Here are two classes that you might see access to take in Greyhawk.

* Abolisher (Lords of Madnesss): casting 8/10, companion 10/10
* Wavekeeper (Stormwrack): casting 9/10, companion 9/10

Each one has easy entry requirements and grants interesting powers.

--- In LG_Druids@yahoogroups.com, "Peter A. Willis" <aslan@...> wrote:
>
> So in other words because R&D can't think outside the box they
> screwed up the higher level druid wildshape abilities. That's just
> plain ridiculous. And holding out hope for 4th to help is silly, a
> druid in 4th will look as little like a druid as the
> fighter/cleric/wizard/rogue do. (Oh please lets not make this a 3rd vs
> 4th discussion.) I'm curious is there a p-class that my PC can
> change to that continues my spell casting and increasing my animal
> companion but drops the wildshape increases, since that seems to be
> completely nerf!
>
> Pete
>
>
> > > Not sure what you mean with the drowning and all... If a druid from
> > an aquatic species (e.g., the aventi from Stormwrack) wildshapes into
> > a dolphin/porpoise, that character retains the aquatic subtype per the
> > Alternate Form ability. And if a non-aquatic race wildshapes into an
> > aquatic creature (e.g. a shark), it gains the (aquatic) subtype,
> > allowing it to breath underwater...
> > >
> >
> >
> > as he shapes into an air breathing creature (porpoise) with LUNGS and
> > remains his aquatic subtype dependent on GILLS he will drown, as the
> > type does NOT change to non-aquatic.
> >
> > for non-aquatics there is the specific exception for changing into an
> > aquatic creature but the R&D did not include this exception for
> > aquatics . . . . .
> >
> > ok, if you see a porpoise still being able to use his lungs as gills,
> > then imagine an aquatic wildshaping into a wolf . . . . . no change in
> > subtype ===> exitus!
> >
> > ciao
> >
> > martin m.
> >
>