Druid build with Feral Combat Training

[Big Daddy]

Can anyone recommend an optimized build for a Wild Shape Druid (Have the CotW mod). Not looking to cast any offensive spells with him, primarily just buffing himself/animal companion up. I've got a Smilodon as an animal companion suggest any feats for him also? Thanks for your help.

[Stink Bug]

What forms are you expecting to use? I presume you're dipping a level of monk for feral combat training, if so traditional monk is the best, and note that FCT only works with forms who's main weapon is the one you chose: "Feral combat only works for primary hand weapon, i.e. bite for wolves, smilodon, giant flytrap and dragons, claw for leopard, bear and hodag, gore for mastodon, slam for mandragora, shambling mound and elementals".

Which druid archetype? I recommend going for the planar wild shape (requires religion lore 5) and mutated shape (requires WIS 19 and BAB 6) feats for extra defense and one extra attack. If you're only using spells for buffing you can probably get away without taking natural spell. The skin and scales feat stacks with everything and is basically a free 1-2 AC since you'll have transmutation buffs on a lot. There's a lot of overpowered equipment so the weapon shift feats are probably worth investing in but it's a heavy feat investment and there are plenty of good feats to chose from for this style of character. Outflank for both your druid and companion of course.

[Big Daddy]

Thanks a lot Stinky, appreciate it! Yes I was planning on using Bear at 6 I wanted to dip one level of Monk, do one level dips in Monk still provide Wis to AC bonus in the CoTW mod? Btw I will grab those two feats you recommend they look good! I'm not sure on an archetype or if I should just stick with vanilla?

[Stink Bug]

Bear shape doesn't really do anything special or have much staying power, you're better off IMO taking Feral CT bite for Smilodon and later Giant flytrap or Feral CT "other natural attack" for the elementals/shambling mound, unless you're choosing bear for flavor. The latest version of COTW released yesterday also separated the monk AC nerf from the general homebrew "balance fixes," so you might want to update and set it to false if you want your char to have more Wis to AC than one per monk level.

For Archetypes, Defender of the True World is basically a straight up upgrade in this campaign compared to regular druid.

[Big Daddy]

Sweet thank you. What makes Planar Wild Shape good? I'm seeing it "you gain a +2 bonus on the attack roll to confirm the critical hit." Does it do anything else?

[Stink Bug]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Big Daddy:

Sweet thank you. What makes Planar Wild Shape good? I'm seeing it "you gain a +2 bonus on the attack roll to confirm the critical hit." Does it do anything else?

You get the Fiendish or Celestial template depending on alignment while shifted, which comes with elemental resistance and DR 10/Evil or Good (which few enemies in the game are capable of penetrating). If celestial you also get a smite evil usage which is very powerful against certain strong evil enemies.

Of course you could always aim to get AC as high as possible and not get hit at all, but even then I like to have fallback for those natural 20's. Stoneskin spell's not as good for DR but would be a decent alternative if you're getting hit a bunch still and don't want to burn a feat.

[Big Daddy]

Wow sweet. I was planning on making a run through the game on Unfair. So I think even with AC high as possible enemy my only need like a 10-12 to hit me?

[Big Daddy]

What alignment would you suggest for a 1 level dip into monk plus the druid I'd like to somehow make Planar Wildshape work Celestial work for him if possible. Thanks for all your great advice.

[Stink Bug]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Big Daddy:

What alignment would you suggest for a 1 level dip into monk plus the druid I'd like to somehow make Planar Wildshape work Celestial work for him if possible. Thanks for all your great advice.

Lawful neutral is a nice medium that also allows some excellent story/kingdom choices as well. After that first monk level you don’t need to stay lawful unless you want more monk levels; your existing abilities will continue to work. Neutral alignments also allow you to choose celestial or fiendish each time you shift.