So, I like building characters as exercises and just to see what fun I can have, especially after new material comes out. I am also about to head into Fort Rannik with my team and there is a high probability of some party attrition. So, this may be a backup character.
I want to put together a Druid/Ranger, particularly in light of the feats
Benefit: Your levels of druid stack with your ranger levels for determining when you select your next favored enemy. Also, your ranger levels stack with your druid levels in determining the number of times per day you can use your wild shape class feature, up to a maximum of eight times per day.
and
Benefit: If you are a multiclassed druid, your wild shape ability is calculated as though your druid level were four higher, to a maximum level equal to your character level.
Special: This feat has no effect if you are not a multiclassed druid.
The Shaping Focus isn't super hot, since I think the sweet spot on the Ranger levels is probably 2, but it is something to keep in mind. However, Shapeshifting Hunter seems plain awesome!
I am looking for about level 8, and to fill roles as a primary scout and secondary melee and caster.
I have the stat array of: 18, 16, 15, 14, 12, 10 to work with.
I will post a build when I am finished playing with it; I'm looking at R2/D6 with the World Walker archetype. I'm totally undecided on animal companion or domain and Ranger Style.
I'd love input or ideas!
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If you want full advantage of shaping focus you should have four levels of Druid. Beware, when you multiclass spell casters your dc's are rather weak, so I would recommend focusing on non-offensive spells. I really recommend archery because Twf has a damage problem. Normally a single great sword can deal the same damage, as a standard action. World walker seems a bit redundant with favored terrain. if you get shapeshifting hunter. Cool idea I'd just keep those things in mind.
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Looking at it now just skip shape shifting hunter. Your archetype and shaping focus cover it. I would go two handed weapon style if you want melee. Power attack is a nice addition. Natural attack style could work well with wild shape. If you're a cat folk you can get claws for out of wild shape, but it has similar issues like with Twf.
Best part of shapeshifting hunter is not how it helps your wildshapes but how it helps your favored enemy class feature. It really is a sweet feat and makes dipping a level of ranger a really good idea for every melee druid.
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Here's the basics of a Druid (Serpent Shaman) that I created for Mummy's Mask:
Race: Dwarf (Pahmet)
Druid Levels 1-6, 8+
Ranger Level 7
--------Final---Racial
STR-----16
DEX-----11
CON-----16------+2
INT-----12
WIS-----16------+2
CHA-----10--------2
Flotsam Domain (But animal companion would be powerful choice, just didn't want to run an AC, so went with a domain)
Traits: Undead Crusader and Magical Knack (Druid) - you can swap out the campaign trait for another appropriate one.
Feats:
1- Armor Proficiency (Heavy)
3- Power Attack
5- Natural Spell
7- Shapeshifting Hunter
9- Planar Wildshape
10-Stealthy
11-Vital Strike
13-Improved Natural Attack (Bite) - GM allows
15-Improved Vital Strike
17-Powerful Shape
Note the GM allowed the crafting of a ring that allows me to speak, so I didn't need Wild Speech. I spend most of my time in Snake Form. Given the Summoning extras that Animal Druids get, this character can also do some powerful summons, even without summoning specific feats.
I went Serpent as I felt it was thematically appropriate for Osirian/Mummy's Mask, but if you're a power player, you could go Saurian Shaman instead to get dinosaurs.
I previously played a Lion Shaman in Serpent's Skull. Again, I only took one level of Ranger. I really don't recommend taking more than one level in Ranger as it will disrupt your spellcasting progression. You just want the Favored Enemy bonuses, so one level is enough. I don't feel that Shaping Focus is needed.
Must Haves: Heavy Armor with the Wild enchantment and Amulet of Mighty Fists. I never improved my personal weapon past +1.
Both times, Serpent and Lion, the PC was VERY FUN to play.
Nice and flavorful character Captain!
Second level of ranger gives you a free feat that you do not need to qualify. If you are very melee orientated, delaying your spell casting might be worth it. Especially if the GM otherwise restricts Improved Natural Attack. If he bans it completely then you are better of with 1 level of ranger only.
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Best part of shapeshifting hunter is not how it helps your wildshapes but how it helps your favored enemy class feature. It really is a sweet feat and makes dipping a level of ranger a really good idea for every melee druid.
there's already the world Walker archetype though. I think shaping focus is a better choice.
Whoops :D Better late than never!
World walker gives you favored terrain, not favored enemy though.