I am looking forward to playing Circle of the Moon Druid when the revised 5e Players Handbook comes out but I have a number of concerns regarding gameplay especially as the characters level. Most of those concerns come from single idea, scaling. Character scale in different ways so here are a few concerns.
ACCURACY- This one comes up in discussion repeatedly.
At level 3 Wild Shape forms have a +5 to hit. Other player will likely have a +3 Stat Modifier and +2 Proficiency meaning they too will have a +5
At level 4 characters get a Feat that increases an attribute, for most this means they will have a Stat Modifier of +4, so a +6 to hit, Circle of the Moon Druids are now at a -1
At level 5 proficiency mod goes up. Other characters are now at a +7, Moon Druids are at a -2
At level 6 new forms, assuming a +6 to hit, Moon Druids are at a -1
This continues with the druid spending levels at -2 with a few at -1.
Now hitting is more fun than missing but we can't look at accuracy in a vacuum. We have to consider damage dealt, ability to gain advantage through a familiar, knocking prone and Moonlight Step. Moon Druids are primary casters so spells play a large role in our abilities. Not sure if this has to be addressed, let's see how it work in play and decide later.
EQUIPMENT- Characters advance through gain of experience and the acquisition of equipment. Moon Druids can often be left far behind by the latter. With only vague rules regarding what works and potential table variation it can make it hard to predict what will and wont work and whether any particular item can be used. This means druids can lose a whole advancement path. This gear is critical for accuracy, damage, Spell DCs, saving throws and all the basic game mechanics. Right now Moon Druids will fall behind.
Suggestion - Could Moon Druids be able to use attuned gear even while Wild Shaped? It would put some limit but provide a way within the rules to at least guarantee some use of gear. Another option, and one that we might see in the DMG, is items that specifically work with Wild Shape. Armor that provides its magical bonus while shaped, Amulets that improve beast form attacks and Spell DCs like the Moon Sickle, vestments that increase Wild Shape temporary hit points, Just need item equivalents to what other players might find.
OPTIONS - The revised 5e book offers several CR 1 monsters, a single CR 4 and no CR 2, 3, 5 or 6 options. 5e offered very few options beyond CR 2. This means as you level, you can do less and less with your signature ability. Furthermore, you lose that ability to create a certain flavor of Moon Druid, like a Cat Druid or a Bear Druid, because you dont have options at higher level and become stuck with Elephant or Dinosaur. We may be limited on how many forms we know at a given time, but the game needs to offer as many options at level 18 as it does at level 3.
Suggestions - In past editions, Wizards had created additional animal tiers. We had Giant and Dire, but at one point they also had legendary. Also some monstrosities could really be considered modified beasts and have their type adjusted. We haven't seen the new Monster Manual so this might happen. I think having more beast tiers could go along way to solving this problem. For example you could have a CR 1 Brown Bear, a CR 2 Cave Bear a CR 3 Dire Bear a CR 5 Primal Bear and a CR 6 Legendary Bear. You would in fact create pseudo-templates where the base abilities of the species didn't change just its relative stats to its CR.
SIZE - Imagine you are a 13th level Rogue and your step into a dungeon and the DM tells you your sneak attack is limited to 3d6. Image your a 13th level Wizard and you go into a scenario and the GM tells you, sorry you can't cast spells above 4th level. This is what it can be like to play a Moon Druid in some scenarios. The problem is that as you level up the forms get bigger. Meaning your ability to use them becomes limited. Can't do any CR 4 or higher forms in a 10' wide hallway. Sorry you can't get into melee because there is no space for a huge creature. This can be very frustrating and considering how lower level forms are locked into specific stats means you might have to use a CR 2 form in a CR 6 encounter. Now your AC and HP are the still buffed equally but your attacks are basically useless.
Suggestions - More options, including smaller but higher level CR forms would be useful. Animals like the badger and wolverine could be used with dire or stronger versions to allow similar stats on a smaller creature. Dire options should not increase size on some larger animal just relative power. Some other options could be introduced like above with the higher version not increasing size. In previous editions legendary versions were the same size as regular just more powerful. You could assume the form of a medium wolf, but it would hit with the power of a mammoth.
OPTIONS - The revised 5e book offers several CR 1 monsters, a single CR 4 and no CR 2, 3, 5 or 6 options. 5e offered very few options beyond CR 2. This means as you level, you can do less and less with your signature ability. Furthermore, you lose that ability to create a certain flavor of Moon Druid, like a Cat Druid or a Bear Druid, because you dont have options at higher level and become stuck with Elephant or Dinosaur. We may be limited on how many forms we know at a given time, but the game needs to offer as many options at level 18 as it does at level 3.
The 2024 PHB says:
"When choosing new forms you may look in the monster manual or elsewhere for eligable beasts if your Dungeon Master permits you to do so"
If you want to play a 2014 druid you have to discuss with your DM what beasts "you have seen". For 2024 you do not have to have such a discussion with the DM if you are playing a non moon druid as there are plenty of options in the PHB to choose between. If you are playing a moon druid, at least if you expect to go past level 6 then discuss what other forms you will be able to select. If they say you are limited to the 2024 PHB beasts then moon druid isn't really viable but any sensible DM would allow you a reasonable choices uch as "Anything in the MM" (2014 or 2024 as appropriate) or "anything in official books except named beasts" or "anything published except dinosaurs and Onyx".
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I am looking forward to playing Circle of the Moon Druid when the revised 5e Players Handbook comes out but I have a number of concerns regarding gameplay especially as the characters level. Most of those concerns come from single idea, scaling. Character scale in different ways so here are a few concerns.
ACCURACY- This one comes up in discussion repeatedly.
At level 3 Wild Shape forms have a +5 to hit. Other player will likely have a +3 Stat Modifier and +2 Proficiency meaning they too will have a +5
At level 4 characters get a Feat that increases an attribute, for most this means they will have a Stat Modifier of +4, so a +6 to hit, Circle of the Moon Druids are now at a -1
At level 5 proficiency mod goes up. Other characters are now at a +7, Moon Druids are at a -2
At level 6 new forms, assuming a +6 to hit, Moon Druids are at a -1
This continues with the druid spending levels at -2 with a few at -1.
Now hitting is more fun than missing but we can't look at accuracy in a vacuum. We have to consider damage dealt, ability to gain advantage through a familiar, knocking prone and Moonlight Step. Moon Druids are primary casters so spells play a large role in our abilities. Not sure if this has to be addressed, let's see how it work in play and decide later.
EQUIPMENT- Characters advance through gain of experience and the acquisition of equipment. Moon Druids can often be left far behind by the latter. With only vague rules regarding what works and potential table variation it can make it hard to predict what will and wont work and whether any particular item can be used. This means druids can lose a whole advancement path. This gear is critical for accuracy, damage, Spell DCs, saving throws and all the basic game mechanics. Right now Moon Druids will fall behind.
Suggestion - Could Moon Druids be able to use attuned gear even while Wild Shaped? It would put some limit but provide a way within the rules to at least guarantee some use of gear. Another option, and one that we might see in the DMG, is items that specifically work with Wild Shape. Armor that provides its magical bonus while shaped, Amulets that improve beast form attacks and Spell DCs like the Moon Sickle, vestments that increase Wild Shape temporary hit points, Just need item equivalents to what other players might find.
OPTIONS - The revised 5e book offers several CR 1 monsters, a single CR 4 and no CR 2, 3, 5 or 6 options. 5e offered very few options beyond CR 2. This means as you level, you can do less and less with your signature ability. Furthermore, you lose that ability to create a certain flavor of Moon Druid, like a Cat Druid or a Bear Druid, because you dont have options at higher level and become stuck with Elephant or Dinosaur. We may be limited on how many forms we know at a given time, but the game needs to offer as many options at level 18 as it does at level 3.
Suggestions - In past editions, Wizards had created additional animal tiers. We had Giant and Dire, but at one point they also had legendary. Also some monstrosities could really be considered modified beasts and have their type adjusted. We haven't seen the new Monster Manual so this might happen. I think having more beast tiers could go along way to solving this problem. For example you could have a CR 1 Brown Bear, a CR 2 Cave Bear a CR 3 Dire Bear a CR 5 Primal Bear and a CR 6 Legendary Bear. You would in fact create pseudo-templates where the base abilities of the species didn't change just its relative stats to its CR.
SIZE - Imagine you are a 13th level Rogue and your step into a dungeon and the DM tells you your sneak attack is limited to 3d6. Image your a 13th level Wizard and you go into a scenario and the GM tells you, sorry you can't cast spells above 4th level. This is what it can be like to play a Moon Druid in some scenarios. The problem is that as you level up the forms get bigger. Meaning your ability to use them becomes limited. Can't do any CR 4 or higher forms in a 10' wide hallway. Sorry you can't get into melee because there is no space for a huge creature. This can be very frustrating and considering how lower level forms are locked into specific stats means you might have to use a CR 2 form in a CR 6 encounter. Now your AC and HP are the still buffed equally but your attacks are basically useless.
Suggestions - More options, including smaller but higher level CR forms would be useful. Animals like the badger and wolverine could be used with dire or stronger versions to allow similar stats on a smaller creature. Dire options should not increase size on some larger animal just relative power. Some other options could be introduced like above with the higher version not increasing size. In previous editions legendary versions were the same size as regular just more powerful. You could assume the form of a medium wolf, but it would hit with the power of a mammoth.
white moon druids hail solartai
red moon druids hail luntari
black moon druids hail nutrati
black moon druids got evil dark side of moon
merlin the warlock
The 2024 PHB says:
"When choosing new forms you may look in the monster manual or elsewhere for eligable beasts if your Dungeon Master permits you to do so"
If you want to play a 2014 druid you have to discuss with your DM what beasts "you have seen". For 2024 you do not have to have such a discussion with the DM if you are playing a non moon druid as there are plenty of options in the PHB to choose between. If you are playing a moon druid, at least if you expect to go past level 6 then discuss what other forms you will be able to select. If they say you are limited to the 2024 PHB beasts then moon druid isn't really viable but any sensible DM would allow you a reasonable choices uch as "Anything in the MM" (2014 or 2024 as appropriate) or "anything in official books except named beasts" or "anything published except dinosaurs and Onyx".