Thoughts on the New Druid Hero?

[Kurgan]

Well, wallydubbs, I share with you most of your thoughts, but trying to "save" a bit this character, I think one approach could be thinking that the use of metal armour should be something rare for regular spellcasters like a Druid. The only exceptions could be the Elf, since it is supposed to be a High Elf, a great and legendary race of experts in magic (exception also suggested by the Advanced HeroQuest rulebook), and maybe also a Cleric, if we want to think they exist in the HeroQuest universe (Legacy of Sorasil videogame included one, so I think we can), who use to be a mixture between warrior and magical priest. Such approach could "save" a bit the weird (I agree) feeling of seeing the Druid wielding a Battle Axe. The rest of spellcasters should be far from any metallic armour, I think from lore point of view.

And about her spells, well, I have not played yet with this character, but the Shapeshift spell seems to be quite powerful. If the Druid is well protected until the last stages of the quest I think her attacks could be an important factor in the quest progress, but, yes, I agree, maybe it is not enough to compensate the power of the Wizard character.

Probably the most similar character to the Druid would be the Elf since it does not use to have any powerful attacking elemental spell, which use to be get by the Wizard, however the Druid has it (Shapeshift) and can regain it one or two times per quest, which is mostly equivalent to consider she starts with 4 or 5 spells instead of 3 like the Elf, which could compensate the penalization that she may not use metal armour and the Elf yes. Nevertheless, a Druid with Bracers and Shield will have 4 Defend dice in Defence, which is not bad, and by casting Shapeshift Spell she will get another Defend die... then I don't see her so weak, but as said, just speculation from my side, I have not played it to have a more accurate vision.

Interesting. Then again if the Elf picks Fire or Air, he powerful magical attack(s) (of course at the expense of valuable healing!). There are also the Elf Spells (in a few months officially again).

The Companion app reflects the print version...

[lestodante]

The shapechanging is what makes the Druid interesting to me, but rather than have it as a single "self buff spell", why not make *all* the Druid's powers different animal-forms?

Something like:
Normal human form: 1 ATK, 2 DEF (plus equipment bonuses as usual; limited to mostly Wizard gear?)
Shapeshift: Bear = 3 ATK, 3 DEF
Shapeshift: Tiger = 4 ATK, 2 DEF
Shapeshift: Eagle = 2 ATK, 2 DEF, 3 Move Dice
Shapeshift: Ferret = 1 ATK, 3 DEF, doesn't trigger traps.

Shapeshifting should ignore existing "human" armor and weapons (so no "+1 extra die" stuff) but be the Druid's *main* form of attack and defense.

I also thought it was so bad the only animal form available to the druid was the Bear so I did alternate spells featuring other animals features. Not a shapeshifting option but some kind of animal spirit helping the Druid.
Your solutions is also very interesting. And also I agree that any kind of weapon and their effects should be ignored while shapeshifted in an animal form. As the spell envelopes the hero's clothes, it should also make his weapons temporarily disappear until he returns to his human shape.

[wallydubbs]

illed the goblin and orc, where Drew found even more gold. Although they lost two compatriots they made out pretty well with gold.

I feel the Druid just got lucky through most of this, she didn't get attacked by any high profile monsters and she was mostly useless with that dagger, only occasionally getting a few hits with her shapeshifting ability. I wouldn't necessarily recommend her, she's only good for her healing spells but falls short after that. I feel the Wizard would've been much more useful.

[Kurgan]

The shapechanging is what makes the Druid interesting to me, but rather than have it as a single "self buff spell", why not make *all* the Druid's powers different animal-forms?

Something like:
Normal human form: 1 ATK, 2 DEF (plus equipment bonuses as usual; limited to mostly Wizard gear?)
Shapeshift: Bear = 3 ATK, 3 DEF
Shapeshift: Tiger = 4 ATK, 2 DEF
Shapeshift: Eagle = 2 ATK, 2 DEF, 3 Move Dice
Shapeshift: Ferret = 1 ATK, 3 DEF, doesn't trigger traps.

Shapeshifting should ignore existing "human" armor and weapons (so no "+1 extra die" stuff) but be the Druid's *main* form of attack and defense.

I also thought it was so bad the only animal form available to the druid was the Bear so I did alternate spells featuring other animals features. Not a shapeshifting option but some kind of animal spirit helping the Druid.
Your solutions is also very interesting. And also I agree that any kind of weapon and their effects should be ignored while shapeshifted in an animal form. As the spell envelopes the hero's clothes, it should also make his weapons temporarily disappear until he returns to his human shape.

I just had flashbacks to sega's awesome Altered Beast arcade game...

Wolf, Dragon, Bear, Tiger, golden Wolf...

[Stoner81]

I quite like the idea of expanding on the Shapeshifting ability/spell some more which could be neat so it might be shamelessly pinched xD

EDIT - Here is what I have made for mine;

Bear - +3 Attack Die, +1 Defence Die and -1 Movement Die.
Wolf - +1 Attack Die, +1 Defence Die and +1 Movement Die.
Eagle - +1 Attack Die, +2 Defence Die and may move through squares occupied by monsters (may not end a turn on an occupied square).
Ferret - +3 Defence and may Dash without using an action (+3 to Movement).



Stoner81.

[wallydubbs]

illed the goblin and orc, where Drew found even more gold. Although they lost two compatriots they made out pretty well with gold.

I feel the Druid just got lucky through most of this, she didn't get attacked by any high profile monsters and she was mostly useless with that dagger, only occasionally getting a few hits with her shapeshifting ability. I wouldn't necessarily recommend her, she's only good for her healing spells but falls short after that. I feel the Wizard would've been much more useful.

This is so freaking aggravating! I went over an entire quest expressing the limited advantages and disadvantages of this hero and this is all that made it to the forum! So angry, I have to rewrite everything.

[Kurgan]

Sorry man...Learn it from a fellow long-poster/wall of texter... copy and paste when it starts to get long or use the preview and edit... just in case!

[wallydubbs]

So I wanted to experiment with the new characters and after initially running The Trial with with a Wizard, Warlock, Druid and Bard, their failure epitomizes the need for the original heroes, such as the Barbarian. A heavy-hitter tank is invaluable to the team, which makes it understandable why he's usually consider the main character of Hero Quest.
I feel the new characters only shine when matched into the success of the preexisting heroes. So I decided to do a little experimenting:

Taking each hero card that I had at my disposal: 3 Barbarians (Male, Female & Frozen Horror), 1 Bard, 1 Druid, 2 Dwarves (Male & Female), 3 Elves (Male, Female & MotM), 2 Rogues (Male & Female), 1 Warlock, 3 Wizards (Male, Female & Mentor). Randomly drawing four heroes I'd start a campaign, we have more then enough to replace a fallen hero or a TPK.
The group chosen was the Female Barbarian (I named Barbara), the Druid (Named Drew), MotM Elf (named Link), and the Warlock (Annabelle).

I find the Trial to be the most difficult quest in the initial quest pack, I found the Barbarian to be the most useful hero but the Druid did very little to aid in the overall outcome.

The quest started out with Barbra drawing a Wandering Monster, all 3 heroes then took turns trying to kill this orc. Link and Annabelle both whiffed on their attacks, Drew managed a with her dagger, but it was blocked. Barbra only took 1 damage from both attacks before killing the Orc.
The heroes went east once out the door, Barbra and Drew kept rolling small numbers for their movement on the first four turns, so it was left to Link fighting the Orcs, Goblin and Abomination, with Annabelle providing ranged attacks. Another Wandering Monster was drawn and there was nothing useful on the torture rack.
Annabelle got some high rolls on her movement and managed to circle the central chamber in 2 turns, getting the layout of the dungeon (minus the rooms). The heroes made the decision to go to the eastern most room, the library where they encountered the Dread Warriors.
Under her Shapeshifting spell Drew only managed one hit. It was Barbra and Annabelle sniping from afar in Demonform that did most of the damage. Link DID try to put one to sleep with his water spell, but it rolled on it's initial resistance. However Link did take much damage from this fight and the previous rooms. He was already down to 2BP and needed to cast Water of Healing on himself.
When the Dread Warriors were defeated Barbra and Annabelle stuck around to conduct the necessary searches while Drew and Link moved diagonally upwards interrupting two goblins having lunch. One goblin got a lucky strike on Link, hitting him for 2 BP of Damage while Drew's extra defense from shapeshifting worked out for her. After killing them Drew found a bag of gold in the room.
Barbara searched the treasure chest, finding it's empty contents and while Annabelle found a Potion of Strength stashed somewhere in the room; but considering it's value is only in Melee combat, she gives it to Barbra.

From there the heroes decided to converge on the central chamber, Annabelle and Link from the North, Barbra and Drew from the South... This is where things took a turn for the worst. Drew and Link's timing was off, they rolled too short by the time Barbra charged in. Drinking her Potion of Strength, Barbra immediately tried to take out a Dread Warrior, but was only able to connect with 2 s. Drew and Link rolled short and couldn't make it into the room. Annabelle COULD HAVE followed her in, but only had 3 BP and chose the blast the Dread Warrior from the door, which missed. She retreated after firing a shot from her wand, hiding behind an approaching Link.
The monsters soon gave chase: Barbra was cornered by an Orc and Dread Warrior, which reduced her to 2 BP (Veil of Mist would've been useful; another orc stormed out of the room and attacked Drew, breaking her Shapeshift; while Varag ran up, having just enough space to reach the Elf, furiously reigning down with , Link only blocked one and was taken down to 1BP.

Barbra managed to deliver a final blow onto the Dread Warrior, but leaving herself open for the Orc's attack.
Drew failed to stab the Orc with her dagger and ran away.
Link's attack was blocked and he ran behind Annabelle giving her a ranged shot. She landed 1 hit, fleeing as well.

The Orc missed his swing against Barbra. Drew blocked an attack from her Orc, but Varag landed another hit on Link, killing him.

Barbara whiffed on her attack, failing to kill the orc.
Drew, again, missed a slash from her dagger, bun ran away back towards the goblin's lunchroom. She reached the intersection.
Annabelle fired another shot from her wand that missed, she tripped as she ran and stumbled into Drew after passing the corner, not having enough movement to pass her.

The orc brought Barbra down to 1 PB but was unable to finish the job.
The other Orc took Drew down to 4 BP.
Varag got two hits on Annabelle, or would have, but she cast Demon Wings on herself and moved diagonally ahead of Drew.

Barbra finished off the Orc finally with only 1 BP left. But the room was secure, all monsters out chasing the other heroes. The contents of the chest were Barbara's for the taking.
Drew's Dagger did nothing again and she ran down the hall. Annabelle, since turning the corner could no longer see Varag, but she had a clear diagonal shot on the orc, and zapped it down before running off with Drew. They covered enough ground that Varag could not reach them.

Drew cast Pixie on herself, regaining the Shapeshifting spell as Annabelle continued to blast away at Varag with her wand, finally getting a killshot.
Varag has been slain, but Felmarg's tomb had yet to be discovered. Up until this point the kill count is:
Barbara: 2 and 2
Link: 2 , 1 , and 1 (Abomination)
Annabelle: 3 , 1 and 1
Drew: 1

Annabelle is surprisingly doing very well keeping out of close combat and utilizing DemonForm from afar.

Continuing on despite the death of Link and Varag, Drew reapplies Shapeshift and she and Annabelle clear out the green skins fron the sorcerer's room. When Barbra reaches them (120 coins richer) Drew casts Life Force on her and Annabelle finds gold in the room from the treasure deck. They're ready to proceed.

The two skeletons in the next room are vanquished without any problems. However the same cannot be said when they encounter the Guardian Mummy and 2 Zombies. Annabelle zaps one Zombie down immediately but the Guardian lurches forward and gets his hands on Annabelle in the doorway, taking her down to 2BP.
Because of turn order Barbra and Drew have no way of attacking the Guardian and plan to fall back into the other room out of the undead's distance. Annabelle intended to follow their lead but twisted her ankle, only rolling a . She backed off as much as she could, but I'm doing so the Guardian followed her and Zombie made it to the doorway, preventing the other heroes from re-entering. Annabelle was unable to keep distance in such confined quarters as it took 3 movement to run around the Mummer. With the Guardian's extra attack dice, she was unable to hold her own. By the time Barbra and Drew cut down the Zombie, it was too late, Annabelle was dead.

Barbra managed to slay the guardian and the two searched the two rooms, both finding a Potion of Healing... But it was too late to save Annabelle and Link.
They finally made it to the tomb, clearing out the remaining undead without hindrance. This time Drew got the chest and Barbara's search resulted in a hazard.

There was yet one more room before the two remaining heroes left, encountering a Goblin and Orc in the torture rack room. These too caused little issue. Drew found more gold in that room. Barbra and Drew survived the quest.

Final Kill count:
Barbra: 2 s, 2 s, 3 s, 2 s
Annabelle: 1 , 1 , 4 s, 1
Link: 2 s, 1 , 1
Drew: 3 s, 2 s, 1

My final consensus on the Druid is that she's only helpful with small monsters while in her Shapeshift form, and asides from the healing spells she brings to the quest, she doesn't really add that much to the group. Her inability to wear armor is a major setback and I'd welcome the Dwarf's disarm ability over her any day. She has the same starting weapon as the Wizard with an additional 2 body points, but I think 9 spells are much more favorable by comparison.
I didn't mind the Druid as much as she's much more genetic then the Bard and Warlock, but after playing with her I don't see anything that makes her shine over the other heroes.

Oh I'll continue the campaign, but I don't see being a favorite character.

With a dead Elf and Warlock Barbra and Drew will need to find 2 new companions.

[wallydubbs]

The Trial is deemed as the most difficult quest in terms of body points, but the campaign continues for the Female Barbarian (Barbra) and the Druid (Drew) joined by two more heroes from the draw pool: Female Elf (Galadreil) and Female Wizard (Hermione), girl power!
Essentially for the Rescue of Sir Ragnar I somewhat get to experience the original heroes joined by the Druid instead of the Dwarf. It's an okay quest with only 1 trap so the Dwarf isn't particularly needed. Under the Shapeshift spell she's practically a Dwarf with a helmet, minus a body points and without the trap disarm ability. In exchange she has a few healing spells. It doesn't seem completely even but I'll run with it.

The Rescue of Sir Ragnar went on without any major issues, for the most part, in Shapeshift form the Druid was just another hero. Goblins were her main enemy in regards to her attacks, but Orcs stand a higher chance at revoking her shapeshifting ability.
The Druid may not be able to wear most armors, but carrying metal weapons is not forbidden according to the character card, so maybe there's hope for her after all.
I wonder though, would her shapeshifting ability also effect her level of accuracy if she was to buy a crossbow?
Although the Shapeshift card shows a bear, this may not be whatever it is she turns into... If Druid was to eventually buy a Battle Axe she'd be up to 5 attack dice, however most animals don't have opposable thumbs and can't wield such a weapon... In regards to a crossbow the Shapeshift ability could effect her eyesight, giving her a better chance at aiming, thus increasing the crossbow attack as well. I don't feel a Potion of Strength would help in crossbows, but this is a bit more questionable.

I'm not gonna go through the Rescue of Sir Ragnar with a play-by-play. It was successful, no heroes died and Drew carried her fareshare of the weight, since none of the monsters were more dangerous then an Abomination. The most effective of the 4 was Barbra.

[wallydubbs]

The 3rd Quest of the Campaign showed that 3 Experienced players could pass Lair of the Orc Warlord. Although it started with Barb, Drew, Galadreil and Hermione tragedy struck early on that left the heroes down a Wizard. The Druid had to pick up where she's been lagging and surprisingly, she did excellent.

After the first encounter with the 4 Goblins Hermione only cast one spell, Veil of Mist, to get Galadreil into the next room, which was being blocked up by an Abomination. After dealing with that Hermione searched for treasure but drew a Wandering Monster (Orc), whose initial attack dealt 3 damage on a wizard! Since the Wizard was last up in turn order this gave the Orc an extra attack, which did enough damage to kill Hermione, leaving the company short 1 hero.

The 3 remaining heroes continued on working together, never splitting up and this time the Druid more then pulled her own weight. Initially the Shapeshift spell came in handy, but once damage was done she had to resort to a single combat dice. Using the staff found in the Orc armory Drew rolled more often then she had with a dagger. Utilizing the diagonal attack, it was Drew that actually killed Ulag. Although Barbra dealt the first blow, Drew got the final strike. I'm pretty sure she did this to an Abomination early on. Her healing spells came in handy since there was an absent Wizard, healing Barbra when she needed it and herself with a Pixie spell.

The 3 remaining heroes had summed up a substantial amount of healing potions within the past two quests, I feel the next hero to join will make it a lasting group.