Druid Wildshape: HD Advanced forms?

[nittanytbone]

Hello, quick question.

A druid of level 5-8 can wildshape into Small and Medium animal forms.

Owls are normally tiny creatures, but they can be advanced to "small" with 2 HD or more. Could a druid of level 5-8 shift into an "upgraded" small owl?

What about a medium eagle (eagles are normally small)?

I suppose this also has consequences for turning into a large wolf when you can wildshape Large, although I don't know why'd you bother since the Dire Animals become available at that point.

Thanks!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Wildshape is based on Polymorph, and Polymorph allows you to assume the form of an average member of a species (per the Alter Self text).

Advanced creatures are by definition above average

-Hyp.

 

[TheGogmagog]

Wildshape is based on Polymorph, and Polymorph allows you to assume the form of an average member of a species (per the Alter Self text).

Advanced creatures are by definition above average

-Hyp.

Does that hold true for Hydras, Elementals, and other monsters that simply have multiple blocks for each advancement opposed to making the DM advance the creature?

 

[Moon-Lancer]

I think thats up to the dm. I would say yes though. They are not progressions and have thier own stat blocks and whatnot.