D&D 5E 5e druids/wildshape/combat forms/improvements

[Lucas Blackstone]

The multi-class into barbarian or monk are probably the easiest way to improve combat performance in wildshape. Raging and then wildshaping makes the hp offered by the animal form last even longer. And there is AC boost potential from the Con bonus of said shape too. I'm not as big of a fan of the monk multi-class but it has potential as Mellored previously stated.

 

[CapnZapp]

I'm giving my player's druid special armor that changes into barding for their new shape, but it's nothing official.

Overall, the druid's power is a little underwhelming at higher levels because the CR of the creatures you can change into is so limited. At low to medium levels it can be situationally useful, and the free HP is always nice.

My main point is that either there are mechanical ways to improve your main form of combat or there aren't.

It's almost always a stronger choice to play a class for which there is.

In less abstract words. It's better to play a fighter than a monk, since the fighter can benefit from several feats, have good multiclass synergy and there's a truckload of magic items waiting for you.

In comparison, there are (to my knowledge) no monk-centric feat, almost no good multiclass venues, and there are very few magic items made specifically for monks.

In this light, the druid - and specifically the moon druid in beast shape - have nothing. It's one of the ways the game could improve; by better serving the underserved.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

This may not apply directly to your question, and more to druids in general, but in the past week or so Jeremy Crawford clarified on Twitter that a druid can ready a spell, shapeshift, and then deliver the spell while in animal form. So while you cannot cast a spell in animal form, you can complete a readied spell. It would be so amusing to see a druid shapeshift, charge at the enemy, and release an attack spell part way there. I would definitely give advantage on that charge attack due to the shock the enemies might be in on having that happen. Think about a druid/any caster multiclass that has fireball or lightning bolt. Ready the spell, shift, charge, and release a fireball or bolt at the enemy that looks like it is coming right out of your mouth. Or even just multiple magic missiles, for a lower level spell. lol

 

[Croesus]

This may not apply directly to your question, and more to druids in general, but in the past week or so Jeremy Crawford clarified on Twitter that a druid can ready a spell, shapeshift, and then deliver the spell while in animal form.

Interesting idea. Unfortunately, readying a spell requires concentration and the druid already has too many spells that require that.

 

[MechaTarrasque]

There comes a time in every moon druid's life when he/she realizes that he/she needs to cast conjure animals before wild shaping, so that instead of attacking with one bear, he/she can attack with a couple of bears (and the wise druid has the conjured bear(s) attack first, so that if they die, you don't have to worry about concentration).

The druid whose player has adequately bribed the DM with pizza can get bitten by a werebear.

 

[CapnZapp]

Another example of what would be cool is a potion your buddies feed you in beast form that lace your wild beast's bite with acid, or something.

Keeps a beast form relevant even after the low levels.

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[Shadowdweller00]

I'm not quite sure what the OP is getting at here?

* There are certainly plenty of (low-level) spells that could enhance the character prior to wildshape. For example: Mage Armor.

* A fair few feats, such as Savage Attacker could conceivably apply to wildshape, depending on DM interpretation.

* Multiclass abilities - such as Rage or Unarmored Defense help. Similarly, owls familiars wouldn't automagically disappear.

* A fair few druid spells (cast beforehand) can enhance or complement wildshape damage. For example, druid wildshapes into a giant octopus or other grappler and then drags the enemy into the damage zone of a Moonbeam or Flaming Sphere spell.

* The wildshape description explicitly states that magic items might remain working at the DM's discretion. While there aren't any to my knowledge that specifically apply to Wildshape, there are also very few that apply to any other single class anyway. Many would remain quite useful - Ioun stones, bracers of defense, cloaks of displacement, etc.

* One is always free to invent such things as DM or ask the DM whether such options might be available? I'd be surprised if there wasn't something wildshape-specific on the DM's guild somewhere.

 

[Shiroiken]

Too bad there are no stats for cattle. Just so you could do a "raging bull".

Actually, Cow is listed in either Volos or Out of the Abyss, because of the underdark version of cow, I just don't remember which book.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

Actually, Cow is listed in either Volos or Out of the Abyss, because of the underdark version of cow, I just don't remember which book.

Volo's Guide to Monsters. Multiple types.

 

[CapnZapp]

I'm not quite sure what the OP is getting at here?

The OP is venting his frustration there is no cool stuff made specifically to improve/customize wildshape beast forms.

An elk with pack tactics? An elephant with Pounce? An "ettin bear" with two bite attacks! A crocodile with caustic breath, dealing +1d6 acid damage on bite attacks. An ape with crackling fists doing bonus thunder damage on fist attacks!

There's all kinds of cool ideas that could enlighten the moon druid's day, but none of it is in the official rules...



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