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I've never really been excited about druids, but for some reason I am this time around and have been exploring a multi-order druid -- most likely storm & wild, maybe mixing in a touch of animal (while great for flavor, its not very effective with the build I have in mind).
However I'm a bit concerned about druid's focus points. In particular while they have feats to make recovering multiple at a time efficient, they seem rather starved for feats that add to the pool in the first place. Unless I'm reading it wrong:
a) You get one point at first level, from your first level 'Druidic Order' class feature.
b) You do NOT get another point when you use either order explorer or order magic to add the second order or its order spell. (This feels like it might be a typo/oversight compared to some other classes).
c) Wind Caller (level 8 feat) does grant a second FP.
d) Primal Focus (level 12 feat) is the first 'recover 2 at once', but doesn't grant the second)
e) Impaling Briars (level 16) grants an additional FP
f) Invoke Disaster (Level 18) grants an additional FP.
g) Primal Wellspring (level 18) is the recover 3 at once, and is gated on Wild Focus (which I assume is a typo for Primal Focus).
So it seems like without being multi-order only Storm reaches 3 FP. Leaf reaches 2. Animal and wild stay at one. This feels a little restrictive to me, did I overlook any feats? Every other class with focus abilities is able to get to three points much quicker (around level 10-12).
Am I missing anything?
I was hoping to be able to do something like open with spells/storm order FP, then wild shape. So getting to two points before level 8 would be very nice... If its not possible, that's fine, but does seem a bit odd compared to other focus using classes.
Ahh, looks like I did miss something.
Druidic order gives you a pool.
Tempest increases your pool size, so a tempest druid starts with two points, and can hit 3 points by level 8 which is more inline with other classes. This doesn't help the people asking about wild druids, but at least for my plan I think I can have the build coming together at level 2 (wild morph via order explorer), and more as envisioned by level 4 (wild shape)
Two multiclassing feats for a cleric domain or arcane school can get you one extra point.
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Leaf order also get a 2nd focus point at 1st level.
I have a problem with Goodberry taking a hour to cast. Everyone just waits around for a 1st level druid magically make 1 berry that heal 1d8+5 and save on one ration. Not to mention at level one they can only use their 2nd point to make 1 more goodberry if they have another hour to spend.
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Leaf order also get a 2nd focus point at 1st level.
I have a problem with Goodberry taking a hour to cast. Everyone just waits around for a 1st level druid magically make 1 berry that heal 1d8+5 and save on one ration. Not to mention at level one they can only use their 2nd point to make 1 more goodberry if they have another hour to spend.
Goodberry takes a Hour! Thats insane.
What is the leaf druids niche; its not clear to me from what I've read?
It takes an hour, but lasts all day. The clear intent is to do it when you get up in the morning and then carry it around with you until you need it.
I understand that but when you get up you need to memorize your spells (one hour), forage for berries, if you happen to be in a place where there even are berries, then spend 2 hours (because why not use all your focus points on the one focus spell you have) to make 2 goodberries (at level one) and maybe you can refocus so at some point you can make another if you find a free hour. Never mind leaf druids are trained in diplomacy and could very well be a face of a party, but instead they are probably better off sitting in the background making some goodberries while everyone else gets to play the game. You can cast an hour long spell while in exploration mode but hopefully the GM doesn't decide to throw an encounter during that hour.
It just doesn't seem like a fun focus spell. It's also too bad your leshy can't grow berries for you as a familiar or master ability choice.
then spend 2 hours (because why not use all your focus points on the one focus spell you have) to make 2 goodberries (at level one)
That doesn't even work, actually:
If it's not consumed during the duration, or if you cast goodberry again, the berry withers away.
Goodberry is an emergency health item... that if not needed, reduces ration count for the day by one.
It's also the only thing a low level leaf druid can spend their focus points on and they're given 2 of them. Wild druids will be spending far more focus points a day and they only get one. I hate to compare classes but lay on hands is infinitely better for all that it heal half as much.
The extra focus could be useful if you multi order but there are plenty of leaf order feats that could be fun that would be missed out on.
Leaf order also get a 2nd focus point at 1st level.
I have a problem with Goodberry taking a hour to cast. Everyone just waits around for a 1st level druid magically make 1 berry that heal 1d8+5 and save on one ration. Not to mention at level one they can only use their 2nd point to make 1 more goodberry if they have another hour to spend.
It lasts a day so if you make one during your rest period for the day it works but chances of you ever making a second one on a normal adventuring day is probably not great. Basically their ability to use focus is pretty much non existent until they pick some other focus spell up. If you can wait an hour for the berries you can wait an hour and 10 minutes for them to recover the focus.
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I was hoping to be able to do something like open with spells/storm order FP, then wild shape. So getting to two points before level 8 would be very nice... If its not possible, that's fine, but does seem a bit odd compared to other focus using classes.
This really limits cool possibilities from shape changing. In the play test it was a much larger pool and you could swap back and forth for different parts of the fight.
I really would like to find some use for wild druid but limiting it to 1 per fight feels really bad. I really hope they adjust it somehow.