8th level Bear? [Archive] - Wizards Community

8th level Bear? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Amazing Dancing Bear
10-17-05, 02:53 PM Beg your pardon, but something's been bugging me. Can an 8th level Druid wildshape three times/day for 8 hours each? With natural spell, you can be a bear for life without losing any power. Is there somethign I'm missing?
q'afuu
10-17-05, 03:23 PM Is there somethign I'm missing? It's not always convenient to be a bear, or any specific wildshape (communication and social situations immediately spring to mind). That means a druid might want to change back to his humanoid shape every now and then. Also, there is no single animal form that's always the right one. Sometimes you'll want to be small, sometimes large. Sometimes flying is good, sometimes swimming gives you the means to overcome a challenge. That's another reason why a druid might want to change forms more often, without using up the entire duration of his wildshape uses. Obviously it depends a lot on the DM and the other party members though. If you never get into situations where anything other than your best combat form is appropriate, the above doesn't apply.
Silverthumb128
10-17-05, 03:44 PM Think about it like this scenario:

*You, as a bear, stroll into town looking for information.*
You: "Excuse me, but..."
People: "A bear! Eek! And it talks!" *runs away*
I'm not a fanatic
10-17-05, 04:11 PM Even though you hate fighters and love bears. You'd usually just be better off with most situations by just being a monk with improved grapple, unless your trying to uproot a tree.
The Almighty Dru
10-17-05, 04:24 PM Even though you hate fighters and love bears. You'd usually just be better off with most situations by just being a monk with improved grapple, unless your trying to uproot a tree.
Or trying to steal pic-a-nick baskets, since bears get a +8 racial bonus to grapple them.
Elendur
10-17-05, 04:45 PM Animals can't talk. This is a big problem in many situations, and not easily solved, especially at 8th level. Even if your game isn't big into NPC interaction, you still probably need to talk to your party members.

Armor can be an issue. You have to go with wild armor, very expensive, or get some sort of bear barding made.

Being large can be problematic in cramped quarters, like dungeons.

Not having fingers for fine manipulation could lead to lots of problems. "Dump my share of the loot on the ground" you'd say(telepathically, of course). "I'll 'paw' through it to count it up, then you can put it in my bear saddlebags."

You might want a monkey as your animal companion, who you could train to retrieve items for you.
rampant
10-17-05, 07:19 PM don't forget mouthpick weapons

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Amazing Dancing Bear 10-17-05, 02:53 PM	Beg your pardon, but something's been bugging me. Can an 8th level Druid wildshape three times/day for 8 hours each? With natural spell, you can be a bear for life without losing any power. Is there somethign I'm missing?
q'afuu 10-17-05, 03:23 PM	Is there somethign I'm missing? It's not always convenient to be a bear, or any specific wildshape (communication and social situations immediately spring to mind). That means a druid might want to change back to his humanoid shape every now and then. Also, there is no single animal form that's always the right one. Sometimes you'll want to be small, sometimes large. Sometimes flying is good, sometimes swimming gives you the means to overcome a challenge. That's another reason why a druid might want to change forms more often, without using up the entire duration of his wildshape uses. Obviously it depends a lot on the DM and the other party members though. If you never get into situations where anything other than your best combat form is appropriate, the above doesn't apply.
Silverthumb128 10-17-05, 03:44 PM	Think about it like this scenario: You, as a bear, stroll into town looking for information. You: "Excuse me, but..." People: "A bear! Eek! And it talks!" runs away
I'm not a fanatic 10-17-05, 04:11 PM	Even though you hate fighters and love bears. You'd usually just be better off with most situations by just being a monk with improved grapple, unless your trying to uproot a tree.
The Almighty Dru 10-17-05, 04:24 PM	Even though you hate fighters and love bears. You'd usually just be better off with most situations by just being a monk with improved grapple, unless your trying to uproot a tree. Or trying to steal pic-a-nick baskets, since bears get a +8 racial bonus to grapple them.
Elendur 10-17-05, 04:45 PM	Animals can't talk. This is a big problem in many situations, and not easily solved, especially at 8th level. Even if your game isn't big into NPC interaction, you still probably need to talk to your party members. Armor can be an issue. You have to go with wild armor, very expensive, or get some sort of bear barding made. Being large can be problematic in cramped quarters, like dungeons. Not having fingers for fine manipulation could lead to lots of problems. "Dump my share of the loot on the ground" you'd say(telepathically, of course). "I'll 'paw' through it to count it up, then you can put it in my bear saddlebags." You might want a monkey as your animal companion, who you could train to retrieve items for you.
rampant 10-17-05, 07:19 PM	don't forget mouthpick weapons