Stupid Wildshape Trick

[Shayuri]

For the purpose of this trick assume the Druid in question has been swallowed by a creature that has enough room in its gut for a Medium creature, but NOT for a Huge creature. Furthermore, the druid is experienced enough to wildshape into a Huge form.

I think y'all can see where this is going.

What happens when that wily old druid, that's been swallowed by some critter that's about as big as an elephant, BECOMES an elephant?

Does the wildshape not work? Is his size constrained? Or does he pull an Aliens-style exit on the poor swallower?

Is there an actual rule on this that I missed, or a Sage response?

Thankee!

 

[Kae'Yoss]

AFAIK, you can't damage anything by getting bigger inside it.

 

[Stormrunner]

I suspect his size is constrained. Note that you can't crush a critter to death by putting it in a small cage and then casting Animal Growth or Enlarge Person on it.
(As an aside, apparently you can only enlarge/reduce humanoids or animals via magic. You can enlarge your warhorse, but not a centaur or a unicorn or a mechanical horse or a horse zombie...)
The above spells do give the trapped critter a Str check to burst its bonds - but from the perspective of a DM I'd say this is too much of an "insta-kill, no save" effect and disallow it.

 

[SoulStorm]

I'd give the creature a fort save vs. 10 + 1/2 druid level + wisdom modifier. Failure = clean up on isle 3.

It's not exactly like it's a common occurance and the flavor (no pun intended) rocks.

Additionally, such creatures usually have very good fort. saves.

 

[nsruf]

I'd have the swallowing creature throw the druid up during the transform. Assuming that the change in size is gradual and not instantaneous, this seems like an almost natural reaction. Plus, it should satisfy both parties (the druid's player, because his character is free, and the GM, because there was no cheap insta-kill).

 

[Zogg]

I don't see how this change couldn't also potentially harm the druid. I mean, if this elephant gets so big that it's cracking ribs and bones (which then puncture said elephant in the process) it could reasonably sustain some damage. You will have to figure out how much.

I guess the druid would still be fine after he shapechanged back - they get all their HP restored, right?. Nevertheless he would have used up one of his shape-changes for the day. I mean, it's what druids DO....don't take that away from him.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Like enlarge person or righteous might allow a str check to burst confinements, maybe I'd allow an opposed str check. The loser takes the damage (if there's damage involved).

 

[kreynolds]

There's nothing to suggest that the swallowing creature would suffer damage. In fact, there's contrary evidence of that. Check out the Song Dragon in MoF. It is specifically stated to burst all bonds when it changes into dragon form. This tells me that unless specifically stated otherwise, an increase in size does not damage the confinements. With that said, I'd have the size change simply fail.

EDIT: I do like KaeYoss's suggestion too though, especially opposed to an instant-kill scenario.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

I'd ask the player, "what makes you think you won't take an equivalent amount of damage to that which you cause?" and point out that it would take more damage to rupture a creature's body than to merely kill it.

Threatening players with logic generally seems to work for me.

 

[Eccles]

Equally stupid wildshape trick:

(You need to be level 18 or so)

1. Wildshape into a bird, and fly over the Tarrasque your group is fighting.

2. Wildshape into a Huge Earth Elemental. (16,000 lbs)

3. Fall 200 feet onto target, dealing 100d6 damage.

Meld into the earth and hide.