Build a Caster Druid

[Garlan]

Hey everybody :)

I want to play a Storm-Druid in our campaign an I'm not sure how to do it and have a question:

Is a Animal Companion worthy? I'm thinking do choose the Order Explorer-Feat at second level to gain a Companion. But I think a Companion eats a lot of Class-Feats so I can't choose Feats there are useful for casting.

Otherwise I wouldn't choose the Order Explorer-Feat or go into the Leaf Order (Familiar for regaining a Focus Point).

Do you have a opinion or any experience with Storm Druids?

Thanks for your help :)

Best
Garlan

[Kyrone]

Animal Companions are decent use of your 3rd action after casting a spell, they are one more body to absorb damage on your party and helps flanking. You don't need all the AC companion feats you can comfortably stop in Incredible Companion if you wish.

[Garlan]

That was my idea. Casting a Spell and use the third action for my Companion. I would build something like:

1: Storm Born
2: Order Explorer (Animal Companion)
4: Mature Animal Companion
6: Storm Retribution
8: Incredible Companion
10: Wind Caller
12: Primal Focus
14: Specialized Companion
16: Timeless Nature
18: Invoke Disaster
20: Hierophant's Power

So I have to renounce Feats like Reach Spell, Widen Spell, Steady Spellcasting, Overwhelming Energy and Effortless Concentration.

[Secret Wizard]

Trade offs are trade offs! You won't be the best at having an AC or casting, but be able to do both.

[NielsenE]

If you're playing in a home game, I'd think about the other characters. Does the party need another front line up soak/flank buddy? If yes then animal companion makes sense. If the front is already crowded, I'd avoid it.

[Garlan]

We have five Players. Three of them are frontliners, one Caster (support) and me (druid). So there are many frontliners. But a flanking buddy would be good for our Rogue.

[Syries]

To be fair, a rogue focusing in on getting extra damage from sneak attack will likely take the Gang Up feat, which makes their flanking much easier.

I think you could get away with JUST going Storm, unless you really want that animal companion.

[Secret Wizard]

Garlan wrote:

We have five Players. Three of them are frontliners, one Caster (support) and me (druid). So there are many frontliners. But a flanking buddy would be good for our Rogue.

In this case, I don't think the AC is that useful. You could just go with a Familiar for flavor, and dedicate to casting.

[Garlan]

Thanks for your help!

Then I will dedicate to casting, maybe something like that:

1: Storm Born
2: Reach Spell
4: Widen Spell
6: Storm Retribution
8: Wind Caller
10: Overwhelming Energy
12: Primal Focus
14: Timeless Nature
16: Effortless Concentration
18: Invoke Disaster
20: Hierophant's Power

Maybe choosing a Familiar instead of Reach Spell or Widen Spell.

[jimthegray]

Garlan wrote:

That was my idea. Casting a Spell and use the third action for my Companion. I would build something like:

1: Storm Born
2: Order Explorer (Animal Companion)
4: Mature Animal Companion
6: Storm Retribution
8: Incredible Companion
10: Wind Caller
12: Primal Focus
14: Specialized Companion
16: Timeless Nature
18: Invoke Disaster
20: Hierophant's Power

So I have to renounce Feats like Reach Spell, Widen Spell, Steady Spellcasting, Overwhelming Energy and Effortless Concentration.

reach and shocking grasp are a decent combo imho particularly theme wise but yeah animal companions are great

[Garlan]

Reach Spell & is really a great combo. I also like Reach Spell & Electric Arc.

I also like the Animal Companion but I think I will just choose Storm Druid-Feats an no Order Explorer (maybe Familiar).

[lemeres]

Secret Wizard wrote:

Garlan wrote:

We have five Players. Three of them are frontliners, one Caster (support) and me (druid). So there are many frontliners. But a flanking buddy would be good for our Rogue.

In this case, I don't think the AC is that useful. You could just go with a Familiar for flavor, and dedicate to casting.

Flavor, as in it can be a delicious snack when you need energy.

More seriously, you can use the master abilities that regain focus and get more spell slots. However.... looking at it, storm druid doesn't have very many focus spells for most of the game. Which seems sad for the blaster order. The animal order seems like it might get more use out of this, simply because it has a lvl 12 option to make summons elemental (which can give both movement types and some nice bonuses).

[Garlan]

You don't have to be an Animal-Druid to choose Call of the Wild and Primal Summons. Or do I miss something?

[lemeres]

Garlan wrote:

You don't have to be an Animal-Druid to choose Call of the Wild and Primal Summons. Or do I miss something?

Whoops, you are right. I misread the call of the wilds prereq as an order prereq. Sorry, I haven't focused much on this class yet.

Then yeah. That is a good use of focus for a caster.

[puksone]

I would go for cleric or wizard dedication. gives you more spells per day and access to another spell list. There are usefull low level spells.