Your magic turns others into beasts. Choose any number of willing creatures that you can see within range. You transform each target into the form of a Large or smaller beast with a challenge rating of 4 or lower. On subsequent turns, you can use your action to transform affected creatures into new forms.
The transformation lasts for the duration for each target, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. You can choose a different form for each target. A target's game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast, though the target retains its alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. The target assumes the hit points of its new form, and when it reverts to its normal form, it returns to the number of hit points it had before it transformed. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce the creature's normal form to 0 hit points, it isn't knocked unconscious. The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can't speak or cast spells.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The target can't activate, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Considering that the target assumes the hit points of its new form and that the caster can choose new forms on subsequent turns, will the affected targets be back to full health of the new creature they transform into on every turn?
The language is very similar to that of the druid Wild Shape ability. When using that ability, a druid assumes the hit points of its new form. Given that it is an 8th level spell with a CR4 shape limit, I think it's safe to assume they intended it to work this way.
What're the arguments for and against self target on this spell?
Against: First line in the spell description "Your magic turns others (bold added) into beasts" not others and yourself.
For: A poor understanding of English grammar. Rule of Cool says, "Do it". Table/house rules.
Master plan:
Be a necromancer
Make huge army of zombies
Use wish to cast this spell
Huge army of nigh-unkillable elephants under your control
Attack BBEG
Will this work on shapeshifters?
Yes, absolutely, the polymorph line of spells does specify having no effect on shapechangers, whereas this spell makes no mention and so will not adhere to the same restriction :)
As KaptainKittens said but a reminder. This only works on willing creatures. You cannot use it on unwilling ones, so if those shapeshifters are opponents this has no effect obviously.
It states “large or smaller” so you can’t do elephants :/
unless you bribe the DM.
This... Seems like a polymorph/wildshape mix.
but it's a 8th level spell
Dnd is confusing
Let me fix this:
Be a spore druid (has access to animate dead)
Make an army of skeletons (higher intelligence than zombie).
Use cast Animal Shapes at level 8.
Huge stampede of rampaging Awakened White Moose at your command. Or whatever, you can always change them.
unfortunately elephants are Huge beasts. you could do walrus though, which is arguably much funnier
w h i t e m o o s e s w a r m
A big battle is being prepared. Pretend to help. Tell everyone you'll morph them into something strong and do it. Then turn them into lemmings and hurl them off a cliff.
The spell doesn't say whether the creatures have to be willing for subsequent transformations.
Get the populace of a town to rise up against BBEG
Turn the populace into giant scorpions
Giant scorpion army
what happens to a creature swallowed by a player in giant subterranean lizard form because of this spell?
do the creatures follow commands ore behave like wild animals? e.g. If i transform a stock of bees into a wolf pack, would they attack my enemy, me ore does the DM decide that? Do wild creatures even count a "willing" ?
There are NO CR4 Beasts Large or smaller in any book as of 2022. And only one CR3 Beast. So you'd better be happy with Giant Scorpions.
The new form can't cast spells so I think you wouldn't be concentrating the spell anymore and it'd immediately end, even though when you cast the spell you were a willing target you can see.
CR 4 large beasts includes the Giant Corral Snake from Ghosts of Saltmarsh. CR 3 Large beasts include the Giant Snapping Turtles from Tomb of Annihilation, the Bristled Moorbounder from Wildemount, the Awakened White Moose from Rime of the Frostmaiden, the Giant Lightning Eel from the Hidden Shrine of Tamoachan, and of course the Giant Scorpion.