Druids and Animal Companion

[T3hRedMage]

Why not allow druids to use their companions too? Would they stack?

[Musekaze]

that was the issue, druids get all those buffs and letting them use their companion would be almost overpowering. rangers dont get any really good buffs, so thats why they get companions.

[Casas]

Druids weren't as bad off as rangers. Druids had their spells uncapped, that was their buff. I'd say it was very helpful, even though all the spells affected were tk-able.

[T3hRedMage]

Yeah, but the animal companion doesn't REALLY help a druid as much as a ranger. I was just wondering.

[Musekaze]

the druid's companion was meant to be a distraction so the druid could cast its spells

[Xianio]

I think Red means to use companions as a ranger does now, not as an actual companion there Muse. As a sidenote to this; a druids companion buffed can take down a low ac melee on there own if they don't spam kd on it, don't underestimate them.

Originally I was on Red's side in this but after thinking about it more I can't help but wonder why. Druids shouldn't be primarily melee's so it just doesn't make much sense to give them a +5 ab buff (for example). I jsut don't want druids going down the same path clerics have with all those great ab/damage buffs.

[Rafael]

The return of teh almighty clerics!Wait they are still there (Anyone won against deseths cleric? ) The simply take the ab buff off and it will be fine.

[T3hRedMage]

Druids have no melee buffs besides that Rage spell and Aura of Vitality. All their other buffs are FOR their companions.

[Xianio]

Ya I'm aware. But a pure one could gain a +5 buff. That's like giving them favor and druids are meant to be casters, not melees...that's why they have pets

[A95]

If we make that level 9 elemential summon (the one that does all 4 types) do something?

[Lord Mephisto]

What about adding this spell instead of Summon Swarm:

Unyielding Roots
Druid level 9
Duration: 1 round per level
Effect: Caster self
Saving Throw: Will negates (harmless)
Spell Resistance: Yes (harmless)
Description: The touched willing creature (caster self) grows roots into the ground, with the following effects:

The subject cannot move or be moved from his/her current position. The subject heals 20 hit points per round. All poisons, diseases, ability damage and energy drain are restored automatically. The subject gains a +4 bonus to will and fortitude saves, but a -4 to reflex saves. The subejct is also immune to knockdown and gains damage reduction 20/+5 and absorbes 10 physical damage per caster level to a maximum of 200 damage at level 20. The subject also gains the effect of a Barkskin spell, but a vulnerability to fire +25 % and -2 penalty to saves against fire based attacks. All creatures within a 15 feet radius except the caster self are under the effect of an Entangle spell for the duration of the spell.

[Rary]

Rangers were worse off and druids got 3 spells doubled in damage and drown back to normal or even better.

[Casas]

That would make druids that already had barkskin cast, possess a 50% fire vulnerability.

[T3hRedMage]

Yeah, that spell sucks.

[Lord Mephisto]

That would make druids that already had barkskin cast, possess a 50% fire vulnerability.

Obviously, it shouldn't stack with Barkskin if that spell would already be cast.