Item Bonus and WildShape

[Gortle]

We finally have a clarification on item bonuses in wildshape and battleform. A video clarification from Mark Seifter. Which confirms that the Druid does add their item bonus to hit from handwraps to their attack modifier, if they are using that number instead of the attack number in the spell.

He stated he consulted on this carefully, and that there are other issues they are still considering.

So I hope we can put this aspect of it to bed now.

I'd go back and update all the old threads but there are just too many of them to find them all.

[Guntermench]

I mean...it's part of determining their unarmed attack modifier...

I don't think a Druid would ever exceed the battleform bonus without using an outdated form without including the handwraps.

[Nefreet]

Good news for Fighter/Druids ^_^

Or Fighter/Druid/Martial Artists, if the FAQ gets fixed.

[Cordell Kintner]

You still have to have a higher unarmed attack bonus, which means Druids would only be able to use "their own" attack bonus, which they would only be able to do at levels 4 and 19. At levels 10 15 and 16 their attack bonus is equal to their highest battle form, but it does say "If your unarmed attack bonus is higher, you can use it instead."

Basically, you would only get the +2 if you Wild Shape into a form that's not the best available for you at the time.

Or if you're a martial class like Nefreet pointed out.

For reference, here's a chart I made. The left is the highest granted Battle Form bonus available. If a number is red, it means it's lower and thus can't be used. If it's grey, it's equal and can't be used. If it's green, it's higher and can be used.
Also of note, for those using a dedication the "Highest Spell Bonus" number would be much lower.

[Starocious]

Still no mention of sneak attack, hunters edge: precision, rage or weapon specialization bonus damage while in battle form I take it?

[HumbleGamer]

Excellent.

Druid attack is going to be closer ( or even equal ) to the warpriest's ( thanks cordell for the chart ).

as for other martial getting it through a dedication to get the +2 status bonus... is it really a thing?

I mean, wouldn't their ac be extremely low?

[Guntermench]

Yeah it's a thing occasionally. Yes, their AC is low.

But if you're a fighter doing this you're a glass cannon that's going to tear creatures to pieces pretty quickly.

Well, or not since the damage dice are fixed.

[HumbleGamer]

Guntermench wrote:

Yeah it's a thing occasionally. Yes, their AC is low.

But if you're a fighter doing this you're a glass cannon that's going to tear creatures to pieces pretty quickly.

Well, or not since the damage dice are fixed.

Oh right, there's also the dice thing in addition to the crit fish for the enemies.

Problem solved.

[Gortle]

Starocious wrote:

Still no mention of sneak attack, hunters edge: precision, rage or weapon specialization bonus damage while in battle form I take it?

Yep Additional Damage is still not well defined. Which is annoying as there is a lot of it. I mean even Druids get weapon specialization.

I am forced to interpret the rules as saying it all counts. But I do want it clarified.

[pauljathome]

Gortle wrote:

We finally have a clarification on item bonuses in wildshape and battleform. A video clarification from Mark Seifter.

Thank you for pointing this out.

[Aside] Can't help thinking that a video is NOT the best way to make rules clarifications available. Kinda relies on somebody else distributing it somewhere else [/Aside]