I wanted to see if anybody has homebrewed more powerful versions of beasts found in official 5E source material and had to deal with the Druid in the party becoming (or seeming to become) OP as a result of then being able to Wildshape into the more powerful version.
Example: I'm looking to convert the Giant Octopus to having up to 5 attacks (4 tentacles + 1 bite). The current MM only allows 1 tentacle attack and no bite. AC raised from 11 to 13 (equivalent to chain shirt). Tentacles Damage reduced to 1d4+5.
What has been your experience with introducing stronger Beasts into the game when you had a Druid playing?
The more powerful beast should be higher CR -- its damage per round is now 37 (assuming bite damage is also 1d4+5) which is around +4.5 offensive CR, and the AC increase is worth +1 defensive CR, so it's about a CR 4 monster. By the time the druid is level 12, that won't be a balance problem.
Okay, I guess I'd better get in on this CR calculator that people seem to referencing. Is it part of DDB already, or do I need to pay for this feature?
I wanted to see if anybody has homebrewed more powerful versions of beasts found in official 5E source material and had to deal with the Druid in the party becoming (or seeming to become) OP as a result of then being able to Wildshape into the more powerful version.
Example: I'm looking to convert the Giant Octopus to having up to 5 attacks (4 tentacles + 1 bite). The current MM only allows 1 tentacle attack and no bite. AC raised from 11 to 13 (equivalent to chain shirt). Tentacles Damage reduced to 1d4+5.
What has been your experience with introducing stronger Beasts into the game when you had a Druid playing?
The more powerful beast should be higher CR -- its damage per round is now 37 (assuming bite damage is also 1d4+5) which is around +4.5 offensive CR, and the AC increase is worth +1 defensive CR, so it's about a CR 4 monster. By the time the druid is level 12, that won't be a balance problem.
Okay, I guess I'd better get in on this CR calculator that people seem to referencing. Is it part of DDB already, or do I need to pay for this feature?
It's on the DMG, on the DMs workshop section.
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/dungeon-masters-workshop#CreatingaMonster