Perusing the problems many a beast has in terms of armour class, a solution (cheesy though it might be and quite frankly stretching your sense of disbelief a tad) is simply in magical armour and other accoutrements. The DMG (p 140) Wearing and Wielding Items it mentions that magical items will fit any creature regardless of size... or adjust themselves to fit their wearer. In these happy circumstances, donning the equipment in humanoid shape then becoming another will provide you with your armour, although you wont benefit from both armour and natural armour this may be an improvement. Is this silly? You bet! Is it more crazy than an elf finding magic armour a halfling wore and getting it past his shoulders? You decide.
So wear your rings as toe rings, and transform into bears, your jaunty gem band sporting amulet wearing Ursine form will certainly be more dapper than the average bear.
From behind the screens - Just say no! or at least consider if you want to have magical items with the strange ability to reform shapes carefully.
I agree Tim, it is covered, equipment doesn't just change shape to match the new form, I also agree that magical affects that change equipment's size and shape as some magical items may do, so they match the new form may be a thing and so change the dynamic for some people. Two effects in concert.
The DMG (p 140) Wearing and Wielding Items it mentions that magical items will fit any creature regardless of size... or adjust themselves to fit their wearer.
From the context, it's obvious that section is talking about wearable items resizing to fit humanoids. The last paragraph addresses nonhumanoids.
From the context? The text mentions on non humanoids! Trying to put rings on tentacles and it might work, but being unable to put boots on a tail. There are horseshoes in the dmg, They would I assume not be able to fit on something that doesn't have hooves. But, and here it is again magic items can resize to fit the wearer, so if your game features resizing items then they do resize and that is an unusual non normal event, plate for a dwarf doesn't normally fit a goliath who knew? So how does it work, when you touch it, when you try to stick your head through a hole that doesnt quite fit? so in either of these cases being in it and altering shape would alter the armour. Given this additional property that specifically tailors an article to its wearer then one could, could I repeat consider that a wearer that changes forms into a form that wouldn't be allowed to wear the item because it didn't fit, wouldn't have an issue because it both could and would in fact change with them.
... wearer that changes forms into a form that wouldn't be allowed to wear the item because it didn't fit, wouldn't have an issue because it both could and would in fact change with them.
From the rules on Wildshape:
Your equipment doesn’t change size or shape to match the new form...
It seems super clear to me. Even if your game does have items that change size, that adjustability doesn't extend this far.
Edit: I guess with a lenient DM, you might be allowed to wear something per the previous sentence: "the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size."
Wolf, I am aware wildshape doesn't change item size or shape, it has no magical tailor powers on a druids animal form, that sentence alone means your right, the other part of the equation is an item or outside force that changes its own size and shape to match. If you have an ability that alters your form but not your clothing, and clothing* that may (because magic items dont have to shape to fit) alter size and shape to fit the wearer the item is independent of the wildshape. If worn by any creature it shapes to fit it, if that creature alters itself it could shape to fit it unless it became grossly impossible to (your boots no longer work, the removal of your feet has made it problematic / Your bracers are no longer capable of remaining attached to your armless serpent form. However many animals can wear armour, they do for the most part have arms, some have fingers. Why does a magical amulet that changes shape to fit its wearer suddenly fail to do so and garrote a throat as a druid becomes a bear when they alter size? If the size alteration is slow, then it couldnt work, but your wildshape has an ability to overwrite the power of a magic items property.
My personal opinion of magic items is I'd decide what will happen with them on a case by case basis. If the magic item would alter itself to fit on the beast that the druid is changing into normally I'd let it alter itself so that the druid can use it while wild shaped. If it wouldn't alter itself then I'd have it either fall off or merge with the druid and stop working.
I'm playing a Circle of the Moon druid right now and as soon as he get's a magic item other than potions, he's going to pick and choose which shapes to wild shape into based on which ones will benefit from the magic item.
He’s 4th level and I’m kicking myself because I didn’t take the Magic Initiate feat at 4th level for Mage Armor because that spell would increase the AC of every one of his wild shapes. I’m taking it at 8th level though!
As far as magic items for him, I really only want items like bracers, necklaces, and rings that can reasonably adapt to his shape when he uses wild shape. He’s not going to take a cloak, for example, because it will be more useful to other party members than to him.
My DM tends to like lots of little monsters and they're just ripping through my wildshape HP at 5th level. So I talked to my DM about the possibility of dropping the concentration requirement on barkskin (for self cast only). Naturally there's some concern with that. He decided to compromise and give me a minor artifact (note that this was created verbally Johnny-on-the-spot so there's probably some kinks and tweaks that still need to be worked out):
Necklace of Fangs (A)
This necklace is made of the claws and fangs of large predatory beasts, leather, and woven plant fibers. The Necklace grants it's wearer immunity to disease and has 1 charge that is renewed every dawn. When the charge is used the wearer is protected by the barkskin spell for one hour. The barkskin effect granted by this spell does not require the wearer to concentrate in order to maintain the spell. When this effect is activated roll 1d6, on a result of 6 the charge is not consumed for the day.
I need to go back to him and see if he intended to have it adjust to any of my wild-shapes, or if I need to use it before I shift. Either way as a moon druid it's not a big deal as I can use the necklace then wild-shape as a bonus action, but I like to be clear about those kinds of things. I also need to clarify if it's an actual spell (which can be dispelled) or a barkskin spell-like-effect. I'm expecting it to be a spell, but my DM sometimes throws me a curve ball.
This was loot from the arc that we just wrapped up, so I don't have any useful feedback, but I'm very excited to try this think out.
That’s why I’m going to take the Magic Initiate feat at 8th level. Mage Armor gives an AC bonus to every wild shape for 8 hours without requiring concentration. It’s not as nice as barkskin, but it’s close.
Just remember Tim, unless your druid is just straight up not wearing any armor in the first place mage armor will not take effect if. And you won't be able to cast it in wildshape until LVL 18 (I too wanted to have mage armor for wild shape :/ plus it's a once a day thing so there's that too)
You can use one AC calculation (you may not combine them). For most characters, they'll use the AC calculation from wearing physical armor, but casting this spell (that doesn't require concentration) and then using Wildshape seems totally valid to me. In that case, you'll be either using the default AC of the beast that you wildshaped into, or the AC calculation of Mage Armor, which would be 13 + the DEX bonus of the wildshape form's DEX.
If you were to transform into a Dire Wolf, it has an AC of 14 on the monster stat block, with a DEX bonus of +2. With Mage Armor, you could instead calculate 13 + 2 = 15. Overall that's only +1 AC from using the spell, but may make a difference!
You can use one AC calculation (you may not combine them). For most characters, they'll use the AC calculation from wearing physical armor, but casting this spell (that doesn't require concentration) and then using Wildshape seems totally valid to me. In that case, you'll be either using the default AC of the beast that you wildshaped into, or the AC calculation of Mage Armor, which would be 13 + the DEX bonus of the wildshape form's DEX.
If you were to transform into a Dire Wolf, it has an AC of 14 on the monster stat block, with a DEX bonus of +2. With Mage Armor, you could instead calculate 13 + 2 = 15. Overall that's only +1 AC from using the spell, but may make a difference!
That's my math too Stormknight. Barkskin gives a better AC than Mage Armor does for most beasts, but it requires concentration and it doesn't last 8 hours. It's a balancing act between the two spells and neither one is necessarily better than the other one, but for my druid Mage Armor is the better spell overall. It's worth giving up an ASI.
Just remember Tim, unless your druid is just straight up not wearing any armor in the first place mage armor will not take effect if. And you won't be able to cast it in wildshape until LVL 18 (I too wanted to have mage armor for wild shape :/ plus it's a once a day thing so there's that too)
The Magic Initiate feat let's you cast a 1st level spell once a day, but Mage Armor lasts for 8 hours so casting it once will effectively last all day.
I don't believe my moon druid would be able to use magic items in beast form. To me the PHB is very clear on that and I wouldn't expect my DM to bend the rules as I wouldn't either as a DM in order to be fair to the other players. I do however cast mirror image and switch to beast form, my DM hasn't said I can't and I don't see what would stop this, espically great as it doesn't even require concentration.
I don't believe my moon druid would be able to use magic items in beast form. To me the PHB is very clear on that and I wouldn't expect my DM to bend the rules as I wouldn't either as a DM in order to be fair to the other players. I do however cast mirror image and switch to beast form, my DM hasn't said I can't and I don't see what would stop this, espically great as it doesn't even require concentration.
What do you mean by 'use'? Do you mean activate or wear? The PHB indicates you should be able wear some magic items, but is really loose on the guidelines for what the DM should permit:
You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size. Your equipment doesn’t change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can’t wear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form.
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Perusing the problems many a beast has in terms of armour class, a solution (cheesy though it might be and quite frankly stretching your sense of disbelief a tad) is simply in magical armour and other accoutrements. The DMG (p 140) Wearing and Wielding Items it mentions that magical items will fit any creature regardless of size... or adjust themselves to fit their wearer. In these happy circumstances, donning the equipment in humanoid shape then becoming another will provide you with your armour, although you wont benefit from both armour and natural armour this may be an improvement. Is this silly? You bet! Is it more crazy than an elf finding magic armour a halfling wore and getting it past his shoulders? You decide.
So wear your rings as toe rings, and transform into bears, your jaunty gem band sporting amulet wearing Ursine form will certainly be more dapper than the average bear.
From behind the screens - Just say no! or at least consider if you want to have magical items with the strange ability to reform shapes carefully.
That's covered in the rules for Wild Shape.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/classes/druid#WildShape
Professional computer geek
I agree Tim, it is covered, equipment doesn't just change shape to match the new form, I also agree that magical affects that change equipment's size and shape as some magical items may do, so they match the new form may be a thing and so change the dynamic for some people. Two effects in concert.
From the context, it's obvious that section is talking about wearable items resizing to fit humanoids. The last paragraph addresses nonhumanoids.
From the context? The text mentions on non humanoids! Trying to put rings on tentacles and it might work, but being unable to put boots on a tail. There are horseshoes in the dmg, They would I assume not be able to fit on something that doesn't have hooves. But, and here it is again magic items can resize to fit the wearer, so if your game features resizing items then they do resize and that is an unusual non normal event, plate for a dwarf doesn't normally fit a goliath who knew? So how does it work, when you touch it, when you try to stick your head through a hole that doesnt quite fit? so in either of these cases being in it and altering shape would alter the armour. Given this additional property that specifically tailors an article to its wearer then one could, could I repeat consider that a wearer that changes forms into a form that wouldn't be allowed to wear the item because it didn't fit, wouldn't have an issue because it both could and would in fact change with them.
From the rules on Wildshape:
It seems super clear to me. Even if your game does have items that change size, that adjustability doesn't extend this far.
Edit: I guess with a lenient DM, you might be allowed to wear something per the previous sentence: "the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size."
Wolf, I am aware wildshape doesn't change item size or shape, it has no magical tailor powers on a druids animal form, that sentence alone means your right, the other part of the equation is an item or outside force that changes its own size and shape to match. If you have an ability that alters your form but not your clothing, and clothing* that may (because magic items dont have to shape to fit) alter size and shape to fit the wearer the item is independent of the wildshape. If worn by any creature it shapes to fit it, if that creature alters itself it could shape to fit it unless it became grossly impossible to (your boots no longer work, the removal of your feet has made it problematic / Your bracers are no longer capable of remaining attached to your armless serpent form. However many animals can wear armour, they do for the most part have arms, some have fingers. Why does a magical amulet that changes shape to fit its wearer suddenly fail to do so and garrote a throat as a druid becomes a bear when they alter size? If the size alteration is slow, then it couldnt work, but your wildshape has an ability to overwrite the power of a magic items property.
My personal opinion of magic items is I'd decide what will happen with them on a case by case basis. If the magic item would alter itself to fit on the beast that the druid is changing into normally I'd let it alter itself so that the druid can use it while wild shaped. If it wouldn't alter itself then I'd have it either fall off or merge with the druid and stop working.
I'm playing a Circle of the Moon druid right now and as soon as he get's a magic item other than potions, he's going to pick and choose which shapes to wild shape into based on which ones will benefit from the magic item.
Professional computer geek
How is your Moonie shaping up Tim? And what items are you hoping for, for the forms?
He’s 4th level and I’m kicking myself because I didn’t take the Magic Initiate feat at 4th level for Mage Armor because that spell would increase the AC of every one of his wild shapes. I’m taking it at 8th level though!
As far as magic items for him, I really only want items like bracers, necklaces, and rings that can reasonably adapt to his shape when he uses wild shape. He’s not going to take a cloak, for example, because it will be more useful to other party members than to him.
Professional computer geek
Waterwalking bears are scary bears but Jumping bears are terror inducing.
My DM tends to like lots of little monsters and they're just ripping through my wildshape HP at 5th level. So I talked to my DM about the possibility of dropping the concentration requirement on barkskin (for self cast only). Naturally there's some concern with that. He decided to compromise and give me a minor artifact (note that this was created verbally Johnny-on-the-spot so there's probably some kinks and tweaks that still need to be worked out):
I need to go back to him and see if he intended to have it adjust to any of my wild-shapes, or if I need to use it before I shift. Either way as a moon druid it's not a big deal as I can use the necklace then wild-shape as a bonus action, but I like to be clear about those kinds of things. I also need to clarify if it's an actual spell (which can be dispelled) or a barkskin spell-like-effect. I'm expecting it to be a spell, but my DM sometimes throws me a curve ball.
This was loot from the arc that we just wrapped up, so I don't have any useful feedback, but I'm very excited to try this think out.
That’s why I’m going to take the Magic Initiate feat at 8th level. Mage Armor gives an AC bonus to every wild shape for 8 hours without requiring concentration. It’s not as nice as barkskin, but it’s close.
Professional computer geek
Just remember Tim, unless your druid is just straight up not wearing any armor in the first place mage armor will not take effect if. And you won't be able to cast it in wildshape until LVL 18 (I too wanted to have mage armor for wild shape :/ plus it's a once a day thing so there's that too)
Hey folks, Mage Armor doesn't care whether the character is wearing physical armor or not - it offers an alternative AC calculation.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/basic-rules/step-by-step-characters#ArmorClass
You can use one AC calculation (you may not combine them). For most characters, they'll use the AC calculation from wearing physical armor, but casting this spell (that doesn't require concentration) and then using Wildshape seems totally valid to me. In that case, you'll be either using the default AC of the beast that you wildshaped into, or the AC calculation of Mage Armor, which would be 13 + the DEX bonus of the wildshape form's DEX.
If you were to transform into a Dire Wolf, it has an AC of 14 on the monster stat block, with a DEX bonus of +2. With Mage Armor, you could instead calculate 13 + 2 = 15. Overall that's only +1 AC from using the spell, but may make a difference!
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That's my math too Stormknight. Barkskin gives a better AC than Mage Armor does for most beasts, but it requires concentration and it doesn't last 8 hours. It's a balancing act between the two spells and neither one is necessarily better than the other one, but for my druid Mage Armor is the better spell overall. It's worth giving up an ASI.
Professional computer geek
The Magic Initiate feat let's you cast a 1st level spell once a day, but Mage Armor lasts for 8 hours so casting it once will effectively last all day.
Professional computer geek
Mage Armor ends if the target dons armor.
I don't believe my moon druid would be able to use magic items in beast form. To me the PHB is very clear on that and I wouldn't expect my DM to bend the rules as I wouldn't either as a DM in order to be fair to the other players. I do however cast mirror image and switch to beast form, my DM hasn't said I can't and I don't see what would stop this, espically great as it doesn't even require concentration.
What do you mean by 'use'? Do you mean activate or wear? The PHB indicates you should be able wear some magic items, but is really loose on the guidelines for what the DM should permit: