Dingleberry
First Post
Precisely. 
Druid Speaking Common while Wildshaped?
- Thread starter zyzzyr
- Start date
Well, by "total waste" I was specifically referring to the druid's ability to share ideas and thoughts with the group.
And as to "encouraging roleplaying" ... that's so open ended. In this case, it's discouraging roleplaying. I don't want to sit in dire bear form because it's kickass, I want to stay as an animal for as many hours as possible. If every hour is possible, then great. The character always wanted to be free, and animals represent freedom to him. So he wants to be in animal shape always.
And in some cases (Hypersmurf's example), you're probably right - in a large group. In a group of only 2 players and 1 DM, well, that's going to kill the game if it happens more than rarely.
And as to "encouraging roleplaying" ... that's so open ended. In this case, it's discouraging roleplaying. I don't want to sit in dire bear form because it's kickass, I want to stay as an animal for as many hours as possible. If every hour is possible, then great. The character always wanted to be free, and animals represent freedom to him. So he wants to be in animal shape always.
And in some cases (Hypersmurf's example), you're probably right - in a large group. In a group of only 2 players and 1 DM, well, that's going to kill the game if it happens more than rarely.
Dimwhit
Explorer
I agree with zyzzyr. The Druid I play is, for roleplaying purpose, withdrawing into himself. He spends every possible moment in animal form. His alignment has even shifted as a result. I like where it's leading. But it would sure be nice if I could occasionally voice an opinion without having to turn back into a human. It's nothing major. I don't at all think this makes the Druid a "total waste." Far from it. I was shocked when I read that Wizards was beefing up the Druid because they were a class that 'needed work.' I think they're one of the most powerful classes. But I just wish they had a decent form of communication while wildshaped.
Antikinesis
First Post
Hmmm... that has a possibility. Take one level of sorcerer, take a raven as your familiar, and translator.ChaosMage said:Heh... anyone else get a mental image of the wildshaped druid having a conversation with the wizard's familiar?
Could work, I think.
-AK
zyzzyr said:
I'm not sure why its such a stretch or difficutly for the druid to spend most of his time in human form....if he really wants to be chatting everyone up all day.
If he really wants the freedom of animal forms 24-7, then that already seems to pull the character more towards the role of the reclusive, dare I say "druidic", man who seems to be more animal than human....
What you are really saying is that the way you want to roleplay a druid is to be constantly chatting up your teammates and sharing ideas while always being in animal form, which is fine, but isn't the only way to roleplay, as has been mentioned.
I wouldn't allow it, and don't see the necessity.
-Skaros
Hi Skaros,
Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I didn't mean that my druid wanted to be Mr. Chatty - I am more on the side of Dimwhit - you want to be able to occasionally voice an opinion without having to change form.
I could argue that even if you take the extreme, and you want a chatty druid, then you should still be able to do so. If an awakened animal can speak the language, why can't a wildshaped druid?
But beyond that, since that's not really the point I'm trying to make, I don't see it as unreasonable to have a "Speaking Wildshape", which, unlike the MotW version, allows you to speak the languages you know. Since you lose benefit of magical items while wildshaped (unless you put them on while in animal form), this doesn't really seem like a power issue to me.
I'm baffled as to why you wouldn't allow it. There are plenty more powerful features a player could ask for. It seems reasonable.
Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression. I didn't mean that my druid wanted to be Mr. Chatty - I am more on the side of Dimwhit - you want to be able to occasionally voice an opinion without having to change form.
I could argue that even if you take the extreme, and you want a chatty druid, then you should still be able to do so. If an awakened animal can speak the language, why can't a wildshaped druid?
But beyond that, since that's not really the point I'm trying to make, I don't see it as unreasonable to have a "Speaking Wildshape", which, unlike the MotW version, allows you to speak the languages you know. Since you lose benefit of magical items while wildshaped (unless you put them on while in animal form), this doesn't really seem like a power issue to me.
I'm baffled as to why you wouldn't allow it. There are plenty more powerful features a player could ask for. It seems reasonable.
Speaks With Stone
First Post
While it would be handy to speak common in wildshape form, I'd gladly trade away that ability to be able to speak the animal tongue of the shape I was in and/or be treated as an animal while wildshaped for spell targeting purposes.
I actually like the fact that you have to turn human again to communicate with humans. I just wish that by turning into a crow, I could talk to other crows.
Besides, I find the limits of casting speak with animals to communicate with my animal companions to be more frustrating then having to turn human to speak with my human companions. My animal companions often have better things to say anyway.
I actually like the fact that you have to turn human again to communicate with humans. I just wish that by turning into a crow, I could talk to other crows.
Besides, I find the limits of casting speak with animals to communicate with my animal companions to be more frustrating then having to turn human to speak with my human companions. My animal companions often have better things to say anyway.
Well, you can take "Speaking Wildshape" feat from MotW. Allows you to speak the language of the form you are currently inhabiting.
I agree it's a cool power, and I like very much. I don't know if I'll be able to take it though ... I am currently tight on feats.
Also, you could buy a "torc of animal speech" which is a permanent "speak with animals" effect.
I agree it's a cool power, and I like very much. I don't know if I'll be able to take it though ... I am currently tight on feats.
Also, you could buy a "torc of animal speech" which is a permanent "speak with animals" effect.
I was just going to recommend that.
I talked to my DM a bit and then made a torc for a party member. Basically, the DM ruled after the discussion that the Torc translated animal sounds -- so even if I wasn't REALLY an animal, the Torc allowed one party member to understand me.
It worked. And I hardly think it's overpowering.
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