How long can a Druid use Wild Shape?

[Valkir]

I've tried looking for an answer on this, and perhaps I'm over-thinking the wording of the ability. The Wildshape class feature says "The effect lasts for 1 hour per druid level, or until she changes back." "A druid can use this ability an additional time per day at 6th level and every two levels thereafter,..." until they reach unlimited uses at 20th.

So my question is how long can they stay in Wildshape? At 6th, do they get 2 wildshape sessions for up to 12 hours; 24 hours with 3 sessions at 8th? Or at 6th do they get to use up to 6 hours of wildshape, with 2 shape changes; 8 hours with 3 changes at 8th, etc?

Thanks!

[johhov]

At 6th level you get two uses of the ability, each of these uses lasts for 6 hours for a total of 12 hours.

[LazarX]

johhov wrote:

At 6th level you get two uses of the ability, each of these uses lasts for 6 hours for a total of 12 hours.

Unless terminated before then, which ends that use of wildshape.

[Valkir]

Hrm, interesting. So a druid at level 8 could rarely be seen in their natural form again. My druid player will be pleased; I told him only 8 hours total at 8th, with 3 changes. I think I'll still require he revert to his race form between changes - close the circuit, so to speak.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

[Gauss]

You do not need to revert to original form between uses. You can use a polymorph effect while polymorphed and replace the original polymorph effect.

The Druid can start Human, go to Dire Tiger, then to Eagle and not see human between them. Heck, a level 9 druid may never see his original form again.

CRB p212 Polymorph rules wrote:

You can only be affected by one polymorph spell at a time. If a new polymorph spell is cast on you (or you activate a polymorph effect, such as wild shape), you can decide whether or not to allow it to affect you, taking the place of the old spell. In addition, other spells that change your size have no effect on you while you are under the effects of a polymorph spell.

So, if you require the druid to revert to normal form between changes you would be making a house rule (which is ok, but the druid player should be aware it is a house rule).