Polymorph/wild-shape

[Trellian]

Does a characters buff items still count when he is polymorphed/wild-shaped? Bracers of Armor, Ring of protection and so on?

 

[Patlin]

It's going to defend on what form the character takes, and whether or not the buffing item is something the new form can wear. These rules have been revised several times, and I think the most recent version has the Druid out of luck. Polymorph is more flexible, especially if you are polymorphing into something humanoid in shape.

 

[Trellian]

Well, if we are going into the specifics, it's a Lich blighter with undead wild shape. The wild shape section under the druid says that wild shape works like Polymorph.

 

[mikebr99]

Well, if we are going into the specifics, it's a Lich blighter with undead wild shape. The wild shape section under the druid says that wild shape works like Polymorph.

It used to say that... now wildshape (errated) works like the errated Alternate Form ability in the MM.

And officially... you need to purchase wilding clasps (MIC) for any of your magic items to function in animal form.

Mike

 

[Trellian]

Now I understand why my druid player never uses wild shape. Thanks.

 

[King-Panda]

In my opinion, which probably disagrees with the rules, I consider magical buffs to be magical, and therefore not dependent on physical form. I use Rich B's rules for polymorphing, and treat Wildshape as polymorph per those rules. Certain spells I wouldn't allow to carry over, like one that would increase your natural armor; you merely take the natural armor of the creature you are changing shape into. But spells like Shield of Faith or Shocking Grasp would carry over, because it makes thematic sense to me.

 

[shilsen]

In my opinion, which probably disagrees with the rules, I consider magical buffs to be magical, and therefore not dependent on physical form. I use Rich B's rules for polymorphing, and treat Wildshape as polymorph per those rules. Certain spells I wouldn't allow to carry over, like one that would increase your natural armor; you merely take the natural armor of the creature you are changing shape into. But spells like Shield of Faith or Shocking Grasp would carry over, because it makes thematic sense to me.

Actually, most spells would carry over in wildshape, so what you're doing doesn't disagree with the rules. In fact, you're possibly being more restrictive than the RAW, since Barkskin (fairly standard druid buff) would provide an enhancement bonus to natural armor in regular form or in wildshape.

 

[King-Panda]

Well I'll have to change it then, I haven't really dealt with polymorph or wildshape too often; my players are almost never druids, and don't often use polymorph. I can easily see barkskin working while PM'ed though, seeing as how it's a +enhancement bonus and not a set value of Natural armor. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[shilsen]

Well I'll have to change it then, I haven't really dealt with polymorph or wildshape too often; my players are almost never druids, and don't often use polymorph. I can easily see barkskin working while PM'ed though, seeing as how it's a +enhancement bonus and not a set value of Natural armor. Thanks for pointing that out.

Glad to help.