The Wooden Balancer 39Druid/1Monk/40Druid - Human Treant
Jan 26, 2012 15:58:53 GMT
Hercules likes this
Post by Paradoom on Jan 26, 2012 15:58:53 GMT
As I just like the treant subby alot and play drood very often, I reinced one of em to the following build (it was level 40 something at that point so I played it more or less from scratch, meaning this is tested and approved in all situations of the progress of this build and through all Legendary, Hell and Abyss runs.)
About the druid and build
Druids are in high demand, and are one of the so called "core" classes. Their special ability to lower the Spellresistance of their enemies, mob control through stoning and immutable force and quickly kill alot of different mobs (drowning, finger of death (fod), crumbles) makes them one of the most fun to play classes. They also grant highly wanted epic buffs for the party named shunt and shroud. Those undispellable buffs grant you and your party elemental immunitys on top of everything, and conceal, which makes you harder to hit.
Your Job:
One thing you have to consider is the gargantic difference between the playstyle of a druid in legendary areas (LL) (and lower) and hells, abyss, aboleths and elysium. In LLs you can pretty much kill the monsters with your damage spells and often play it similar to a sorc. You are alot sturdier as those and can take in alot more beating.
In hells that changes drastically. Here your first job and most important task is to get close to (and if necessary dive into) the spawn and cast Natures Balance (NB, level 8 spell). That spell loweres the spellresistance (SR) of the mobs and the other casters and you yourself will get a chance to land your spells on the mobs. And yes, this will often lead to your death if you cannot get out of there quick enough. Get used to it! Sometimes the spawns are too big or too far spread out and you will not be able to get them all with your nb. Either go in there or let the ones in the front get handled and then recast nb on the fresh ones to come in.
Another important task mentioned above is the immutable force epic spell. This spell is like an "oh crap" panic button and renders your whole party unkillable for 30 seconds. This is often used, when so called random spawns appear, which happens often in hells, abyss, aboleths and ely. In those you get more and extra strong oponents, which can cause a party wipe easily if not dealt with swiftly. That epic grants your party to get a chance to do that and live another day. It also is often used in bossfights.
Another very good ability you should have a good look at is your stoning. You have a low and high level stoning spell (call of stone (cos) and cast in stone (cis)). You can use those very often to disable mobs right away from anything and then use crumble (level 6 spell) on them for an instant kill. In hells you are one of the top Machine and Construct killers in the group and that is expected of you very often as well (but clerics and arcanes can deal with them as well).
The Treant is one of the ultra rare races that is very well suited for druids. It is a turtle express (slow movement speed), so until you reach some higher levels for freedom of movement and get haste, he will crawl across the map. You also get -25% vulnerability to fire but also +50% immune to cold. The fire is easy to cover since you´ll find alot of items with fire immunity.
Take a look into your spellschools and which spell profits from it. Esp. the abjuration has some nice buffs like one 50% elemental imm on whichever kind u want/need! Also get your hands on abjuration draughts. Those are special consumable potions that will buff your spellschoolfocus by one tier up to legendary level. Check out the radius of your fonts when you used one and the elemental imm rises to 75% if you have it up. The draughts last just one minute so make good use of them.
Lore and Animal Empathy boost some of your spells like creeping doom, firestorm (fire divine) and Word of Balance (KD and sonic dmg).
Since I have one I use a CL ego on it, which makes him cast at full lvl 60 which gives alot of tiny improvments to alot of spells (esp the fonts are maxed out which is realy nice)
What was the aim for it and PRO´s and CON´s and hints:
DC as high as possible + the most wanted epics + greater ruin. If possible make the needed savechecks, reasonable defense to take a hit or two.
Pro`s:
High ac (130+ depending on your gear)
Greater Ruin for getting rid of nasties
70ish Parry without song so u will get less kicked by crits (important since u will be close to the frontline for NB)
1000 Healthpoints should keep u alive quite a while.(at level 60)
High discipline of 100. not perfect but u will win some checks.
All needed Epics: Frayalty, Immute, Shunt, Shroud
Fast and Easy to level since it gets 20% bonus xp
Largesized which helps with KD checks and allows to wield a large weapon and towershield which is great for leveling before level 40 (monk splash).
Tortoiseshell and foundation of stone boost your AC extremly and make you KD immune, which gives u great tanking/survive ability should you end up inside a mob. Do that right and you can even tank a boss in hells if there is no other way.
Con´s
Sloooooooooowwwwww
U need to cast alot so u dont get flatfooted (= ac loss).
Dont even think about winning a reflex check until you reach very high levels and double demi (u will hate malbs).
Realy needs immm to mord/breach, cause without fom u run from nothing in hells.
I know the Reflex save is pretty bad at the start, but since the Treant has such high penalties on dexterity, it would be a waste trying to get this to decent levels at the start. Live with it, and u will have alot of fun, and byte yourself through to at least doubledemi. Then I garantee you the fun realy starts as a druid. And dont be shy to demand greater restorations from the cleric along the way.
Gear
There are also a few set items in the very late game areas and one in the LL area (that I know off) that will grant you greater necrospell focus. That will give you a nice kick for the use of FODs, harms and defoiliate.
And for the farmerboys/girls under us: You can make that toon absolutly unkillable in desert/db with the malad drood armor(FtS imm)/mordimm/levitation/passwall/implosion imm.
Some tips for starters:
If you are starting from scratch i suggest taking at the creation spellpenatration and greater spellpenentration. Other than that, you are quite loose on what to take when, as long as you do get the ones listed underneath. I advice to do as seen in the levelprogression. As far as the starting stats go you can either go straight for the optimal stats (Hardcore must) or go with the alternative start below and then reincarnate at your first demi iteration (that means you have run in order 1x time through all of the hell areas from Avernus down to Nessus and beaten Asmodeus).
Alignment
When you create your character, make it NEUTRAL LAWFUL. This is demanded for the monk level, because monks need to be of any lawful alignement.
Stats
Alternative Starting Stats that demand reincarnation on 1x demi to the ones above
Skills
Level 1-39:
Animal Empathy - Max
Lore - Max
Concentration - Max
Parry - Max
Level 40:
Take your Monk level at 40 and the following skills:
Tumble - 40
Discipline - 43
Craft Armor - 20
Level 41+:
Animal Empathy - 63
Lore - 63
Concentration - 63
Spellcraft - 50 (dump at lvl 47)
Parry - 63
Heal - 63
Craft Armor - 48
Check the hardcore hints at the end for other skilloptions.
Levelprogression
39 Druid/ 1 Monk/ 20 Druid
Preepic(1-20):
spellpen + greater spellpen
spellfocus trans
spellfocus conjuration
greater spellfocus trans
greater spellfocus conjuration
spellfocus evocation
greaterspellfocus evocation
Epic(21-40):
Epic spellpen
Epic Transmutation
Epic Conjuration
Epic Evocation
Greater Wisdom 1 - 5 (take those esp. on the Druid bonus feats)
Epic Fortitude/Reflex (As HC take reflex right away and/or with the optimal starting stats take Reflex!)
Metamagic Extend
Legendary(41-60):
Legendary Spellpen
Legendary Transmutation
Legendary Abjuration
Greater Wisdom 6+7
Greater Ruin
Legendary Spellfocus Evocation
Paragonfeats(61-80):
Paragon Spellfocus Evocation
Paragon Spellknowledge Evocation (2x Immute, Burn in Veil Paraepic)
Paragon Spellfocus Transmutation
Great Wisdom 8
Great Wisdom 9
Paragon Spellpenetration
OR:
If you prefer the conjuration you could instead of LSF Abjuration and Great Wis 8+9, take LSF Conj then take PSF and PSK Conjuration for Weaponspren and double use of the Shroud Epic.
Saves at lvl 60 in +14 gear and +20 saveboost (pre demi without and with the savesfeat swap)
Fort 62/58
Reflex 44/48
Wil 72 (insane
Final saves with lvl 80 in +16 gear doubledemi
Fortitude 65
Reflex 60
Will 84
Epic spellbook: Abjuration
Artifact: Wisdom artifact
Ego: Casterlevel (gives the best bonuses to this build), though a DC one will work just fine as well.
Spells
There is hardly THE spellsetup but I will try and give a general advice on what to use. This might have to be adjusted, depending on the run and group you are going with.
For level 9s keep 3 Massheals and Storm of Vengeance ready at all times. The rest should be around 10 to 12 CiS and the rest Elemental storm and/or extended Reverse Gravity OR Natures Balance extended if you don´t have enough level 8 spellslots.
For level 8 get 2 premonition for defence buffing and 2-3 extended Aura of vitality (great buff for you, the party and summons) The rest will pretty much be natures balance. You should have around 25 of those memorized. At the beginning without the right castergear you will have to use several of your level 9 slots as well to reach that amount.
Level 6 and 7 will hold alot of your drowns and crumbles (extended) spells and at the start you will mainly have to choose either one. The drowns change in higher levels to a medium are efect, so they will not affect just one monster, similar to that of implosions and get´s rid of alot of "trash" mobs. There are some buff spells and very important the "font of restoration, level 7 spell" in there. try and keep 4 or 5 of those in your slots, because they grant an area effect, that restores you and everyone of your party in it every round by a certain chance. On level 6 you should have 5 stoneholds memorized as well. This spell is a big cloud, which will entrap monsters in it and keep them from moving around.
Level 5 is a bit open. Besides some personal buffs I often have Ice Storm or extended infestation of maggots (for aboleths) in there memorized and the font of resistance (4-5), which grants some stacking elemental resistances of choice for everyone in its radius.
Level 4 you will have several freedom of movements for yourself and needy tanks. Adjust it to what you need (3-4 for yourself at least). Masscamoflage gives a good concealment boost to everyone and yourself (4-5). Last Breath (3-4) and the rest in Call of Stone (or infestation of maggots with necro focus item. very needed for aboleths).
Level 3 holds the Font of Vision, which grants stacking attack bonus to all in its radius and are a nice boost for your tanks. Also you will have alot of Caustic Weapons in there, as the acid weapon buff for the tanks.
Level 2 3-4 Barskins (good natural ac boost up to +17) and one "one with the land" spell. That one will allow you to teleport to a save free rest zone in outdoor areas (very handy in rona and ely). The rest is Desert Shirocco to gust off winds or clouds.
Level 1 holds besides the personal buffs 2/3 grease and 1/3 entangle.
Harcore builders
As a HC toon go with the stats progression as seen below, right from the start and take the epic reflexfeat instead of fortitude in epic levels.
str 8/10
dex 13/9
con 11/14
wis 18/23
int 14/14
cha 8/8
Skills:
Spellcraft - 50
Craft Armor - Max
Heal - Max
You might wanna play around with the Paragonskills to boost some of your skills to medigate penalties. In that case I recommand to not drop/lower Animal Empathy and Heal. I have not tested this and if someone comes up with a better skillspread for that (HC esp.) feel free to post it and ill work that in here.
Like all others if u have some input, ideas or critics on it I`d luv to read it.
About the druid and build
Druids are in high demand, and are one of the so called "core" classes. Their special ability to lower the Spellresistance of their enemies, mob control through stoning and immutable force and quickly kill alot of different mobs (drowning, finger of death (fod), crumbles) makes them one of the most fun to play classes. They also grant highly wanted epic buffs for the party named shunt and shroud. Those undispellable buffs grant you and your party elemental immunitys on top of everything, and conceal, which makes you harder to hit.
Your Job:
One thing you have to consider is the gargantic difference between the playstyle of a druid in legendary areas (LL) (and lower) and hells, abyss, aboleths and elysium. In LLs you can pretty much kill the monsters with your damage spells and often play it similar to a sorc. You are alot sturdier as those and can take in alot more beating.
In hells that changes drastically. Here your first job and most important task is to get close to (and if necessary dive into) the spawn and cast Natures Balance (NB, level 8 spell). That spell loweres the spellresistance (SR) of the mobs and the other casters and you yourself will get a chance to land your spells on the mobs. And yes, this will often lead to your death if you cannot get out of there quick enough. Get used to it! Sometimes the spawns are too big or too far spread out and you will not be able to get them all with your nb. Either go in there or let the ones in the front get handled and then recast nb on the fresh ones to come in.
Another important task mentioned above is the immutable force epic spell. This spell is like an "oh crap" panic button and renders your whole party unkillable for 30 seconds. This is often used, when so called random spawns appear, which happens often in hells, abyss, aboleths and ely. In those you get more and extra strong oponents, which can cause a party wipe easily if not dealt with swiftly. That epic grants your party to get a chance to do that and live another day. It also is often used in bossfights.
Another very good ability you should have a good look at is your stoning. You have a low and high level stoning spell (call of stone (cos) and cast in stone (cis)). You can use those very often to disable mobs right away from anything and then use crumble (level 6 spell) on them for an instant kill. In hells you are one of the top Machine and Construct killers in the group and that is expected of you very often as well (but clerics and arcanes can deal with them as well).
The Treant is one of the ultra rare races that is very well suited for druids. It is a turtle express (slow movement speed), so until you reach some higher levels for freedom of movement and get haste, he will crawl across the map. You also get -25% vulnerability to fire but also +50% immune to cold. The fire is easy to cover since you´ll find alot of items with fire immunity.
Take a look into your spellschools and which spell profits from it. Esp. the abjuration has some nice buffs like one 50% elemental imm on whichever kind u want/need! Also get your hands on abjuration draughts. Those are special consumable potions that will buff your spellschoolfocus by one tier up to legendary level. Check out the radius of your fonts when you used one and the elemental imm rises to 75% if you have it up. The draughts last just one minute so make good use of them.
Lore and Animal Empathy boost some of your spells like creeping doom, firestorm (fire divine) and Word of Balance (KD and sonic dmg).
Since I have one I use a CL ego on it, which makes him cast at full lvl 60 which gives alot of tiny improvments to alot of spells (esp the fonts are maxed out which is realy nice)
What was the aim for it and PRO´s and CON´s and hints:
DC as high as possible + the most wanted epics + greater ruin. If possible make the needed savechecks, reasonable defense to take a hit or two.
Pro`s:
High ac (130+ depending on your gear)
Greater Ruin for getting rid of nasties
70ish Parry without song so u will get less kicked by crits (important since u will be close to the frontline for NB)
1000 Healthpoints should keep u alive quite a while.(at level 60)
High discipline of 100. not perfect but u will win some checks.
All needed Epics: Frayalty, Immute, Shunt, Shroud
Fast and Easy to level since it gets 20% bonus xp
Largesized which helps with KD checks and allows to wield a large weapon and towershield which is great for leveling before level 40 (monk splash).
Tortoiseshell and foundation of stone boost your AC extremly and make you KD immune, which gives u great tanking/survive ability should you end up inside a mob. Do that right and you can even tank a boss in hells if there is no other way.
Con´s
Sloooooooooowwwwww
U need to cast alot so u dont get flatfooted (= ac loss).
Dont even think about winning a reflex check until you reach very high levels and double demi (u will hate malbs).
Realy needs immm to mord/breach, cause without fom u run from nothing in hells.
I know the Reflex save is pretty bad at the start, but since the Treant has such high penalties on dexterity, it would be a waste trying to get this to decent levels at the start. Live with it, and u will have alot of fun, and byte yourself through to at least doubledemi. Then I garantee you the fun realy starts as a druid. And dont be shy to demand greater restorations from the cleric along the way.
Gear
Slot | Main Gear | Alternative 1 | Best in Slot |
Head | Crown of the Uncanny Stability (BUR) | Visor of Vigilance(BUR) | Gaze into the Abyss(Abyss prince win) |
Chest | Nature´s Embanking Palisade(BUR light armor) | Glory Of Toril(Malad druid Armor from hell) | Wrap of Raphael(BUR robe, +1 DC to spells level 6 or lower |
Arms | Random BUR gloves with physical/elemental/exot imms | Caster level / DC Ego on gloves | Dreams of the poisened Forest (Abyss druid gloves) |
Back | Cloak of the Axerian Grandmaster(Avernus druid cloak) | none | Casterlevel or DC Ego on Robes |
Feet | Boots of the Axerian Grandmaster(Avernus druid boots) | Styxwalkers (Artifact from Asmodeus from Nessus, demands Demihood) | Abyss druid boots or well randomized breach boots |
Belt | Belt of the Axerian Grandmaster (Avernus druid belt) | Abyss druid belt | Song of the East UR belt if randomized very well and added porperties like daze immunity |
Main Hand | Staff of the Axerian Grandmaster (Avernus druid staff) | Staff of Emrys (UR druid staff if randomized very well) | Staff of Emrys (UR druid staff if randomized very well) |
Off Hand | BUR Large shield with elemental immunities | Blood of Toril (Dispater druid shield) | Confluence of Silvanus(Aboleths druid torch) |
Rings | BUR rings that cover elements and exotic imms | BUR rings that also give mord/breach imm | Plainwalker (Nessus random drop from chest) and a bur ring |
Neck | Amulet of the Axerian Grandmaster (Avernus druid amulet) | BUR Amulet with immunities, resistances. | Pendant of the Seer (Druid/Cleric BUR neclace, +1 DC to spells level 6 and lower) |
There are also a few set items in the very late game areas and one in the LL area (that I know off) that will grant you greater necrospell focus. That will give you a nice kick for the use of FODs, harms and defoiliate.
And for the farmerboys/girls under us: You can make that toon absolutly unkillable in desert/db with the malad drood armor(FtS imm)/mordimm/levitation/passwall/implosion imm.
Some tips for starters:
If you are starting from scratch i suggest taking at the creation spellpenatration and greater spellpenentration. Other than that, you are quite loose on what to take when, as long as you do get the ones listed underneath. I advice to do as seen in the levelprogression. As far as the starting stats go you can either go straight for the optimal stats (Hardcore must) or go with the alternative start below and then reincarnate at your first demi iteration (that means you have run in order 1x time through all of the hell areas from Avernus down to Nessus and beaten Asmodeus).
Alignment
When you create your character, make it NEUTRAL LAWFUL. This is demanded for the monk level, because monks need to be of any lawful alignement.
Stats
Stats | Creation Human | Subrace Treant | Level 60 in +14 Gear (BUR) | Level 80 in +16 Gear Double Demi |
Strength | 8 | 10 | 24 | 32 |
Dexterity | 13 | 9 | 23 | 31 |
Constitution | 11 | 14 | 28 | 36 |
Intelligence | 14 | 14 | 28 | 36 |
Wisdom (including Artifact at 60 and 80) | 18 | 23 | 66 | 76 |
Charisma | 8 | 8 | 22 | 30 |
Alternative Starting Stats that demand reincarnation on 1x demi to the ones above
Stats | Creation | Reincarnation 1x demi/HC | Subby | 60 | Demi2x | Demi2x Reinced/HC |
Str | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 14 | 14 |
Dex | 8 | 13 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 13 |
Con | 15 | 11 | 18 | 18 | 22 | 18 |
Int | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
Wis | 18 | 18 | 23 | 50 | 54 | 54 |
Cha | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 |
Skills
Level 1-39:
Animal Empathy - Max
Lore - Max
Concentration - Max
Parry - Max
Level 40:
Take your Monk level at 40 and the following skills:
Tumble - 40
Discipline - 43
Craft Armor - 20
Level 41+:
Animal Empathy - 63
Lore - 63
Concentration - 63
Spellcraft - 50 (dump at lvl 47)
Parry - 63
Heal - 63
Craft Armor - 48
Check the hardcore hints at the end for other skilloptions.
Levelprogression
39 Druid/ 1 Monk/ 20 Druid
Preepic(1-20):
spellpen + greater spellpen
spellfocus trans
spellfocus conjuration
greater spellfocus trans
greater spellfocus conjuration
spellfocus evocation
greaterspellfocus evocation
Epic(21-40):
Epic spellpen
Epic Transmutation
Epic Conjuration
Epic Evocation
Greater Wisdom 1 - 5 (take those esp. on the Druid bonus feats)
Epic Fortitude/Reflex (As HC take reflex right away and/or with the optimal starting stats take Reflex!)
Metamagic Extend
Legendary(41-60):
Legendary Spellpen
Legendary Transmutation
Legendary Abjuration
Greater Wisdom 6+7
Greater Ruin
Legendary Spellfocus Evocation
Paragonfeats(61-80):
Paragon Spellfocus Evocation
Paragon Spellknowledge Evocation (2x Immute, Burn in Veil Paraepic)
Paragon Spellfocus Transmutation
Great Wisdom 8
Great Wisdom 9
Paragon Spellpenetration
OR:
If you prefer the conjuration you could instead of LSF Abjuration and Great Wis 8+9, take LSF Conj then take PSF and PSK Conjuration for Weaponspren and double use of the Shroud Epic.
Saves at lvl 60 in +14 gear and +20 saveboost (pre demi without and with the savesfeat swap)
Fort 62/58
Reflex 44/48
Wil 72 (insane
Final saves with lvl 80 in +16 gear doubledemi
Fortitude 65
Reflex 60
Will 84
Epic spellbook: Abjuration
Artifact: Wisdom artifact
Ego: Casterlevel (gives the best bonuses to this build), though a DC one will work just fine as well.
Spells
There is hardly THE spellsetup but I will try and give a general advice on what to use. This might have to be adjusted, depending on the run and group you are going with.
For level 9s keep 3 Massheals and Storm of Vengeance ready at all times. The rest should be around 10 to 12 CiS and the rest Elemental storm and/or extended Reverse Gravity OR Natures Balance extended if you don´t have enough level 8 spellslots.
For level 8 get 2 premonition for defence buffing and 2-3 extended Aura of vitality (great buff for you, the party and summons) The rest will pretty much be natures balance. You should have around 25 of those memorized. At the beginning without the right castergear you will have to use several of your level 9 slots as well to reach that amount.
Level 6 and 7 will hold alot of your drowns and crumbles (extended) spells and at the start you will mainly have to choose either one. The drowns change in higher levels to a medium are efect, so they will not affect just one monster, similar to that of implosions and get´s rid of alot of "trash" mobs. There are some buff spells and very important the "font of restoration, level 7 spell" in there. try and keep 4 or 5 of those in your slots, because they grant an area effect, that restores you and everyone of your party in it every round by a certain chance. On level 6 you should have 5 stoneholds memorized as well. This spell is a big cloud, which will entrap monsters in it and keep them from moving around.
Level 5 is a bit open. Besides some personal buffs I often have Ice Storm or extended infestation of maggots (for aboleths) in there memorized and the font of resistance (4-5), which grants some stacking elemental resistances of choice for everyone in its radius.
Level 4 you will have several freedom of movements for yourself and needy tanks. Adjust it to what you need (3-4 for yourself at least). Masscamoflage gives a good concealment boost to everyone and yourself (4-5). Last Breath (3-4) and the rest in Call of Stone (or infestation of maggots with necro focus item. very needed for aboleths).
Level 3 holds the Font of Vision, which grants stacking attack bonus to all in its radius and are a nice boost for your tanks. Also you will have alot of Caustic Weapons in there, as the acid weapon buff for the tanks.
Level 2 3-4 Barskins (good natural ac boost up to +17) and one "one with the land" spell. That one will allow you to teleport to a save free rest zone in outdoor areas (very handy in rona and ely). The rest is Desert Shirocco to gust off winds or clouds.
Level 1 holds besides the personal buffs 2/3 grease and 1/3 entangle.
Harcore builders
As a HC toon go with the stats progression as seen below, right from the start and take the epic reflexfeat instead of fortitude in epic levels.
str 8/10
dex 13/9
con 11/14
wis 18/23
int 14/14
cha 8/8
Skills:
Spellcraft - 50
Craft Armor - Max
Heal - Max
You might wanna play around with the Paragonskills to boost some of your skills to medigate penalties. In that case I recommand to not drop/lower Animal Empathy and Heal. I have not tested this and if someone comes up with a better skillspread for that (HC esp.) feel free to post it and ill work that in here.
Like all others if u have some input, ideas or critics on it I`d luv to read it.