With the Druid's Wild Shape ability, can the beast chosen be different each time as long is it has the appropriate challenge rating. For example could the Druid assume the shape of a pseudodragon on the first casting and a wolf on the second casting?
Also when it says "a beast you have seen before" is that a beast that your character as seen before at any time or just during this campaign.
Thanks in advance.
Public Mod Note
(Stormknight):
Thread moved to rules & mechanics subforum
Yes, it can be a different beast each time, but doesn't have to be.
As an example, they could wildshape into a giant spider, to stealth inside a cave to surprise ambush some orcs, then later wildshape into a bear for a straight on confrontation with an ogre.
Yes, it can be a different beast each time, but doesn't have to be.
As an example, they could wildshape into a giant spider, to stealth inside a cave to surprise ambush some orcs, then later wildshape into a bear for a straight on confrontation with an ogre.
That's great, thanks. I thought that was how it worked, but wasn't sure.
I just want to chime in to point out that the druid can only wildshape into "beast" creatures (with the exception of moon druids which get elementals at some point). Pseudodragons are "dragon" creatures.
Also, there are other restrictions besides CR. No beasts with swimming speed until level 4 and no beasts with flying speed until level 8.
These are just details though. As far as the crux of your question, I agree with Stormknight.
Also when it says "a beast you have seen before" is that a beast that your character as seen before at any time or just during this campaign.
You have to have seen the beast before, and it has to have been live, not a corpse or taxidermied model, illusion or picture on a wall or book. (the intent was clear the cheese was denied) If you state you have seen a certain creature type before play begins and your DM is ok with that then yes you could have pre-viewed forms.
If your trying to gain access to new forms of cr2 or less, conjure animals is the way to go, of course that got 'errat-ed' out due to poly-mathematics and summoning, so now your going to get random creatures of the chosen type each time you summon them. The other option is to ask whether or not their are conclaves (meetings) of the druid circles and go to one - Druids from multiple areas will probably be showing off their native beasts forms at such a meeting.
“Creatures you’ve seen before” is during the lifetime of your character and is something the dm will adjudicate. It will more come into play if the creature is especially exotic rather than mundane and commonplace. So bears, large cats, etc are fairly mundane and probably won’t cause much debate, whereas you might not have seen a large constrictor or giant spider prior to adventuring. Xanathar’s has lists of typical creatures you may have encountered by terrain type.
“Creatures you’ve seen before” is during the lifetime of your character and is something the dm will adjudicate. It will more come into play if the creature is especially exotic rather than mundane and commonplace. So bears, large cats, etc are fairly mundane and probably won’t cause much debate, whereas you might not have seen a large constrictor or giant spider prior to adventuring. Xanathar’s has lists of typical creatures you may have encountered by terrain type.
Thanks.....that makes sense.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hi All
With the Druid's Wild Shape ability, can the beast chosen be different each time as long is it has the appropriate challenge rating. For example could the Druid assume the shape of a pseudodragon on the first casting and a wolf on the second casting?
Also when it says "a beast you have seen before" is that a beast that your character as seen before at any time or just during this campaign.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, it can be a different beast each time, but doesn't have to be.
As an example, they could wildshape into a giant spider, to stealth inside a cave to surprise ambush some orcs, then later wildshape into a bear for a straight on confrontation with an ogre.
Pun-loving nerd | Faith Elisabeth Lilley | She/Her/Hers | Profile art by Becca Golins
If you need help with homebrew, please post on the homebrew forums, where multiple staff and moderators can read your post and help you!
"We got this, no problem! I'll take the twenty on the left - you guys handle the one on the right!"🔊
That's great, thanks. I thought that was how it worked, but wasn't sure.
I just want to chime in to point out that the druid can only wildshape into "beast" creatures (with the exception of moon druids which get elementals at some point). Pseudodragons are "dragon" creatures.
Also, there are other restrictions besides CR. No beasts with swimming speed until level 4 and no beasts with flying speed until level 8.
These are just details though. As far as the crux of your question, I agree with Stormknight.
You have to have seen the beast before, and it has to have been live, not a corpse or taxidermied model, illusion or picture on a wall or book. (the intent was clear the cheese was denied) If you state you have seen a certain creature type before play begins and your DM is ok with that then yes you could have pre-viewed forms.
If your trying to gain access to new forms of cr2 or less, conjure animals is the way to go, of course that got 'errat-ed' out due to poly-mathematics and summoning, so now your going to get random creatures of the chosen type each time you summon them. The other option is to ask whether or not their are conclaves (meetings) of the druid circles and go to one - Druids from multiple areas will probably be showing off their native beasts forms at such a meeting.
Everything else was covered :) Go team!
“Creatures you’ve seen before” is during the lifetime of your character and is something the dm will adjudicate. It will more come into play if the creature is especially exotic rather than mundane and commonplace. So bears, large cats, etc are fairly mundane and probably won’t cause much debate, whereas you might not have seen a large constrictor or giant spider prior to adventuring. Xanathar’s has lists of typical creatures you may have encountered by terrain type.
Thanks.....that makes sense.