Druids, like all spellcasters, can "research" spells. This is allowed for in the rules, but the specifics are not defined, so it becomes a GM decision on whether a druid can add a non-druid spell to their spell list. In general the guidance has been that the farther the spell is from their normal "type" of spells (wizards trying to learn "Cure light wounds" for example) the higher level the spell should be, if they can learn it at all. Successful research will add the spell to the spellcaster's list of available spells.
If that's not practical (and it takes a LOT of time and money) then you can always boost the Use Magic Device skill and then purchase scrolls and wands. My archer druid does this to cast some ranger spells.
Finally, you can get spell storing items which can hold a non-druid spell but can be cast by the owner. If you have someone in the party who can cast the spell for you, buy an appropriate pearl of power and offer to recharge the spell for them after they cast it into your storing item.
Would multiclassing and then taking that one Feat that bumps your caster level up by 4 be an option?
What spell do you want?
|
There are only two places I've seen even rough guidelines for something like this, one being Super Genius Games and the Magister class. Basically, if the spell is of the same type (arcane or divine) but on another full caster's spell list (i.e. a druid spell if your character is a cleric), you can learn it as a spell of +1 level, or +2 levels if it's of the opposite type (arcane spell for a cleric, for example.)
There's also the Unsanctioned Knowledge feat from the APG to look at as a basis. It lets a paladin add one spell at each spell level, but only from the bard, inquisitor, and cleric/oracle spell lists. Maybe combine the two if you want to access spells from other class lists, so you could maybe learn a 1st level wizard spell as a 3rd level druid spell, for example.
Finally, you can get spell storing items which can hold a non-druid spell but can be cast by the owner. If you have someone in the party who can cast the spell for you, buy an appropriate pearl of power and offer to recharge the spell for them after they cast it into your storing item.
While spell storing items indeed can do this, Pearls of Power are not spell storing items:
After you use the Pearl to 'recharge' the used spell slot, you are casting it in exactly the normal way, so if you didn't already cast the spell normally, the Pearl doesn't do squat.
The main way *I* accomplish this is via Domains, besides the 'standard' Druid Domains, there are all the Animal/Terrain Domains, and several of the Archetypes, including Shaman Druids, also allow further Domain Access. It would not be PFS-legal, but in home games I always allow the OPTION for a Druid to select (at 1st level) whether they want Spontaneous Summons (which is the norm) *OR* Spontaneous Domain Casting (from their one Domain). The Urban Druid has (PFS-legal) Spontaneous Domain Casting from a list of non-standard Domains (Storm Druid also does, eventually from 2 Domains, but they are pretty much just a restricted set of standard Druid Domains, Air and Weather, w/ specific Sub-Domains).
If you can't/don't want to use Spontaneous Domain Casting, you can also house-rule allowing to prepare Domain Spells in your regular slots, i.e. add the Domain Spells to your Spell List.
If you can't find a way to get a Domain you want, you might consider adapting the Cleric Separatist Archetype on top of Druid, which allows access to non-Standard Domains. (with -2 level delayed progression in abilities, but not spells)
Plenty of Archetypes also grant Su/Sp abilities that let you use spells not normally on the Druid list, but if you are going for a specific spell that may not be available... On the other hand, maybe it is, so if you share what spell you're interested in, maybe somebody knows an Archetype that does grant it? Similarly, going the Eldritch Heritage route also can grant Su/Sp abilities which could give you access to the spell itself or a similar effect.
Magambyaan (sp?) Arcanist lets Wizards (only) add Druid spells to their list, but unfortunately (very unfortunately IMHO) it doesn't work the other way around.
Quandary, I think AD's suggestion was that the druid buy both a spell-storing item and a pearl of power, then have a party member cast the spell he wants into the spell-storing item. The pearl of power is mainly there so that the other guy doesn't lose anything from the transaction. (This assumes, of course, that the spell is one both characters would benefit from.)
ok, gotcha, i was confused by his wording since you aren't recharging the spell yourself then,
they are doing so themself by using the pearl of power you gave to them for the day (etc).
Quandary, I think AD's suggestion was that the druid buy both a spell-storing item and a pearl of power, then have a party member cast the spell he wants into the spell-storing item. The pearl of power is mainly there so that the other guy doesn't lose anything from the transaction. (This assumes, of course, that the spell is one both characters would benefit from.)
bingo
Tempest and Storm druids get access to Air and Weather domains, Blight druids get Darkness, Death, and Destruction, Cave druids get Darkness, and each of the many different Animal Shaman subtypes give access to other domains. I don't know if you already have a character idea, or are just working on a cool build, but I've had great success using a full-caster druid with the Darkness domain (night subdomain for sleep at lower levels, and the invisibility, which goes well with wildshape), picking up Shadow Conjuration for a greatly expanded spell list, as well as many other decent spells (blindness isn't bad, deeper darkness, summon monster V, power word blind, shadow evocation, and shades).
Samsaran alternate race feature?
Didn't really wanna mention it because I figure it would derail the thread, but I'm trying to get Paragon Surge.
Hrm.
Dun think I can help you there.
Take a few levels of Sorcerer is all I can tell ya.
If you can take this Feat (it's 3rd party, dunno if that's allowed) you won't sacrifice any caster level.
Samsaran alternate race feature?
I know samsarans can do it, but I can't choose that race.
Are you looking for paragon surge to gain a particular feat? Or the ability to have any feat? I am assuming that your character is already a half-elf.
there is always UMD and scrolls/wands/etc...
otherwise, you can always be a cleric with nature domains, you can get an animal companion that way,
if you are in druid for wildshape, that isn't compatable with paragon surge as they are both polymorph.
he already stated what spell he's interested in: Paragon Surge (Half-Elf only), which grants an Enhancement bonus to DEX and INT and a free Feat of choice (the latter being the signifigant part, since the others don't stack with Enhancement bonuses).
i did realize something for druids that achieves the free feat of choice thing that paragon surge does (almost):
dragon, saurian, and shark shaman druids can choose the War domain, which has the following power:
Weapon Master (Su): At 8th level, as a swift action, you gain the use of one combat feat for a number of rounds per day equal to your cleric level. These rounds do not need to be consecutive and you can change the feat chosen each time you use this ability. You must meet the prerequisites to use this feat.
that is combat feat only, but still pretty useful, especially for melee-focused/wildshape-focused druids.
I'm not really sure what general feats you'd want access to on the spot. You can't benefit from Expanded Arcana or the extra spells known from Improved Eldritch Heritage: Arcane), which are the main reasons Paragon Surge is awesome.