THIS IS ASSUMING NO MODS!!!!

How are druids best used? Are they melee fighters, healers, offensive spellcasters, are they good with shapeshifts, or are they better with a dip into other classes (monk, bard, ect.)?

I want a druid in my party, but don't know how to best take advantage of the class.

What is the best racial choice for a druid?

I got a druid in my party who is a heavy shapeshifter (no overpowered shapshift mod), I love the panther shape, does so-so damage and can take quite a beating, plus I gave him a monk level which gives him +9 Armor class while shapeshifted (which makes my panther go to 29 IIRC).

The thing i like with shapeshifters is that you can give them sucky physical stats and boost their wisdom, intellect and charisma, they'll cast their spells in sucky form then shapeshift (booyah hello 27 strength, 17 constitution and 21 dexterity) and go shred people.

I wouldn't say that's a "powerful" way to play a druid, but that's certainly funny as hell. My current shapeshifter is a Monk(1)/Druid(X) but I made a Monk(1)/Druid(14) To get panther form /Warrior(X) he was a sucky spellcaster but had great +To hit and good HP.

[ November 27, 2005, 02:10: Message edited by: Dr Chocapic ]

It's a very nice combo though, Doc! I was thinking of making a Druid the talker in my party and skimping on the physical stats in favor of INT, WIS and CHA for that very reason!

Two words: Smashing. Wave. I don't care if it's not the most powerful spell in the game, it looks so cool and is the main reason I would play a druid.

If you are taking a Druid for his spells, remember to take GSF:Transmutation and GSF:Evocation as soon as possible.

More often than not, you will have to settle for Human since Druid is not the preffered class for any race.
Bard[11]/Druid[x] is an interesting mix where you combine 2 suppport classes in one. Singing Boars are also quite entertaining.
Monk[1]/Druid[x] works wonders for shapeshifting purposes. Adding Fighter & Ranger levels adds BAB. Rogue tasks can also be performed better in shapeshifted form.

My panther druid is very good at hiding which is fun but I wondered if you could backstab (assuming I'd add some rogue levels of course) while shapeshifted (seeing that you can't use the monk stunning attack)

I would suggest a half-orc barb/druid. Taking just 1 barb-lvl gives ability to use any weapon and then just take druid-lvls until all important spells are learned (about lvl 20). Then taking more barb-lvls for added fighting-abilities. This makes a good strong tank with very good spellcasting abilities.
The same can be done with a dwarf, switching barb-lvls for fighterlvls but the role playing factor of the half-orc makes that my prefered druid (a dwarf cares about gold, meat and beer, not the forest).

Fighter/druid would work as well, plus give you a bonus feat at level 1. Go the same route as Mudde suggests, one level of fighter, the plenty of druid. I like the fact you can use any armor, weapon, or shield.
Really depends on which way you want to play them, they are the most vercitile. Go straight spellcaster, backup blaster, shapeshifter, raging shapeshifter, singing shapeshifter, or frontliner.
My first time trough the game I had a ranger1/druidX who frontlined early, shapeshifted midgame, the developed into a great lategame blaster (Loved those summoned elementals).

Mudde, played a P&P dwarf druid, who lived in the underdark mushroom forests. Druids could live in deserts, underwater, etc.

@General Ghoul
I didn't mean that Dwarf druids are impossible in an RP-ing game, only that they are not that obvious. I've had a couple of Druid-dwarfs, but never played that long with them (One in a dwarf-only party and one in e pre-version of my usual party but sinse i need one cleric and one druid i usually play the dwarf as cleric since halforc cleric won't fit the style of halforc i want in my usual party.

One of the crappiest characters I ever made was a bard/druid. Personally I think this was the stupidest character I ever made. Far too spread out with skills etc.

Scion of storms, greater spell focus transmutation, call lightning, static charge - very big damage.
My druid beat all the battle squares without dying or saving and reloading between battles, a hasted polar bear with champion's strength and static charge is deadly, a dire bear even deadlier and he made good use of the mace of disruption later.

Add GSF Necromancy and finger of death later.

Currently he's using a magical throwing dagger with rapid shot feat and the massive halberd of hate(useable due to bull's strength).

Don't multi your druid before he reaches level 20, it will only cripple him.