I'm GMing my first campaign using Pathfinder, and I have a Druid in the party who just gained access to Wild Shape.
My question is: If he uses Wild Shape, what happens to HP? Does he gain the HP of the animal he turned into? What happens if his HP drops to 0? Does he turn back into his normal self with full HP, or does he still have only 0?
Also, the book saya, "The form chosen must be that of an animal the druid is familiar with." What exactly does that mean? Something he's seen before? Something he's fought before?
Thanks in advance for the help!
Wild shape does not affect the druids HP, no matter what form they are in, or what causes them to change form.
Generally spell effects continue to run even if you are unconscious, it takes a conscious action to change form.
As to forms the druid is familiar with - that's largely up to the player and the GM in collaboration. It allows a GM to limit the number of forms a player has access to.
As a starting point they really should be familiar with all animals native to the land they trained in/live in. I tend to the lenient on this, and allow druids pretty much anything they want.
Wild shape does not affect the druids HP, no matter what form they are in, or what causes them to change form.
Generally spell effects continue to run even if you are unconscious, it takes a conscious action to change form.
As to forms the druid is familiar with - that's largely up to the player and the GM in collaboration. It allows a GM to limit the number of forms a player has access to.
As a starting point they really should be familiar with all animals native to the land they trained in/live in. I tend to the lenient on this, and allow druids pretty much anything they want.
Your bolded statement (I bolded it) is not completely correct.
Starting at level 6 Wild Shape can be used to change into a Water Elemental via Elemental Body I and that comes with a constitution boost which will add to the Wild Shaper's hitpoints for the duration of the effect just like any Constitution boost.
Additionally, a Large (or bigger) creature loses constitution when using a polymorph effect such as Wild Shape and this too will modify the hitpoints. Of course, that is more GM oriented information as I am not aware of any current PC races that are Large or bigger.
Wild shape does not affect the druids HP, no matter what form they are in, or what causes them to change form.
Generally spell effects continue to run even if you are unconscious, it takes a conscious action to change form.
As to forms the druid is familiar with - that's largely up to the player and the GM in collaboration. It allows a GM to limit the number of forms a player has access to.
As a starting point they really should be familiar with all animals native to the land they trained in/live in. I tend to the lenient on this, and allow druids pretty much anything they want.Your bolded statement (I bolded it) is not completely correct.
Starting at level 6 Wild Shape can be used to change into a Water Elemental via Elemental Body I and that comes with a constitution boost which will add to the Wild Shaper's hitpoints for the duration of the effect just like any Constitution boost.
Additionally, a Large (or bigger) creature loses constitution when using a polymorph effect such as Wild Shape and this too will modify the hitpoints. Of course, that is more GM oriented information as I am not aware of any current PC races that are Large or bigger.
True, I should have added "unless it alters the druids constitution" I guess.
it uses the same rules for beast shape 1. it is in the magic section of core book under transformation sub section.
I looked at Beast Shape I before I posed my question here. It didn't have the answer to my question.
True, I should have added "unless it alters the druids constitution" I guess.Wild shape does not affect the druids HP, no matter what form they are in, or what causes them to change form.
Generally spell effects continue to run even if you are unconscious, it takes a conscious action to change form.
As to forms the druid is familiar with - that's largely up to the player and the GM in collaboration. It allows a GM to limit the number of forms a player has access to.
As a starting point they really should be familiar with all animals native to the land they trained in/live in. I tend to the lenient on this, and allow druids pretty much anything they want.Your bolded statement (I bolded it) is not completely correct.
Starting at level 6 Wild Shape can be used to change into a Water Elemental via Elemental Body I and that comes with a constitution boost which will add to the Wild Shaper's hitpoints for the duration of the effect just like any Constitution boost.
Additionally, a Large (or bigger) creature loses constitution when using a polymorph effect such as Wild Shape and this too will modify the hitpoints. Of course, that is more GM oriented information as I am not aware of any current PC races that are Large or bigger.
Thank you very much! That helps a lot!
For future doubts about spells, look at their subschools (if any), like "polymorph" in this case, and remember read it up in the Magic chapter of the Core Rulebook; it lists the common rules for spells of the same kind, which aren't listed in the single spells' description.
If nothing is mentioned about a specific matter, it means there are no effects in regard to that matter.
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Part of the problem with Wild Shape is that its description of abilities rests in multiple places in the Core Rulebook. First the Wild Shape ability itself, then the various spells it references then the polymorph rules subset then the various bestiaries or books where the monsters are from.
I suggest having them print out each page or section of the core rulebook involved, plus the stats of the creatures they want to use to keep as a handy handbook for you and them.
Thanks everyone! Very helpful info.