Results 1 to 11 of 11
Thread: To dip or not to dip
-
2010-06-23, 07:54 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2010
To dip or not to dip
I am looking to play a druid, core only (PHB and UA). As a bonus I can inherit one item from my previous character, who was also a druid. One of his items is a set of wild dragonhide full plate. Will be starting at level 1, most likely as one of the party meatshields.
My question: is it worth taking heavy armor proficency? Or even a dip in fighter for the free feat plus decent weapons?
-
2010-06-23, 08:01 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2008
- Location
- England
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
No, you don't need or want manufactured armour or weapons - you fight by turning into a bear and eating people.
Druid is the one class in the game that only gets weaker if you take dips or PrCs. We don't talk about Planar Shepherd.
-
2010-06-23, 08:10 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2008
- Location
- USA
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
I'd say it's probably a decent idea just to take the feat for heavy armor; Wild will mean you can keep it when you wildshape, yes? +8 AC for the price of a feat is never a bad thing.
Starting at level 1, though, whether or not to dip depends on how long you're planning on staying at level 5. Levels 1-4, you'll be using weapons either way. Taking a level of Fighter would delay Wildshape until 6th; it's your opportunity cost.Last edited by Siosilvar; 2010-06-23 at 08:10 PM.
ze/zir | she/her
Omnia Vincit Amor
-
2010-06-23, 08:19 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Aug 2009
- Gender
-
2010-06-23, 08:22 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
Worth a feat? Yes.
Worth a dip? No.
A Druid 20 is pretty much the optimal build. Druids are plenty strong enough to give up something or other, but ultimately nothing is going to advance Animal Companion, Wild Shape, and Spellcasting, which means Druid is the optimal choice. There is at least one exception (the Planar Shepherd PrC advances all three), but that's hideously broken.
You certainly can dip - you'll still be quite strong - but you'll essentially always be giving up more than you get by doing it.
-
2010-06-23, 08:24 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Location
- Finland
Re: To dip or not to dip
You're getting a +4 full plate at level 1? Quite generous. I agree that Heavy Armor proficiency is likely worth it.
[Edit]:Lion of Talisid loses two levels of Wildshape progression, but 10/10 casting and animal companion. It's only slightly worse than a pure druid.Last edited by Greenish; 2010-06-23 at 08:26 PM.
Quotes:Praise for avatar may be directed to Derjuin.Spoiler
-
2010-06-23, 08:27 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jan 2010
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
As a general rule, neither the feat nor the dip is worth it. There are better feats, and every dip costs you a level of Druid, which is bad.
In this case, where you are getting a magnificent piece of armor at 1st level, the feat is a great idea.
-
2010-06-23, 08:31 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Dec 2008
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
So as many people have already said, feat is ok, dip is not ok.
Inner fear is your only enemy.
-
2010-06-23, 08:54 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
The only reason a druid would ever want to dip a fighter level is as a self-nerf, to avoid dominating over weaker party members.
-
2010-06-23, 09:26 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Mar 2010
Re: To dip or not to dip
Oh, one other thing, our games tend to stay fairly low-level. While I don't know for sure there's a strong possibility I would never see wild shape.
-
2010-06-23, 09:31 PM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Apr 2009
- Gender
Re: To dip or not to dip
All the more reason why the feat is worth it. That's a very good armor for level 1.