But if you are quick (small Recovery) and speedy enough (megahigh Speed), they miss too often and often never have a chance to kill anyone in your party. I.e. in general you kill them first, both in real-time and turn-base modes. A Druid can never master Staff. But he can master Earth Magic to Slow monsters and master Daggers to beat triple damage once in a while.
Mind that Mister R. Wise has Speed 240 and Recovery 40.
A Solo Druid has a lot of resources to outdo Mr. Wise in stats and finally kill him. The ultimate question is If Solo Druid then When and at What level?
And - yes - you always can find a Paralize Wand.