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2017-03-30, 06:06 PM (ISO 8601)
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Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
The Wild Shape feature has two aspects of it that I'm having trouble figuring out. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.
"Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form"
"You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source if the new form is fully capable of doing so"
So... For things like Bracers of Defense or Cloak of Protection, do you retain the bonus to AC while in Wild Shape? You're gaining the benefit from an 'other source', but I'm a little hazy on the 'equipment that merges', is it all aspects of the equipment or the physical mundane aspects of being able to wield it?
And a Warforged Druid always retains its bonus +1 to AC, even in Wild Shape, right?
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2017-03-30, 08:19 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
The equipment rule trumps the "other source" rule. As for Warforged, I imagine that is dependent on how you and the DM handle his transformation. If the PC becomes a robotic, Warforged version of the beast a la Transformers, then it should work but he will not be able to pass for the creatures on close inspection without something like an illusion. If it is magically becoming that form and so being biological, you certainly couldn't benefit from it as you have lost the source.
Originally Posted by krugaan
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2017-03-30, 08:20 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Bracers are equipment that merged with the form, so you gain no benefit and they stop working until you return to humanoid.
Warforged is going to be a DM call. My call would be no, because the Beast lacks the wood/metal plating which provides the warforged his AC bonus.If you quote me and ask me questions,
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2017-03-30, 08:44 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
It's weird to me. Because magic items resize to fit your size. It's why magic armor works on Gnomes and Goliaths, right?
So.... Bracers SHOULD actually work. I don't think attunement requires you to be Humanoid. Only a Creature.
Also, I keep reading how it's the Druids choice how the equipment merges.
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2017-03-30, 09:42 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
In the case of the magical items, if they merge with the Wild Shaped form they loss their ability to function since they only provide a benefit when worn. If the Druid decides not to have them merge with his form, then the DM decides if the items are appropriate for the new form to wear (and thus benefit from) or if the new form cannot wear them.
As for the Warforged, it's +1 to AC is a direct result of it's body being constructed out of special materials and not flesh. Since the new form gained by Wild Shape is not fully capable to receive the +1 to AC as a result of being constructed out of specific materials I'd argue that the Wild Shape shouldn't get said bonus.
If the DM wants to allow you to Wild Shape into a mechanical version of the animal instead of a flesh and blood version so that you can retain the AC bonus, that's cool. By RAW it is not an option, however.
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2017-03-30, 09:49 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
So for generations did the sainted skull of Caius Anicius Magnus Furius Camillus Æmilianus Cornelius Valerius Pompeius Julius Ibidus, consul of Rome, favourite of emperors, and saint of the Romish church, lie hidden beneath the soil of a growing town. At first worshipped with dark rites by the prairie-dogs, who saw in it a deity sent from the upper world..
- H.P. Lovecraft, "Ibid".
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2017-03-30, 10:17 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
This is the key difference. If you have 8 rings, for example, it is conceivable that your Giant Octopus form can wear one on each arm (arms have suckers along length for grasping, tentacles just have them on the ends), but he is not likely to be wearing those Boots of Striding and Springing. The snek may be able to wear your hat and cloak, but he doesn't have hands for those gloves. A good general rule is that gloves and boots, being dependent on specific anatomy, will not work barring maybe a baboon form. Cloaks are pretty easy, but birds will likely not be able to wear them normally as I imagine they interfere with flight. Rings will work on many forms (tails, arms, etc.), but probably not on birds or fish/aquatic mammals with their thicker appendages.
Originally Posted by krugaan
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2017-03-30, 10:32 PM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
under specific beats general they should resize. Your Gm should not be using that as cover for their choice to deny you something while wildshaped.
Spoiler: relevant wildshape bit
Originally Posted by phb67
Choose to wear the bracers. If the gm wants to deny it based on "DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size." they are welcome to say "I don't think a brown bear could wear bracers for a whole 12 instead of 11 ac"; but that's a sign that you should find a different gm or play another class if they do.
Under specific beats general, "magic items" also beat "equipment". when the rule explicitly says "DM decides if", there is no wiggle room for "but the rules says". The d&d folks have a habit of ignoring the "DM decides if" and inexcusably ruling on tenuous reasoning rather than a reasonable & logical ruling when asking if a gm can decide if a moon druid can use combat wildshape's hp recovery feature to heal up at a paladin rider if the gm lets the paladin find steed on the druid without actually using the D word so it's just a "corner case" the gm can decide if not explicitly stated.
see RickAllison's post for very reasonable reasons to deny magic items to a formLast edited by Tetrasodium; 2017-03-30 at 10:35 PM.
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2017-03-31, 08:09 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
I would rule that No, you do not get to keep your magical bracers and cloak in Wild Shape. All your equipment merges into your beast shape.
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2017-03-31, 08:52 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Since the items don't resize to match the new form, I think in most cases I would be inclined to argue the magic item doesn't fit the new form. For example, in the case of bracers, a bear's wrist is likely going to be noticeably bigger than a human's wrist.
However, certain magic items like rings would probably work just fine. And if the druid asks an ally to help put the magic items back on him once he shapeshifts, I could see that working fine. Albiet the latter would be more of an option for when the party is not in combat.
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2017-03-31, 08:55 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 08:57 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size
------
That's the full wording from the book.
Since magic items resize... Would you still say that a Cloak of Protection doesn't work?
If no, what if it got it to be reflavored to being a choker or collar?
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2017-03-31, 09:01 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 09:11 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
That's a little extreme. If you're playing 5e, you have to accept that some things are just up to the DM. If the druid is going to quit a group because they couldn't get a +1 to AC, well, honestly, the group is probably better off without the druid.
I mean, as you might recall, I'm of the opinion that 'no metal armor' is a stupid rule, but I wouldn't quit a group over it. Or this.
Especially because when you first get Brown Bear its already ridiculously powerful without being 5% harder to hit than it should be.
Resizing: I think the catch is that the DMG generally assumes a regular, medium humanoid PC is going to be receiving these items. There aren't really any core rules for playing a Large or Larger or nonhumanoid PC. If a bear can wear bracers, why can't a snake slither into a pair and wear it like armor? My rule (and I play a lot of druids) is to ask the DM before I try to claim a magic item - 'hey, how will this resize when I shape?'. If its clear I'm going to have trouble using it, I pass on it and someone else gets it (the group still benefits.)
Sometimes you'll have an easier case. Example - a giant had been wearing a ring. Apparently the ring could resize to medium size, but I asked instead if it was possible to wear it as a collar - I figured the neck of a bear and the finger of a giant are much closer in size than the fingers of gnomes and giants. DM agreed on that particular instance.
Warforged: I was under the impression that 'anatomy-specific' traits did not carry over. For instance, a kobold would keep his Pack Tactics, but a Tabaxi would not retain their claws. I would imagine that your AC would not increase, unless your DM houseruled/homebrewed a robo-shape for you.
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2017-03-31, 09:18 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 09:38 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
If you quote me and ask me questions,
and I continue to not respond,
it's probably because I have
you on my Ignore list.
Congratulations.
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2017-03-31, 09:45 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 09:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 10:05 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
• You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so. However, you can’t use any of your special senses, such as darkvision, unless your new form also has that sense.
If the new form is physically capable of doing so.
The new form is certainly not made of metal and wood, so whether he is physically capable of retaining that +1AC is going to be the DM's call.
• You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn equipment functions as normal, but the DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to w ear a piece of equipment, based on the creature’s shape and size. Your equipment doesn’t change size or shape to match the new form, and any equipment that the new form can’t w ear must either fall to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form has no effect until you leave the form.
This basically says: Ask your DM if you can wear your equipment or it if ceases to function, and he will give you an appropriate answer based on the form you've chosen.Last edited by DivisibleByZero; 2017-03-31 at 10:05 AM.
If you quote me and ask me questions,
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2017-03-31, 10:07 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Starting out, this is not directed at you specifically Tanarii, you were just quoted because you tried to give a reasonable reason
Spoiler: the full wildshape deets
Originally Posted by phb66/67
Spoiler: Magic item deets
Originally Posted by dmg140
Spoiler: specific beats general
S p e c i f i c B e a t s G e n e r a l
This book contains rules, especially in parts 2 and 3,
that govern how the game plays. That said, many racial
traits, class features, spells, magic items, monster
abilities, and other game elements break the general rules in
some way, creating an exception to how the rest o f the
game works. Remember this: If a specific rule
contradicts a general rule, the specific rule wins.
Exceptions to the rules are often minor. For instance,
many adventurers don’t have proficiency with longbows,
but every w ood elf does because of a racial trait. That
trait creates a minor exception in the game. Other
exam ples of rule-breaking are more conspicuous. For
instance, an adventurer can’t normally pass through
walls, but some spells make that possible. Magic
accounts for most o f the major exceptions to the rules.
- Many class abilities, magic items, & more create rules exceptions. When conflict exists, the more specific one wins.
- alignment, personality, int/wis/cha scores, skill & saving throw proficiencies,
- If the creature has a magic item equivalent such as a lair or legendary action, you do not get it.
- You maintain concentration on any spells you are already concentrating on & can continue to perform actions related to them such as call lightning's strike.
- Your ability to speak or do things that requires hands is limited based on the form of the creature
- You can not use any of your special senses (such as darkvision) unless the new form also has that sense.
- "You retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so."
- "Magic item" is unquestionably more specific than the general term "equipment" & thus overrides "equipment" when there is a conflict in the text.
- "a magic item that's meant to be worn can fit a creature regardless of size or build."
- " Many magic garments are made to be easily adjustable, or they magically adjust themselves to the wearer.". While it does give an example of armor made by drow only fitting elves, druid is not a racially restricted class & there exists druids of "all races"...
so the only reason that elf only magic armor would not resize/easily adjust for an elf druid to a common druid form like a bear would pretty much be if it was metal armor. - There are magic items that do not do that, but those exceptions are rare to the already uncommon/rare/very rare magic items. That ring of protection might be worn like an ear ring by a cave bear, but wearing a giant's ring like a bracelet is reasonable enough that I'm pretty much certain that there have been magic items like that giant's ring in past editions making it a not very radical possibility
- While a web of rules like this being used to prove a point is usually an immediate indication that punpun territory is being approached, the lengths to which certain people have shown themselves willing to ignore "DM decides whether it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment " & jump straight to "nope my hands are tied, rules say no" makes the full collection of relevant rules a reasonable presentation to dismiss the bias
- Don't think people take it too far?... how about suggesting that wildshape nullifies a curse rather than allowing a wildshaped druid to benefit from the curse with or without the resistance effect on a shield of missile attraction?... If that's not enough of an example of lazy gone too far to avoid "well it says dm decides if & I decide no", a house rule along the lines of "I find druids disruptive & would prefer you not play one in my games" may be in order.
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2017-03-31, 10:18 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
"Magic item" is unquestionably more specific than the general term "equipment" & thus overrides "equipment" when there is a conflict in the text.
Because, yes, specific beats general.
But no, "magic item" is not more specific than "equipment."
Specific beats general does apply, but in this case:
General = worn magic items change size/shape
Specific = Druid Wild Shape overrides that and these no longer change shape
The Wild Shape forms are designed to be played straight from the MM stat blocks, and that's why equipment generally ceases to function.If you quote me and ask me questions,
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2017-03-31, 10:21 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
I completely agree, & that's why I also say that you should play another class as the other option. While the specific example is 5% harder to hit yes, A CR1/4 zombiehas +3 to hit, a cr1/4 goblin has +4 to hit. A brown bear has 11 ac. That +1 ac is the difference between getting hit on anything better than 6-7 & >7-8. You also gloss over the fact that a moon druid will be using that brown bear until level 6 when +4-+5 or more ToHit from monsters is pretty common & dropping it the difference between ~75% chance of being hit & 70% chance
thieve's tools, a backpack/pouch, a nonmagic set of armor, a magic set of armor, a torch, a waterskin, an hourglass, a ladder, rope, & more are equipment.
While "equipment" does indeed contain a "magic item", the "magic item" is a specific thing with specific rules of its own that does not apply to the rest of the stuff that the general term "equipment" can include.Last edited by Tetrasodium; 2017-03-31 at 10:29 AM.
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2017-03-31, 10:24 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
LOL, he didn't mean because the druid should play a different class.
He meant: That druid? I hope he never shows up here again.
If he is considering rage-quitting over 1AC, then good riddance, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.Last edited by DivisibleByZero; 2017-03-31 at 10:27 AM.
If you quote me and ask me questions,
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2017-03-31, 10:28 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 10:43 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Who the hell said anything about me rage quitting over whether or not a Dire Wolf can wear a Cloak of Protection?
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2017-03-31, 10:48 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
If you quote me and ask me questions,
and I continue to not respond,
it's probably because I have
you on my Ignore list.
Congratulations.
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2017-03-31, 11:08 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
I'm pretty sure that the "magic items meant to be worn resize to fit the wearer" is a general rule, and "the DM decides if your Wildshape can wear it" is a specific rule. I think this because the former statement applies to all magic items that are meant to be worn (with exceptions), while the latter rule applies only to Druid Wildshapes.
So by the argument of "specific trumps general," "DM chooses whether they fit" is the winner.
EDIT: I took so long to write this post it doesn't even count as being ninja'd......
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2017-03-31, 11:10 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Nobody, DBZ & a few others just have a habit of making a partial out of context quote/paraphrase & blowing it up through repeated back & forth into something wildly unreasonable never even hinted at by playing the telephone game among themselves rather than admit things that take responsibility like "as the GM I choose not to allow it" (Which they are explicitly allowed to do without even using a house rule) or discuss the actual rules they are hiding their deliberate choice behind.
The simple fact is that it's easier to cloak yourself in complaining about "rage quit" & eventually telephone game it into flipping the table over & decking the gm over time. Plus, I think there is plenty of evidence that a dire wolf could indeed wear a cloak of protection & more
Yea, It's pretty obnoxious the lengths that people will go to in order for them to avoid responsibility for choosing well within their rights to use the simple very specific "DM decides if.." override of just about anything related to wildshape wearing stuff.Last edited by Tetrasodium; 2017-03-31 at 11:36 AM.
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2017-03-31, 11:27 AM (ISO 8601)
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2017-03-31, 11:31 AM (ISO 8601)
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Re: Quick Druid - Wild Shape questions
Is the T-800 a beast?
As to Tet:
I'm not the one that said he should find a new DM.
That was you. That amounts to rage-quitting.
No one is taking anything out of context. This is your thing, as even Rick agrees. At the slightest notion that a DM has any say over how his own game will be played, you tell people to find a new DM. You tell people to rage-quit.
None of that is out of context. Not only is it perfectly in context, you have already done it in this thread.Last edited by DivisibleByZero; 2017-03-31 at 11:36 AM.
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