Question about Druid interaction with Armor

[Ascaloth]

Specifically, as to whether armor DR carries over to Spiritshift form. I've read in other places that equipment attribute bonuses other than INT do not carry over to the Spiritshift, so I was just wondering whether it's the same for armor DR as well.

 

I'm asking this because I'm pondering the viability of a Thundercat Druid variant that, most other things being the same, uses the Tidebringer robes. And is female.

 

...yes, I'm trying to out-anime Ydwin, how'd you guess? 

[dgray62]

I believe that no bonuses from equipment carries over to Spiritshift, with a few exceptions. One is, as you note, any INT bonus from equipment. This is simply because INT affects the duration of Spiritshift, and this is based on your INT when you activate it, prior to shifting. Secondly, if you are wearing items with spell holding that are triggered prior to shifting, you keep those affects in shifted form. This is why it is often recommended that spiritshift druids wear Sanguine plate. The idea is that you cast a few spells or autoattack, catch a hit or crit to trigger frenzy, and then spiritshift. That way you'll be frenzied in your spiritshift form, which is pretty OP. One exception here is the shod-in-faith boots. For some reason, the consecrated ground effect disappears when you shift. Probably best to give them to another front-liner. The same works for items that activate when you kill something, like the mourning gloves or tempered helm. These items are pretty great for spiritshift druids as well. The only item that directly affects your spiritshift attacks is the Wildstrike belt, which gives a 10% bonus to your elemental lash while shifted.

[Ascaloth]

I believe that no bonuses from equipment carries over to Spiritshift, with a few exceptions. One is, as you note, any INT bonus from equipment. This is simply because INT affects the duration of Spiritshift, and this is based on your INT when you activate it, prior to shifting. Secondly, if you are wearing items with spell holding that are triggered prior to shifting, you keep those affects in shifted form. This is why it is often recommended that spiritshift druids wear Sanguine plate. The idea is that you cast a few spells or autoattack, catch a hit or crit to trigger frenzy, and then spiritshift. That way you'll be frenzied in your spiritshift form, which is pretty OP. One exception here is the shod-in-faith boots. For some reason, the consecrated ground effect disappears when you shift. Probably best to give them to another front-liner. The same works for items that activate when you kill something, like the mourning gloves or tempered helm. These items are pretty great for spiritshift druids as well. The only item that directly affects your spiritshift attacks is the Wildstrike belt, which gives a 10% bonus to your elemental lash while shifted.

 

Thanks for the rundown.

 

So I assume armor DR doesn't carry over to Spiritshift then, making it pointless for Druids to wear heavy armor with the exception of Sanguine Plate.

 

How about effects like Martyr from the Tidebringer robes, and Second Chance from the Ring of Wonder? If the Druid gets KO'd in Spiritshift, do those effects proc?

[Boeroer]

Since when does Consecrated Ground from Shod-in-Faith stop when you shift? That wasn't the case when I last played a spiritshifter.

 

No passive bonuses from gear work when shifted. Just look at it as if you'd take off that item. Same effect. No DR, no stat boost like +3 to MIG, no Martyr - it's like you took off that item.

 

Only item that has a direct effect on your spiritshift performance is the Wildstrike Belt which "casts" a buff on you once you shift.

 

Battle-Forged, Silver Tide, Wellspring of Life and Death's Usher all work while shifted. Battle-Forged doesn't get the lashes from Wildstrike.

Edited October 13, 2017 by Boeroer

[Ascaloth]

Alright, so if it doesn't have Spell Holding, it might as well not exist on a Spiritshift-reliant Druid. Got it, thanks. Guess I'll have to think twice about giving a Druid little more than a robe...

 

EDIT: That said, this makes Raiment of Wael's Eyes looks like a good alternative to Sanguine Plate, if I want a Druid that can cast spells fast until it's time for Spiritshift.

Edited October 13, 2017 by Ascaloth

[Boeroer]

Yes, and the spell holding gear is only benefical if it gets triggered before you shift.  

[dgray62]

Since when does Consecrated Ground from Shod-in-Faith stop when you shift? That wasn't the case when I last played a spiritshifter.

 

I've been playing the Boar druid with high MIG, CON and INT that you recommended in another forum, and I've noticed that every time I shift when Consecrated Ground from Shod-in-Faith is active, the Consecrated Ground pulses immediately cease. This is not the case for other spell-holding effects such as Frenzy from Sanguine Plate. For this reason I put Shod-in-Faith on my Pally or Chanter, who are likewise front-liners. I never tried Shod-in-Faith on a druid before, so I am not sure if this is a recent change or not.

[Boeroer]

Wow, this is a bummer. I can't remember that this happened when I used it.

 

What about Greenstained Boots?

[dgray62]

That's a great question, but unfortunately I don't know, as I haven't gotten any minor adventures yet on this play-through. If I get one I'll try to save-spam to get the sacred skin quest, and I'll try them out and report back.

[Ascaloth]

Guess I'm going to practice some thread animancy and revive this for another question, since it's related.

 

Spellholding effects carry over to Spiritshift; what about Spellbindings? Could I, say, put Angio's Gambeson on a Druid, trigger DoAM, and then Spiritshift to get a superspeed werecat?

 

Another question; is it possible for a Cipher to cast Reaping Knives on a Spiritshifted Druid?

[Boeroer]

Alacrity and other spells work - also with potions and scrolls. Form of the Delemgan is a great spell to cast before you shift by the way.

 

The last question is a good one. No idea. I only know that you can't summon Firebrand or Rot Skulls yourself when shifted. Maybe it works but Wildstrike doesn't get applied? Because it's supposed to only work with the natural weapons of the shifted druid - but who knows?

Edited October 24, 2017 by Boeroer

[vanyel54]

No you cant summon reaping knives on a spiritshifted druid. If the druid has the knives, they disappear when he's transform.

Tested on 3.06.

[dgray62]

I got the Greenstained boots recently, and can confirm that, in 3.06, if Nature's Trek's is triggered, the effect carries over once the druid spiritshifts. So it appears that the Greenstained boots are superior to Shod-in-Faith for a spiritshift druid build.

[hansvedic]

What about Spellbind items during shifted form? For example, could you cast DAoM from Angio's Gambeson after shifting?

I suspect the answer is no, but I thought I'd check here.

[Boeroer]

No.

[dgray62]

To expand on Boeroer's succinct answer, you lose access to all equipped items while shifting. This includes the armors DR (spiritshift forms have innate DR), any item related bonuses, as well as access to spellbinds like Angio's Gambeson's DAoM. The only exception is the Wildstrike Belt, which gives you the Wildstrike Burn effect, a 10% boost to your Spiritshift lash, while shifted. Also, spell holding items  (like Sanguine plate) are generally good for Spiritshift druid builds, for effects that proc before you shift, such as Sanguine plate's frenzy, are maintained when you shift. The only exception seems to be consecrated ground from the Shod-in-Faith boots, as discussed above. 

[Boeroer]

No passive bonuses from gear work when shifted. Just look at it as if you'd take off that item. [...] it's like you took off that item.

 

Only item that has a direct effect on your spiritshift performance is the Wildstrike Belt which "casts" a buff on you once you shift. [...]

 

Used to be more elaborate before.

Edited October 30, 2017 by Boeroer

[dgray62]

Indeed! Just thought I'd summarize for the sake of those not following the various threads dealing with druid spiritshifting. BTW, I haven't been following the POE 2 news, but I am intrigued by the idea of dual classing. It seems that a spiritshift druid/monk dual class would be incredible, since neither class is equipment dependent, and both can specialize in unarmed strikes. I can't wait to see how this is implemented.

[Boeroer]

Transcendent Suffering doesn't work with the "umarmed" natural spiritshift weapons and that's intended (once read the dev's comment about it). So I guess it also doesn't work in Deadfire.

 

So the whole "unarmed" stuff (Transcendent Suffering/natural spiritshift weapons) can't be combined.

 

But what might work is to stack the Wildstrike lashes with Turning Wheel and Lightning Strikes. Depends how it's all implemented (scaling or when you can get them) but this could be really powerful. If you took Scion of Flame and if we also have a Wildstrike Belt in Deadfire this would mean +48% burn +24% burn +25% shock +60% burn + 20% raw (boar). That's +177% multiplicative damage with every auto-attack minus DR. You could also add +50% crushing lash from Torment's Reach if you want, but that would lower the burning lash a bit.

[vanyel54]

Clearly Druid/Monk or Druid/Rogue could be a beast on the field

As if the druid was not already overpowered !

[dgray62]

Wow! I can't wait to see how this is implemented in Deadfire. The piled up lashed would be incredible.

[Dr <3]

Clearly Druid/Monk or Druid/Rogue could be a beast on the field

As if the druid was not already overpowered !

You want to talk about druid/barbarian? Carnage with every strike, great healt pool, regeneration, bonus dmg if surrounded/wounded, bloodlust/boodthirst & frenzy?

 

But you are right: also monk(shattered pillar)/druid will be powerful

[vanyel54]

Oh yes i forgot druid/barbarian. Sure it will be painful

Let's hope we will have opponents with also take advantage of all these wonderful combinations.

I have to check in the board if there is any news about an upgrade of the difficulty in POE2.

[dgray62]

Yes, a boar druid/barb spiritshifter would be insane! You could cast relentless storm, shift, and then mow down the stunned mobs in seconds.

[vanyel54]

The multi-classing is a great unknown on many aspects of the game.

What about a Druid Stag Carnage / Barbarian ? I doubt there will be double carnage applied...