Druids and Wildshape


Rules Questions


I've never played a druid in Pathfinder before. (I play in PFS)
I have a very straightforward question: How does wildshape work? Say I'm changing into a regular bear. What do and don't I get?

Obviously I get the natural attacks, +2 STR and +2 nat. armor, plus low-light vision and scent. But, what else do I get? To what point will my druid represent the bear stat block?


IQuarent wrote:
Obviously I get the natural attacks, +2 STR and +2 nat. armor, plus low-light vision and scent. But, what else do I get?

Nothing else. You get what the spell says. It's more straightforward than you seem to think it is.


I do believe you gain its movement speed of 40 as well. In general you gain their base movement speed and alternate movement speeds up to the limit imposed by wildshape/beastshape.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps Subscriber

Depending on which animal and which level of spell you may gain certain special attacks that the animals has.

For example at level 6 Druid turning into a dire tiger gets pounce and grab but not rake.


mplindustries wrote:
IQuarent wrote:
Obviously I get the natural attacks, +2 STR and +2 nat. armor, plus low-light vision and scent. But, what else do I get?
Nothing else. You get what the spell says. It's more straightforward than you seem to think it is.

Polymorph effects always seem to be more complex than they first appear to be. Have you ever seen a thread discussing Alter Self?


IQuarent wrote:
mplindustries wrote:
IQuarent wrote:
Obviously I get the natural attacks, +2 STR and +2 nat. armor, plus low-light vision and scent. But, what else do I get?
Nothing else. You get what the spell says. It's more straightforward than you seem to think it is.
Polymorph effects always seem to be more complex than they first appear to be. Have you ever seen a thread discussing Alter Self?

Alter Self is another simple spell that people apparently like to over-complicate. Spells do what they say they do and nothing more. Polymorphing in Pathfinder is very different than it was in 3rd edition--it's one of the biggest changes they made--and it's a lot easier now.


You have to read the transmutation rules, go here and read the "polymorph" section on the right hand side. It tells you all the hidden things that you get when you polymorph. It's a long read but says VERY specifically all the things you get, and if it doesn't say you get it then you don't.

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/wizard/arcane-schools/paizo--- arcane-schools/classic-arcane-schools/transmutation


Everyone in this thread is spot on. If you are used to d&d wildshaping where you replaced your stats with the monster's you won't find that here.

You get exactly what the spell that wildshape emulates and nothing more. This was done as a balancing factor. It means that a druid with very low strength will probably shape into a weak bear.

You get the creatures natural attacks (using your own BAB strength feats etc.) You get modes of movement (often limited by the polymorph spell. E.g. if you use elemental body 1 to turn into an air elemental you get fly 60 even though an actual small air elemental gets fly 100)

You also get any special abilities or attacks that are listed in both the spell description and the creature description. As you get access to better versions of a polymorph spell you get access to better abilities.

Your type does NOT change. So you do not gain plant immunities for example when you turn into a plant. You also can't be targetted by spells that specifically target that type even though you look and act like one.

Polymorph effects can't stack and size effects also cannot stack. This means that even thouhh you are a valid target for something like enlarge person, it has no effect. You also need to keep track of other polymorph spells that may seem like they should atack but don't. The "aspect" spells come to mind.

Finally.. if your polymorph spell allows you to get something like energy resistance you can get up to the amount listed in the spell but still take the lower amount if the creature you are shaping into has a lower amount.


1 person marked this as a favorite.

This guide will help you a lot, especially section two.


Well, that definitively answers my question. Thanks guys!


ecw1701 wrote:
This guide will help you a lot, especially section two.

Are there more guides like this for other classes?


Yes, yes there are.

Although I feel the need to say this is Pathfinder, not WoW so there are less fixed 'best' ways to do things. So take the guidance, but ultimately follow the path you think is most interesting. I use spells and abilities all the times that are generally viewed as negative (dropping Blacklight on a group before grease and tossing in fireballs is a favorite). Like anything...YMMV.

Sczarni

IQuarent wrote:

I've never played a druid in Pathfinder before. (I play in PFS)

I have a very straightforward question: How does wildshape work? Say I'm changing into a regular bear. What do and don't I get?

Obviously I get the natural attacks, +2 STR and +2 nat. armor, plus low-light vision and scent. But, what else do I get? To what point will my druid represent the bear stat block?

Basically what you need to do is read up on Wildshape, Beastform I, and actually look at a bestiary of the game and find said medium sized bear. I don't see a medium sized bear... but let's assume your DM let's you turn into one anyways(the smallest I see is a Large Dire Bear at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Agyi5tgUTatCdHpKc2x4b2RLRmRQWX g3ZkU3Z216Z0E&hl=en_US#gid=0 spreadsheet)

"When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of any Small or Medium creature of the animal type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 30 feet, fly 30 feet (average maneuverability), swim 30 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, and scent.

Medium animal: If the form you take is that of a Medium animal, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Strength and a +2 natural armor bonus."

In bear form, you would indeed gain +2 Strength and +2 Natural Armor. The bear has no Special Attacks, so you just have your natural attacks to work with. You become proficient with those natural attacks. It looks like 2 claw attacks at 1d6+StrMod+Grab(free grapple attempt with no AoO), and a bite at 1d8+StrMod. Anything you're wearing becomes Melded into your body and you become one solid unit. Activating objects will be tricky/difficult. Consistent bonuses still apply while polymorphed. Your speed is still 30ft base(land) due to the restricts from Beastshape I/Wildshape. You would also gain low-light vision and scent. These are pretty much the only changes. Also keep in mind you cannot speak without the feat(wild speech) or cast spells without the proper feat(natural spell). If you are wearing armor, the armor bonus no longer applies nor does the armor's detriments. If you have the Wild enchantment on it, you can gain the armor bonus on it. If you have any other enchantments on it that are always active, they still function regardless.

I hope that helps!! :)

I feel like I'm forgetting something...

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Rules Questions / Druids and Wildshape All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.