Wild Shape and Armor question


Rules Questions

Sczarni

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As a MOnk/Druid, wearing Armor would make me lose several abilities if worn. However, as the polymorph rules go, would I still be considered wearing armor after it is Melded into my body when taking a Wildshape/Polymorph of some kind? I know that at that point none of the detriments apply, nor the bonuses(unless it's a constant enchantment).

Could anyone possibly give RAW quotes or Devloper Feedback quotes on this?


nope, you polymorph, everything you're wearing melds into your form.

Sczarni

Bump


If it's wild armor, yes. If it's not, no.

Sczarni

So, as a Monk/Druid, if I were to wear some sort of Light Armor, in my normal form, I would lose my AC bonus, Flurry, Movement etc.

After I Wildshape with the armor on, I would then not be counted as actually wearing Armor correct? In which case the detriments to me as a Monk for wearing Armor would be null and void.

Are you saying if it's Wild Armor, it would count as "Armor" on me while Wildshaped, and if it were Other Armor, it would not count as "Armor" on me while Wildshaped?

Liberty's Edge

PRD Wild enchantment :

Wild: The wearer of a suit of armor or a shield with this ability preserves his armor bonus (and any enhancement bonus) while in a wild shape. Armor and shields with this ability usually appear to be covered in leaf patterns. While the wearer is in a wild shape, the armor cannot be seen.

Polymorph PRD listing:

When you cast a polymorph spell that changes you into a creature of the animal, dragon, elemental, magical beast, plant, or vermin type, all of your gear melds into your body. 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 and shield bonuses, which cease to function). Items that require activation cannot be used while you maintain that form. While in such a form, you cannot cast any spells that require material components (unless you have the Eschew Materials or Natural Spell feat), and can only cast spells with somatic or verbal components if the form you choose has the capability to make such movements or speak, such as a dragon. Other polymorph spells might be subject to this restriction as well, if they change you into a form that is unlike your original form (subject to GM discretion). If your new form does not cause your equipment to meld into your form, the equipment resizes to match your new size.

Per the wording, it preserves the armor bonus, but does not say anything about having all the hindrances associated with armor. No Armor check penalties are mentioned in the Wild enchantment, leading me to believe the encumbering factor that hinders a monks ability while wearing armor would not be in effect.

Sczarni

Thank you. That helps me understand it better.

Can RAW cites or Developer cites be provided?

I am leaning towards the same thing with you Shar Tahl... I just want to make sure so that I may convince my DM of the most accurate conclusion.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps Subscriber

The main point that seems to be is that "everything melds into your form" means it is not worn but if it is magical it continues to provide existing bonuses. This means that a druid wild shaping in armor isn't wearing armor while wild shaped.

One interesting note on that is the polymorph subschool may support this interpretation more than I thought before:

all of your gear melds into your body. 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 and shield bonuses, which cease to function). Items that require activation cannot be used while you maintain that form.

So if it was still worn you wouldn't need the statement about items continuing to function so that may be a way of saying even though you aren't wearing them they still work. Also since you are wearing them you can't turn them on which is why you aren't allowed to use items like boots of speed or wings of flying.

Liberty's Edge

unfortunately, with RAW, the two pieces of text I quoted are all there will be. You have the polymorph rules and the Wild armor rules. It becomes a grey area, where they will need to make a GM judgement call for what makes sense in their game. Present them with this data and you side, then see where it goes. What I presented is what I would rule as a GM. Others could say that the wild armor hardens their exterior, making for an armor check penalty and the negation of monk abilities.


Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Pathfinder Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

The rules are pretty clear here, so we aren't likely to see any more clarification on the matter. While melded you are not considered to be wearing armor, whether it's wild armor or not.

Sczarni

Alrighty! I shall bring this to my DM at some point and hopefully it'll help me out. Thanks all!


Part of the reasons why Wild is so friggin' expensive. You don't get no armor check penalty, no weight and no 'you're wearing armor' restriction. Other than the fact that you can't WS while wearing a metal armor, you should be fine.

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