Beast Shape states that you keep all your original stats but gain a few extra abilities, for example flight etc.
I can see how all normal equipment would transform into the new creatures shape and act normally but I'm having a problem with shields.
I have a PC with a Tower Shield that Beast Shapes [via a Domain ability] into various creatures. Do I allow the +5 AC from his +1 Tower Shield to still count when in animal form? He's an Eagle, and flying around but still gains AC bonuses from shields?
I've house-ruled no Shield bonuses but wondered if that was too harsh?
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Beast Shape states that you keep all your original stats but gain a few extra abilities, for example flight etc.
I can see how all normal equipment would transform into the new creatures shape and act normally but I'm having a problem with shields.
I have a PC with a Tower Shield that Beast Shapes [via a Domain ability] into various creatures. Do I allow the +5 AC from his +1 Tower Shield to still count when in animal form? He's an Eagle, and flying around but still gains AC bonuses from shields?
I've house-ruled no Shield bonuses but wondered if that was too harsh?
You don't get shield bonuses in beast shape... mostly because beasts don't have arms on which shields can work. You could, I suppose, argue that a shield or armor would not change and stay equipped on you if you take the form of a gorilla or monkey that's about the same size as your normal form, but I would still say that for balance's sake that the shield and armor would meld with your new form and be nonfunctional during the spell.
It's only items that provide constant bonuses that don't require any skill to use and are passive in granting their bonus that continue to work normally while you're in beast shape (or any polymorph effect). This includes things like rings of protection, belts of giant strength, cloaks of resistance, and the like, but not something like a shield, which requires proficiency to use and the ability to wield it properly.
You don't get shield bonuses in beast shape... mostly because beasts don't have arms on which shields can work. You could, I suppose, argue that a shield or armor would not change and stay equipped on you if you take the form of a gorilla or monkey that's about the same size as your normal form, but I would still say that for balance's sake that the shield and armor would meld with your new form and be nonfunctional during the spell.It's only items that provide constant bonuses that don't require any skill to use and are passive in granting their bonus that continue to work normally while you're in beast shape (or any polymorph effect). This includes things like rings of protection, belts of giant strength, cloaks of resistance, and the like, but not something like a shield, which requires proficiency to use and the ability to wield it properly.
Thanks.
I'm not trying to be awkward but the issues with 3.5 Polymorph stem from poor clarification of terms.
Above you have discounted Shields from working partly because they require Proficiency, but Armour also requires proficiency but in its case, it's passive!
You could, I suppose, argue that a shield or armor would not change and stay equipped on you if you take the form of a gorilla or monkey that's about the same size as your normal form, but I would still say that for balance's sake that the shield and armor would meld with your new form and be nonfunctional during the spell.Thanks.
I'm not trying to be awkward but the issues with 3.5 Polymorph stem from poor clarification of terms.
Above you have discounted Shields from working partly because they require Proficiency, but Armour also requires proficiency but in its case, it's passive!
Just so everyone is on the same page...
Items that provide constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to function while melded in this way (with the exception of armor bonuses, which cease to function).
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Also, the wild magic property for armor specially allows the wearer to keep the armor or shield bonus provided by a wild armor or wild shield. This strongly implies that armor that does not have the wild property therefore does not provide it's bonus when wild shaped (which would also apply to other forms of shape changing.)
Just so everyone is on the same page...Items that provide constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to function while melded in this way (with the exception of armor bonuses, which cease to function).
Totally overlooked that...thanks!
Totally overlooked that...thanks!
Just so everyone is on the same page...Items that provide constant bonuses and do not need to be activated continue to function while melded in this way (with the exception of armor bonuses, which cease to function).
My pleasure. Just play-tested a low level Druid and had to investigate Wildshaping - never played a character who used it before. (Had just tried it out for a bit when got TPK'd by the Kobold King).