Druid is a class. The Druid class's core ability is called Wild Shape, and it allows you to transform into various animal forms. This is what Doric was doing in the movie — she was a Tiefling (species) Druid (class). If you're excited about that, Druid is definitely the class for you!
(Couatl and Night Hag are monsters that have some shapeshifting ability, but these are monsters, not playable species.)
A Druid is a class, and if you want to be an animal shapeshifter, they’re really the go-to. There are other ways, but Druids are going to be the easiest, most reliable way. I will say they also cast lots of spells, so managing that in addition to shapeshifting can be a lot for a new player. I’m not saying it’s impossible, it’s just a bit higher difficulty to keep track of everything they can do. But, yes, you probably want to be a Druid. Which species (tiefling as you mentioned, or any of the others) doesn’t really matter too much. A couatl is not a playable option according to the rules. (Nor is a hag) However, a DM can always allow anything in their game. So if your friend is the DM, you’ll need to ask them how they would handle you being one.
There are free rules for the Druid on this site (look under Game Rules > Classes). Note: only the Circle of the Land subclass is available for free. If shapeshifting is your main interest, then the Circle of the Moon is probably the Druid subclass you want. For that, you need access to the Players Handbook (check with your friend whether they’re using the 2014 or 2024 rules).
Blurb for the Druid (from the free rules):
“Druids belong to ancient orders that call on the forces of nature. Harnessing the magic of animals, plants, and the four elements, Druids heal, transform into animals, and wield elemental destruction.
Revering nature above all, individual Druids gain their magic from nature, a nature deity, or both, and they typically unite with other Druids to perform rites that mark the passage of the seasons and other natural cycles.
Druids are concerned with the delicate ecological balance that sustains plant and animal life and with the need for people to live in harmony with nature. Druids often guard sacred sites or watch over regions of unspoiled nature, but when a significant danger arises, Druids take a more active role as adventurers who combat the threat.“
Xalthu: Thank you for the clarification. I have been super confused. I am not really looking forward to spell casting, but being able to play a full on shapeshifter is a wonderful payoff.
I think my friend is a DM yet he hasn't really clarified. I may never get to play it with him directly, but if I learn how to play it could at least be a fun shared hobby.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Kind of dumb clarification question but does Circle of the Moon what make druids capable of Wild Shape? It seems to be the circle frequently recommended in coordination to shapeshifting. But the terms wild shape, druid, and circle of the moon are thrown around a lot in the articles I have been reading, with me having little idea of the DND definition of each or how they relate to each other.
My current understanding are that I pick class Druid than when I reach a certain level I choose the sub section Circle of the Moon to gain the ability to wild shape which allows me to turn into various animals.
And thank you so much for as much info as you have already given me. It has helped me greatly.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Kind of dumb clarification question but does Circle of the Moon what make druids capable of Wild Shape? It seems to be the circle frequently recommended in coordination to shapeshifting. But the terms wild shape, druid, and circle of the moon are thrown around a lot in the articles I have been reading, with me having little idea of the DND definition of each or how they relate to each other.
My current understanding are that I pick class Druid than when I reach a certain level I choose the sub section Circle of the Moon to gain the ability to wild shape which allows me to turn into various animals.
And thank you so much for as much info as you have already given me. It has helped me greatly.
All druids gain the ability to wild shape at 2nd level. Once you attain 3rd level in any class in DnD you select a subclass, which gives additional, more specialized abilities depending on which one you pick. Circle of the Moon is the druid subclass you would want to select at 3rd level for a primary focus on wild shaping.
As mentioned earlier, the free rules on the DnDBeyond site do not include the Circle of the Moon subclass. You will need to have access to the Player's Handbook (either here on DnDBeyond or a physical copy) in order to get the full details on it.
I am not really looking forward to spell casting, but being able to play a full on shapeshifter is a wonderful payoff.
While druid is the classic "turn into animals" class, if you don't want to fuss with spellcasting, you may want to take a look at the Path of the Wild Heart subclass for Barbarian instead (or, if you're playing the original 2014 version of 5e, Path of the Beast)
It has a bunch of animal-themed abilities, but on a melee tank instead of a caster. How much shapeshifting is involved in using those features, you can work out with your DM
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Kind of dumb clarification question but does Circle of the Moon what make druids capable of Wild Shape? It seems to be the circle frequently recommended in coordination to shapeshifting. But the terms wild shape, druid, and circle of the moon are thrown around a lot in the articles I have been reading, with me having little idea of the DND definition of each or how they relate to each other.
My current understanding are that I pick class Druid than when I reach a certain level I choose the sub section Circle of the Moon to gain the ability to wild shape which allows me to turn into various animals.
To use 2014 as an example, all druids get wild shape at lv2. But Moon Druids have benefits.
1. They can wildshape into higher CR creatures. 2. They can wildshape as a bonus action instead of an action. That allows for "I wildshape into a dire wolf and snap at the goblin!" instead of first wildshaping into a wolf on one turn and then fighting the next turn. 3. Later on they get to count their wildshape attacks as magical. 4. Even later on they can wildshape into elementals.
Even in 2024 Moon Druid wildshape is stronger than other druids' wildshape.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Kind of dumb clarification question but does Circle of the Moon what make druids capable of Wild Shape? It seems to be the circle frequently recommended in coordination to shapeshifting. But the terms wild shape, druid, and circle of the moon are thrown around a lot in the articles I have been reading, with me having little idea of the DND definition of each or how they relate to each other.
My current understanding are that I pick class Druid than when I reach a certain level I choose the sub section Circle of the Moon to gain the ability to wild shape which allows me to turn into various animals.
And thank you so much for as much info as you have already given me. It has helped me greatly.
No problem!
Others have already answered this, but, in case it’s helpful: Wild Shape is a class feature of the Druid. (In the 2014 rules, they gain it at 2nd level.)
At third level all classes then choose a subclass (in 2014 rules, Druid gained their subclass at level 2). A subclass is a sub specialisation for that class. For the Druid, the choices in the 2024 Players Handbook are the Circle of the Land, Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Sea and Circle of the Stars. (Other “Circles” are available in other sourcebooks.) Subclasses tend to emphasise different aspects of the basic class and can change how the class is played quite a bit. The Circle of the Land builds on the Spellcasting side of the Druid, whereas the Circle of the Moon augments the Wild Shape ability. In the 2024 rules, Moon Druids can, for example, choose higher CR (ie more powerful) beasts, gain more temporary hit points when in Wild Shape and cast certain spells (among other benefits).
Best thing for you is to get familiar with the rules (the basic free rules are on this site). For access to the Moon Druid, you’ll need access to the Players Handbook. You will also need access to the Monster Manual eventually, if you’re wanting to Wild Shape into higher CR (challenge rating) creatures (that’s an issue specific to the Moon Druid).
"2. They can wildshape as a bonus action instead of an action. That allows for "I wildshape into a dire wolf and snap at the goblin!" instead of first wildshaping into a wolf on one turn and then fighting the next turn."
Oooh! I am so glad you told me this perk! Definitely looking at Moon Druid.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Thank you for the clarification. I think I am starting to get it now. I am pretty sure, like 99.9% sure, I am going with druid Circle of the Moon. I will have to see if my local library has one of the books. Not sure which one my friend has or if I will ever directly play it with him, but I definitely need to get my hands on one of those books. I remember when I was a kid seeing DND books at the cards shop. They were expensive but amazing and I loved looking at the pages.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Hi I have a friend that plays Dnd so I am trying to learn how to play too. I want to be a multi-type animal shapeshifter.
Choice 1: Tiefling that can animal shapeshift like Doric from the film.
Choice 2: Couatl. It was one of the options my friend gave me as a shapeshifter but can they turn into other animals? Are they playable characters?
Choice 3: Night Hag, but can they shapeshift into other animals.
Also I am pretty confused what exactly a druid is??? I have tried to research and am still confused. Is it a race or a class?
Druid is a class. The Druid class's core ability is called Wild Shape, and it allows you to transform into various animal forms. This is what Doric was doing in the movie — she was a Tiefling (species) Druid (class). If you're excited about that, Druid is definitely the class for you!
(Couatl and Night Hag are monsters that have some shapeshifting ability, but these are monsters, not playable species.)
pronouns: he/she/they
A Druid is a class, and if you want to be an animal shapeshifter, they’re really the go-to. There are other ways, but Druids are going to be the easiest, most reliable way. I will say they also cast lots of spells, so managing that in addition to shapeshifting can be a lot for a new player. I’m not saying it’s impossible, it’s just a bit higher difficulty to keep track of everything they can do.
But, yes, you probably want to be a Druid. Which species (tiefling as you mentioned, or any of the others) doesn’t really matter too much.
A couatl is not a playable option according to the rules. (Nor is a hag) However, a DM can always allow anything in their game. So if your friend is the DM, you’ll need to ask them how they would handle you being one.
There are free rules for the Druid on this site (look under Game Rules > Classes). Note: only the Circle of the Land subclass is available for free. If shapeshifting is your main interest, then the Circle of the Moon is probably the Druid subclass you want. For that, you need access to the Players Handbook (check with your friend whether they’re using the 2014 or 2024 rules).
Blurb for the Druid (from the free rules):
“Druids belong to ancient orders that call on the forces of nature. Harnessing the magic of animals, plants, and the four elements, Druids heal, transform into animals, and wield elemental destruction.
Revering nature above all, individual Druids gain their magic from nature, a nature deity, or both, and they typically unite with other Druids to perform rites that mark the passage of the seasons and other natural cycles.
Druids are concerned with the delicate ecological balance that sustains plant and animal life and with the need for people to live in harmony with nature. Druids often guard sacred sites or watch over regions of unspoiled nature, but when a significant danger arises, Druids take a more active role as adventurers who combat the threat.“
Thank you so much for everyone's quick response!!! I appreciate it so much. : )
Thank you so much Wagnarokkr! I can start to create my character now. : D ! I am excited!
No problem!
pronouns: he/she/they
Xalthu: Thank you for the clarification. I have been super confused. I am not really looking forward to spell casting, but being able to play a full on shapeshifter is a wonderful payoff.
I think my friend is a DM yet he hasn't really clarified. I may never get to play it with him directly, but if I learn how to play it could at least be a fun shared hobby.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Kind of dumb clarification question but does Circle of the Moon what make druids capable of Wild Shape? It seems to be the circle frequently recommended in coordination to shapeshifting. But the terms wild shape, druid, and circle of the moon are thrown around a lot in the articles I have been reading, with me having little idea of the DND definition of each or how they relate to each other.
My current understanding are that I pick class Druid than when I reach a certain level I choose the sub section Circle of the Moon to gain the ability to wild shape which allows me to turn into various animals.
And thank you so much for as much info as you have already given me. It has helped me greatly.
All druids gain the ability to wild shape at 2nd level. Once you attain 3rd level in any class in DnD you select a subclass, which gives additional, more specialized abilities depending on which one you pick. Circle of the Moon is the druid subclass you would want to select at 3rd level for a primary focus on wild shaping.
As mentioned earlier, the free rules on the DnDBeyond site do not include the Circle of the Moon subclass. You will need to have access to the Player's Handbook (either here on DnDBeyond or a physical copy) in order to get the full details on it.
You may have already seen this article on druids here on DnD Beyond OP, but I will link it just in case you haven't: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1755-the-2024-circle-of-the-moon-druid-and-changes-to
While druid is the classic "turn into animals" class, if you don't want to fuss with spellcasting, you may want to take a look at the Path of the Wild Heart subclass for Barbarian instead (or, if you're playing the original 2014 version of 5e, Path of the Beast)
It has a bunch of animal-themed abilities, but on a melee tank instead of a caster. How much shapeshifting is involved in using those features, you can work out with your DM
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
To use 2014 as an example, all druids get wild shape at lv2. But Moon Druids have benefits.
1. They can wildshape into higher CR creatures.
2. They can wildshape as a bonus action instead of an action. That allows for "I wildshape into a dire wolf and snap at the goblin!" instead of first wildshaping into a wolf on one turn and then fighting the next turn.
3. Later on they get to count their wildshape attacks as magical.
4. Even later on they can wildshape into elementals.
Even in 2024 Moon Druid wildshape is stronger than other druids' wildshape.
This is a signature. It was a simple signature. But it has been upgraded.
Belolonandalogalo, Sunny | Draíocht, Kholias | Eggo Lass, 100 Dungeons
Talorin Tebedi, Vecna: Eve | Cherry, Stormwreck | Chipper, Strahd
We Are Modron
Get rickrolled here. Awesome music here. Track 48, 5/23/25, Immaculate Mary
No problem!
Others have already answered this, but, in case it’s helpful: Wild Shape is a class feature of the Druid. (In the 2014 rules, they gain it at 2nd level.)
At third level all classes then choose a subclass (in 2014 rules, Druid gained their subclass at level 2). A subclass is a sub specialisation for that class. For the Druid, the choices in the 2024 Players Handbook are the Circle of the Land, Circle of the Moon, Circle of the Sea and Circle of the Stars. (Other “Circles” are available in other sourcebooks.) Subclasses tend to emphasise different aspects of the basic class and can change how the class is played quite a bit. The Circle of the Land builds on the Spellcasting side of the Druid, whereas the Circle of the Moon augments the Wild Shape ability. In the 2024 rules, Moon Druids can, for example, choose higher CR (ie more powerful) beasts, gain more temporary hit points when in Wild Shape and cast certain spells (among other benefits).
Best thing for you is to get familiar with the rules (the basic free rules are on this site). For access to the Moon Druid, you’ll need access to the Players Handbook. You will also need access to the Monster Manual eventually, if you’re wanting to Wild Shape into higher CR (challenge rating) creatures (that’s an issue specific to the Moon Druid).
Allurian219: Thank you so much for the explanation and link! : )
AntonSirius: Thank you so much for the alternative suggestion! : )
VitusW:
"2. They can wildshape as a bonus action instead of an action. That allows for "I wildshape into a dire wolf and snap at the goblin!" instead of first wildshaping into a wolf on one turn and then fighting the next turn."
Oooh! I am so glad you told me this perk! Definitely looking at Moon Druid.
ThelenyiWhinlaw: Thank you for the clarification. I think I am starting to get it now. I am pretty sure, like 99.9% sure, I am going with druid Circle of the Moon. I will have to see if my local library has one of the books. Not sure which one my friend has or if I will ever directly play it with him, but I definitely need to get my hands on one of those books. I remember when I was a kid seeing DND books at the cards shop. They were expensive but amazing and I loved looking at the pages.