Ahoy!
Leaving aside Ultimate Intruige.... I've been thinking about this one for a while and I have to say I like the feel of it.
I do think though in order to get it to work, an archetype wouldnt be enough - it would have to be a distinct class IMO.
Whether it would have to tow the line and go CHA casting like the Oracle and Sorceror is also open to debate....
How about.... Elemental Soul ???
How about an oracle archetype that swaps the druid list for cleric, restricts mystery choice to the ones that match a nature/ elemental flavor, and adds a few revelatilns for some druid like abilities?
Cabalist, I like that name for a spont druid
So... would you still get the other druid class features, or do you want something else instead?
If we're restricting spells available, it might make sense to try and focus the rest of the class' abilities so that it's easier to play. For example, taking away the animal companion and creating a more powerful variation on wild shape - maybe adding selected summoner evolutions to yourself?
We could also take that in the opposite direction: leave the animal companion, but take away wild shape, and swap in abilities to help strengthen spells.
I don't think removing unrelated class features has much to do with getting spontaneous casting though. And given the smaller spell list, losing more versatility would be the last thing needed, IMHO.
Kobold Press's Shaman is a spont-caster using the Druid list, who gets things like a Spirit Animal companion and similar other tricks and features.
Druid is strong enough that you could just swap their slots with sorcerer and make their casting spontaneous and that would be a perfectly functional class.
If you want something more balanced with the original druid, then a rewrite is required.
You beat me to it Orthos!
When I first pitched the Shaman class (which came out well before the Advanced Class Guide :) it was specifically to fill the spontaneous druid niche!
Highly recommended 3PP right there. The Shaman is great, with lots of extra flavor, but it maintains the druid feel by not sacrificing any of the iconic features. It's one of a handful of classes outside of Paizo material that I allow in my games.
You beat me to it Orthos!
When I first pitched the Shaman class (which came out well before the Advanced Class Guide :) it was specifically to fill the spontaneous druid niche!
Looks good!
Couldnt you just use hunter? It's already a spontaneous druid and you can do feral hunter if you want wild shape. No need to houserule.
Lunar oracle also does a pretty good mimicry of a spontaneous druid, if you want to be a full caster.
Yet another is arcanist with the collegiate arcanist prestige class to pick up druid spells.
|
Looks good!You beat me to it Orthos!
When I first pitched the Shaman class (which came out well before the Advanced Class Guide :) it was specifically to fill the spontaneous druid niche!
Awesome! :)
FYI, the latest and greatest version of the Shaman class and its archetypes can be found in the New Paths Compendium from Kobold Press (14 5-star ratings!)
In addition, there's plenty of additional nature and druid related goodness, as well as new animal companion feats etc. :)