Animal Shapes... As good as I think it is?

[BoutsofInsanity]

Was perusing the spells in the new PHB when I saw Animal Shapes. Note that there is no limit to the number of targets within a thirty foot radius. They only have to be willing and creatures. Therefore, if I as a Druid can befriend the many tiny critters of the forest and turn them into Grizzly Bears for my Dwarven allies to ride into battle, does that work?

Playgrounds, please, tell me it isn't as good as I think it is. Or is it better?

[CyberThread]

two draw backs


Level 8 spell, have to concentrate.

[Lokiare]

two draw backs


Level 8 spell, have to concentrate.

Concentration is not an issue as long as you have 2 feats.

[TripleD]

Depends on how you interpret "willing".

"Do you want to turn into a Grizzly Bear" is a question that involves being able to understand the concept of the future and compare different outcomes (e.g. "Is it better to be a grizzly bear than a mouse").

I would house rule a minimum INT of 3 to be able to understand such an abstract idea. Granted I do not have the PHB, so I may be misunderstanding a key concept of the spell.