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Wow, do I not understand Wildshape....
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<blockquote data-quote="jgsugden" data-source="post: 1158664" data-attributes="member: 2629"><p>Many people have issues with wildshape. Polymorph seems to be unclear to most players. As a result, there are dozens of interpretations for how it should be played. These interpretations have been popping up on message boards all over. If it frustrates you, PLEASE follow the instructions on the 3.5 PHB errata sheet and request clarification on how polymorph works from <a href="mailto:custserv@wizards.com">custserv@wizards.com</a>. </p><p></p><p>To do this, send an email to <a href="mailto:custserv@wizards.com">custserv@wizards.com</a> with the subject of: ERRATA: PHB pg 263, Polymoprh is unclear.</p><p></p><p>Include a brief explanation of what you do not understand. If enough of us do this, they'll get around to making clarifications.</p><p></p><p>After a lot of investigation, I've found a few comments by Andy Collins (3.5 PHB head honcho) on his message boards and on the WotC message boards that give a fairly clear answer to this issue. Unfortunately, <a href="mailto:custserv@wizards.com">custserv@wizards.com</a> contradicted him, so a final answer is unclear, but I use the info from Andy. Here is a summary:</p><p></p><p>First of all, druids in animal shape gain the animal type, so they do gain low-liht vision as it is a trait of that type. Many people disagree on this issue, but Andy Collins has specified that this was one of the intentions behind changing the type of a creature during polymorph. Similarly, when in plant form, the druid gains immunity to mind-affecting effects, low-light vision, immunity to poison, immunity to sleep effects, immunity to paralysis, immunity to polymorph, immunity to stunning and is not subject to critical hits. They also gain all the extraordinary special attacks of the new form.</p><p></p><p>Secondly, when a druid adopts a plant or animal form, they use the natural attack progression of that form. This means that a druid in bear form gets a claw/claw/bite progression. There is a limit on the attacks: the druid can not gain extra attacks due to extra limbs due to the polymoprh restriction. Turning into an octopus, for instance, does not get you eight tentacle attacks. Basically, the druid is limited to two 'limb' attacks (generally claw or slam), but gets all other attacks (tail slap, bite, gore, etc ...).This is overruled by some extraordinary attacks, such as a tiger's pounce which allows two extra limb attacks with the back claws (rakes).</p><p></p><p>The druid must pay attention to the primary and secondary nature of the attacks, as well. If the bear has claws as a primary attack and a bite as a secondary attack, the claw attacks of a druid in bear form are both done at full attack bonus and the bite is at -5 as a secondary attack. </p><p></p><p>Bonus feats of the animal are passed on to the druid in wildshape form, so a druid wildshaped into a dire rat gains weapon finesse while a rat. If an animal form had multiattack as a bonus feat, the druid would gain multiattack.</p><p></p><p>Once again: This is what I have been able to glean out of Andy's posts. As such, it is my belief that this is the intent of the man responsible for the ability in the first place. It is one interpretation of the written rules, but it is certainly not the only interpretation that can be drawn from what was written. </p><p></p><p>I can say this, however: This interpretation works very well.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="jgsugden, post: 1158664, member: 2629"] Many people have issues with wildshape. Polymorph seems to be unclear to most players. As a result, there are dozens of interpretations for how it should be played. These interpretations have been popping up on message boards all over. If it frustrates you, PLEASE follow the instructions on the 3.5 PHB errata sheet and request clarification on how polymorph works from [email]custserv@wizards.com[/email]. To do this, send an email to [email]custserv@wizards.com[/email] with the subject of: ERRATA: PHB pg 263, Polymoprh is unclear. Include a brief explanation of what you do not understand. If enough of us do this, they'll get around to making clarifications. After a lot of investigation, I've found a few comments by Andy Collins (3.5 PHB head honcho) on his message boards and on the WotC message boards that give a fairly clear answer to this issue. Unfortunately, [email]custserv@wizards.com[/email] contradicted him, so a final answer is unclear, but I use the info from Andy. Here is a summary: First of all, druids in animal shape gain the animal type, so they do gain low-liht vision as it is a trait of that type. Many people disagree on this issue, but Andy Collins has specified that this was one of the intentions behind changing the type of a creature during polymorph. Similarly, when in plant form, the druid gains immunity to mind-affecting effects, low-light vision, immunity to poison, immunity to sleep effects, immunity to paralysis, immunity to polymorph, immunity to stunning and is not subject to critical hits. They also gain all the extraordinary special attacks of the new form. Secondly, when a druid adopts a plant or animal form, they use the natural attack progression of that form. This means that a druid in bear form gets a claw/claw/bite progression. There is a limit on the attacks: the druid can not gain extra attacks due to extra limbs due to the polymoprh restriction. Turning into an octopus, for instance, does not get you eight tentacle attacks. Basically, the druid is limited to two 'limb' attacks (generally claw or slam), but gets all other attacks (tail slap, bite, gore, etc ...).This is overruled by some extraordinary attacks, such as a tiger's pounce which allows two extra limb attacks with the back claws (rakes). The druid must pay attention to the primary and secondary nature of the attacks, as well. If the bear has claws as a primary attack and a bite as a secondary attack, the claw attacks of a druid in bear form are both done at full attack bonus and the bite is at -5 as a secondary attack. Bonus feats of the animal are passed on to the druid in wildshape form, so a druid wildshaped into a dire rat gains weapon finesse while a rat. If an animal form had multiattack as a bonus feat, the druid would gain multiattack. Once again: This is what I have been able to glean out of Andy's posts. As such, it is my belief that this is the intent of the man responsible for the ability in the first place. It is one interpretation of the written rules, but it is certainly not the only interpretation that can be drawn from what was written. I can say this, however: This interpretation works very well. [/QUOTE]
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Wow, do I not understand Wildshape....
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