Any tips on using Hiravias?

[Yₒₛₕ]

I've been using Kana because his chants are op and so are his summons. But I wanted Hiravias in my party because he's funny and it's nice to mix it up. Most of his spells hit all targets including friendlies. So whats the best way to use him? Ranged? Melee?

[Alvin the Elf]

I gave him a wand. I generally can throw one or two of his spells before combat begins when enemies are at a distance.But I really don't like him too much.

[Herb & Bea Ehltée]

I used him to replace Aloth at one point, so I still had Kana in my party. He's really useful with spells that do Raw damage and for secondary heals when I've got Durance doing something else. I equipped him with a bow and used him like a less squishy mage.

[Ancient Toaster]

Spear, he casts spells then mixes it up in Melee if the need arises. I think Druids in this game are like hybrid fighter/mages really.

I give him Scale Male.

[Frank Wisdom]

Originally posted by AncientToaster:

Spear, he casts spells then mixes it up in Melee if the need arises. I think Druids in this game are like hybrid fighter/mages really.

I give him Scale Male.

Yep totally agree. In terms of great druid spells I always use, Dancing bolt, a first level Foe only Aoe that has a wide range and hits hard (for monsters without shock resistance). I'm not sure what level your at but since you asked (OP) about Foe only Aoe's it's a great choice and is low level but still powerful (I still spam it at level 12).

Also level 4 and 5 spells are awesomely powerful and versatile. Pretty much None are Foe only AoE but just position the AoE on a distant group of enemies (use a tank and hold spells to kerp them at bay and just blast them dead to great effect. The level 4 spell calling the world's maw is particularily practical for doing just that. It does good AoE damage and knocks all enemies prone. So while you spam offensive spells with durance and aloth, keep hitting enemies with world's maw and they'll be dead before you know it without being able to react. Bounties are particularly easy through that method.

I have Hiravias dual wielding a spear and a rapier when he's not casting spells with the two weapon passive. Also his spiritshift is good for off tanking and dealing high damage fot short periods during emergencies.

[Skyfall]

I love the little dude. I ditched Aloth and made Hiravias a pure casting druid. All his lightning spell will not hurt the party. So you can go crazy with them. His first level spell he can cast anywhere but the rest of the lightning spell center on him so he need to be somewhat close to action. He also has a variety of elemetnal and pirece/slash dmg spells you can match it to your needs. And he has great debuff spells as well. I love the little guy. Save the party more than once by just spaming every lit spell he knew.

[Planeforger]

I initially gave him a crossbow, but now he uses a greatsword.

I figured that having him up close to the enemies would maximise his aoe spells, and give his shapeshifting abilities their time to shine.

[Dorok]

I switch weapon and adapt his position to context. I usually starts a combat with him using a wand and in middle and cast spells when necessary, later switch to shield and weapon for various reason like:
- Defend back line if some enemies overloaded the front.
- Move closer to front for additional healing support
- Move closer to anticipate Shapeshifting.
- Move closer to anticipate some special casting.

But I can also use him for positioning for better casting and keep his wand, a bit like a Wizard. And I tend keep shapeshifting as a joker and then don't use it often.

[Mansen]

Knowing that the yellow zones do NOT harm your party can make all the difference when it comes to spells.

[Flip]

I started using him as a third front line figher/mage. Still at lvl 9 he hits like a damn truck in beast form. Usually sned him again far off mages or archers that need killing while my main fighters hold the line. Since I got him he is pretty much indespensable for me. Start out have him using a spear.

I use him less offensivly now, instead of spear I give him hunting bow and focus mainly on spells/buffs. The good thing here is that if a mob bypasses my main line trying to get to weaker characters I have him there ready to shapeshift and tear them a new one :D

Also don't forget he can also summon which lessens the blow of Kana somewhat. He can summon blights.

[Yₒₛₕ]

Awesome all great ideas. Going to put them to good use :D thanks gais.

[President T]

Originally posted by BURNINGPOO:

I've been using Kana because his chants are op and so are his summons.

Really? I got rid of him because his chants didn't seem THAT great, the summons were "OK" yet he rarely finished enough chants to even summon any :s

[Yₒₛₕ]

His reload speed chant is amazing if you're using the super slow reloading rifle. Also the summon skeles are good for distracting mobs as tanks and the Wurms summons do a ton of damage, also good for tanking. I also kept him in the back.

Also have Durance using a Crossbow I think so the reload speed helps.

[Kozzy]

Level him up a bit, I actually like him more than my Chanter now :)

[philosophercat]

He can turn a fight for me. When I'm taking on tougher fights, I'll set up a bottleneck in a hallway. If I can keep the front line strong, and perhaps have Durance put a seal down in front of them, Hiravias is free to use his AOEs on the mobs bunched up by the front line (for me, Ader and Pallegina).

[Trench Rat]

Originally posted by ||__Crayola__||>:

Originally posted by BURNINGPOO:

I've been using Kana because his chants are op and so are his summons.

Really? I got rid of him because his chants didn't seem THAT great, the summons were "OK" yet he rarely finished enough chants to even summon any :s

Same, I replaced him as soon as I got Grieving Mother. The only chant I found handy was the paralyze 4 count one but Ciphers have more practical abilities that fire off quicker.