Is there a reason that a Dire wolf is considered a Large Beast but a Winter Wolf is a large monstrosity. I has hoping that my Arctic Druid would be able to polymorph into a winter wolf but she can because it is a large monstrosity. Why?
Sorry, polymorph doesn't work either. "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's." It's not in the first paragraph, so it trips people up sometimes.
It is pretty arbitrary. The main difference is that Crag Cats are low CR creatures that are not particularly deadly in combat. Winter Wolves are a much higher CR and quite useful in combat. Since D&D ability and spell rules are balanced mostly around combat situations, the developers pay special attention not to give Druids too many powerful Beast options, as Druids were OP in 3rd edition. It doesn't make much sense thematically, but a lot of lore of the game are not very consistent.
Short Answer: It is given Monstrosity type specifically so you cannot wild shape or polymorph into one, for balancing reasons. To become one you will need to take Shapechange or True Polymorph spells instead when high enough level..
Is there a reason that a Dire wolf is considered a Large Beast but a Winter Wolf is a large monstrosity. I has hoping that my Arctic Druid would be able to polymorph into a winter wolf but she can because it is a large monstrosity. Why?
Oh how i wish it was a beast, I want my moon druid to do this at level 9 to show how its growing elemental connections
Winter wolves get the monstrosity label because of their innate magical attack. Normal animals don't have elemental attacks.
As far as becoming a winter wolf…
No you cannot use your wild shape ability to become a winter wolf because they are monstrosities.
Yes you can polymorph into a winter wolf using the polymorph spell. Of course you have to wait till you've reached your fourth level spells.
Sorry, polymorph doesn't work either. "The new form can be any beast whose challenge rating is equal to or less than the target's." It's not in the first paragraph, so it trips people up sometimes.
Birgit | Shifter | Sorcerer | Dragonlords
Shayone | Hobgoblin | Sorcerer | Netherdeep
You need True Polymorph.
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Ok but why can I turn into a Crag Cat which can turn spells on the caster? It seems arbitrary to me.
It is pretty arbitrary. The main difference is that Crag Cats are low CR creatures that are not particularly deadly in combat. Winter Wolves are a much higher CR and quite useful in combat. Since D&D ability and spell rules are balanced mostly around combat situations, the developers pay special attention not to give Druids too many powerful Beast options, as Druids were OP in 3rd edition. It doesn't make much sense thematically, but a lot of lore of the game are not very consistent.
Short Answer: It is given Monstrosity type specifically so you cannot wild shape or polymorph into one, for balancing reasons. To become one you will need to take Shapechange or True Polymorph spells instead when high enough level..
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