Can a Druid Wildshape into a Rat Swarm?

[wuyanei]

No, you cannot wildshape into a swarm. Nor would you need to. Just wildshape into a rat, and use the summon swarm spell (Drd 2) to summon a rat swarm around you.

You will need the Natural Spell feat to do this, but the feat is a must-have for any druid anyways.

 

[Thanee]

Swarm is not really a creature, it's a mass of creatures, which is used like a single creature in the rules for simplicities sake, only.

Bye
Thanee

 

[IcyCool]

There's something similar in Libris Mortis, but I don't remember the specifics - other than that it is a template that can be applied to Undead.

EDIT:

From the Return to Undermountain stuff on the WotC site:

The problem with the template in Libris Mortis is that it has no level adjustment. It's for NPC's only.

I have been looking for a way to get a swarm as an animal companion and being able to wildshape into a swarm, as I think they conjure up an incredible thematic image.

 

[Pielorinho]

Would there be any rules-unbalance to allowing this? I'd add the caveat that any rat who ventures more than 10' away from the main body of the swarm becomes a separate creature that wanders off, inflicting 1 point of damage to the swarm. This prevents the shift-and-scatter strategy that would otherwise be so tempting.

Daniel

 

[Rackhir]

No only Granny Weatheraxe was ever able to do swarm creatures.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Would there be any rules-unbalance to allowing this? I'd add the caveat that any rat who ventures more than 10' away from the main body of the swarm becomes a separate creature that wanders off, inflicting 1 point of damage to the swarm. This prevents the shift-and-scatter strategy that would otherwise be so tempting.

Daniel

Like I said - you have to be 11th level to become the lamest swarm (a swarm of rats). You get half damage from slashing and piercing, immunity to many single-target spells, and a vulnerability to area effects.

Defensively, it's interesting. Offensively it's pretty worthless - you've been able to summon the things since 3rd level.

Out of combat - you could already turn into a rat and get where you wanted. Being a lot of loosely-coordinated rats doesn't seem to be particularly useful.

You can never get down to the swarms that are totally damage immune - rat is the only one available.

The rule about splitting the swarm is a good one.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Isn't the "no templates" part in wildshape, too?

 

[glass]

One thought.

If swarms are allowed, are mobs?


glass.

 

[Voadam]

from the srd

"At 5th level, a druid gains the ability to turn herself into any Small or Medium animal and back again once per day. Her options for new forms include all creatures with the animal type. "

"For game purposes a swarm is defined as a single creature."

Seems OK

 

[Corvidae]

there is a prestige class in "savage species" that lets you wildshape into a swarm I believe, it also lets you teleport swarm to swarm.