Underestimating Druids (is a bad practice)

(Dragon #119)

Carl Sargent, co-author of The Enemy Within, explores Druids in AD&D. Is his advice worth sharing?

What’s it about?

Druids are often overlooked, seen as weaker clerics, with their strict Neutral alignment a dealbreaker for some. Carl counters this by highlighting their fast advancement, more spells and faster spell progression, and utility as backup fighters with spells like animal friendship and speak with animals. The lack of healing spells is overcome upon reaching 2nd level. They are better healers than clerics gaining cure serious wounds at 20k xp instead of 55k for clerics. 

Carl advises taking speak with animals and animal friendship early to recruit a war dog—good advice I’ve followed. He explains a reliable level 1 spell load: detect poison, detect snares and pits, faerie fire, and speak with animals. For level 2, he highlights and explains heat metal, slow poison, and charm person or mammal as standouts. Druids gain key spells much earlier than clerics: neutralize poison at 4k XP compared to 55k XP for clerics.

At level 3, Carl emphasizes the power of recruiting stronger animals like bears or lions, which can overshadow fighters. He provides thoughts on the cyclical nature of 'balance' to help work around the strict alignment restriction and justify the adventuring druid.  Finally, he highlights the druid’s high Charisma and its uses.

Any new insights?

• Druids fight - vicariously through pets, outperforming fighters from level 1 with war dogs and level 3 with bears.
• You hit those key spells faster than clerics and can heal just fine if you can make it to level 2.

Should I share this with my players? 

Yes. This is a clear, practical, well explained 'how to play a druid' guide written by someone who has clearly done so with success. It inspired me to give one a go. This makes the ‘best of’ list.