D&D (2024) Playtest Packet 6: They knocked Druid out of the Park

[UngainlyTitan]

Circle of the Moon is hugely nerfed, though, and that's 60% of druids.

Which is why, that high a percentage meant it was too good to pass up.

 

[Parmandur]

I am disappointed that we didn't give templates another try but not surprised, the first reaction to their druids was very definitive.

I've been thinking about this, and maybe a better solution is to include explicit "Build-A-Bear" options in the MM or DMG, so that a DM has solid guidance on helping a Druid make custom stat blocks if they want to something oddball like a Tapir

 

[Bolares]

I don't get the complaint about not being able to be "the wolf guy" or choosing how your form looks with this itteration, and I'd love some perspective. With a static stat block you would have to skin and flavour your beast form as a wolf either way, why can't you reskin your mammoth form as an enourmous wolf? It looks like the same exact amount of work...

 

[mellored]

I don't get the complaint about not being able to be "the wolf guy" or choosing how your form looks with this itteration, and I'd love some perspective. With a static stat block you would have to skin and flavour your beast form as a wolf either way, why can't you reskin your mammoth form as an enourmous wolf? It looks like the same exact amount of work...

Wolves surround a target with their allies.

Mammoths need to charge 20' in a straight line.

Neither can climb up a wall and spit webs at someone.

 

[Bolares]

Wolves surround a target with their allies.

Mammoths need to charge 20' in a straight line.

Neither can climb up a wall and spit webs at someone.

how static stat blocks would solve this? Unless you make A LOT of stat blocks with options for every kind of favorite kind of beast, emulating the beasts tactics you would end up having to waive some stuff about the stat block.

 

[mellored]

how static stat blocks would solve this? Unless you make A LOT of stat blocks with options for every kind of favorite kind of beast, emulating the beasts tactics you would end up having to waive some stuff about the stat block.

You could make a bunch of stat blocks, including CR 6 wolves and spiders, put them in the monster manual. That would fix the issue.


Alternatively, just a basic stat block and a few add-ons.

Wild shape: you get this scaling stat block. You get addition features based on the form you choose. You choose the details about how the form looks.

Lupine form: when in wild shape, you gain pack tactics and can trip

Equestrian form: when in wild shape, your movement speed is increased by 15', you can charge, and allies can ride you.

Spider form: while in wild shape, you gain a climbs speed and can shoot webs.

Ape form: you can throw rocks and manipulate objects.

....

 

[codo]

You could make a bunch of stat blocks, including CR 6 wolves and spiders, put them in the monster manual. That would fix the issue.


Alternatively, just a basic stat block and a few add-ons.

Wild shape: you get this scaling stat block. You get addition features based on the form you choose. You choose the details about how the form looks.

Lupine form: when in wild shape, you gain pack tactics and can trip

Equestrian form: when in wild shape, your movement speed is increased by 15', you can charge, and allies can ride you.

Spider form: while in wild shape, you gain a climbs speed and can shoot webs.

Ape form: you can throw rocks and manipulate objects.

....

I just had a related idea reading your post. How about having saleable stat blocks for beasts. You could have a single stat block for cats, and its HP attack bonus and damage can scale with its CR.

 

[mellored]

How about having saleable stat blocks for beasts. You could have a single stat block for cats, and its HP attack bonus and damage can scale with its CR.

That could also work.

And not just for beasts.

If a DM wants a level 8 giant goblin (which is medium size), they could just scale it up.

 

[Vael]

So a scaleable stat block that can be applied ... like a template? Hmmmmm ....

 

[codo]

So a scaleable stat block that can be applied ... like a template? Hmmmmm ....

A template where a wolf is different from a spider and a bear.

Most of the complaints I have seen is about the templates was about lack of customizability and every animal being the same.