The rules only say metal armor on the druid, so it's only metal armor on the druid.
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Then those are the rules you should follow.
Whose to say the ring isn't made of magical twine, or some kind of rock, or a root, or any other non metallic jewelry? That would be my way around getting magical items.
Limiting a animal companions armor is kinda lame but I think barding is kinda lame, too (secretly because my tree companion can't wear armor) :).
It gets really confusing when you try to define things as "no metal at all" since their weapon proficiencies include weapons that are traditionally made almost entirely out of metal (for example, the scimitar).
I would generally just stick the the barebones: no metal armor or shields. After that, you can just justify everything else as too little metal in direct contact with skin to really matter (well, admittedly, most metal armors did not directly touch the skin, but instead likely had some padding...but whatever)
No definition on how their companions are affected. I would imagine, since they are taking these creatures out of their natural habitat in order for them to directly tackles various abominations, undead, and demons, then there might be some leniency when it comes to insuring their fuzzy friends' safety.
The rules only say metal armor on the druid, so it's only metal armor on the druid.My GM has decide that they can't wear any metal, so magic rings or anything like that isn't allowed. Also any metal on their animal companion makes them lose their powers.
Your GM is wrong.
Point out your weapon proficiencies to your GM, ask him how many wooden scimitars, daggers, etc., he has seen.
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I can see why your GM thinks this makes thematic sense, especially with Nefreet's explanation.
However, he/she should be aware that this significantly weakens the druid class, especially if metal substitutes are not readily available. The only druid weapons that are entirely non-metal are the club, quarterstaff, and sling. Daggers, darts, and spear-heads made from obsidian, bone, or stone are mechanically inferior, and the best druid weapons (scimitar and scythe) cannot be made without metal until you get ironwood (which is a 6th level spell and not permanent).
If the majority of found magical jewelry is metal, this also makes it very difficult for the druid to use found loot. Depending on how easy it is to buy custom items in the campaign, this might force your druid to either spend feats and time on item creation or go without.
To be fair, your GM should provide you with plenty of opportunity to find, purchase, or make non-metal items, possibly including permanent ironwood weapons.
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Your GM is wrong.The rules only say metal armor on the druid, so it's only metal armor on the druid.My GM has decide that they can't wear any metal, so magic rings or anything like that isn't allowed. Also any metal on their animal companion makes them lose their powers.
The GM is not wrong. He's just making a houserule.
In my experience, it's a common houserule created by older GMs. I use pretty much the same rules for my campaign. It's 14 years old now, and has spanned three editions (2nd/3.5/PF).
I disagree that this "significantly weakens the druid class", especially considering the Druid is one of the most powerful classes in the game. Most Druids never use manufactured weapons. They're either summoning or Wildshaping or letting their pets do the bloody work. My Druid has had the same nonmagical club and longbow since level 1, and he's 11 right now.
If you disagree with your GM, perhaps his vision of the Druid is not what you're interested in, and perhaps the Ranger or another nature-themed class would be more appropriate. You could even go Sylvan Sorcerer, since they can grab an Animal Companion and make it wear whatever they want.
But your GM is not "wrong".
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But your GM is not "wrong".
Unless he thinks its a core rule, then he's pretty wrong. Its also a pretty harsh nerf, even for the druid. Its a harsh nerf for anyone.
-_-
Reread everything I wrote before the last six words, please.
I did. I just quoted the last words.
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He's completely wrong. The idea that the GM cannot be wrong is pure unadulterated bull.
The GM is not always right, but what he says goes, even if it's wrong.
Forged metal goes against nature!!!! now excuse me while I make my army of cheetahs anthropomorphic and gather them in the arctic tundra.
Forged metal goes against nature!!!! now excuse me while I make my army of cheetahs anthropomorphic and gather them in the arctic tundra.
dude, there are dinosaurs and walking trees in this setting. Ecology means little around here.
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I disagree that this "significantly weakens the druid class", especially considering the Druid is one of the most powerful classes in the game. Most Druids never use manufactured weapons. They're either summoning or Wildshaping or letting their pets do the bloody work. My Druid has had the same nonmagical club and longbow since level 1, and he's 11 right now.
First, not all druids are the same. My druid got a lot of mileage out of her scythe in levels 1-10 and it wouldn't have been the same with a quarterstaff (sometimes you really want slashing damage, and x4 crits are FUN). I've also designed a dervish dancing tempest druid who would be impossible with this houserule.
Second, it's not just weapons, it's also magical items. If it's generally assumed that rings and amulets are made of metal and the druid can't make, find, or buy nonmetal versions, they are missing out on two major item slots. Your gaming experience might be different, but most people would find it a hardship to have to go without such items as Rings of Protection and an Amulet of Natural Armour or Mighty Fists. Other slots could also be a problem if a stricter/harsher GM decides to take issue with the "huge metal buckles" on a Belt of Strength, rules that the Gauntlets of the Skilled Maneuver you want can't be made without metal, or hands out metallic wands, rods, or staves.
Also, coins. How does a druid deal with the fact that the most common form of wealth and exchange is coins? Does the rest of the party just handle the money?
I don't think it's necessarily a bad houserule but I think it takes either a GM specifically accommodating this rule or else a style of play that de-emphasizes treasure for it to be fair. And if this character is already in play and the GM didn't warn the player about the houserule earlier (or isn't aware it's a houserule) there's a serious problem.
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Nefreet, under old school D&D, druids had to gather mistletoe with a silver sickle under a full moon as the component for their spells. So clearly they aren't anti all metals. Just the not sexy metals. (Likewise, they still get starting gold. If your druid is anti mining to the point where he won't use metal, getting paid in a metal coinage and gem stone based economy like pathfinder is going to be a serious issue.)
All you should do is confirm with the GM that he is making a house-rule, or does he believe it is a core rule from the book?
If it's a house-rule, then the GM knows the actual rule and is changing it, which is within their right as GM. I believe players should be informed of all house-rules prior to making a character. If a GM suddenly informed you of this, then you should make an argument that house rules should be disclosed ahead of time.
There was a GM here in Las Vegas who really didn't know the first thing about Druids, and I had to walk him through Wild Shape, and he got really angry about all the rules, thinking it was overpowered, and started making all sorts of house rules on the fly. The thing is, I had to make sure I knew all the rules before choosing a character. Had he done that at level 4, I would have blown my top. After that, I demanded a written document from him on all house rules prior to making any character. Amazingly, he didn't have one, so going forward he was forced to comply with the core rules.
So, that's my solution. Demand a list of house rules, in writing, prior to making any character. I would do this for any new GM. Then you have recourse if you think you're getting the wrong end of the deal with sudden rule changes.
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thinking it was overpowered
And he was right.
Side note. If your character is not getting paid in silver and gold, the next best option is getting paid in saffron, chocolate, and salt.
Plus, the 'starting gold' is more the value of the goods you felt were necessary before setting out on adventures. An old family heirloom sword would suffice in such a case for a fighter, even if he never paid a cent for it.
Alternatively, it all could be from things you made yourself (hemp rope, clothes made from fur pelts, spears made from simple wood with a flint tip, etc.).
Well, that's a matter of opinion.thinking it was overpoweredAnd he was right.
What's that, up in the sky! Its a bird, no a plane, its... A druid taken the form of a raptorsauraus riding a flying T-rex firing lazers out of his eyes and summon cheetahs to rain from the sky!
Yeah... Druids are probably up there or everyone is a little low. Just maybe, subjectively.
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Well, that's a matter of opinion.thinking it was overpoweredAnd he was right.What's that, up in the sky! Its a bird, no a plane, its... A druid taken the form of a raptorsauraus riding a flying T-rex firing lazers out of his eyes and summon cheetahs to rain from the sky!
Yeah... Druids are probably up there or everyone is a little low. Just maybe, subjectively.
I didn't say I thought they were not overpowered. Just that some think otherwise.
There's a word for those people. 'Wrong.'
There's a word for those people. 'Wrong.'
Glad we have the One True Arbiter of Game Balance in the thread. : D