So this is my and my friends first time playing pathfinder (minus the GM). Im a level 9 druid who for the most part flies in the sky as a bird casting spells with the use of the Natural Spell feat while my animal companion kills dudes bellow. I have been wondering what is so good about turning into Elementals? Ive read a few things about people talking about turning into Air elementals but I cant see the appeal in that over a diminutive bird. What am I missing?
Also as a caster druid, is this the way i should be engaging in combat? Or is there some better way that keeps me more safe while still being able to cast spells? Most of the creatures in the game target spell casters first so I feel like I'm always nearly dying each fight.
Elemental body 4 (ie- level 12) gives DR/5, as well as immunity to crits, sneak attacks, and bleed damage. That is the primary reason- it is a VERY strong defensive buff...which solves the exact problem you have discussed. You are almost as tough as an invulnerable rager barbarian.
Also, elementals can have a humanoid-like shape and gain simple weapon proficiency in that state, as stated in their subtype. While you do not get the subtype, that is good evidence that you have normal(ish) hands, which you do get via polymorph.
Elementals also have a language. Combined with the hands, there is no need for natural spell feat if you focus on elementals. And how about wands and scrolls?
And since you have hands, you could just buy a weapon for your favored elemental shape. Remember that scimitar proficiency you forgot you had? How about a large sized scimitar? Heck, the simple spear hits like a greatsword at that size. How fun would getting 2 handed weapon damage with the strength boost from being an earth elemental be? While pouncing natural attacks are fine...their problems do make you wish for the good old standard for damage...
And, while this might seem completely alien to a lot of druids....what if you willingly sacrificed the versatility of wildshape for easier access to equipment? Remember, elementals have hands and voices....there may not ever bee a need to NOT be wildshaped. For get that overly expensive wild enhancement- just get armor for your favored elemental shape. Transform at the start of the day, and just put on your equipment afterward. By the time you get good elemental shapes, you can go around as one all day.
I'd like to add that the Air elemental form gets a VERY attractive fly speed. It shoots up to double the Fly speed of a normal creature at higher levels. Considering the incredible Perception modifiers of a druid and the amount of long-range destructive or controlling spells the druid can cast, that kind of "reach" on the battefield is pretty ridiculous.
Also, the Air and Earth elemental abilities can be incredibly powerful. The whirlwind form of the Air elemental can pick up creatures up to one size category smaller than you, or your size with Powerful Shape, and wreak all sorts of havoc. The earth elemental form can bypass huge swathes of obstacles when combined with magical abilities to gain tremorsense.
Yeah...the only real bad thing about earth elemental shape is that it doesn't include the tremor sense you would need to do anything other than randomly periscoping your head out.
I mean, there is a domain specifically for druids that solves that problem. The cave terrain domain gives you tremor sense at the same level you start turning into elementals. You have to devote yourself to this a bit...but it can be rather effective (hard for anything to sneak up on you)
But periscoping might not be too bad either when you can just pop back out if you realize you are in a bad position. Heck, not having tremor sense would mean you would annoy your GM less with earth glide (which might make him meta game anti burrowing spells constantly).
But as a general buff, earth elemental is great. A heavy focus on strength and natural armor. But I suppose that the goliath druid archetype beats it out in terms of being a tank that uses regular weapons (turning into a troll with regeneration on a class with spells that can give resist energy 30 at the relevant level is a powerful combo)
