The first thing you'd need to change would be the starting stats; I would probably go for:
Human:
Ability | At creation | After Subrace |
Strength | 08 | 07 |
Dexterity | 12 | 12 |
Constitution | 10 | 10 |
Wisdom | 18 | 22 |
Intelligence | 15 | 14 |
Charisma | 08 | 08 |
A net gain of 2 Wisdom for -1 Strength. Not a bad start, but you also get Lightning Reflexes and Spell Focus: Abjuration too, plus an extra feat at level 1 for being human; so all in all, a good upgrade. You can likely keep the skills breakdown more or less exactly as it is.
You then have a couple of choices; First option, keep the Bard level and the umd, keep the same dc as the Dryadkin version and pick up Epic Spell Focus: Abjuration and Legendary Spell Focus in Conjuration or Evocation. Your feats list would look something like this:
Level 1: Dauntless; Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 3: Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 6: Spell Penetration
Level 9: Greater Spell Penetration
Level 12: Spell Focus: Transmutation
Level 15: Greater Spell Focus: Transmutation
Level 18: Metamagic: Empower Spell
Level 21: Metamagic: Extend Spell
Level 24: Epic Spell Penetration
Level 25: Epic Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 27: Epic Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 29: Greater Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 30: Epic Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 33: Great Wisdom I & II
Level 36: Great Wisdom III
Level 37: Great Wisdom IV
Level 39: Great Wisdom V
Level 42:
Legendady Penetration
Level 45: Legendary Spell Focus: Transmutation
Level 48: Legendary Valor
Level 51: Legendary Spell Focus: Evocation OR Conjuration
Level 54: Great Wisdom VI
Level 57: Great Wisdom VII
Level 60: Great Wisdom VIII
Book: Esf: Evocation
In comparison to the Dryadkin build you get:
- +2 dc to either Evo or Conjuration spells; your choice, Conjuration is better for disabling (Storm of Vengeace, Stonehold, Grease), whilst Evocation is more about direct damage spells, although Desert Sirocco can instakill some nasty hell and abyss mobs - albeit not hugely effectively.
- An extra Epic Spell Focus, which makes your Energy Immunity spell much more effective, and grants you Nature's Frailty, which is something you're going to want if you are planning on going any deeper than Maladomini; it drops sr by 20, with no save.
- +2 Reflex (Lightning reflex)
Your second option would be the max dc route. This would involve dropping your bard level entirely and taking a paladin level instead. Thus, you would need to change the level order somewhat. It should be 1-19 Druid, 20 Paladin (maximise Discipline). 21-39 Druid, 40 Monk (maximise discipline, 40 tumble).
The feats list would also change a little:
Level 1: Spell Focus: Transmutation; Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 3: Greater Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 6: Spell Penetration
Level 9: Greater Spell Penetration
Level 12: Metamagic: Empower Spell
Level 15: Greater Spell Focus: Transmutation
Level 18: Metamagic: Extend Spell
Level 21: Epic Spell Penetration
Level 24: Epic Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 25: Epic Spell Focus: Conjuration
Level 27: Greater Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 29: Epic Spell Focus: Abjuration
Level 30: Great Wisdom I
Level 33: Great Wisdom II & III
Level 36: Great Wisdom IV
Level 37: Great Wisdom V
Level 39: Great Wisdom VI
Level 42:
Legendady Penetration
Level 45: Legendary Spell Focus: Transmutation
Level 48: Great Wisdom VI
Level 51: Great Wisdom VII
Level 54: Great Wisdom VIII
Level 57: Great Wisdom IX
Level 60: Great Wisdom X
Book: Esf: Evocation
In comparison to the Dryadkin build you get:
- +1 To all spell dc's
- Esf Abjuration and Nature's Frailty Epic
- -1 Reflex, -2 Will, -2 Fortitude
- No Use Magic Device skill
- 20 extra skill points to spend on whatever you like
So which do I reccomend more? The first option is easily the most balanced. It's more forgiving (better saves, Use Magic Device) and it's offenses are plenty respectable.
The second version gives up quite a lot for what it gains. However; if you are planning to demi this build, it is likely superior. your first demi iteration would raise all saves by +2, due to your charisma stat bonus, and the second iteration would raise them by another +2. The end result is, at 2x demi, you have 1 reflex less, but +1 dc on most schools. You will also have much less need for use magic device once you get to shop in the hellstore, for sanctuary pots, amongst other things.
Having said that, I played my Druid from level one to demi with no umd and never regretted it. I was happy using precious rings for sanctuary in the times I needed to do so. I'm not sure I can post in public where those drop, but send a pm if you need to know. One thing about building and playing perferences - everyone is different, so you need to experiment and find out what is best for you.
If all this sounds like I'm talking nonsense, do let me know; I appreciate the endgame can be somewhat shrouded in mystery at times. Also, if you need me to do a build layout as with the Dryadkin version, I can do that, but it takes a long time. I thought you'd appreciate a more prompt response, but if you need it posting in the same way, just let me know.
Very nice open subby build btw, i just had to point out the typo as it made me laugh - any suggestions for building with Doppelganger?.