Wildshape FAQ

[Nail]

I freaking wish someone from WotC would just come out and clarify this already.

I believe "they" have: "they" ruled your hp do change.

But don't take my word for it. Here's a very recent thread on the issue:

Do your hp change when Polymorphing?

Here are two other useful threads about wildshape posted recently:

What can a Wildshaped druid wear or use?

and

How many attacks does a Wildshaped druid get?

 

[Pielorinho]

Don't get fresh with me, sonny!

That you retain your base save bonuses isn't an implication of retaining your ability scores. That you retain your base attack bonus isn't an implication of retaining your ability scores. Your base saves and your BAB are completely unrelated to your ability scores. In fact, the only item in that list that IS related to your ability scores is your hit points.

There's nothing in the polymorph description that changes anything in the "You retain your...." sentence from alter self; therefore I do not see where you get the idea that it changes. The ability score line changes, true, and that modifies your overall attack bonus while leaving your BAB unchanged; it modifies your overall save bonuses while leaving your Base Saves unchanged. Apparently it doesn't modify your hit points, however, since "you retain your...hit points."

Daniel

 

[Nail]

Unfortunately, this arguement happened last week too. And the week before that. And two the week before that.

They are just stating the implications of... by following it with... for those youngsters out there that haven't mastered the english language... (not you...)

You may note that this list given includes hp, and also includes other things that ability score do not affect, such as...well, frankly, everything else they list.

That is: the list is not meant as a list of stuff affected by ability scores. It is a list of those things that do not change. Hit points are on that list. Nothing in the Polymorph spell contraticts that list.

So: Your hp do not change.

 

[mikebr99]

So: Your hp do not change.

How can you say this in post 13... and this

I believe "they" have: "they" ruled your hp do change.

in post 11??

 

[mikebr99]

I am just saying that, via Alter self (1st level), your ability scores DON'T change. But via Polymorph (4th level) your STR, CON, & DEX does change to match what is stated in the new form's description.

Why wouldn't Polymorph specifically lay out what is meant by that if that is what they wanted to happen? Seems like a big thing to leave out "you get full bonus from STR, & DEX, but not CON" if that is really what they meant. Don't you think?

YMMV


Mike

 

[Nail]

How can you say this in post 13... and this in post 11??

Oh good grief....you don't expect me to be consistent, do you?


IIRC, this peice of errata is not in the FAQ. Therefore I'm not using what "they" say, as "they" are often either wrong or contradictory. Once it's in black and white, I'll accept it (grudgingly...).

 

[Nail]

Seems like a big thing to leave out "you get full bonus from STR, & DEX, but not CON" if that is really what they meant. Don't you think?

Intent is irrelavent, as this could be argued either way from a "balance" perspective. Maybe they meant to leave it out. Maybe they don't know what they meant, and are doing a bit of revisionist history. Who knows.

Keeping the hp the same is easier, quicker, and more balanced, IMHO.

 

[melkoriii]

Just currous.

THere was a thread about how con damage is handled.

THe concensist is that your max and currect HP change with con damage.

How would you rule the affects of con damage to a Druid that is wildshaped?

Say 10th lvl Druid HP = 59 Human form Con 14
Wildshaped to Con 20
Takes Con damage of 4.

So the Druids Con is now 16 and HP's drop by 20 to 39.
Druid now Changes to Human Con drops to 10.
HP's drop anohter 20? HP do not change?

 

[mikebr99]

Keeping the hp the same is easier, quicker, and more balanced, IMHO.

How is it easier... Please change everything W.R.T. changing your STR, CON, & DEX... oh... I forgot... Don't change your HPS.

How do you justify, within the rules... the Druid gets FULL benifit of STR & DEX, but not CON?


mike

 

[Valavien]

The HP question seems to be one that should be added to the list to send to Customer Service/Sage Advice.

It's something that I actually didn't think about while playing or compiling the doc. I played as having my characters hit points but I added the STR and DEX bonuses that I gained so I see what you are saying Mike. I will add some stuff to the initial post about it.