Wildshape

[Knowledge Sinkhole]

So, reading the 3.5 wildshape rules a little closer, I noticed the following: You only gain the extraordinary attacks of your wildshaped form. This does NOT include the extraordinary qualities of the animal. Which means, among other things, you don't gain the ability to breathe water with an aquatic form, don't gain scent if the creature has it, etc.

Um, damn? Guess shark form isn't really an option..

 

[Seravin]

So, reading the 3.5 wildshape rules a little closer, I noticed the following: You only gain the extraordinary attacks of your wildshaped form. This does NOT include the extraordinary qualities of the animal. Which means, among other things, you don't gain the ability to breathe water with an aquatic form, don't gain scent if the creature has it, etc.

Um, damn? Guess shark form isn't really an option..

Per Polymorph you gain the Type and Subtype of the creature.
The Aquatic sub-type grants a swim speed and the ability to breathe underwater. Neither ability is an extraordinary, supernatural, or spell-like ability - so I would assume they would be granted by the Wildshape ability.
Besides, it just makes sense.

Not getting Scent seems kind of silly - especially at the level it becomes available, but in the end it's easily fixed if you happen to be the dm.

 

[FrankTrollman]

Yes, the new Wildshape/Polymorph/Alter Self Fiasco is a Fiasco.

The things which you do and do not get from your transformations make no sense at all. Even such fundamentals as how many attacks you get while wildshaped is not merely unclear but in fact specifically contradictory.

For now, I suggest playing Wildshape as extremely loose. That is, allow the character to get abilities that seem reasonable. Such as an Owl's ability to see in the dark.

Unless and until the contradictory statements get cleared up in the Polymorph list that's the best you are going to be able to do.

-Frank

 

[Knowledge Sinkhole]

Well, I just can't understand why they changed Wildshape from the errata that was introduced in Masters of the Wild. I mean, they made that errata to fix these issues, as they were present in 3.0. And unlike the 3.5 corebooks, Masters of the Wild listed playtesters

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Well, I just can't understand why they changed Wildshape from the errata that was introduced in Masters of the Wild. I mean, they made that errata to fix these issues, as they were present in 3.0. And unlike the 3.5 corebooks, Masters of the Wild listed playtesters

I am sure the goal was too simplify things by making Wildshape mechanically identical to Polymorph.

 

[FrankTrollman]

I am sure the goal was too simplify things by making Wildshape mechanically identical to Polymorph.

Which would have been a great idea had they simultaneously rewritten Polymorph so as to have a balanced and internally consistent game mechanic actually.

But right now they added new specific text that says that you both do and do not gain the ability to use Poison from your new form.

-Frank

 

[Knowledge Sinkhole]

Ok, my bad about the aquatic subtype. However, dolphins and crocodiles don't have that; they have the hold breath ability, which wildshape doesn't give you. So.. turn into a dolphin and drown. Yay.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

Which would have been a great idea had they simultaneously rewritten Polymorph so as to have a balanced and internally consistent game mechanic actually.

But right now they added new specific text that says that you both do and do not gain the ability to use Poison from your new form.

One Polymorph To Rule Them All is a useful goal, but obviously execution is more important to the players/DMs in the trenchs than some abstract overarching level of organization.

I personally think that Wildshape should be different from Polymorph for style/flavor reasons. In particular, I am in the camp that believes Druids should get the sundry animal abilities, but should have more restrictions on equipment.

 

[Dimwhit]

I'm still seriously miffed that a Druid doesn't get low-light vision anymore. It used to be a natural trait of animals, and the Druid got it. Now it's an EX ability that is NOT an attack, therefore not available.

And of course, still, turning into a bat is completely useless, since you don't get blindsight.

 

[Rugger]

I'm still seriously miffed that a Druid doesn't get low-light vision anymore. It used to be a natural trait of animals, and the Druid got it. Now it's an EX ability that is NOT an attack, therefore not available.

And of course, still, turning into a bat is completely useless, since you don't get blindsight.

Acyually you would get the Lowlight Vision...its a feature of the Type (Animal)

At least I believe thats the intent...

-Rugger
"I Wildshape!"