D&D 5E Why do 5e lycanthropes get their powers in human form?

[Blue]

... keen hearing/smell (which is going away in the upcoming 5.5), ...

The regeneration is the new format. The MM werewolf doesn't regenerate at all, but is immune to nonmagical weapons. This will change in '24 as suggested by the Loup Garou which has regeneration.

Was this discussed in a video or something? Where can I find information on lycanthrope changes in 2024/5.5?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Was this discussed in a video or something? Where can I find information on lycanthrope changes in 2024/5.5?

I still don't have a copy but I assume its from the multiverse book... but any info would be nice

 

[LordEntrails]

At least, I'm looking at the were-raven since it's come up in my Candlekeep game. 10 HP/round unless you are hit with silver or spell damage.

Well I don't have the stat block, but all the monsters I'm aware of regen only works if they have at least 1 HP at the start of the round, so not that big of a deal.

but just like everything else in the game, if you don't like it, change it.

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

That's hardly limited regeneration. At least, I'm looking at the were-raven since it's come up in my Candlekeep game. 10 HP/round unless you are hit with silver or spell damage. That's insane in the hands of a PC. It basically means that the character is unkillable. You'd have to knock the PC down with magic damage, then keep hitting him while he's down just to deactivate the regeneration. Skip a round of damage and the PC stands right back up, all death saves erased.

Since when was a were-wolf in human form unkillable? Is this a 5e thing that I just missed after all this time? It certainly was never this way before.

I'm considering allowing the lycanthropy by only getting the regeneration while in hybrid or bird form. That's nicely balanced since you have to strip off your armor to transform and you can't cast while in hybrid (were-ravens can't talk and don't have hands).

Otherwise, that's insanely powerful in the hands of a PC.

I don't believe that it is designed to be used in the hands of a PC.

 

[Leatherhead]

Was this discussed in a video or something? Where can I find information on lycanthrope changes in 2024/5.5?

The bit about keen smell/hearing was in found in the Dungeoncraft Wild Beyond the Witchlight Designers Pack.

The Regeneration bit is inferred from the new design of more recent lycanthopes, including the Wereraven and the Loup Garou.

 

[Hussar]

I don't believe that it is designed to be used in the hands of a PC.

Except that were-ravens are presented as pc options in both Strahd and Candlekeep.

As a monster I don’t care but as a pc? That’s ridiculous.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Just kinda realized this. It’s completely out of keeping with mythological lycanthropes and wasn’t even true in earlier editions. At least not all editions.

So why?

Because 5e doesn't care enough to make the distinction.

 

[Charlaquin]

Well, they only keep their defensive powers, keen hearing/smell (which is going away in the upcoming 5.5),

Is this from a change seen in their MMotM stats?

and of course the power to change shapes. They do, in fact, lose access to some of their attacks depending on their form.

Always having the defensive powers running keeps their defensive CR static, presumibly so they don't crumple over like a sack of potatoes when someone stabs them in their human form before they can change into an animal for maximum dramatic effect.

I kinda like the idea of them being much more vulnerable in human form. Especially if they can only shapeshift under certain conditions (like the classic full moon). That way an adventure featuring a werewolf or whatever gets to be an investigative challenge to discover their identity so you can get to them while they’re vulnerable.

 

[Charlaquin]

My recommendation a for PC-friendly version of lycanthropy:

Let them wild shape (as the druid ability) into the animal their lycanthropy is associated with once between short rests (or prof bonus times between long rests if you must). No enhanced senses in humanoid form, and no regeneration or infectious bite in humanoid or animal form. You get your normal stats, or the mundane animal’s stats, that’s it.

Make hybrid form an involuntary transformation that happens in response to a specific trigger - specific phase of the moon is a classic one, but it could also be something like taking damage from a silvered weapon, or whatever else you like. In hybrid form (and only in hybrid form) they gain the regeneration and the infectious bite, but they lose control as the beast drives them to hunt, and to spread the curse. Maybe let them make a save to temporarily gain control or something, but the idea should be that this is something the PCs have to take precautions against. Chain your friend up in an isolated place once a month, or don’t let them carry silver coins or whatever.

The monster version remains for lycans that embrace their curse. If a lycan gives in to the inner beast and lets it take over, they (or rather, the beast) gains greater control over their powers, being able to shapeshift into any of the forms at-will, and if you want, they can retain their regeneration, enhanced senses, and infectious bite in all forms (though I personally still prefer those to be form-dependent). However, the distinction between the humanoid and the beast erodes away. If you’re using alignment, the lycan who embraces the curse shifts to the alignment associated with the lycanthropy (also it should go without saying, but no lycanthropes should be a Good alignment if you go this route. It’s supposed to be a curse, and a character who embraces it should not be suitable as a PC). If you’re not using alignment, they are consumed by the drive to hunt, kill, and spread the curse.

 

[Leatherhead]

Is this from a change seen in their MMotM stats?

To be perfectly clear, there are no lycanthropes in MotM. However, you can see the change in the MotM stablocks that used to have Keen Senses of some kind.

More importantly, there is an official design document linked upthread that explains what is now considered Deprecated Design, and
Keen Senses is listed as one of the deprecated abilities.