Druid: Caster, Shifter, or both?

[Huggable Cube]

Hey,

I'm playing a druid for the first time and was wondering whether I should be focusing more on casting spells or shifting in to beast form (cat). I know I can do both, though not at the same time, but is one vastly superior to the other or are both perfectly viable?

[back_buffer]

Both are viable. However, there are plenty of other spell casting classes and only one shapeshifter so I usually focus on shifting.

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

The answer may largely depend on chosen difficulty mode and what roles the companions fill. Spiritshift form seems powerful, but doesn't last long. And the higher difficulty modes enhance the stats of foes quite a bit.

[back_buffer]

Originally posted by D'amarr from Darshiva:

The answer may largely depend on chosen difficulty mode and what roles the companions fill. Spiritshift form seems powerful, but doesn't last long. And the higher difficulty modes enhance the stats of foes quite a bit.

This is a good point. Also, druid casters are good at AoE damage. This becomes more powerful on higher difficulties because encounters have more enemies.

Either way, I would still say that both are viable as long as you're making choices that make sense. For example, your caster will want a lot of Int for those big AoE's, while your shifter will probably want more Con since they'll be in the front.

[blue_eyed_boy]

I find shifting to be too limited to be your main option. It is time-limited so in large fights, you can end up surrounded just as you shift back to your normal squishy form. I prefer to focus on being a powerful spell caster (druids have some really excellent spells) and using shape shift as an option when melee is unavoidable, or when the tide has turned and you want to mop up. But the watcher has so many options, once you add in gear, soulbound weapons, watcher-only abilities, buffs and so on, that almost any build is playable.

[Ace]

This one is really strong and its fun too. https://forums.obsidian.net/topic/86064-class-build-the-thundercat-or-crit-me-maybe-on-more-time/

[D'amarr from Darshiva]

Eeew, that one is based on some temporary attribute bonuses from resting at an inn. That's questionable practice, if build authors do that. Druid class traits also include "very low" Endurance and "low" Health, and if advertizing a build for PotD, enemy casters can one-shot kill even other classes with higher base endurance. Reducing CON to 9 and dumping RES to 4 shifts the load on companions - they will need to save the show.

If getting in this game the unique and permanent Might bonuses, which depend on Cruel/Aggressive(/Deceptive) disposition and are a highly recommended option for other classes, too, one can shift the attributes into a different direction: A Watcher with permanent 24 Might with an additional +4 Might from equipment. Aumaua 20 MIG from Living Lands +1, Gift of the Machine +1, Effigy's Resentment Eder +1 (due to disposition choices that shouldn't be considered any problem), Galawain's Boon +1 and Maegfolc Skull +4. Even at Might 24, that's a +42% damage/healing bonus already. And any damage dealer, who can count on some body guard companions, will benefit from that.

[psychotron666]

Honestly shifting in either game is extremely underwhelming. In any new plays, my druids never shift once, seems to be a waste of time and loss of good action economy.

[Diomedes]

There's a soul bound wand you get early on in the game, which has a stat that refreshes your spirit shift.. So you effectively have two spirit shifts in battle..
And Spirit shifts can hit for A MASSIVE amount of damage.

[Diomedes]

Originally posted by psychotron666:

Honestly shifting in either game is extremely underwhelming. In any new plays, my druids never shift once, seems to be a waste of time and loss of good action economy.

yeah I don't understand this, especially for the second game.. Shapeshifter druid is a incredibly powerful multi class with something like a barbarian, monk or rogue.. There are a ton of powerful aoe lightning spells you cast, then go into spirit form. You're also incredibly tanky due to a massive amount of hit points being regen when you change forms.