You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. However, you can't use any of your Special Senses, such as Darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense.
This seems fairly straightforward, but there are some class features that I am curious about how they would work with this rule.
For example, Unarmored Defense. This is a feature Monks and Barbarians get at early level, so if they crossclassed into Druid, would this at all carry over into their new form? I understand each creature has its own inherent AC, but Unarmored Defense is also a class feature. Is there any reason you couldnt use it using the new form's Dexterity and Wis/Con modifiers? What rule for Wildshape takes priority here?
Can you use other class features like a Cleric's Channel Divinity or a Paladin's Divine Smite while wild shaped if you multiclass, since these are class features?
Or more specifically for a Circle of Dreams Druid, can you make use of its "Balm of the Summer Court" feature while wildshaped? This is really the question that got me thinking about all of this in the first place
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I think the key factor here is can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. Balm doesn't seem to have a physical attribute to using it, so that would be a yes. But Balm could also be interpreted as a spell even though it is not implicitly stated it is one, which would be a no, because you can't cast spells in Wild Shape until 18th level. It's the DM's call.
Channel Divinity would not work because you must present your holy symbol and speak an incantation, and the wild shape must be physically able to do these things.
As you correctly cited, yes, any class feature is carried over the wild shape, if the beast form is capable to perform the requirements of such feature.
Unarmored Defense does not require anything, so the beast form would benefit from it. Of course, the highest AC between Unarmored Defence and the beast's natural AC is the one to use. Same thing for Divine Smite, as it requires only a melee weapon attack, which the beast can do with its natural weapons. Same for Balm of Summer Court: it is not a spell, does not require a particular action or movement (you just need to see the target).
The DM needs to rule about Channel Divinity. This feature (in most of its forms, anyway) requires you to put forward the holy symbol. The beast form may no be able to do so.
Same thing for Divine Smite, as it requires only a melee weapon attack, which the beast can do with its natural weapons. Same for Balm of Summer Court: it is not a spell, does not require a particular action or movement (you just need to see the target).
I would argue that since Divine Smite requires the use of a spell slot it would not work due to the spell restriction of Wild Shape.
Black Bear: AC 11, DEX +0, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants 12 AC (a +1) Crocodile: AC 12, DEX +1, CON +1, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Dire Wolf: AC 14, DEX +2, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Owl: AC 11, DEX +1, CON -1, Using Unarmored Defense grants 10 AC (a -1)
While I don't see a reason you couldn't use the feature, I also don't see how it is beneficial except in a few special circumstances. More often than not the beast that you're turning into is using the same type of math to get their AC as Unarmored Defense. Note also that if you use the Monk's version the AC may be better than the AC of the beast naturally as Wisdom is not a high stat for the majority of beasts.
Balm of the Summer Court would work in your beast shape since it's something that is inherent to the class that doesn't require anything special from you, or your shape. In the case of Darkvision, it requires that the shape has special eyes. In the case of Divine Smite/Channel Divinity it requires the special quality to be able to speak and/or manipulate the holy symbol.
That last bit "able to manipulate the Holy Symbol" is important for a couple reasons. First, if you chose to have your gear transform with your wild shape, the holy symbol is not available to manipulate as it is now part of your shape. Secondly, if you do make your holy symbol available, you would need to have the ability to hold it properly, not many beasts have the ability to grasp an item like that, oppoesable thumbs and all.
*Edit: re-worded the Monk ability, forgot the WIS doesn't change when you Wild Shape.
Same thing for Divine Smite, as it requires only a melee weapon attack, which the beast can do with its natural weapons. Same for Balm of Summer Court: it is not a spell, does not require a particular action or movement (you just need to see the target).
I would argue that since Divine Smite requires the use of a spell slot it would not work due to the spell restriction of Wild Shape.
I would argue that since Divine Smite requires the use of a spell slot it would not work due to the spell restriction of Wild Shape.
Honestly, this seems like a rough decision. Using a spell slot and casting a spell are two different things, and Divine Smite is not casting a spell. You could maybe argue that Divine Smite requires a "melee weapon attack", but the Monster Manual on p10-11 mentions: "the "weapon" might be a manufactured item or a natural weapon, such as a claw or tail spike".
I don't really see any reason per RAW to refuse Divine Smite on a wild shaped druid (and I actually think it would look pretty cool).
That last bit "able to manipulate the Holy Symbol" is important for a couple reasons. First, if you chose to have your gear transform with your wild shape, the holy symbol is not available to manipulate as it is now part of your shape. Secondly, if you do make your holy symbol available, you would need to have the ability to hold it properly, not many beasts have the ability to grasp an item like that, oppoesable thumbs and all.
I think that part comes down to how you sell it to the DM.
"I wildshape into a bear, but leave my holy symbol free of the bear form on its leather thong around my neck. I reach up and place my giant bear paw on the holy symbol and roar at my deity, casting divine smite!"
Per RAW, the Channel Divinity might require speech as well:
Turn Undead
As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak a prayer censuring the undead.
Whether it applies to the domain-specific version of Channel Divinity isn't very clear, i lean towards no because I don't see anything that might require speech in these, but I can see how a DM might go the other way.
Black Bear: AC 11, DEX +0, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants 12 AC (a +1) Crocodile: AC 12, DEX +1, CON +1, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Dire Wolf: AC 14, DEX +2, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Owl: AC 11, DEX +1, CON -1, Using Unarmored Defense grants 10 AC (a -1)
While I don't see a reason you couldn't use the feature, I also don't see how it is beneficial except in a few special circumstances. More often than not the beast that you're turning into is using the same type of math to get their AC as Unarmored Defense. Note also that if you use the Monk's version the AC will almost always be lower than the AC of the beast naturally as Wisdom is not a high stat for the majority of beasts.
Wild Shape allows the druid to retain their original Wisdom score instead of taking on the beast's Wisdom. (Which is why it's a better alternative to Polymorph a lot of the time.) So I could see a cross-class Monk/Druid having some really baller AC as a bear.
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"We're the perfect combination of expendable and unkillable!"
The effects of it exactly reflect that of other spells, like Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade. You are expending a spell slot and applying a spell effect to a melee attack. It does not make the melee attack Radiant, it only applies magical damage it the attack connects. To me, that equals Spell. The Divine Smite is not the melee attack itself, but the effect that is applied after it connects.
"Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage.
I think that part comes down to how you sell it to the DM.
"I wildshape into a bear, but leave my holy symbol free of the bear form on its leather thong around my neck. I reach up and place my giant bear paw on the holy symbol and roar at my deity, casting divine smite!"
I'd totally let that happen.
I think you mean Channel Divinity. lol. And unless that bear learned to speak an incantation (not just a roar, but specific words) I'd laugh at the attempt but ultimately rule against it.
Black Bear: AC 11, DEX +0, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants 12 AC (a +1) Crocodile: AC 12, DEX +1, CON +1, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Dire Wolf: AC 14, DEX +2, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC Owl: AC 11, DEX +1, CON -1, Using Unarmored Defense grants 10 AC (a -1)
While I don't see a reason you couldn't use the feature, I also don't see how it is beneficial except in a few special circumstances. More often than not the beast that you're turning into is using the same type of math to get their AC as Unarmored Defense. Note also that if you use the Monk's version the AC will almost always be lower than the AC of the beast naturally as Wisdom is not a high stat for the majority of beasts.
Wild Shape allows the druid to retain their original Wisdom score instead of taking on the beast's Wisdom. (Which is why it's a better alternative to Polymorph a lot of the time.) So I could see a cross-class Monk/Druid having some really baller AC as a bear.
I think it’s a little odd too. To be honest, IMHO, WotC uses spells/spell slots for too many things. It works mechanically, but leads to misunderstandings like that. Normally I would agree with you that it shouldn’t be able to stack that way, but they are so careful with their wordings that I have to believe that RAI/RAW are the same in this case.
The effects of it exactly reflect that of other spells, like Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade. You are expending a spell slot and applying a spell effect to a melee attack. It does not make the melee attack Radiant, it only applies magical damage it the attack connects. To me, that equals Spell. The Divine Smite is not the melee attack itself, but the effect that is applied after it connects.
"Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage.
I think that part comes down to how you sell it to the DM.
"I wildshape into a bear, but leave my holy symbol free of the bear form on its leather thong around my neck. I reach up and place my giant bear paw on the holy symbol and roar at my deity, casting divine smite!"
I'd totally let that happen.
I think you mean Channel Divinity. lol. And unless that bear learned to speak an incantation (not just a roar, but specific words) I'd laugh at the attempt but ultimately rule against it.
Divine Smite is a Class Ability, not a Spell. That distinction has been specified by WotC multiple times.
Please note that 'Shaped Moon Druids can expend spell slots to heal themselves. This is an ability that uses a spell slot. If that is allowed, I don't see why Divine Smite should not also work.
Another thought: a few RAW beasts can speak. Crows and Giant Elk at the very least. So there are some circumstances where Channel Divinity is on the table while a Moon Druid is Wildshaped.
OK, I digress on Divine Smite, even though I don't believe it's RAI, RAW doesn't specifically disallow it.
I very much doubt it's not RAI. There is nothing preventing a Wild Shaped druid from expending spell slots. Only spellcasting is forbidden. In fact, Combat Wild Shape for Moon Druids specifically allows them to spend spell slots to heal themselves. You can certainly argue that's "specific beating general", but there is no general rule that forbids Wild Shaped druids from spending spell slots. A multiclassed Druid/Sorcerer could also convert spell slots into sorcery points.
Given that there is no prohibition on "special abilities" or even "magical special abilities", but rather specifically "spellcasting", there is no cause to infer any spell-like abilities, or features that spend spell slots, are also forbidden. Druids change their shape when they Wild Shape, they don't polymorph into a beast. From the description of the rules that apply for Wild Shape, it's pretty clear that the restrictions are based on the new physical form's restrictions. In fact, a very good case could be made that if a druid Wild Shaped into a hypothetical beast capable of spellcasting (not "innate spellcasting", but actual spell casting), they should retain the ability to cast their spells, although that is certainly not allowed by RAW.
OK, I digress on Divine Smite, even though I don't believe it's RAI, RAW doesn't specifically disallow it.
I very much doubt it's not RAI. There is nothing preventing a Wild Shaped druid from expending spell slots. Only spellcasting is forbidden. In fact, Combat Wild Shape for Moon Druids specifically allows them to spend spell slots to heal themselves. You can certainly argue that's "specific beating general", but there is no general rule that forbids Wild Shaped druids from spending spell slots. A multiclassed Druid/Sorcerer could also convert spell slots into sorcery points.
Given that there is no prohibition on "special abilities" or even "magical special abilities", but rather specifically "spellcasting", there is no cause to infer any spell-like abilities, or features that spend spell slots, are also forbidden. Druids change their shape when they Wild Shape, they don't polymorph into a beast. From the description of the rules that apply for Wild Shape, it's pretty clear that the restrictions are based on the new physical form's restrictions. In fact, a very good case could be made that if a druid Wild Shaped into a hypothetical beast capable of spellcasting (not "innate spellcasting", but actual spell casting), they should retain the ability to cast their spells, although that is certainly not allowed by RAW.
I made a thread last month about what might happen if a DM allowed a Sorc/Moon Druid multiclass to cast using Subtle Spell. Not terribly broken if you disallow use of highest level spell slots for casting and be sure that the character isn't using material component spells.
In fact, a very good case could be made that if a druid Wild Shaped into a hypothetical beast capable of spellcasting (not "innate spellcasting", but actual spell casting), they should retain the ability to cast their spells, although that is certainly not allowed by RAW.
Considering that Circle of the Moon druid can shape into elementals at 10th level, who are probably humanoid enough to be able to cast spells, this seems like a risky assumption.
This seems fairly straightforward, but there are some class features that I am curious about how they would work with this rule.
For example, Unarmored Defense. This is a feature Monks and Barbarians get at early level, so if they crossclassed into Druid, would this at all carry over into their new form? I understand each creature has its own inherent AC, but Unarmored Defense is also a class feature. Is there any reason you couldnt use it using the new form's Dexterity and Wis/Con modifiers? What rule for Wildshape takes priority here?
Can you use other class features like a Cleric's Channel Divinity or a Paladin's Divine Smite while wild shaped if you multiclass, since these are class features?
Or more specifically for a Circle of Dreams Druid, can you make use of its "Balm of the Summer Court" feature while wildshaped? This is really the question that got me thinking about all of this in the first place
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I think the key factor here is can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. Balm doesn't seem to have a physical attribute to using it, so that would be a yes. But Balm could also be interpreted as a spell even though it is not implicitly stated it is one, which would be a no, because you can't cast spells in Wild Shape until 18th level. It's the DM's call.
Channel Divinity would not work because you must present your holy symbol and speak an incantation, and the wild shape must be physically able to do these things.
As you correctly cited, yes, any class feature is carried over the wild shape, if the beast form is capable to perform the requirements of such feature.
Unarmored Defense does not require anything, so the beast form would benefit from it. Of course, the highest AC between Unarmored Defence and the beast's natural AC is the one to use. Same thing for Divine Smite, as it requires only a melee weapon attack, which the beast can do with its natural weapons. Same for Balm of Summer Court: it is not a spell, does not require a particular action or movement (you just need to see the target).
The DM needs to rule about Channel Divinity. This feature (in most of its forms, anyway) requires you to put forward the holy symbol. The beast form may no be able to do so.
I would argue that since Divine Smite requires the use of a spell slot it would not work due to the spell restriction of Wild Shape.
Unarmored Defense: 10 + DEX + CON (Barbarian)
Black Bear: AC 11, DEX +0, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants 12 AC (a +1)
Crocodile: AC 12, DEX +1, CON +1, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC
Dire Wolf: AC 14, DEX +2, CON +2, Using Unarmored Defense grants the same AC
Owl: AC 11, DEX +1, CON -1, Using Unarmored Defense grants 10 AC (a -1)
While I don't see a reason you couldn't use the feature, I also don't see how it is beneficial except in a few special circumstances. More often than not the beast that you're turning into is using the same type of math to get their AC as Unarmored Defense. Note also that if you use the Monk's version the AC may be better than the AC of the beast naturally as Wisdom is not a high stat for the majority of beasts.
Balm of the Summer Court would work in your beast shape since it's something that is inherent to the class that doesn't require anything special from you, or your shape. In the case of Darkvision, it requires that the shape has special eyes. In the case of Divine Smite/Channel Divinity it requires the special quality to be able to speak and/or manipulate the holy symbol.
That last bit "able to manipulate the Holy Symbol" is important for a couple reasons. First, if you chose to have your gear transform with your wild shape, the holy symbol is not available to manipulate as it is now part of your shape. Secondly, if you do make your holy symbol available, you would need to have the ability to hold it properly, not many beasts have the ability to grasp an item like that, oppoesable thumbs and all.
*Edit: re-worded the Monk ability, forgot the WIS doesn't change when you Wild Shape.
But itself, Divine Smite is not a spell.
Honestly, this seems like a rough decision. Using a spell slot and casting a spell are two different things, and Divine Smite is not casting a spell. You could maybe argue that Divine Smite requires a "melee weapon attack", but the Monster Manual on p10-11 mentions: "the "weapon" might be a manufactured item or a natural weapon, such as a claw or tail spike".
I don't really see any reason per RAW to refuse Divine Smite on a wild shaped druid (and I actually think it would look pretty cool).
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I think that part comes down to how you sell it to the DM.
"I wildshape into a bear, but leave my holy symbol free of the bear form on its leather thong around my neck. I reach up and place my giant bear paw on the holy symbol and roar at my deity, casting divine smite!"
I'd totally let that happen.
Per RAW, the Channel Divinity might require speech as well:
Whether it applies to the domain-specific version of Channel Divinity isn't very clear, i lean towards no because I don't see anything that might require speech in these, but I can see how a DM might go the other way.
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Wild Shape allows the druid to retain their original Wisdom score instead of taking on the beast's Wisdom. (Which is why it's a better alternative to Polymorph a lot of the time.) So I could see a cross-class Monk/Druid having some really baller AC as a bear.
"We're the perfect combination of expendable and unkillable!"
The effects of it exactly reflect that of other spells, like Green Flame Blade or Booming Blade. You are expending a spell slot and applying a spell effect to a melee attack. It does not make the melee attack Radiant, it only applies magical damage it the attack connects. To me, that equals Spell. The Divine Smite is not the melee attack itself, but the effect that is applied after it connects.
"Starting at 2nd level, when you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can expend one spell slot to deal radiant damage to the target, in addition to the weapon’s damage.
I think you mean Channel Divinity. lol. And unless that bear learned to speak an incantation (not just a roar, but specific words) I'd laugh at the attempt but ultimately rule against it.
Derp...you're correct.
Divine Smite is a Class Ability, not a Spell. That distinction has been specified by WotC multiple times.
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OK, I digress on Divine Smite, even though I don't believe it's RAI, RAW doesn't specifically disallow it.
I think it’s a little odd too. To be honest, IMHO, WotC uses spells/spell slots for too many things. It works mechanically, but leads to misunderstandings like that. Normally I would agree with you that it shouldn’t be able to stack that way, but they are so careful with their wordings that I have to believe that RAI/RAW are the same in this case.
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Hey, maybe my deity speaks bear. :)
Please note that 'Shaped Moon Druids can expend spell slots to heal themselves. This is an ability that uses a spell slot. If that is allowed, I don't see why Divine Smite should not also work.
Another thought: a few RAW beasts can speak. Crows and Giant Elk at the very least. So there are some circumstances where Channel Divinity is on the table while a Moon Druid is Wildshaped.
I very much doubt it's not RAI. There is nothing preventing a Wild Shaped druid from expending spell slots. Only spellcasting is forbidden. In fact, Combat Wild Shape for Moon Druids specifically allows them to spend spell slots to heal themselves. You can certainly argue that's "specific beating general", but there is no general rule that forbids Wild Shaped druids from spending spell slots. A multiclassed Druid/Sorcerer could also convert spell slots into sorcery points.
Given that there is no prohibition on "special abilities" or even "magical special abilities", but rather specifically "spellcasting", there is no cause to infer any spell-like abilities, or features that spend spell slots, are also forbidden. Druids change their shape when they Wild Shape, they don't polymorph into a beast. From the description of the rules that apply for Wild Shape, it's pretty clear that the restrictions are based on the new physical form's restrictions. In fact, a very good case could be made that if a druid Wild Shaped into a hypothetical beast capable of spellcasting (not "innate spellcasting", but actual spell casting), they should retain the ability to cast their spells, although that is certainly not allowed by RAW.
I made a thread last month about what might happen if a DM allowed a Sorc/Moon Druid multiclass to cast using Subtle Spell. Not terribly broken if you disallow use of highest level spell slots for casting and be sure that the character isn't using material component spells.
Considering that Circle of the Moon druid can shape into elementals at 10th level, who are probably humanoid enough to be able to cast spells, this seems like a risky assumption.
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