D&D (2024) New Wild Shape

[Remathilis]

4: you like to use a variety of shapes to adapt to different situations.

I'm still fine with a general stat block. But sometimes I want high speed and pounce to chase down a fleeing target, sometimes I want web to split a group of enemies, sometimes I want poison to give a boss disadvantage on attacks, sometimes I want to be a giant armored crab who can grapple, sometimes I want to push creatures off a cliff.

I'm fine with a general stat block. But it needs extra flexibility. Especially for the moon druid.

This is where I'm at. If you give me a few extra options that I can pick from (like poison, grapple/constrict, pounce, webs, etc) then I feel I can live with one statblock to rule them all.

A large amount of the summon spells in Tasha already gives one stat-block with a couple different configurations. I think that might be a good way to do this.

 

[Clint_L]

I am curious - for those unhappy that the hulk megatank build for druids are gone - How would you feel if that was instead moved to the barbarian class, as an upgraded totem warrior/beast subclass? That is you are locked down to a single animal, not having the versatility of the druid. However you get the full flavor and versatility of your chosen animal along with the base barbarian rage buffs.

The reason I ask is that I do recognize this as a pretty cool playstyle, it just seem to belong with the barbarian. That is the class that is supposed to have bursts of extreme martial power.

I have seen noone talking about how this is fiting the traditional flavor of druid in folklore - except for pointing out that transforming to small animals is sort of a standard.

It is the traditional flavour of druids in RPGs, and I don't see it as a barbarian thing at all. I don't think the change will go through as currently framed, since it is already receiving heavy criticism. And I don't think it is at all fair to tell players that the way they have played their character for years would require them to re-roll as a totally different class.

The numbers need massaging at low levels, but the basic play style of druid tanking is fun and unique, and should not be removed from the game.

 

[TheSword]

yeah I don't get why the HP buffer went away... especially when you have preset stats you could just give each form a number of hp

Because it’s a joke. The Druid getting 2-5 times as many hp than the fighter with a couple of wild shapes makes a mockery of combat at low levels and the low AC makes it pointless at high levels at which Point the Druid becomes a lame horse.

Tiny wildshape particularly impacts non-combat challenges - where the Druid becomes the perfect spy/scout as long as they are on their own. The whole class is a party unity nightmare.

A serious rethink is needed.

I don’t think the unearthed arcana is the finished article but it’s a good starting point.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

Suggestion: allow tiny scouting, but not automatic succeed at it.

When spotted by another creature, you can make a Wisdom (Nature) check against their passive insight. If you succeed, they assume you are a normal animal and will generally pay you no mind, allowing you to sneak past or scout.
Unnatrial behavior that brings attention to yourself, such a mouse grabbing a key, will instantly cause alarm. And cooks may still chase a mouse out of a kitchen.

Also, druids should have expertise in nature.

I believe they can, with a feat.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Because it’s a joke. The Druid getting 2-5 times as many hp than the fighter with a couple of wild shapes makes a mockery of combat at low levels and the low AC makes it pointless at high levels at which Point the Druid becomes a lame horse.

im sorry but there is no point in combat wildshape as per this playtest... if each form got 5x your druid level in hp and when they hit 0 you revert to your form with extra damage rolling over it would be fine

A serious rethink is needed.

I don’t think the unearthed arcana is the finished article but it’s a good starting point.

on this we agree

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

im sorry but there is no point in combat wildshape as per this playtest... if each form got 5x your druid level in hp and when they hit 0 you revert to your form with extra damage rolling over it would be fine

I normally agree with a lot you say, but just no. Barbarians have 2 more HP/level and no spells. Fighters have 1 more HP/level.

 

[TheSword]

im sorry but there is no point in combat wildshape as per this playtest... if each form got 5x your druid level in hp and when they hit 0 you revert to your form with extra damage rolling over it would be fine

on this we agree

Wild shape grants a 1d8+wisdom damage attack. A 10’ increase in speed, darkvision, gains keen senses, at fifth level you’re getting multi-attack even though the Druid doesn’t normally get multi-attack and a 40’ climb speed.

Hardly no reason.

The problem is the drop in AC that’s what harms this Druid in combat. The ability should give the Druid AC 10 + Wis bonus + Dex bonus. Plus any magic improvements to AC.

I’d also like to see some wild spells that can be used in wild shape and improve wildshape combat ability - magic attacks, bite etc

 

[mellored]

im sorry but there is no point in combat wildshape as per this playtest... if each form got 5x your druid level in hp and when they hit 0 you revert to your form with extra damage rolling over it would be fine

I see you 5HP per level
and raise you 3 THP per level, still using your regular hit points.

 

[Jefe Bergenstein]

I see you 5HP per level
and raise you 3 THP per level, still using your regular hit points.

How about taking the Toughness feat, buffing with spells, and buying combat wildshape focused magic items?

 

[mellored]

I normally agree with a lot you say, but just no. Barbarians have 2 more HP/level and no spells. Fighters have 1 more HP/level.

Fighters can have 20+ AC and still a 1d8 weapon. Barbarians have rage that effectively doubles their HP.

Wild shape gets 14 AC.

Not quite the same, and definitely needs something more to be in the front lines.