Snapdragyn
Explorer
What we know so far:
Circle of the Moon druid can wildshape into higher CR creatures. Max CR is 1 at level 2, and becomes level/3 at level 6. At level 10 they can change into an elemental (presumably with the same CR limits).
To me, the CR limit seems pretty limiting (SWIDT?) for anything other than a slightly beefier scouting function on the face of it. However, I think there are some combat possibilities here, considering the following points:
The druid can self-heal while wildshaped, 2d8/level of spell slot expended, as a bonus action. This works out to be a more efficient use of healing than regular casting of a spell to heal, since a regular action (such as an attack) could still be taken.
The druid is able to choose to leave some of their gear unmerged & still wear it in the new form (where the DM allows & it makes sense, of course - doubt we'll see many rings on fishies!
). This could provide some useful little boosts to some forms.
Finally, and this is IMO the big one - although the CR limit is substantially lower than the druid's level, the hp lost while wildshaped do not come from the druid's regular hp reserve (unless reduced to 0 while wildshaped - in that case anything beyond the amount leading to 0 would carry over). Thus, each wildshape is basically a pool of reserve hp! (If you've played GW2, this makes me think of the necro's 'lich' ability.)
So, a couple of combat uses come to mind:
1) Use those hp pools! Wildshape, plow into battle, pull out & drop form when you're about to get knocked to 0 in beastie shape - boom, back to your regular druid hp!
2) Get sneaky! Conjure some creatures in one round. Next round, wildshape into the same form as them & run around amongst them to 'shell game' confuse the enemy! Druid version of magic mirror - but your 'images' are real & doing damage!
Circle of the Moon druid can wildshape into higher CR creatures. Max CR is 1 at level 2, and becomes level/3 at level 6. At level 10 they can change into an elemental (presumably with the same CR limits).
To me, the CR limit seems pretty limiting (SWIDT?) for anything other than a slightly beefier scouting function on the face of it. However, I think there are some combat possibilities here, considering the following points:
The druid can self-heal while wildshaped, 2d8/level of spell slot expended, as a bonus action. This works out to be a more efficient use of healing than regular casting of a spell to heal, since a regular action (such as an attack) could still be taken.
The druid is able to choose to leave some of their gear unmerged & still wear it in the new form (where the DM allows & it makes sense, of course - doubt we'll see many rings on fishies!
). This could provide some useful little boosts to some forms.Finally, and this is IMO the big one - although the CR limit is substantially lower than the druid's level, the hp lost while wildshaped do not come from the druid's regular hp reserve (unless reduced to 0 while wildshaped - in that case anything beyond the amount leading to 0 would carry over). Thus, each wildshape is basically a pool of reserve hp! (If you've played GW2, this makes me think of the necro's 'lich' ability.)
So, a couple of combat uses come to mind:
1) Use those hp pools! Wildshape, plow into battle, pull out & drop form when you're about to get knocked to 0 in beastie shape - boom, back to your regular druid hp!
2) Get sneaky! Conjure some creatures in one round. Next round, wildshape into the same form as them & run around amongst them to 'shell game' confuse the enemy! Druid version of magic mirror - but your 'images' are real & doing damage!
