted angle, its got the maximum DC, wings, AoE fort save stun, and some nice SLA. After that primal is a really solid destiny for a druid, lots of good stuff in there.

Destinies and enhancments can all be figured out later, just focus on race/class split now, your feets are gonna be metta-magics and evocation boosting stuff. Good luck.

[Khatzhas]

Druids don't get particularly good Reflex saves. Evasion doesn't do anything if you fail the save. You can't take Paladin levels as a Druid. Don't get hung up on the Monk class splash, particularly if you're not intending to mix any melee into your style.

ENHANCEMENTS

I have no idea what's good here outside of knowing I couldn't care less about the Nature's Warrior tree. Should I care? What is must have from Season's Herald?

Some Natures Warrior works if you have the spare points even for a caster. Bestial nature can improve important saves, if you will be using minions Blood Moon Frenzy isn't bad, Hide of the Crocodile can be useful as an emergency button or predictable physical/acid damage like traps.

On Season's Herald, the SLAs and Spring Resurgence are the main attractions.

LEVELING

On my way through heroics, I figure I'll take the first few staff enhancements from Henshin and stick fight my way to effective caster levels. Sound plan? Unnecessary? Is there a better option?

Flame blade works fine, and has the advantage of running off your maxed stat. That, your wolf, and summons will stand you in good stead.