Simeny's page

I see one of two options:

1. Remove favored classes
2. Offer a one off benefit at 1st level like a few extra skill points, a few extra hitpoints or a bonus feat.

Concentration is a valuable skill for all spellcasters, not just wizards. Druids, clerics, sorcerers, and even bards need concentration in order to cast spells through taking damage or while threatened by an opponent. Combining spellcraft and concentration aids wizards (who tend to have higher Int than Con) while hurting every single other spellcaster out there (who tend to have higher Con than Int).

So my suggestion is do one of two things. Either:

1) keep concentration as a Con based skill, or

2) make the new spellcraft skill based off your primary casting stat, whatever it is. If it's a matter of mental concentration instead of physical hardiness, there's no reason book-smarts (Int) would make you better at it than mental discipline (Wis) or inherent ability (Cha).

It's important to take into consideration how changing a stat modifier to a skill affects all classes, not just the ones that benefit from the change. The skill system already favors wizards (tons of Int = tons of skills and most of their skills are Int-based), so there is no reason to make it even easier on them as opposed to every other spellcaster in the game.

I think this hits the nail on the head.

Awesome, I have just started playing a druid and am about to get wildshape so looking forward to the developments. Thanks for the heads up on the druid info.

Why don't we actually look at the new druid on Tuesday or Wednesday before we start suggesting fixes? Jason may have beaten us to the punch, y'know...

Agreed, I believe I was offering further constructive discussion to this development. Although I was not aware druids were that imminent...

This totem idea has merit.

The issues seem to lie around wildshape/natural spell/animal companions.

The totems could resolve all these issues.

They could determine what animals etc you may turn into, what spells you could cast in wildshape and what companions you can choose in a similar style to cleric domains.

Perhaps you start with 1 (or maybe 2) totem(s) and get one every 5 levels for example. When high enough for flying/elemental forms a selection of those totems become available.

e.g. for flight choose from owl/eagle/raven totems
e.g. for elemental choose fire/air/water/earth

Again for these maybe you get another choice in 5 levels or so.

In this way no two druids will be exactly alike and you can style your character to the totems that suit your playing style.