D&D 3E/3.5 3.5 - Keep Physical stats while Shapechanged?

[Dandu]

Stop overreacting. It'll do your heart good.

I was just pointing out that how your run things is different from the default assumptions, and how that change seems to be predated on a slight misunderstanding of how Wildshape works. I then tried to be helpful and clarify the issue.

If that makes you upset, don't read. After all, I'm not saying that you have follow suit.

 

[CuRoi]

OP - Why would you want to keep your physical stats? Seems getting new form physical stats are part of the fun! I'm sensing there is perhaps a cheesy, munchkiny reason for this, hehe. I'd love to hear why you want to do it though I can't think of a way to accomplish it within the rules.

Dandu / Athos - I think you are both using the rules...just different versions : ) Something like 3.5 and 3.756 alpha.

I still use whats in my 3.5 PHB re. Druid's Wild Shape being much like Polymorph. I just find the fact that Con changes will effect everything but Hit Points sort of odd. Easier to mess with sure, but odd in many ways.

As for the mention of druids dump stating con - talk about literal "paper tigers!" My current Barbarian/Druid in our game has Con as his highest stat...I might actually want to talk the DM into adopting the Alternate Form / HP rule. : )

 

[athos]

You're using Shapechange and Polymorph, and still concerned about using too much cheese?

Sounds snarky to me.

 

[tabaz]

I am interested in keeping original stats because some of the forms that I enjoy the special abilities of and would want to Shapechange or Polymorph into have horrible stats. Coupled with an inability for a lot of them to be enhanced with magic items it becomes less fun to try many of the more diverse forms.

 

[Jacob]

I am interested in keeping original stats because some of the forms that I enjoy the special abilities of and would want to Shapechange or Polymorph into have horrible stats. Coupled with an inability for a lot of them to be enhanced with magic items it becomes less fun to try many of the more diverse forms.

My brother once considered the idea of crafting alternate items for his Druid character, and have them be akin to the Wild enhancement for armor (even though the item would be melded, he would still gain the benefit). I don't know how the math would work with that, but perhaps that's something you're willing to consider if you have the druid and funds available to make them?

 

[CuRoi]

I've had something similar come up with players and the suggestion for making enhancment items the new form can "wear" was actually tossed around. So the previous posts suggestion sounds decent. Though the sillyness of tossing down a bag pre-spellcast and then putting on the items (or in some cases having the party put the items on you) is a bit far fetched.

Honestly though, if the new form has bad physical stats, I think it is just something you have to deal with to get at the cool stuff you are wanting to "borrow" from the form. Sometimes monsters have poor physical stats for a reason (they are beefed up in other areas perhaps.)

What specifically are some fo the forms? Maybe instead of altering physical stats or keeping your own, people can offer suggestions on how to deal with lower Str / Dex / Con? Or they can offer ways to get at the abilities you want through other means...

 

[Jack Simth]

If you are running things differently, you're changing the rules.

Since the FAQ is not RAW, you will forgive me if I cite RAW in this instance.

Under Alternate Form, it says

Do note, however, that Wildshape works based on Alternate Form because of Errata to 3.5. You'll get the updated version in most copies of the SRD, and the last few printings of the PHB, but if he's got one of the first printings of the PHB, it'll say it's based on Polymorph, which doesn't specify the lack of an HP change.

My brother once considered the idea of crafting alternate items for his Druid character, and have them be akin to the Wild enhancement for armor (even though the item would be melded, he would still gain the benefit). I don't know how the math would work with that, but perhaps that's something you're willing to consider if you have the druid and funds available to make them?

The Wilding Clasp made it into the Magic Item Compendium, and does something like what you're talking about.

 

[Jacob]

The Wilding Clasp made it into the Magic Item Compendium, and does something like what you're talking about.

That book is crack, I tell you. I've yet to get my hands on the book yet, or even read what it has. Probably for the best, considering don't think I know all the magic items from the original DMG yet. Going to be a goal of mine. Then I'll drive mytself nuts with the MIC. And I think my brother would be very interested in knowing of this clasp.