Plant control build

[Knabbmaster]

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Plant control[/spellbookname]
[mage]Druid[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]4 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a08]1 x  Geyser[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]2 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNJ02]2 x  Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j13]3 x  Mana Flower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ06]2 x  Nightshade Lotus[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ03]1 x  Etherian Lifetree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNW01]2 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC06]1 x  Kralathor, The Devourer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC10]3 x  Raptor Vine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]3 x  Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC20]3 x  Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x  Barkskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]3 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e03]2 x  Bull Endurance[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e05]1 x  Cheetah Speed[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE06]1 x  Lion Savagery[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]6 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]2 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]2 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e23]2 x  Jinx[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e07]1 x  Cobra Reflexes[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e13]1 x  Eagle Wings[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ07]2 x  Veteran's Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q02]3 x  Bearskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ04]1 x  Druid's Leaf Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]2 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i06]1 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i21]1 x  Purge Magic[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i24]2 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i25]1 x  Shift Enchantment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]2 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]3 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

This is my build for the Druid what do you think I should change if there is some thing I should do different.

[V10lentray]

How is it a control build if you are not playing tangle or strangle vines? Strangle vines ROCK.

I would cut some of the rhino hides. also one, maybe 2 rouse the beast.

Also Flying and Rooted don't work how you would like it to. you can only make Kralathor flying.

Remember you also are trained in Level 1 spells, Dissolve, Rust, Geyser, Surging Wave.

I am not a fan of the nightshade lotus.

what about a couple seedling pods to use as diversions. They cost 2 mana to play (ring), if they pop and can summon a creature, bonus. if they get killed, at least they weren't attacking you.

[Knabbmaster]

How is it a control build if you are not playing tangle or strangle vines? Strangle vines ROCK.

I would cut some of the rhino hides. also one, maybe 2 rouse the beast.

Also Flying and Rooted don't work how you would like it to. you can only make Kralathor flying.

Remember you also are trained in Level 1 spells, Dissolve, Rust, Geyser, Surging Wave.

I am not a fan of the nightshade lotus.

what about a couple seedling pods to use as diversions. They cost 2 mana to play (ring), if they pop and can summon a creature, bonus. if they get killed, at least they weren't attacking you.

I don't really find tangle vine any good since my opponent often will teleport and I will have spent more mana. I could have one too finhish my opponent off but if that would be the case I'm probably wining anyways and I want too spend spell points on other things.

So many plant creatures have a good life total and they regenerate but with no armor they are easy too kill. Rouse the beast can be very useful too play especially on kralathor but also on vine snapper or raptor vine.

And yes the eagle wings are meant too keep kralathor alive.

Personally I am not a big fan of rust because it is easier too deal with than corrode but that's just my opinion.
Btw I did include both surging wave and geyser.
I didn't include dissolve because of the two orchids and my acid balls.

I love nightshade lotus simply because it gives me an free action attack. Orchids are better but you are not allowed too have more than one off the same conjuration in the same zone.

Let me tell you why I do not like seedling pod. It is because it have a cost of 3 mana it takes 3 rounds for it too be able too do anything and then in order for them too give any benefit I would have too wait a total of rounds and I think that is way too slow. Now you might be arguing that it only takes 3 rounds because of my ring but the ring gives no discount for spells cast by spawn points.

[V10lentray]

Have you listened to the MageWars Monday podcast on the Druid?

You spend 1 spell point on a tanglevine. you spend 4 mana casting tanglevine.

they spend 2 spell points on a Teleport (4 if not wizard), and a minimum of 3 mana to escape.

They are only allowed 4 teleports. If they waste teleports beaming themselves out of tanglevines, that's one less teleport they have to move themselves to hit you, or to put you somewhere you don't want to be.

Also you cast stranglevine during your final QC phase, so they can't act on it until it has already started crushing them and has grown larger.

sometimes a tanglevine is  not used on the mage at all but on a creature that you want to hold still for a round or two while you work on your strategy.

[ACG]

Let me tell you why I do not like seedling pod. It is because it have a cost of 3 mana it takes 3 rounds for it too be able too do anything and then in order for them too give any benefit I would have too wait a total of rounds and I think that is way too slow. Now you might be arguing that it only takes 3 rounds because of my ring but the ring gives no discount for spells cast by spawn points.

what about a couple seedling pods to use as diversions. They cost 2 mana to play (ring), if they pop and can summon a creature, bonus. if they get killed, at least they weren't attacking you.

Casting a plant spell for you is not the only benefit. For 2 mana, why not? (assuming you have nothing better to do) I always include at least 2 just in case.

You should include at least 1 dissolve. Not for armor, but for nasty equipment that you want gone. As a druid, dissolve costs only 1 spellpoint, so this doesn't require giving up very much.

And yes, tanglevines are fantastic. Knockdown + Tanglevine in a kill zone is a nice combo for dealing with flyers.

[V10lentray]

You absolutely need dissolves in you book. 2 corrosive orchid aren't going to do much versus a warlock with lash of hellfire or the priest who can turn light attacks into fire.

This is my druid build - Very aggressive and controlling at the same time.

[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname][/spellbookname]
[mage]Druid[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]3 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]2 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a08]2 x  Geyser[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA02]1 x  Force Hammer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]2 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNW01]2 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ10]3 x  Stranglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]2 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ12]1 x  Vine Tree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]2 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ03]1 x  Etherian Lifetree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ02]2 x  Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ08]3 x  Seedling Pod[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC20]2 x  Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC10]4 x  Raptor Vine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC06]1 x  Kralathor, The Devourer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]2 x  Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x  Barkskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE04]1 x  Brace Yourself[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e03]3 x  Bull Endurance[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]3 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]1 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNQ04]1 x  Druid's Leaf Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ08]1 x  Vinewhip Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ09]1 x  Wand of Healing[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i23]2 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNI04]1 x  Renewing Rain[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]2 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i24]2 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]2 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]2 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

[Knabbmaster]

Thanks for your advice! Do you think this is better?
[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Plant control[/spellbookname]
[mage]Druid[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]4 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a08]2 x  Geyser[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]2 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a09]2 x  Jet Stream[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNW01]2 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ02]2 x  Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ03]1 x  Etherian Lifetree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j13]3 x  Mana Flower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ06]2 x  Nightshade Lotus[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]3 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w01]1 x  Fog Bank[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ10]3 x  Stranglevine[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC10]3 x  Raptor Vine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC06]1 x  Kralathor, The Devourer[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]3 x  Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC20]3 x  Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x  Barkskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e32]1 x  Regrowth[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]6 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e07]1 x  Cobra Reflexes[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e10]1 x  Decoy[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q02]3 x  Bearskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ04]1 x  Druid's Leaf Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]2 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]2 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q16]1 x  Leather Gloves[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q15]1 x  Leather Boots[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1i28]2 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i25]2 x  Shift Enchantment[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]3 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]2 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNI04]1 x  Renewing Rain[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]

[gerni]

I think you forgot to include the Vine Tree.

Also, I think at least one Nullify and Force Push and a Creature without fire weakness are mandatory. Personally, I don't like Orchid/Lotus, since the attack is easy to dodge and the Dissolve/Sleep is too expensive. I'd rather take 6 dissolves. Regrowth and 2x Regrowth Belt is overkill. Regrowth is only worthy on your Mage, since all your creatures have Regeneration. If you need more Regeneration than that of your Tree Bond you are under heavy fire and want to keep Barkskin up anyways.

Spells to consider
- Minor Heal
- Force Push
- Wand of Healing   
- Defend
- Agony (so strong!)
- Maim Wings

I also noticed, that plants only are really hard to play. They are cost efficient early and fall off quickly due to their low mobility and their lack of armor. They are excellent to build up pressure but to keep them alive you have to invest lots of actions (the only option I like is using Brace yourself) and it is often not worth it - so I tend to use them to pressure and - if focused - let them die.

[Knabbmaster]

I prefer life tree since the extra two life is nice and my It allows me too use leaf ring.

I already have 3x dispel so think it would be a waste off spellpoints.
Thornlashers and teleports are in the book already as we'll as tanglevine and stranglevine so positioning is not really a huge problem.
Personally I think orchid and lotus are awesome because it gives me free action, ranged attacks with unavoidable trait and there is many creatures out there that might come in very handy.
I think it is important too always be able too heal and I wouldn't cal this an overkill.

I didn't include minor heal or wand of healing because regrowth is a cheaper also I have geyser.
The only time agony is really useful is against forcemasters but as the Druid I do not fear any.

I have life tree and 6x of rhino hide for a reason too keep my plants from dying too early also if I have a cople thorlashers in both center zones their low mobility won't make a difference.

[V10lentray]

Yeah you absolutely missed the vine tree -

whenever I build a book for any mage, the first thing I do is add -

2 dispel
2 dissolve
2 hurl boulder
2 Force push
2 teleport

Those are in every book I build, sometimes the teleports get dropped to 1, but rarely.

You have 2 much armor. The leather stuff is nice, but wasting a QC to put on gloves/boots is a waste of an action without a battleforge. 3 Bearskin??? What are you afraid of? You don't need the regrowth belts at all. and one eagle claw boots should be sufficient.

Barkskin is really the only armor you need. It has an upkeep, but also cantrips, so if it gets corroded, don't pay the upkeep, and recast it the same turn. the bearskin, the leather all of those items hold corrode markers, and switching bearskins out costs 2 additional mana.

Druid regenerates 4 life every turn as long as you have a tree bond and bark skin. the barkskin regenerates 2, you then transfer 2 damage from yourself to the TreeBond, and regenerate that damage off of the tree.

If you feel the need to regenerate 6 damage a turn, maybe you need to invest in a different strategy. which is why I include the seedling pods to use as a decoy, if they are wasting an action killing a seedling pod, that's one less attack on me or one of my plant creatures.

Also consider 1 wand of healing to remove conditions such as burns, rot and corrodes.

No Wall of Thorns - Force push? That's like the bread and butter of the Druid!

[Laddinfance]

My Druid doesn't use Wall of Thorns / Force Push. It's an easy combo and I won't deny the results, but it's not for me. Sometimes even the threat of force, has force.

[V10lentray]

I don't always use it.

Some times the ability and timing isn't there. But to play a druid book and to not have those cards in there seems odd. Force push should be in every book, and the Wall is only 1 spell point.

[Laddinfance]

Everyone has their own set of "should be in every book" and all of those "only one point spells" add up. The beauty of Mage Wars is that everyone can build the book they want. I will say that if you want to do Wall of Thorns / Force Push, then Druid is one of the best mages for it.

[gerni]

Well, pumping out creatures from the Druid herself is very action inefficient. You lose so many advantages whitout Vine Tree:

• you can't move the round you play a creature
• you need an action to spawn a creature
• you need an action to play the discount ring
• you don't have the option to create multiple Vine markers (hinder!)
• no options to Tanglevine/Stranglevine/Orchid/... from Vine Tree

So when going Plant heavy, I see no reason not to play Vine Tree.

Let me clarify on Regenerations and what i meant with "overkill". I don't think you need so many regernation sources in your spellbook, since Barkskin has the Cantrip trait. There is no creature besides your mage on which you want to cast Regrowth. Via Tree Bond, your mage has "2 regeneration" anyways. If you need more, because you are under heavy fire, you want to keep Barkskin up anyways. Regeneration does not stack and the enemy cannot get rid of your Barkskin, hence putting in so much regeneration is spellpoint ineffective. One belt or a single regrowth is more than enough.

 

I already have 3x dispel so think it would be a waste off spellpoints.

3 dispel can be enough, in my local group though, you would be plain dead if you have only 3 of them (Curselock, Forcemaster, Fellella BM or Druid, Priestess) either because you die to curses and Poisoned Blood or you can't handle huge buffed Creatures (esp. flyers).

Personally I think orchid and lotus are awesome because it gives me free action, ranged attacks with unavoidable trait and there is many creatures out there that might come in very handy.

Since you don't have a Vine Tree to deploy them, I think casting one of these sets you behind even more. Your play will be so static and using one or two Walls blocking away your Plants will leave half of your army standing around useless.

I didn't include minor heal or wand of healing because regrowth is a cheaper also I have geyser.

Geyser only removes burns. Tainted, bleeding (with poisoned blood), Stun, Cripple ... how do remove them?

The only time agony is really useful is against forcemasters but as the Druid I do not fear any.

Ok... (Hydra, Adramelech, Corazin,...)

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to talk down your book. But my experience (~15 Druid games) let me move away from a book in the style of yours.

Regards, Gerni

[Knabbmaster]

I've made some changes too my book. Do you think this is more solid?
[spellbook]
[spellbookheader]
[spellbookname]Plant control[/spellbookname]
[mage]Druid[/mage]
[/spellbookheader]
[spells]
[spellclass]Attack[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNA01]4 x  Acid Ball[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1a08]1 x  Geyser[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKA01]3 x  Surging Wave[/mwcard]
[mwcard=FWA04]1 x  Hurl Boulder[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Conjuration[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNW01]1 x  Bloodspine Wall[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ02]2 x  Corrosive Orchid[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ12]1 x  Vine Tree[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ08]2 x  Seedling Pod[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j22]2 x  Tanglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ10]3 x  Stranglevine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1j13]3 x  Mana Flower[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1w04]1 x  Wall of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNJ03]1 x  Etherian Lifetree[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Creature[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNC10]3 x  Raptor Vine[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC21]3 x  Thornlasher[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC20]3 x  Vine Snapper[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNC06]1 x  Kralathor, The Devourer[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Enchantment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1e29]2 x  Nullify[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e23]1 x  Jinx[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKE04]1 x  Enchantment Transfusion[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNE01]1 x  Barkskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e36]5 x  Rhino Hide[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1e01]2 x  Bear Strength[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX2FFE07]2 x  Rust[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Equipment[/spellclass]
[mwcard=mw1q02]2 x  Bearskin[/mwcard]
[mwcard=MWSTX1CKQ06]1 x  Eagleclaw Boots[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q09]1 x  Enchanter's Ring[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1q23]1 x  Regrowth Belt[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ08]1 x  Vinewhip Staff[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNQ09]1 x  Wand of Healing[/mwcard]
[spellclass]Incantation[/spellclass]
[mwcard=DNI04]1 x  Renewing Rain[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i23]2 x  Rouse the Beast[/mwcard]
[mwcard=DNI02]2 x  Burst of Thorns[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i06]1 x  Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i24]2 x  Seeking Dispel[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i21]1 x  Purge Magic[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i28]1 x  Teleport[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i07]3 x  Dissolve[/mwcard]
[mwcard=mw1i12]3 x  Force Push[/mwcard]
[/spells]
[cost]Total cost: 120 pts[/cost]
[/spellbook]