So I have a Druid that's level 2. they have Wild Shape that allows me to turn into beasts with a CR rating of 1/4, but I choose Circle of the Moon which grants me "Circle Forms" which boosts this to creatures of CR1 or lower. So this is great. I'm changing into CR1 beasts at level 2 without flying or swimming. Now if we move ahead to level 4 I get "Wild Shape Improvement". This skill boosts the beasts CR rating of 1/2. and I can now turn into beasts with Swimming speed.
Can I assume that I can still turn into CR1 beasts but they can now have the swimming movement? and I can ignore the CR improvement to 1/2 as I can already turn into CR1 Beasts via "Circle Forms"? Just want to make sure I am understanding this properly.
The wildshape CR progression is different for moon druids than other druids.
"The rites of your circle grant you the ability to transform into more dangerous animal forms. Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Wild Shape to transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as 1 (you ignore the Max. CR column of the Beast Shapes table, but must abide by the other limitations there).
Starting at 6th level, you can transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as your druid level divided by 3, rounded down."
At level 2 you can change into creatures as high as CR1. At level 6 the maximum CR becomes level/3. So CR 2 at level 6, CR3 at level 9 and so on.
At level 10 the Moon druid also gains the ability to take on elemental forms.
However, the only thing that changes is the accessible CR of the beast form. At level 4 you can pick eligible CR beast forms that have a swim speed and at level 8 and above you can pick eligible CR beast forms with a swim or fly speed. This means a level 4 moon druid could choose a CR1 swimming beast while a level 8 moon druid could choose a CR2 beast that can fly or swim. (After level 8 there are no constraints on beast shapes except the allowable CR).
So I have a Druid that's level 2. they have Wild Shape that allows me to turn into beasts with a CR rating of 1/4, but I choose Circle of the Moon which grants me "Circle Forms" which boosts this to creatures of CR1 or lower. So this is great. I'm changing into CR1 beasts at level 2 without flying or swimming. Now if we move ahead to level 4 I get "Wild Shape Improvement". This skill boosts the beasts CR rating of 1/2. and I can now turn into beasts with Swimming speed.
Can I assume that I can still turn into CR1 beasts but they can now have the swimming movement? and I can ignore the CR improvement to 1/2 as I can already turn into CR1 Beasts via "Circle Forms"? Just want to make sure I am understanding this properly.
Yes, the Moon Druid completely replaces the highest CR column on the chart for standard Druids.
You can transform into CR1 monsters until you reach L6, at which point you can turn into any beast up to a CR = 1/3 your Druid Level rounded down.
The wildshape CR progression is different for moon druids than other druids.
"The rites of your circle grant you the ability to transform into more dangerous animal forms. Starting at 2nd level, you can use your Wild Shape to transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as 1 (you ignore the Max. CR column of the Beast Shapes table, but must abide by the other limitations there).
Starting at 6th level, you can transform into a beast with a challenge rating as high as your druid level divided by 3, rounded down."
At level 2 you can change into creatures as high as CR1. At level 6 the maximum CR becomes level/3. So CR 2 at level 6, CR3 at level 9 and so on.
At level 10 the Moon druid also gains the ability to take on elemental forms.
"At 10th level, you can expend two uses of Wild Shape at the same time to transform into an air elemental, an earth elemental, a fire elemental, or a water elemental."
However, the only thing that changes is the accessible CR of the beast form. At level 4 you can pick eligible CR beast forms that have a swim speed and at level 8 and above you can pick eligible CR beast forms with a swim or fly speed. This means a level 4 moon druid could choose a CR1 swimming beast while a level 8 moon druid could choose a CR2 beast that can fly or swim. (After level 8 there are no constraints on beast shapes except the allowable CR).
Thank you everyone.