Now that the session is over, i'm thinking that the ability is only supposed to transform you into creatures of the normal size, right?
Right you are.
No wildshaping into a huge badger and raging all over town...
All the Huge Animals we could find were either whales, elephants, or dinosaurs. Is that the extent of the animal options for a lvl 8 Druid?
That looks like about all there is. Maybe other sources might be allowed - you might find a few more options in some of the Monster Manuals or other 3.x sourcebooks, or future Pathfinder Bestiaries.
Also, Beast Shape III also allows for the transformation into Magical Beasts, and while Wild Shape doesn't specifically say you can do Magical Beasts, it does say you can turn into animals and that follows the rules of Beast Shape III.
No, what it says is:
"When taking the form of animals, a druid’s wild shape now functions as beast shape III."
That first half of the sentence is quite important as it limits the use of Wildshape to just animals - but when you use Wildshape to become an animal, you folow the rules of Beast Shape III for becoming that same animal.
As long as you don't let anyone go crazy you can apply some templates to give your friendly neighbor druid more options. And not just the Giant Template. Applying the young template so they can be a Roc, for example.I was thinking about that, but when i read under Polymorph in Transmutation, it said that "Polymorph spells cannot be used to assume the form of a creature with a template or an advanced version of a creature." Or are Giant and Young special exceptions to that rule?
No, they are not exceptions. I believe YuenglingDragon was proposing a houserule. As in, maybe a generous DM would allow you to apply a template such as the ones he suggested even though the RAW doesn't support it.
I'd have no problem with such a ruling. After all, wildshape (and the spells it is based on) already limit your mechanical benefits.
I have no problem with a high-level druid turning into a megabadger of huge size - it's still the appropriate beast shape spell with the appropriate bonuses (same bonuses to ability scores and natural armour, same exclusive list to allowed bonuses, and while I'd increase the damage dice for its natural attacks, they're no different from what critters of that size can already get).
It comes down to a flavour difference, and as they usually don't break games but do make it more interesting, I'm all for it!
I'd have no problem with such a ruling. After all, wildshape (and the spells it is based on) already limit your mechanical benefits.
I have no problem with a high-level druid turning into a megabadger of huge size - it's still the appropriate beast shape spell with the appropriate bonuses (same bonuses to ability scores and natural armour, same exclusive list to allowed bonuses, and while I'd increase the damage dice for its natural attacks, they're no different from what critters of that size can already get).
It comes down to a flavour difference, and as they usually don't break games but do make it more interesting, I'm all for it!
Actually neither do I.
Megabadgers are yummy.
Although, there is a bit of a mechanical consideration. As written, the druid is arguably one of the most powerful classes in the Core book. I know it's arguable, because it's argued on these forums almost monthly.
So given the premise that quite a few players feel the class is at least adequately powered without any modification, then there is a fear that adding new capabilities to the druid will just overpower the class.
Then again, the druid already can go for an Allosaurus; I don't imagine a megabadger would really change the power scale.
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Actually a Giant Lion is stronger than an Allosaurus because Lions get Grab, Pounce and Rake. Of course if they weren't meant to be able to get Grab, Pounce or Rake, the spell wouldn't have said that they could.
Speaking of which, when you're being Raked by a creature, do you get your normal full attack and then the Rake attacks in addition, or just the Rake attacks? Because if it's just the Rakes, the lion's full attack is better.
Rake, and rend, usually have other attacks as a condition. For example, a lion needs to connect with a successful bite, which then allows him to start a grapple for free with grab. Then, and only if BOTH the bite attack and grapple roll were successful, does he get the rake attacks. Next round, rather then spending a standard action to maintain the grapple, he lets the grapple drop, then bites, hopefully starting a new grapple all over again.
All the Huge Animals we could find were either whales, elephants, or dinosaurs. Is that the extent of the animal options for a lvl 8 Druid?
You can turn into T-rex, or giganotosaurus, and you want anything else? What more do you NEED?
Rake, and rend, usually have other attacks as a condition. For example, a lion needs to connect with a successful bite, which then allows him to start a grapple for free with grab. Then, and only if BOTH the bite attack and grapple roll were successful, does he get the rake attacks. Next round, rather then spending a standard action to maintain the grapple, he lets the grapple drop, then bites, hopefully starting a new grapple all over again.
In fact, you only get the rake attacks the round after you start the grapple. The description for Rake specifically says "it can't begin a grapple and rake in the same turn".
Actually the Druid can only transform into animals he's familiar with, so even the elephant is being slightly generous.All the Huge Animals we could find were either whales, elephants, or dinosaurs. Is that the extent of the animal options for a lvl 8 Druid?You can turn into T-rex, or giganotosaurus, and you want anything else? What more do you NEED?
That;'s the first time I think I have read of anyone enforcing that rule. I take my hat off to you sir!
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That;'s the first time I think I have read of anyone enforcing that rule. I take my hat off to you sir!Actually the Druid can only transform into animals he's familiar with, so even the elephant is being slightly generous.All the Huge Animals we could find were either whales, elephants, or dinosaurs. Is that the extent of the animal options for a lvl 8 Druid?You can turn into T-rex, or giganotosaurus, and you want anything else? What more do you NEED?
And that would be a Knowledge Nature roll - per the rules!!