Druid shapechange

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I just got my new copy of IWD2 yesterday, but I haven't gotten far enough in the game to have a druid that can shapechange. (I'm just barely starting the FedEx quests in Targos, in fact.) I therefore have a question for the forums:

The Deep Gnomse racial bonus to AC is generic (even though the in-game documentation says it's a "dodge bonus"). Does it stack with druid shapechange?

Also, is the bonus to AC from various transformed animal forms an armor bonus or a generic bonus? What about the elemental forms?

I'm just wondering whether a transformed druid (+monk mixin) could make a good tank/decoy for a HoF party. It would be novel and maybe fun, and he could Barkskin himself, which saves on party slots.

-Max

 

You must be new.

Yes, the Deep Gnome armor bonus is generic, so it will stack with just about anything.

I always play with at least one Druid/Monk in my party, because their AC can become wickedly high. There are a lot of different builds that utilize this combination, and many threads here that discuss it. I would suggest reading through a few of them to find a build that works for you. Please note that there's no Natural Spell feat in the game, so any casting would have to take place before changing shape.

 

Okay, I just wasn't sure if the Druid shapechange somehow overwrote your racial bonuses. I.e. if I'm an Arctic Boar, am I still a Deep Gnome?

Is the AC bonus from shapechange generic or armor?

-Max

 

Armor, sadly. Base armor I think... there'd basically be no AC bonus unless the form you chose has higher Dex than your armored base form (although some forms have higher base armor than others iirc). Anyway all forms have low AC (HoF-wise). They can probably reach decent AC with spells, but never tank/decoy AC.

Shapechanging is best used pre-HoF or when you need the stat bonuses/resistances I think.

 

Or if you use that mod that gives you access to the more powerful shapes.

 

The act of shapechange actually OVERWRITES your stats in the following categories: STR, DEX and CON and further Armor, Shield, Deflection and Generic armor bonus. DEX and WIS AC bonus remains intact, although your DEX changes as well. Thus you gain no extra bonus for being a Deep Gnome if you shapechange, and none of your worn items matter either. You don't benefit from Dodge/Expertise either.

The AC bonus from the various shapeshifts is Generic, so you can further boost it by casting Spirit/Ghost Armor and buffing your new base DEX score with Cat's Grace. However, you'll still fall severely short of anything even remotely decent for AC in HOF mode.

 

The mod he refers to is Ease-of-use mod component 'Alternative Druid Shapechanges'. The animals and elementals of the original game are replaced by giants, monsters and half-dragons. The elemental half-dragon at level 21 is obscenely powerful; more powerful than any warrior could ever become. It's no fun anymore - game breaking even. 40STR, high CON and DEX, wielding a 2d6+4 2-handed sword that does an extra 2d6 damage in ALL 4 elements...
If your focus is on AC, then the original game's Air Elemental (lvl 22) offered the best form for this, with AC in the 40s even without buff spells.
If you're using the Tactics4IWD2 mod, then your characters will get some surprises in Heart of Fury mode:

Another special thing that happens, is that the 8 chambers challenges in the monastery will become 'protected': Spellcasting will be disabled for your characters, so besides casting buffs beforehand, no spells can be cast, not even abilities! One great trick I discovered, was that a druid can go in already shapeshifted, but only if his attack is 1-handed. The Verbeeg and Fomorian Giant transformations were useful for this, but I don't know if any of the original shapeshifts would qualify...

 

Thanks, Sir Rechet. I was hoping someone would know that kind of detail.

In that case I probably don't need a Monk mixin on my druid/bard, I should just rely on Blink/Improved Invisibility/Mirror Image and running away. (With any luck, it will turn out that Blink spell failure doesn't apply to divine spells.)

-Max