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

[Marandahir]

Well, the Moon Druid can't wildshape into a Brown Bear at Level 3 or Level 5. Their ability to access higher forms doesn't come online until level 6, when they get CR2, but they are following the Druid's Wildshape restrictions until then. So at level 5, it's CR1/2 creatures. This means they probably don't bother with Brown Bear as a form at all, because you can jump from CR 1/2 to CR 2 when the Druid gets to 6th level.

But, taking your example at level 5, the likely land combat forms are Ape, Black Bear and Giant Goat. All have the same HP, 19. So the difference is 15 tmp hp or 19 ... not exactly the insanely big difference here. And since the Druid doesn't revert unless knocked unconscious, to refresh that pool of temp hp in the same combat means reverting to normal form as a bonus action, then shifting again on your next turn. I'm not seeing the problem here.

What I am seeing is that the attack bonuses on these forms are +3 and +5 ... so not great.

Moon Druids have CR 1 at level 3, upon entering the subclass. They skip straight to the top of the level restriction for levels 3/4/5 (though without the flight immediately), and by level 6, they start getting 1/3-Druid Level. But they do have CR 1 for 3-4-5th levels, unlike other Druids.

EDIT: Now that I think of it, the language about higher CR beast forms at Level 6 is unnecessary. Put it at Level 3 -- You're going to be limited to CR 1 for levels 3/4/5 by virtue that it rounds down to 1 for each of those, before hitting CR 2 at Level 6.

 

[Willie the Duck]

I get why some people like the limited forms, since we're apparently stuck with hunting through the MM, but it was a... let's say 'choice' to make it even more impossible to play the druid in the feature film you literally just released.

Not sure what literally just released has to do with it. The devs goals are (and probably should be) those people picking up and playing the game in 2024, 5, and 6, not those that watched a movie in 2023.

That said, I think if the film had been a massive success and there were about to be several sequels with that character changing shape five times in a row (much less turning into an owlbear), then more effort would be put into making the 2024 druid match. However, it didn't, and they are now focusing on the game they have in front of them.

 

[Marandahir]

I get why some people like the limited forms, since we're apparently stuck with hunting through the MM, but it was a... let's say 'choice' to make it even more impossible to play the druid in the feature film you literally just released.

I imagine the final PHB will have common beasts printed in the back of the book for players to peruse without getting a peek at the MM.
Druids want it for Wildshape, Rangers for beast companions, Paladins for Find Steed, other characters for Find Familiar or for pack animals they've leased or bought.

 

[codo]

Well, the Moon Druid can't wildshape into a Brown Bear at Level 3 or Level 5. Their ability to access higher forms doesn't come online until level 6, when they get CR2, but they are following the Druid's Wildshape restrictions until then. So at level 5, it's CR1/2 creatures. This means they probably don't bother with Brown Bear as a form at all, because you can jump from CR 1/2 to CR 2 when the Druid gets to 6th level.

But, taking your example at level 5, the likely land combat forms are Ape, Black Bear and Giant Goat. All have the same HP, 19. So the difference is 15 tmp hp or 19 ... not exactly the insanely big difference here. And since the Druid doesn't revert unless knocked unconscious, to refresh that pool of temp hp in the same combat means reverting to normal form as a bonus action, then shifting again on your next turn. I'm not seeing the problem here.

What I am seeing is that the attack bonuses on these forms are +3 and +5 ... so not great.

Moon Druids can turn into CR 1 beast at level 3. It is under Circle Forms in the playtest packet.

 

[Vael]

Yeah, reading a PDF on full wide means ocassionally missing the bottom of the page

Still, the "Let's see how much tmp hp can be generated" is still an odd exercise, given the other changes to wildshape. Since the Moon Druid is only reverting after being knocked out, or spending a round out of wildshape it's not game breaking.

 

[Marandahir]

Moon Druids can turn into CR 1 beast at level 3. It is under Circle Forms in the playtest packet.

Really it should just all be in Circle Forms with the 6th-level feature as you can choose to deal Radiant Damage. Just let Circle of the Moon have a modified CR progression of Druid Level/3, rounded down. That's what it functionally is already, so they're wasting space by saying it can be CR 1 at Level 3 and Druid Level/3 from Level 6 onward.

 

[mellored]

EDIT: Now that I think of it, the language about higher CR beast forms at Level 6 is unnecessary. Put it at Level 3 -- You're going to be limited to CR 1 for levels 3/4/5 by virtue that it rounds down to 1 for each of those, before hitting CR 2 at Level 6.

Agreed.

Now that subclasses are level 3, it's matches up perfectly.

 

[DeviousQuail]

I get why some people like the limited forms, since we're apparently stuck with hunting through the MM, but it was a... let's say 'choice' to make it even more impossible to play the druid in the feature film you literally just released.

At 5th level you have 4 known forms, can wildshape as a bonus action even if you aren't a moon druid, have 2 uses of wildshape, and the ability to use 9 spell slots to gain additional uses of wildshape if you need them without using an action at all. By 8th level you'd have the ability to do her entire escape scene from the movie. At this point the only thing missing is the ability to turn into an Owlbear, which can be solved by changing it from a monstrosity to a beast.

 

[Vael]

At 5th level you have 4 known forms, can wildshape as a bonus action even if you aren't a moon druid, have 2 uses of wildshape, and the ability to use 9 spell slots to gain additional uses of wildshape if you need them without using an action at all. By 8th level you'd have the ability to do her entire escape scene from the movie. At this point the only thing missing is the ability to turn into an Owlbear, which can be solved by changing it from a monstrosity to a beast.

Well, Doric uses 6 different shapes in that escape scene.

 

[DeviousQuail]

Well, Doric uses 6 different shapes in that escape scene.

I had to look it up and forgot that she started as a fly. I just remembered her being a mouse, a bird, a cat, a deer and an axe beak(?).