I'm putting together a group for a possible Mummy's Mask run, and I'm seriously considering making an all or mostly Druid party. I don't have a lot of experience with Druids, but no one in our group likes prepared casters. I'm trying to find some sort of template existing in the current rules that I could transport to make a viable, balanced spontaneous casting Druid. Any thoughts?
Isn't one of the playtest classes a spont druid? Shaman?
Spont is a little weak for the druid list. You may want to give them oracle progression and let them pick an extra domain or two from the druid list of domains in addition to free SNAI-IX
Honestly, if you're looking for just a spontaneous caster version of a druid, you could probably just change it to follow the spells-known and spells-per-day progression of the oracle or sorcerer, since (at least theoretically) they're supposed to be roughly equal (at least, thats how they were marketed in 3.5, where sorcerers and wizards had almost no class features besides their spells). The wizard got three extra feats over the course of his career, and the sorcerer got a few more weapon proficiencies, but otherwise, they were roughly equal.
If you're looking for something that is to the druid as the oracle is to the cleric, you're mostly out of luck, I think. I could be incorrect, but no one has really made one of those, to my knowledge.
Isn't one of the playtest classes a spont druid? Shaman?
Spont is a little weak for the druid list. You may want to give them oracle progression and let them pick an extra domain or two from the druid list of domains in addition to free SNAI-IX
The Shaman isn't a spont druid. It's a prepared caster with a few Witch class features instead of the standard druid suite. Basically a major screw-up on paizo's part, in my mind. Frankly, there's very little in the playtest that actually excited me, and the Shaman wasn't one of the few things.
Honestly, if you're looking for just a spontaneous caster version of a druid, you could probably just change it to follow the spells-known and spells-per-day progression of the oracle or sorcerer, since (at least theoretically) they're supposed to be roughly equal (at least, thats how they were marketed in 3.5, where sorcerers and wizards had almost no class features besides their spells). The wizard got three extra feats over the course of his career, and the sorcerer got a few more weapon proficiencies, but otherwise, they were roughly equal.
If you're looking for something that is to the druid as the oracle is to the cleric, you're mostly out of luck, I think. I could be incorrect, but no one has really made one of those, to my knowledge.
The Shaman isn't a spont druid. It's a prepared caster with a few Witch class features instead of the standard druid suite. Basically a major screw-up on paizo's part, in my mind. Frankly, there's very little in the playtest that actually excited me, and the Shaman wasn't one of the few things.Isn't one of the playtest classes a spont druid? Shaman?
Spont is a little weak for the druid list. You may want to give them oracle progression and let them pick an extra domain or two from the druid list of domains in addition to free SNAI-IX
Unfortunately, Oracles get substantially more spells per day than the Druid, I can't imagine it would be balanced to use their progressions.
Its vexing me a bit. I'd feel more comfortable grabbing it by the reigns if I had more experience with Druids...
Honestly, if you're looking for just a spontaneous caster version of a druid, you could probably just change it to follow the spells-known and spells-per-day progression of the oracle or sorcerer, since (at least theoretically) they're supposed to be roughly equal (at least, thats how they were marketed in 3.5, where sorcerers and wizards had almost no class features besides their spells). The wizard got three extra feats over the course of his career, and the sorcerer got a few more weapon proficiencies, but otherwise, they were roughly equal.
If you're looking for something that is to the druid as the oracle is to the cleric, you're mostly out of luck, I think. I could be incorrect, but no one has really made one of those, to my knowledge.
The Shaman isn't a spont druid. It's a prepared caster with a few Witch class features instead of the standard druid suite. Basically a major screw-up on paizo's part, in my mind. Frankly, there's very little in the playtest that actually excited me, and the Shaman wasn't one of the few things.Isn't one of the playtest classes a spont druid? Shaman?
Spont is a little weak for the druid list. You may want to give them oracle progression and let them pick an extra domain or two from the druid list of domains in addition to free SNAI-IX
Unfortunately, Oracles get substantially more spells per day than the Druid, I can't imagine it would be balanced to use their progressions.
Its vexing me a bit. I'd feel more comfortable grabbing it by the reigns if I had more experience with Druids...
The spells per day thing doesn't matter; all prepared Full casters use the same progression and all spontaneous full casters use another progression. It's part of the trade off: Spontaneous casters get more spells per day, but they have to wait a level to get each progressive level of spell, compared to their prepared caster brethren. All you're doing is following the established symmetry.
The only thing to change is that all spontaneous full casters get some way to get more spells known, be it through bloodlines or mysteries, and all prepared full casters get a way, either through domains or Arcane schools, to get more spells per day. As such, I'd say a way to handle this is not let the spontaneous caster get the option to take a Domain as part of their "Nature's bond" feature, but instead, they can select a Domain, and add the domain spells to their spells known list when they reach a class level of double the level of the spell.
The spells per day thing doesn't matter; all prepared Full casters use the same progression and all spontaneous full casters use another progression. It's part of the trade off: Spontaneous casters get more spells per day, but they have to wait a level to get each progressive level of spell, compared to their prepared caster brethren. All you're doing is following the established symmetry.
The only thing to change is that all spontaneous full casters get some way to get more spells known, be it through bloodlines or mysteries, and all prepared full casters get a way, either through domains or Arcane schools, to get more spells per day. As such, I'd say a way to handle this is not let the spontaneous caster get the option to take a Domain as part of their "Nature's bond" feature, but instead, they can select a Domain, and add the domain spells to their spells known list when they reach a class level of double the level of the spell.
All of that makes perfect sense - I hadn't considered it in that light before.
I think i'll do as you say, except I leave the option of taking an Animal Companion or a Domain as is. If they decide to take a Domain then they gain the spells associated with that Domain as spells known when they reach a level that would allow them to cast the spell at that level.
I think that will work out quite nicely. Thank you very much for your input.
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Have you checked out the Expanded Shaman from Kobold Press? The entire concept behind the class is that it is the spontaneous version of the druid!
In fact, you can read more about the shaman's creation and genesis here
Best of all, you can get the shaman class by itself OR as part of upcoming New Paths Compendium which combines all of the New Paths classes into one print or PDF book.
In addition to the shaman class itself, there are class archetypes such as the The Primal Shifter and Witch Doctor. The Primal Shifter reduces its spellcasting ability, dropping down to a 6-level progression but gains augmented Wild Shape capability in exchange, and exchanging Spirit Dance for Primal Dance, which empowers the Shaman's combat ability in Wild Shape. The Witch Doctor is the opposite, gaining a reduced Wild Shape but enhanced spells-known availability, and expanded healing abilities.
If you are looking for a spontaneous druid, please check the shaman out! :)
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Quick update - we're very excited to report the New Paths Compendium from Kobold Press is now off of preorder, in stock and ready to start shipping (there are PDF, Print and PDF/Print bundle options)!
Thanks!!!
There are a few archetypes that allow you to spontaneously cast from domains as well. I know it isn't exactly what you are looking for, but perhaps you could expand on that idea, or someone may even find one of those an acceptable replacement for a spontaneous caster. I know Storm Druids can do this, and I want to say tempest and arcane can as well.