Way of Many Forms

Monasteries that teach the Way of Many Forms are far and few between, often found in isolated places deep in the wilderness. Through intensive study, training, and meditation, the disciples of this tradition learn how to transform their bodies and take on the shapes of animals.

Monastic orders that follow the Way of Many Forms often trace their origins back to ancient druidic circles, or to the temples of changeling gods. Others might have developed these techniques as exercises on a path towards greater understanding or enlightenment. Whatever the case, these monks regard their practice as a sacred discipline, and they strive unrelentingly to improve.

Table for the purpose of uploading to D&D Beyond because of weird automatic restriction rules.

Animal Shape

When you choose this tradition at 3rd level, you learn how to transform yourself into an animal, much as a druid does. As an action, you can assume the shape of a beast that you have seen before. You can use this feature twice, and you regain expended uses when you finish a short or long rest.

Your monk level determines the beasts you can transform into, as shown in the Beast Shapes table.

Beast Shapes

Level	Max. CR	Limitations
3rd	1/2	No flying or swimming speed
6th	1	No flying speed
9th	2	⸺
12th	3	⸺
15th	4	⸺
18th	5	⸺

You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal to half your monk level (rounded down). You then revert to your normal form unless you expend another use of this feature. You can revert to your normal form earlier by using a bonus action on your turn. You automatically revert if you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die.

While you are transformed, your Unarmored Defense, Unarmored Movement, and Martial Arts class features do not apply to you, nor to the attacks granted by your beast form’s natural weapons. In addition, the same rules apply to you as to the druid’s Wild Shape feature. For a list of these rules, refer to the druid class description in the Player’s Handbook.

Forced Transformation

If you have no uses of Animal Shape remaining, you can instead spend 3 ki points to change form. When transforming in this way, however, there is a 25% chance that you become trapped in your beast form. Once trapped in this way, you cannot revert to your normal form, either by choice or automatically, until this condition is lifted by a remove curse or similar spell.

Enhanced Transformation

Starting at 6th level, you can manipulate ki to strengthen your transformations, gaining the following benefits.

Magic Natural Weapons

Your attacks in beast form count as magical for the purpose of overcoming resistance and immunity to nonmagical attacks and damage.

Swift Shapechange

You can spend 1 ki point to use Animal Shape on your turn as a bonus action, rather than as an action.

Familiar Form

When you reach 11th level, taking on animal shapes has become second nature to you, allowing you to apply your monk’s training to your beast forms. While you are transformed, you now benefit from your Unarmored Defense, Unarmored Movement, and Martial Arts class features. 

Any attacks that use your natural weapons now count as unarmed strikes for you. If your beast form grants the Multiattack action, it can be taken as a replacement to any two unarmed strikes you would make on your turn.

Changeling Master

At 17th level, you achieve phenomenal control over your physical form. You can cast the alter self spell at will with no components required, and you can never be unwillingly subjected to an effect that changes your shape, such as the polymorph spell.