I am trying to build an effective tanking Druid for a home game that I will sometimes step in and play when I am not GMing. Basically, the two Dads are alternating the GM role for the kids (ages 10-16) and we have been having a blast.
I am running a Hobgoblin Druid and am rebuilding him slightly at level 4 into a tank focused build to allow "the kids" to run around hitting things while I get beat up.
My questions revolve around my Feat selections, Gear priority, best Wild Shape choice, and what it will take to get me into Dragonhide Plate as I'm assuming that's the best for a druid? Do I need to spend a feat on Medium Armor Prof, and then take Heavy Armor Prof?
Stat array is: 16, 16, 14, 14, 12, 12. Will most likely arrange as such after Racial bonuses unless someone has specific reasoning to increase STR over DEX/CON.
STR 14
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 12
WIS 14
CHA 12
Any other tips or advice?
Earth elemental seems key for taking damage.
Besides giving decent strength, it also has great con and natural armor boosts. At level 12, Elemental body (which that part of wildshape is based off of) gives you DR 5/- and immunity to sneak attacks, critical hits, or bleed. That makes you fairly sturdy overall. The ability to earth glide also helps you get out of bad situations (you might have to take the cave terrain domain to get tremor sense though)
There are also other advantages- since elementals can have humanoid shapes, and they can use simple weapon proficiency when in such a shape, you could just grab weapons and armor for that body (a nice scimitar can do wonders). Hell, since they also have a language, you might even be able to skip some of the usual druid feats since you can cast spells normally
Another option is the goliath druid. This takes away elemental and plant options, and gives you giants instead. When it acts as Giant Shape I at level 12.... well, you can turn into a troll and grab regeneration. Throw some resist energy (which does 30 pts at that level) to protect yourself from fire/acid... and you are fairly well protected. Throw on die hard and you are annoyingly sturdy since you do not even pass out when brought down to 0 hp.
With this option, equipment is an even easier choice- polymorph into things like giants does not absorb your equipment, but scales it up with you. Just grab whatever armor and weapon you want, and just go wild. Obviously, there are not problems with spell casting.
Where do I find Goliath Druid?
Giant Hunter's Handbook...or this convenient link right here
There are also some restrictions to the choice of animal shapes and companions...but it includes all dinosaurs...so not much loss really.
Stat array is: 16, 16, 14, 14, 12, 12. Will most likely arrange as such after Racial bonuses unless someone has specific reasoning to increase STR over DEX/CON.
STR 14
DEX 18
CON 18
INT 12
WIS 14
CHA 12
Imho your most important stats are wisdom and strength.
Wis gives you increased no of spells, higher save DC, the ability to cast higher level spells and better will save. The first 3 are vital even if you want to focus on melee, you are a full caster after all.
Strength gives you, for each +1 mod, +1 to hit and +1 to damage on each melee hit. Many forms give you multiple hits and dead foes do no damage.
Dex gives you Ac & ref save, con HPs and fort save, important but after the 2 above.
I would use stats of-
STR 16
DEX 16
CON 16
INT 12
WIS 16
CHA 12
I would prefer-
STR 18
DEX 14
CON 14
INT 12
WIS 18
CHA 12
But it can't be done. :(