How does Wild Shape work?

[Roboman1723]

Hey guys I'm new to DMing and am unclear on how Wild Shape works, do druids take the stats of the animal or the animal companion variant?

For example (on the right are companion stats): Stegosaurus

Thanks!

[TriOmegaZero]

Wild shape works as the listed spells do depending on the druids level.

So a 4th level druid can shape into a small or medium sized animal, gaining either a +2 size bonus to Dex and +1 natural armor bonus (along with the other benefits and penalties of small size) or a +2 size bonus to Str and a +2 natural armor bonus. He would also gain the listed attacks for that creature. The spells also allow a limited number of special abilities to transfer, like climb speeds and other abilities.

A stegosaurus requires beast shape III, which wild shape upgrades to at 8th level.

[Roboman1723]

TriOmegaZero wrote:

Wild shape works as the listed spells do depending on the druids level.

So a 4th level druid can shape into a small or medium sized animal, gaining either a +2 size bonus to Dex and +1 natural armor bonus (along with the other benefits and penalties of small size) or a +2 size bonus to Str and a +2 natural armor bonus. He would also gain the listed attacks for that creature. The spells also allow a limited number of special abilities to transfer, like climb speeds and other abilities.

A stegosaurus requires beast shape III, which wild shape upgrades to at 8th level.

So an 8th level druid stegosaurus could hit a 4d6 + trip?

[blashimov]

Sure can! Also the huge animal stat adjustments under beast shape 3. (Huge animal: If the form you take is that of a Huge animal, you gain a +6 size bonus to your Strength, a -4 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +6 natural armor bonus.)