I genuinely don't know where else to ask because I'm currently searching the entire internet trying to figure this out. When I look up phoenixes online, I get a lot of information about them, even outside of D&D. One that really interested me was the fact that they can shape shift into humans to conceal their form. I thought this was awesome and would make for a super cool plot point in my campaign.
HOWEVER, I cannot find anywhere if this is actually only for a certain franchise. I don't own any of the official monster manuals, and therefore cannot fact check this myself.
By RAW, there is nothing in the Phoenix stat block that would allow shapeshifting. However, an individual DM can always choose to allow it. Either saying the Phoenixes in their world can shape shift, or maybe one particular Phoenix can.
The Phoenix you see printed on a stat block in the books is just a *typical* Phoenix. If there's a specific one or group of them in your world that have the special ability to take on a mortal disguise, then yes, they can.
Part of the fun of dming is the ability to take stuff like this and run with it in whatever direction you feel is coolest
The rules after all are more like...guidelines, than actual rules.
The standard 5E Phoenix (found in Mordenkeinen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse) has an intelligence score of 2, the same as a polar bear, and doesn't speak any languages. Even if it could somehow transform into a humanoid form, it wouldn't get much use out of such an ability because it's not smart enough to pass as a human or elf.
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Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.
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Hey!
I genuinely don't know where else to ask because I'm currently searching the entire internet trying to figure this out. When I look up phoenixes online, I get a lot of information about them, even outside of D&D. One that really interested me was the fact that they can shape shift into humans to conceal their form. I thought this was awesome and would make for a super cool plot point in my campaign.
HOWEVER, I cannot find anywhere if this is actually only for a certain franchise. I don't own any of the official monster manuals, and therefore cannot fact check this myself.
Can phoenixes shapeshift into humans in D&D
Thank you :)
By RAW, there is nothing in the Phoenix stat block that would allow shapeshifting.
However, an individual DM can always choose to allow it. Either saying the Phoenixes in their world can shape shift, or maybe one particular Phoenix can.
The Phoenix you see printed on a stat block in the books is just a *typical* Phoenix. If there's a specific one or group of them in your world that have the special ability to take on a mortal disguise, then yes, they can.
Part of the fun of dming is the ability to take stuff like this and run with it in whatever direction you feel is coolest
The rules after all are more like...guidelines, than actual rules.
The standard 5E Phoenix (found in Mordenkeinen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse) has an intelligence score of 2, the same as a polar bear, and doesn't speak any languages. Even if it could somehow transform into a humanoid form, it wouldn't get much use out of such an ability because it's not smart enough to pass as a human or elf.
Find your own truth, choose your enemies carefully, and never deal with a dragon.
"Canon" is what's factual to D&D lore. "Cannon" is what you're going to be shot with if you keep getting the word wrong.