This is the first time I've had a druid in my party, I usually use a priest. I have to say, I love the druid class in IWD2!! Shapechanges are great, and a lot of fun/effective spells!

My favorites druid spells (that my character can currently cast)are:

Smashing Wave - Cooooool! Watch that wave bowl over your enemies!

Spike Stones and Spike Growth - Great spells for tight spaces, when only one monster can attack you at a time! Cast these on the monsters behind and watch them die!

Entangle - the classic standby...Used in conjunction with Spike Stones/Growth, enemies are tied up AND taking damage...All good stuff!

Well, that's all I really wanted to say...Any favorite druid spells/tactics? Any favorite spells in general? POst 'em here!

I know this is a high level spell, but it was one I used in every battle once I got it, TREMOR!! Also, Heal is something to use almost every battle as well.. and if you have a wizard with protection from evil, the summon natures allies 9 or elemental legion work wonders.. and as you said, spiked growth is an amazing spell, low damage but slow is a great effect. You're not gonna use shapeshifting that much in later stages of the game, but its fun, I love the druid.

I am another lover of druid. Certainly great class. One of the best spell was "Barkskin", for me. Great for buffing tanks. Most useful offensive spell is "Tremor", I think.
Shapeshifting is not that useful in the later stages of game unless you reach level 22 and get "Air Elemental", the monster is great.

I'm only in chapter one yet, Goblin Fortres, and I love the druids already. Nasty offensive spells at higher level that I heard of. But entangle, beast claws and 'whatever' Rain are nice, too.
Boost them with a cleric-spell and you get a nice melee char.
I chose one for once, just to try. I think I will get one in almost any party from now on

Seriously should we use a druid INSTEAD of a cleric?

Can druids in IWD2 cast Raise Dead?

A cleric can boost/restore and raise your other partymembers. A druid cant. So you might want to stick with the cleric, unless you want to visit a temple now and then.
Having them both is a preference to me.

I yesterday made a party with a druid, but I think that is a Cleric with less healer and more summoner.

Hmm,if they cast heal,that would be a reason to abandon cleric,and i dont think druids can raise dead(they couldn't in BG2)

I have to say, I like druids.

That firestorm has come in handy more than just once or twice. Firestorm, wail, wilting, and serious injury.

Good combos.

If raising dead is that important, Druids cast divine spells, so I believe they can use resurrect scrolls. Otherwise, I KNOW a Paladin can use Resurrect, and if you're really hard pressed, a Monk of the Broken Order can multiclass to a Painbearer of Ilmater. Put a point into being a Painbearer so you can use Resurrect scrolls, get a scroll case, and stock up on divine scrolls.

Personally, I prefer Clerics:
1) Druids can't raise the dead. (Not that my partymembers die often, but I hate being in the middle of nowhere, and having to wait till I can find a temple in case one of characters snuffs it.)
2) Spontaneous Casting, which is very usefull. Memorise for example Summon Fire Elemental, and change it into a healing spell if needed.
3) Clerics are allowed to wear all armors. (Unlike Druids who can't wear heavy armors)
4) Unlike the Druid's Charm Animal ability, the Cleric's Turn Undead ability is actually usefull. :grin:
5) And, being a Cleric has one more advantage over being a Druid. You don't have to hug trees :shake:

I mix my druid with Barbarian in his first lvls, a very wild mix!!!!

Druids can use scrolls of "Raise Dead" and "Resurrection", IIRC. I had a druid once and I do not remember exactly.
Whether they can use those scrolls or not, they are more useful than a cleric in most cases.
I would prefer a druid over a cleric almost always, for the fun of it.
Clerics are boring. :p