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Druids
Oct 21, 2014 21:13:39 GMT
Post by wollstonecraft on Oct 21, 2014 21:13:39 GMT
I've been thinking about leveling a druid for a little while now, but I realized that I hardly see anyone play them anymore. Granted, I don't play in a very active time slot. But even when I can get into end-game runs, the druid is either non-existent, or simply botted? Why is that? Honestly, I cant even remember the last time anyone asked for Shunt. It's as if we don't expect it anymore. In the last few Styg runs I've attended, parties sally forth to fight the miniboss without a moment's hesitation. No one stops for Immute. Tia runs have been the same.
Overall, I notice a real lack of support classes anymore. I don't know if that full melee Nessus run ever got going, or completed it's task, but, my god! Has player power come so far?
Anyway, I hesitate to continue leveling a druid if they (and other support classes) are disappearing. I am also not holding my breath for new content.
Thoughts? Thanks.
-WSCraft
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Post by chirality on Oct 21, 2014 23:21:27 GMT
the only thing that's disappearing is player skill the observations you make are indicative of these conclusions: not that power creep is so high that druids aren't needed (btw labelling it as a support class is an example of why nubs and newbies alike shy away from playing it, while in fact druid has an extremely potent and uniquely-useful offense), but rather that most parties these days don't require one for their playstyle/what runs they do; and also people not wanting to play druids just like always, and lack of cores is a long-rising and currently-climaxing trend. the norm is a group of quite-over-powered-for-hell toons doing hell, yeah i guess shunt or immute or even NB isn't quite so needed, but that doesn't mean all players atm believe that the druid isn't worth having and has phased out of usefulness; this is a sympton of attitude and behavior, most players evidently repeat lowbie --> LLs --> hells --> hades and bot a druid (or more cores even), or a very large percentage atm seem to only play prehells, or even only prells, if you're asking whether others have noticed that cores are played less and less, and nonhells is ran less and less by the avg player (hence less droods warranted), then yes, it's quite noticeable, but hardly surprising or mysterious, and it's been evolving for a long time now. it's not that players are so uber that druid isn't needed; it's just that only the dregs of society are left: what do you expect?
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 0:57:29 GMT
Post by axis16666 on Oct 22, 2014 0:57:29 GMT
Druids are awesome bro. Level it up. You'll have a blast.
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 6:05:04 GMT
Post by Hercules on Oct 22, 2014 6:05:04 GMT
It may be due to the timezone you're playing, but I haven't really noticed the "always lacking druid".... Anyhow, I have enjoyed playing mine and I used to play it alot! Infact, it is ONE of a few selected character that should have at least 10 asmo wins, but back in the days I dropped party to stay tagged to nessus for helper purposes.
I hope you decide to build one, so you can enjoy the excitement in playing a druid, and to add +1 to the druid players.
Herc
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 8:12:55 GMT
Post by Paradoom on Oct 22, 2014 8:12:55 GMT
When I started here I can remember I avoided druid for a long time. But when I started one and played it, I became adicted to it. This class is awesome and while it has several good party supportive attributes, it is an excellent offense caster, that can get rid of tons of Mobs or control them with clouds and stoning.
I can just second what herc said: Go for it, you will have alot of fun.
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 12:39:37 GMT
Post by Yojimbo on Oct 22, 2014 12:39:37 GMT
I love my battle druid and looking at the spell book lead me to begin building a caster druid seriously they rock you need an Arcane less than you need Druid. I think most all of the powers of Arcane have perfectly usable alternatives in the Cleric & Druid classes and to a lesser extent the Bard class even.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 17:18:52 GMT
Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2014 17:18:52 GMT
Druids are great fun and powerful - true due to power creep alot of runs do not 'need' them in the same way as before but it should not put you off making one.
Kratlin the Dregg
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Druids
Oct 22, 2014 20:18:42 GMT
via mobile
Post by desocupado on Oct 22, 2014 20:18:42 GMT
Well they are still great, but are best at disabling foes and dropping SR.
That being said they can insta kill well in hells with drown and stone n' shatter combo.
However, since arcane and cleric insta much better, and sorcs and tanks do much more dps they tend to be overshadowed (or feel like it). But they got the best defenses (and skill) among cores.
You can always pick illusion + fissure/ RG, if you really need and extra punch.
I kinda miss having my dragon druid tough.
Buff idea: Maybe they could use animal empathy for all their spell damage instead of lore.
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Druids
Oct 23, 2014 6:26:58 GMT
Post by Hercules on Oct 23, 2014 6:26:58 GMT
As Deso said, but you forgot one crucial school as for insta kill : Necro Necro spells that can be used for druids are among others: Finger of death (FoD) after foes are cursed a / greened you can insta kill several creatures aswell as adding neg dmg if they make the save, given you have maxed (or close to maxed) Wisdom ofcoz and leg/para necro) I usually help out killing advespas and ossys with ease. Infestion of maggots (IoM): lowers con and eventually kill foes over time. really good on cornys. can also instakill certain mini bosses in abyss. Poison: A really good spell in hells abyss, where foes doesnt have as much imm to poison as almost every critter in hells. IIRC Defoliate is necro too, which is atleast a feared spell for trees in abyss (azzagrat isn't it )? Also you got some other options which I seldom use but maybe can be good for certain areas/mobs: harm, slay living, etc etc Herc PS: i like the suggested buff idea Deso ! Buff idea: Maybe they could use animal empathy for all their spell damage instead of lore.
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Druids
Oct 23, 2014 19:53:55 GMT
via mobile
Post by desocupado on Oct 23, 2014 19:53:55 GMT
Don't forget aoe FoD with the plate.
About poison, isn't it strictly worse than shifter's?
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Druids
Oct 24, 2014 1:28:23 GMT
Post by drunkenboastor on Oct 24, 2014 1:28:23 GMT
Cleric (though the description says otherwise) and druid poison are the same as shifter Iron Golem in effect. Only difference is shifter has no issues with spell resistance and spell level immunity.
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Druids
Oct 24, 2014 11:58:35 GMT
Post by Yojimbo on Oct 24, 2014 11:58:35 GMT
How about the poisons from Hive one of them I think has effects similar to the Shifter/Druid/Cleric poisons
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Druids
Oct 24, 2014 18:03:27 GMT
Post by wollstonecraft on Oct 24, 2014 18:03:27 GMT
Thanks for the input, fellas. While none of you have changed my mind on the overall utility of druids, I'll probably build one anyway. Cuz, what else am I gonna do?
Can we talk builds? Does the standard 58/1/1 still hold water? Most of the caster druid builds on the forum are pretty old now, and I'm not sure if any changes since their posting have made any difference in build design. There’s no reason not to trust Rain’s build, but it is 5 years on.
Some folks seem to opt for 59/1monk, dropping the pally splash. Does a few extra saves make up for an xp penalty? I read a more recent thread about druids wherein someone mentioned dropping Abjur focus and Gr Ruin (but, of course, I can’t find that thread now that I want it). The argument there was that Frailty sucks, and fonts work fine without any foci. Further, Gr Ruin looks great, but isn’t (I’m working only from memory on these arguments). I don’t recall what the poster replaced those with, however. Any ideas?
About paragon spells: they work, right? Are there any that don’t?
Thanks for your time.
-WSCraft
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Druids
Oct 24, 2014 19:22:31 GMT
Post by Enius the White on Oct 24, 2014 19:22:31 GMT
Pally splash has not really been a viable end-game option since +5 saves from paragon levels dropped. The extra CL/SP is too valuable. 59/1monk gives you the AC that you want, and the full CL60 with an ego. I stopped taking Frailty once NB became no-save, but I still see it used effectively. The smaller radius fonts just need a bit more attention on placement/recasting. Gr Ruin is still very nice on a Druid, allowing you to easily help cover some missing or missed arcane/ploder assignments (more flow, less drama ). Para Evocation for 2 immutes is good. For me Druids are an incredibly powerful, versatile, and fun base class to play, all the way through the game. Luvem!
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Druids
Oct 24, 2014 19:46:13 GMT
Post by Yojimbo on Oct 24, 2014 19:46:13 GMT
I know a lot of recent views on Greater Ruin in general are that it isn't worth it but I often find there isn't a better feat to take. I think since CL Ego items people opted for 59/1 for pure power while keeping the AC boost of Monks. The saves are nice for a 58/1/1 but since CHA is a bit of a dump stat you get very little anyhow and the saves with out are respectable. I like Frailty for the big stuff with super high SR but it I think is easily dropped for other items but if you have a school you are stopping at ESF I think it is the best one to stop there. I am still leveling my caster Druid but what I have seen from other caster ones I look forward to playing mine because they are a versatile power house.
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