Commune with Nature = Better Wildshape Opportunities? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Commune with Nature = Better Wildshape Opportunities? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sarcastus
07-18-05, 10:38 AM As a Druid in my campaign, the DM has limited my Wildshaping to only those animals/creatures to which I have experience with. (So no Legendary Ape, dinosaurs, etc. unless we encounter them). However, Commune with Nature gives you information to the types and populations of animals in a large radius (1 to 5 mi?).

So, Is it reasonable to ask the DM if he'll allow me to Wildshape into new animal forms that I encounter through the use of this spell?

Remember - it is a Druid 5 spell, it's vaguely worded IMO, and I don't remember an errata to it.
Bob the Great
07-18-05, 12:10 PM I dont see why not.
However, its unlikely youll find a legendary ape or dinosaur in a 1 to 5 mile radius....
Alternatively, you could take knowledge (nature) or knowledge (animals) or something like that.
Sarcastus
07-18-05, 01:33 PM Cool. That's what I thought.
I've already got 5 ranks in Knowledge-Nature so I've got a good case there too.
Thanks

PS - I was told specifically - "No dinosaurs exist in my campaign" Dang - No Fleshraker or T-Rex.

However, I might have a shot with the Legendary Ape - wish me luck!

Thanks
primemover003
07-18-05, 02:41 PM You do realize that "Nature" is your DM, right? He'll let you know what kind of animals exist in his campaign... Legendary ape? Not likely if you're playing in a temperate forest... Just see what he throws out there. If he's a good DM he'll give the opportunity for you to pick up some fairly interesting Wildshape forms. If you don't see anything you like that's within logical reason for the campaign world, then have a talk with the DM and let him know your wishes. Be willing to negotiate.
Sarcastus
07-18-05, 04:44 PM You got a point. I know the DM likes random percentage chance rolls (d100) instead of making flat out yes or no's. Keeps the PC's hopeful and him on his toes. I'll probably have a couple of specific animal types that fit the terrain in mind that I'd like to get as a Player and he'll probably roll it to see if I can pick them up as a Character casting the spell. Legendary Ape - Low (10%) -But still a chance!

DM: "Roll 10% or lower"
Player: :Shake rattle - roll the dice. "59"
DM: "Nope, you don't get Legendary Ape - you get Legendary Stinking Skunk! Have fun with a continous stinking cloud and -50 to your CHA!!"

Thanks
Jaid
07-18-05, 05:26 PM don't forget the wonders of summon nature's ally.

never encountered creature X before? why not check if it's on your summon nature's ally list... after all, once you've summoned it that should realistically mean you can study it at least as well as if you've fought against it.

also, with help from other party members (cleric or wizard), you can get off the prime material, and summon creatures from the prime material using spells like planar binding iirc.
LordHell
07-18-05, 05:39 PM I think you should respect your DM's wishes personally.

I too have also banned Dinosaurs and Legendary creatures from my campaign. They simply do not exist so you cannot wildshape into one.

Basically anything from the Summon Natures Ally list is fair game, Knowledge() checks for other creatures may be required, but NOTHING from any additional material such as the MM2/MM3. The same goes for Polymorph/Shapechange.

Don't you think your Druid is powerful enough already?
Sarcastus
07-19-05, 10:30 AM Well, A pixie druid is pretty powerful-I agree. Especially since she will be focusing on Summoning and spellcasting instead of wildshaping. But, I was thinking of using the Wildshaping ability as more of a sneaking and spying capacity in case what we run into can see invisible (which I've found out is likely in the mid-to-high levels of the campaign I'm about to enter.) Since my BAB is shot unless I can get buffs from other PC's, I'm not too concerned about entering melee unless as a backup. An invisible bear does sound pretty nifty though, especially if it can cast invisibly at other monsters too (Druid 6 - here I come. Love Natural Spell + Eschew Materials!)

Oh - I did revise her out of MM1 and that helped alot.
Str-7 (11 -4 Racial)
Dex-20 (12 +8 Racial)
Con-10 (10)
Int-17 (11 +6 Racial)
Wis-21 (16 +4 Racial +1 Level Up)
Cha-20 (14 +6 Racial)
I rolled 6 - 3d6 (reroll lowest once and accept).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sarcastus 07-18-05, 10:38 AM	As a Druid in my campaign, the DM has limited my Wildshaping to only those animals/creatures to which I have experience with. (So no Legendary Ape, dinosaurs, etc. unless we encounter them). However, Commune with Nature gives you information to the types and populations of animals in a large radius (1 to 5 mi?). So, Is it reasonable to ask the DM if he'll allow me to Wildshape into new animal forms that I encounter through the use of this spell? Remember - it is a Druid 5 spell, it's vaguely worded IMO, and I don't remember an errata to it.
Bob the Great 07-18-05, 12:10 PM	I dont see why not. However, its unlikely youll find a legendary ape or dinosaur in a 1 to 5 mile radius.... Alternatively, you could take knowledge (nature) or knowledge (animals) or something like that.
Sarcastus 07-18-05, 01:33 PM	Cool. That's what I thought. I've already got 5 ranks in Knowledge-Nature so I've got a good case there too. Thanks PS - I was told specifically - "No dinosaurs exist in my campaign" Dang - No Fleshraker or T-Rex. However, I might have a shot with the Legendary Ape - wish me luck! Thanks
primemover003 07-18-05, 02:41 PM	You do realize that "Nature" is your DM, right? He'll let you know what kind of animals exist in his campaign... Legendary ape? Not likely if you're playing in a temperate forest... Just see what he throws out there. If he's a good DM he'll give the opportunity for you to pick up some fairly interesting Wildshape forms. If you don't see anything you like that's within logical reason for the campaign world, then have a talk with the DM and let him know your wishes. Be willing to negotiate.
Sarcastus 07-18-05, 04:44 PM	You got a point. I know the DM likes random percentage chance rolls (d100) instead of making flat out yes or no's. Keeps the PC's hopeful and him on his toes. I'll probably have a couple of specific animal types that fit the terrain in mind that I'd like to get as a Player and he'll probably roll it to see if I can pick them up as a Character casting the spell. Legendary Ape - Low (10%) -But still a chance! DM: "Roll 10% or lower" Player: :Shake rattle - roll the dice. "59" DM: "Nope, you don't get Legendary Ape - you get Legendary Stinking Skunk! Have fun with a continous stinking cloud and -50 to your CHA!!" Thanks
Jaid 07-18-05, 05:26 PM	don't forget the wonders of summon nature's ally. never encountered creature X before? why not check if it's on your summon nature's ally list... after all, once you've summoned it that should realistically mean you can study it at least as well as if you've fought against it. also, with help from other party members (cleric or wizard), you can get off the prime material, and summon creatures from the prime material using spells like planar binding iirc.
LordHell 07-18-05, 05:39 PM	I think you should respect your DM's wishes personally. I too have also banned Dinosaurs and Legendary creatures from my campaign. They simply do not exist so you cannot wildshape into one. Basically anything from the Summon Natures Ally list is fair game, Knowledge() checks for other creatures may be required, but NOTHING from any additional material such as the MM2/MM3. The same goes for Polymorph/Shapechange. Don't you think your Druid is powerful enough already?
Sarcastus 07-19-05, 10:30 AM	Well, A pixie druid is pretty powerful-I agree. Especially since she will be focusing on Summoning and spellcasting instead of wildshaping. But, I was thinking of using the Wildshaping ability as more of a sneaking and spying capacity in case what we run into can see invisible (which I've found out is likely in the mid-to-high levels of the campaign I'm about to enter.) Since my BAB is shot unless I can get buffs from other PC's, I'm not too concerned about entering melee unless as a backup. An invisible bear does sound pretty nifty though, especially if it can cast invisibly at other monsters too (Druid 6 - here I come. Love Natural Spell + Eschew Materials!) Oh - I did revise her out of MM1 and that helped alot. Str-7 (11 -4 Racial) Dex-20 (12 +8 Racial) Con-10 (10) Int-17 (11 +6 Racial) Wis-21 (16 +4 Racial +1 Level Up) Cha-20 (14 +6 Racial) I rolled 6 - 3d6 (reroll lowest once and accept).