I really really like the idea of a Gnome character who suddenly transforms into a massive brute of a "monster" and starts laying into opponents with a giant weapon and as such I really would like to make a Goliath Druid character but seeing as how I've only ever played a Druid once, and the character didn't last very long, I would love some advice on how best to pull this character off.
I essentially see the concept almost like playing the character like the stereotypical Barbarian type of role, but with spellcasting as an added benefit, and could even consider taking a couple levels of Barbarian to add a little extra flavor to the character.
Our starting level currently is 5th, with attributes scores of 18, 16, 14, 14, 12, 12, before racial adjustments are made and placed wherever we see fit. I'd love any advice on how best to go about making a Goliath Druid and which form(s) to focus one, and whether it would be better to go with a natural weapon based character or utilize the giant's forms to wield a two handed weapon. What feats would be best to go with, and what kind of items/feats I should be focusing one getting.
Also, question regarding how the Wildshaping works, when taking a giant form(most likely looking at Troll, because Regeneration is so nice), do you still retain all class abilities and spellcasting ability and such, and are all your feats still usuable?
I'm leaning towards using a Large +1 Impact bastard sword to start off, but I wasn't sure if the weapon sized up alongside my character when assuming Large form, as in would the Large bastard sword grow to become a Gargantuan bastard sword while wildshaped?
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First I love the concept. Enjoy it.
For stats Str and Wis are importnat followed by Dex/Con then Chr Int
So 16/14/16/12/16/14 would be your starting stats. Keep in mind that your small size is a detriment to your primary roll. Another small race that lacks a strength penalty may work better. Wayang came to mind, though they have a penalty to wis but would start with 18/16/14/14/14/12 for stats, and I like that array better, if you don't mind playing a shadow gnome.
So keep in mind that at level 5 your only size increase is Enlarge Person. This isn't bad, but it is short duration and only really increase damage, makes you medium too not large.
At level 6 you gain the goliath ability, you will gain the following:
+4 Str
-2 Dex
+1 Natural Armor
Rock Throwing ability if the form has this (40' range, 1d8 dmg)
Aquatic/Amphibious subtype if they have the Aquatic Subtype
Darkvision 60', Lowlight Vision, Scent and Swim if the form as these abilities.
Your best bet is troll, with three natural attacks, scent, darkvision. Shadow giant isn't bad for slams and darkvision. Freshwater merrow for aquatic form.
For tactics consider Shillelagh to be a fun spell, as you would be wielding a +1 Club that does 3d6 damage.
In Goliath form you do not need Natural spell or Wild armor as your gear will transform with you. I recommend having large weapons though, as you may have problems if you drop one and have to pick it up again.
Keep in mind that druids are limited in what weapons they have proficiency with, so choose carfully. If you do have some proficiency in a weapon a small Great Sword does 1d10. At medium this would be 2d8 or 3d8 if Large, which is actually more than a medium greatsword going to large (2d6 - 3d6). Heirloom weapon trait can get you the proficiency easy enough.
Regeneration will come online at 12th with Giant Form 1.
Unfortunately, I think the small greatsword would still follow the base damage, not "cheat" by going to 2d8.
Would love it, however.
Yeah, I highly doubt my DM would allow me to "cheat" the system by using the alternate weapon "growth" for this.
I think most likely I would ditch the greatsword altogether and use a Medium club at the -2 penalty for a larger weapon and eventually give it Impact, so when I size up from Goliath form, it would effectively count as a Colossal club and I could just wield it two handed. I... think that works, yes?
I really really like the idea of a Gnome character who suddenly transforms into a massive brute of a "monster" and starts laying into opponents with a giant weapon and as such I really would like to make a Goliath Druid character but seeing as how I've only ever played a Druid once, and the character didn't last very long, I would love some advice on how best to pull this character off.
I essentially see the concept almost like playing the character like the stereotypical Barbarian type of role, but with spellcasting as an added benefit, and could even consider taking a couple levels of Barbarian to add a little extra flavor to the character.
Our starting level currently is 5th, with attributes scores of 18, 16, 14, 14, 12, 12, before racial adjustments are made and placed wherever we see fit. I'd love any advice on how best to go about making a Goliath Druid and which form(s) to focus one, and whether it would be better to go with a natural weapon based character or utilize the giant's forms to wield a two handed weapon. What feats would be best to go with, and what kind of items/feats I should be focusing one getting.
...isn't this a spriggan?
Not that there isn't anything wrong with that. It is a fine monster, with a decent gimmick.
Anyway, for mechanics, I will refer to the section on transmutation:
When you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body. Items that provide constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to function while melded in this way (with the exception of armor and shield bonuses, which cease to function). Items that require activation cannot be used while you maintain that form. While in such a form, you cannot cast any spells that require material components (unless you have the Eschew Materials or Natural Spell feat), and can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon. Other polymorph spells might be subject to this restriction as well, if they change you into a form that is unlike your original form (subject to GM discretion). If your new form does not cause your equipment to meld into your form, the equipment resizes to match your new size.
Giants are a type of humanoid, and as such they have all the parts for normal spellcasting. Also, unlike most druids, you can get any equipment you want since it doesn't meld but instead scales with you.
For build you want to focus on-
You want to use weapons, since few giants are decked out with more than bite/claw/claw. The fun thing about giants as well is their reach- even the simple large forms means you threaten a circle 30' wide (40' with 5' steps on both sides). That means you can full attack a fairly wide area, and you also threaten a wide area for AoOs (meaning you are hard to run past). So a nice 2 handed weapon is your best bet, since they give nice weighty hits that really take advantage of your boosted strength.
While things like bastard sword seem appealing, they require investment of feats since you lack martial proficiency. But you do have a great choice by default- the scimitar. A +1 impact scimitar hits like a great sword (when you are large) and it has 18-20/x2. So it will do fine.
Until level 12, the actual giant you choose hardly matters much (unless you want natural attacks). It is mostly cosmetic. After level 12, you want something with regeneration (since it means you can't be just killed). Grab the die hard feat, and you suddenly can keep fighting no matter what- you can go way past negative hp and keep on swinging. You could easily become the one thing to stand between the party and TPK.... unless someone gets fire or acid out.
Other build advice-
You might want to consider grabbing the Rage subdomain (part of destruction, one of the options for goliaths). It gives a good combo for more damage- a 3+wis use ability that adds 1/2 your level to a hit, and rage for +4 str and con
And you eventually get limited rage powers. Reckless abandon can be nice for getting more attack bonus in return for putting power attack's penalties on your AC. Good old superstition can be good too. Lesser fiend totem could be interesting for a natural attack build, since it can bring a troll to 4 natural attacks (thus tipping the scales somewhat)
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Rereading the chart I forgot that since it start small, the small greatsword damage dice were changed to match the regular greatsword. So wielding a greatsword would still be an option, but the changes referenced in the new damage dice increase faq make it:
1d10 (small) -> 2d6 (because its small) (medium) -> 3d6 (large) putting it back on track for normal greatsword damage.
Nice job to PDT for making that work out.
While Rage subdomain might be useful you would be giving up your animal companion. Keep in mind that starting small you can always ride your animal companion and enlarge it, which makes the AC a very valuable pick for your Goliath Druid.
This might make an interesting lance charging build, Start off small with a medium animal companion, good strength and look at normal lance/mount/charge feats. At level 4 - 7 grab a large mount and you can still charge, but if you go large you can always hit it with enlarge person so you can still charge.
Small Druid + Large Mount need it to be medium, cast reduce animal
Medium Druid + Large Mount good to go
Large Druid + Large Mount either undersized mount feat or cast enlarge person on animal to make it huge. Scary no matter what size.
Is the Domain a decidedly better option to go with instead of going with an AC? I haven't been able to decide. I like having an animal companion but none of them particularly catch my eye with this sort of character, and I can't decide on a domain, though the Rage subdomain does indeed look interesting.
Is the Scimitar that much better of an option in comparison to a +1 Impact Club with Shillelagh(aka effectively 3 sizes larger)?
Is the Domain a decidedly better option to go with instead of going with an AC? I haven't been able to decide. I like having an animal companion but none of them particularly catch my eye with this sort of character, and I can't decide on a domain, though the Rage subdomain does indeed look interesting.
Is the Scimitar that much better of an option in comparison to a +1 Impact Club with Shillelagh(aka effectively 3 sizes larger)?
Getting Rage and Rage Powers is super good. I'd take that over a companion any day. As for Shillelagh, unless there has been some rules amendment I'm unaware of, it can only be used on non-magical clubs/staffs as per the spell's text. Scimitar is very solid though due to the crit range.
Oh, wow I did not realize it was non-magical only. That changes a lot for me and pushes me strongly towards the +1 Impact Scimitar as my weapon of choice instead.
Rage + Rage powers does indeed sound like a really good idea, now that I think on it and it would fit the character's concept. Are there any particular Rage powers you guys would suggest?