Player Advice: Druid Enlarge Person and Shield - Arcane Wands and UMD or Wizard Dip?

[GM 1990]

My wolf-shaman druid is focused on melee TWF using shillelagh buffed quarterstaff with a lot of flanking with the companion. Currently 4th level and soon leveling to 5th. Rest of party is 2 x Paladins, 1 Rogue, 1 Fighter.

Incomplete Stats (sheet is not with me right now)
16/19/16/14/16/12 - (4d6 method and I was enfuego)
Feats: TWF(Human); Scribe Scroll; Craft Wonderous
AC:19 (Hideshirt+1 + 4dex + RoP +1)
HP:36
Melee: +8 to hit; 2d6+4/+2 with mwk qtrstaff and shillelagh buff (also house rule reducing TWF pen by 2 at 19dex) with flanking its +10 to hit hanging right there with the fighter/paladins. Also if I Aspect - I get a bonus bite w/trip.

Background and going forward thoughts on the character (will probably top out around 11 or 12th level in this campaign)
As a wolf-shaman, I got aspect of wolf at level 2, but don't get wild-shape until 6th (then "as 4th level for non-canines or as 8th level for canine animals).

Looking over my possible options when I finally get WS, I believe I'll continue combat in human form with aspect of wolf and use WS for utility/special requirements such as flight/swim/burrowing.

So, I'm looking at adding Shield (AC to 23) and/or Enlarge Person to my buffing options. With Enlarge and Shillelagh (3d6+5/+3 and 10' reach) I'm having a hard time seeing why (other than DR issues) I would invest in a magical weapon for a few more levels, except to have a backup weapon.

Wand + UMD option:
Pros: get WS in about 1.5 levels from now; continue to stay on track for 7th level wolf companion advancement as well;
Cons: with my CHA my max UMD next level would be +6, making arcane wands only 30% success as druid. With no arcane casters in the group I can't ask someone else to use it on me either.

Wizard Dip Option:
Pros: Gain 3 more orisons; add 4 more 1st level spell/day from Wizard (1 base + 1 Int + 1special school +1 bonded item); use arcane wand at will so with $ we as a group could invest in some nice options; gain all knowledges as class skill; gain +2 on will save
Cons: push off WS to 7th level; and wolf advancement to 8th; another 0 BAB level as a 3/4 BAB

I know potions would be an option, but that seems like it would start to become cost prohibitive as a every combat buff.

It seems like the obvious choice is Wizard dip, but looking for the collective wisdom of the forums for what I might be missing.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

If you're planning on using wands primarily, Bloodrager is a better dip.
I'd focus on potions+Accelerated Drinker though. I'm not sure Shield is worth the action unless you can figure to the minute when a fight's starting.

[GM 1990]

Markov Spiked Chain wrote:

If you're planning on using wands primarily, Bloodrager is a better dip.

I'd focus on potions+Accelerated Drinker though. I'm not sure Shield is worth the action unless you can figure to the minute when a fight's starting.

That's not a bad option. Its really about the wand access since one of the things I missed in the "cons" of wizard dip is I'd also have a arcane failure of 20% in that Hideshirt +1. I also was looking at Abjurationist so would have gained a energy resistance 5 (pick daily).

The only drawback I can see is I wouldn't be able to control my wolf while raging (its a CHA skill) so I'd be unlikely to rage, making even the bloodline power a non-used skill. However, I'd gain arcane wand access, +10 move (so 40 base in light armor or 30 if I went for ironwood or dragonhide breast plate at some point), +20 more move when aspect of wolf), and +1BAB.

Something I hadn't considered was for 2500gp I could get enlarge cast permanent on me. I already RP him with a deep voice...now he'd be 11' and 900lbs to go with it. That would free up a buff round to get the +4AC from shield wand (a net +3 due to Large size) or buff my wolf, at near the cost of a "lifetime" worth of Enlarge wands.

[Markov Spiked Chain]

If you wanted to ride your wolf, you could still do that while raging.

You could also trade the bloodline power for a Bloodline Familiar.

Oh, one other good option is going Half Elf and giving up your Favored Class Bonus to use Wizard spell completion items.

[Nohwear]

If this is for a new character, or you can rebuild, I would look at the Goliath Druid. You would not be allowed to have a wolf, but you can loose spells for Enlarge Person. Another thought is to dip into Magus. There is a way to use Wisdom as your caster stat for a Sorcerer.

[Manly-man teapot]

Totem Transformation is a Polymorph effect, and as such can't be combined with a size-changing effect.

[Gisher]

I'd like to suggest an unusual dip option: Reliquarian Occultist. Your spells are divine rather than psychic, and although your casting stat is Int, your Focus Pool is based on Wis. You also get a Domain (that uses your Occultist level).

Take the Transmutation and Abjuration Implements to get both Shield and Enlarge Person as spells known. You'll also get a pair of Orisons taken from the Occultist Knack lists which include mage hand, open/close, and message - none of which are on the Druid list.

Select the Size Alteration Focus Power and you have an additional Enlarging option that will work on your Animal Companion since it isn't limited by creature type. The Resonant Powers, Warding Talisman and Physical Enhancement, are also quite nice boosts to saves and a physical ability score respectively.

You'll also get a taste of either Legacy Weapon or Mind Barrier which are both nice Base Focus Powers. Personally I'd go for Legacy Weapon. The ability to add a +1 stacking enhancement bonus or any +1 special ability to your already enhanced weapon is amazing even at higher levels.

[GM 1990]

Manly-man teapot wrote:

Totem Transformation is a Polymorph effect, and as such can't be combined with a size-changing effect.

That's a good point, one I hadn't noticed.

Animal Shaman is starting to look like a trap vs straight druid w/ wolf.

In 2 levels I can either do 1x4hour non-canine per day, or 3x8hour Dim to Huge canine per day. So a huge direwolf doing 2d6+9 and a plus 5 to my CMB for a free trip when I hit and a +4 to AC (+6STR, -4Dex, +6NatAC)

But that is still no where near my current 2d6+4/+2 plus totem trans trip - and I could be using WS right now if I was normal druid. If I went enlarge route now (I have the 2500 gp available to get it permed on me), I'd be doing 3d6+5/+3 with TWF, and get AoO due to 10' reach, but would need to forego transformation. Of course...if I was a normal druid I wouldn't have that, but I also wouldn't have to wait 2 more levels for my WS to kick in.

Additionally, since I'm considering a way to get access to arcane spells I'd be putting myself even farther behind on WS benefits.

this was first PF druid for our group, so I'm the beta test. I think I'll discuss with the GM about abandoning the shaman route and revert to normal druid, at least then if I put a level in blood rager/Magus/Wizard to get arcane access I'll still have WS now, still have my wolf, and at 7th level net will have better WS options from elemental forms.

[Nohwear]

Also, the Naga Aspirant seems like a good option. You trade out the ability to spontaneously summon for some wizard spells. Be warned though that RAW it requires you to be a Nagaji. What about a wolf companion appeals to you? I still think that Goliath Druid is the way to go, personally.

[GM 1990]

Nohwear wrote:

Also, the Naga Aspirant seems like a good option. You trade out the ability to spontaneously summon for some wizard spells. Be warned though that RAW it requires you to be a Nagaji. What about a wolf companion appeals to you? I still think that Goliath Druid is the way to go, personally.

If I was starting new I'd have more options for different race, etc, but we're to 4th level at this point.

He's been a fun addition to the RPing at the table and not just between him and my druid - it's a key component to the backstory. He's run to defend a fallen party member on more than one occasion.

mechanically, wolf companion has been a +2 bonus (flanking) almost every combat, plus he's another 1d6+3 w/bonus trip attack every round. All of that starts to essentially be a buff - and a pretty nice one since it only requires a "free action".

On the downside, I just invested in +1studded leather barding for him. But I'm avoiding perm-buffs since if he dies, at least something like armor is transferable to the next one.