Wildshape FAQ

[Tar-Edhel]

9. They also gain all extraordinary special attacks possessed by the form but does not gain the extraordinary special qualities possessed by the new form or any supernatural or spell-like abilities. (P) …special qualities not noted above under physical qualities, such as darkvision, low-light vision, blindsense, blindsight, fast healing, regeneration, scent, and so forth. (AS)

They keep low-light vision because it is granted by the animal type. You don't get the animal's special qualities period, although you do gain special attacks.

You can read this on Andy Collin's site.

 

[Valavien]

They keep low-light vision because it is granted by the animal type. You don't get the animal's special qualities period, although you do gain special attacks.

All the text I have inserted is from the SRD, while Andy Collins has a lot to do with conversion, in Living campaigns, his website is not a core source so therefore can't be used. But still useful for others just the same.

 

[Valavien]

So if they got low light vision that would mean they get the Cheetah's sprint? Regardless of the Alter self 60ft movement cap. Because that's also part of Special Qualities along with scent etc.

 

[Tar-Edhel]

So if they got low light vision that would mean they get the Cheetah's sprint? Regardless of the Alter self 60ft movement cap. Because that's also part of Special Qualities along with scent etc.

No since sprint is a special quality of the Cheetah. You don't get the special quality of the animal you turn in, you get the animal-type special qualities: low-light vision (the only one AFAIK).

 

[mikebr99]

And some clarification on this issue from the Sage...

Question: Does a druid adjust their hit points to match their new Constitution when wild shaping?
Answer: In 3.0 there was a rule that said your hit points didn't change when your Constitution changed because of assuming a new form. That rule is absent from the current polymorph text (which is the basis for wild shape), so the letter of the rule implies that your hit points do indeed change with Constitution (so be careful if you take a lot of damage while polymorphed or wild shaped).

located within this thread...
http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=104468

YMMV


Mike

 

[Pielorinho]

Yeah, I saw that, Mike. Given that it's factually incorrect (Polymorph is the same as alter self except for the listed changes, and alter self retains that language), I don't give it much credence . I can see how folks come down on either side of the issue. Honestly, however, druids don't need yet another reason to wildshape into bears. And one of the more fun and dramatic wildshape uses is to change into a bird to escape combat; if your hit-points are tied to your wildshaped con score, this trick becomes very dangerous indeed (birds have con scores of 10-12, and wildshaping into one could easily kill a wounded druid whose current con score is significantly higher).

I much prefer for hit points to be amongst the character traits that don't change with one's form. And I play a druid.

Daniel

 

[DM2]

Yeah, I saw that, Mike. Given that it's factually incorrect (Polymorph is the same as alter self except for the listed changes, and alter self retains that language), I don't give it much credence .

Well, the text in alter self really isn't the same as the text removed from Polymorph, which is where the spells are left open for arguments on both sides, as you indicate.

I'm with the CON score changes DO affect hit points camp, feeling it is much simpler and more consistent with how CON scores work, but I guess it wouldn't bother me much if they come back with erratta adding in something to restrict what that changed CON score means to a druid or polymorphed person.

I'd also vastly prefer if WOTC didn't try tieing a bunch of spells together to save space in the book when the spells are this contentious and difficult to adjucate.

DM2

 

[Pielorinho]

I'd also vastly prefer if WOTC didn't try tieing a bunch of spells together to save space in the book when the spells are this contentious and difficult to adjucate.

Amen! This works fine for computers, but it's a royal pain in the kiester when you're trying to run a game, or even when you're trying to mock up some stats for your druid before a game. I should not have to look in five different places (character sheet, druid description of wild shape, alter self, polymorph, and monster manual entry) to come up with a single set of stats.

MOTW has me look in three places (character sheet, MOTW, animal stats), which is fine. That version works beautifully.

Daniel

 

[mikebr99]

Yeah, I saw that, Mike. Given that it's factually incorrect (Polymorph is the same as alter self except for the listed changes, and alter self retains that language), I don't give it much credence . I can see how folks come down on either side of the issue. Honestly, however, druids don't need yet another reason to wildshape into bears. And one of the more fun and dramatic wildshape uses is to change into a bird to escape combat; if your hit-points are tied to your wildshaped con score, this trick becomes very dangerous indeed (birds have con scores of 10-12, and wildshaping into one could easily kill a wounded druid whose current con score is significantly higher).

I much prefer for hit points to be amongst the character traits that don't change with one's form. And I play a druid.

Daniel

I to play a Druid, Daniel... one with 12 CON in my normal form. So, I tend to spend a lot of time out of that form.


And I'm a force to be reckoned with, in Animal Growth'd Dire Bear form! (w/ Wild, Green Dragon Fullplate)


YMMV


Mike

 

[BryonD]

Yeah, I saw that, Mike. Given that it's factually incorrect (Polymorph is the same as alter self except for the listed changes, and alter self retains that language), I don't give it much credence .

This statement is not actually correct. The 3E version specifically called out that a change in CON would not change your HP. That unequivocal statement was removed.

Because Alter Self does not change your CON, it can not be inferred that its language addresses any change in CON. Rather, the change in CON introduced in Polymorph is a difference from Alter Self and therefore all the consequences of a changing CON apply, without any regard to what Alter Self states.

I'll agree that Polymorph may be overpowered now.
I'll even agree that, perhaps, this is all a mistake.

But the Sage's comment is factually correct.