Wild Shape and Supernatural Abilities

[Mark Steinmann 398]

The Specific question I have arose concerning whether or not you need verbal, somatic, and/or verbal components to activate the druid Wild Shape (Supernatural) ability. So, I first looked into the description of the Wild Shape and then into the definition of Supernatural abilities. Any further elucidation would be greatly appreciated.

From the PRD, concerning Wild Shape:

"This ability functions like the beast shape I spell, except as noted here. The effect lasts for 1 hour per druid level, or until she changes back. Changing form (to animal or back) is a standard action and doesn't provoke an attack of opportunity. The form chosen must be that of an animal with which the druid is familiar. "

(note that it says "functions" which doesn't necessarily mean invoked).

From the PRD, concerning Supernatural Abilities:

"Supernatural Abilities (Su): Supernatural abilities are magical but not spell-like. Supernatural abilities are not subject to spell resistance and do not function in areas where magic is suppressed or negated (such as an antimagic field). A supernatural ability's effect cannot be dispelled and is not subject to counterspells."

Still... there is nothing to say how such powers are invoked and what if any components (v,s,m)that they require. Here are my questions about Supernatural abilities in general.

If they require no components,
1. Can you do them secretly?
2. Can you do them while tied up? What about held?
3. Can you do them while silenced?

If they do require components...
I would assume that they operate according to the spell description that they imitate. However... do druids have to start carrying around the pieces of creatures that they want to shape into? (as per the Beast Shape description).

Thanks for any responses!

[James Jacobs]

Supernatural abilities generally do not require things like components to function, and wild shape is no exception. You can wild shape while silenced, for example, and I'd even say that you could wild shape while tied up—the thought of a bound druid escaping by turning into a snake and simply slithering out of his bonds is pretty cool. Druids certainly don't have to carry around animal parts to use wild shape.

As for secretly... I'm not sure I understand this question. If you wild shape, you change into something entirely different. This is a pretty drastic visual effect.

[Mark Steinmann 398]

I threw the secretly part in there, because of other supernatural abilities that may be able to be used on the sly. Dominate, charms, and other such supernatural abilities become much more insidious if you don't know where they come from and creatures can use them while not lifting a finger or batting an eye.

I agree with your interpretation of Supernatural abilities (and it's the way I have always done it), I just didn't find any textual support for it and the comparison to the spell tossed me down this line of thinking. Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing anything. It would not have been the first time.

Cool. I would also rule that you could wild shape while held, but you would still be held. Thank you much for the input.

[delabarre]

James Jacobs wrote:

You can wild shape while silenced, for example, and I'd even say that you could wild shape while tied up—the thought of a bound druid escaping by turning into a snake and simply slithering out of his bonds is pretty cool.

#34: I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.

[James Jacobs]

delabarre wrote:

James Jacobs wrote:

You can wild shape while silenced, for example, and I'd even say that you could wild shape while tied up—the thought of a bound druid escaping by turning into a snake and simply slithering out of his bonds is pretty cool.

#34: I will not turn into a snake. It never helps.

Seemed to help Thusla Doom escape Conan pretty well when Conan crashed his orgy.