Wildshape Question

[Pinotage]

Can you wildshape while grappling? For that matter, can you wildshape while bound with manacles? I can't see any mention of using supernatural abilities while grappling, nor what would happen if a bound druid attemted to escape manacles by turning into a snake.

Thanks

Pinotage

 

[Infiniti2000]

The first question you have to ask yourself: "Are the list of actions in the grappling section exhaustive?" If yes, then no you can't wildshape while grappling. Be careful on how you answer this, though, because this affects A LOT more than just wildshaping. The grappling rules are far from clear on it, too.

As for being merely bound, yes, you can wildshape. But, I would not let anyone wildshape into a form too large for the manacles (e.g. dire bear).

 

[Pinotage]

The first question you have to ask yourself: "Are the list of actions in the grappling section exhaustive?" If yes, then no you can't wildshape while grappling. Be careful on how you answer this, though, because this affects A LOT more than just wildshaping. The grappling rules are far from clear on it, too.

As for being merely bound, yes, you can wildshape. But, I would not let anyone wildshape into a form too large for the manacles (e.g. dire bear).

So you'd allow a character bound to escape the manacles by wildshaping into a smaller creature?

Pinotage

 

[Infiniti2000]

So you'd allow a character bound to escape the manacles by wildshaping into a smaller creature?

Yes, I would.

 

[cmanos]

I would allow it as well.

As for wildshaping while grappling, sure.

 

[Tetsubo]

I would allow it as well.

As for wildshaping while grappling, sure.

I would require a Concentration check though.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

its a supernatural ability. No concentration. No somatic verbal or any whathaveyou compoents. It just is. With that said. I think yes, you can wildshape in a grapple. Whats stopping you normaly from casting spells in wildshape? Its the somatic component. supernatural abilites have no somatic component or verbal component, so wildshape in a grapple works just fine.

 

[Brother MacLaren]

Okay, cue the cries of "D&D is a game in its own right, not meant to emulate cool stories or myths" but in my honest opinion, when you have the greatest frickin' adventure story of all time detailing a grappling contest between a fighter and a shapechanging nature spirit, you have to allow that scene to happen in a game.

 

[Nonlethal Force]

I don't see a problem with requiring a concentration check to wildshape when grappling. I think its debatable and a reasonable DM houserule if they desire it. I do also see the point about the supernatural ability as well.

And, I concur that I would allow a druid to escape manacles by shifting into a smaller figure. Totally legit tactics if you ask me.