Post/Author/DateTime	Post
SwollenOstrich 08-25-05, 08:28 PM	Player and DM are trying to come to terms with an acceptable system for determining possible forms of wildshape for a druid/Master of Manyforms. To wildshape into a creature, you must be 'familiar' with it. The example given in the PHB states that a druid from a temperate climate could not wildshape into a polar bear, as he is not familiar with them. Because the term 'familiar' is not defined, player and DM have disagree on its meaning. The proposed system we have compramised on is the following: 1) Druid/MoMF gains familarity with a creature (keeping in mind that a MoMF can change into fey, monsterous humanoids, dragons, abberations, etc.) he befriends. 2) Any creature fought in combat to an acceptable degree determined by the DM will gain the druid familarity with the creature. 3) Upon gaining a new level, the druid can learn a new wildshape form of the players choice, similar to the way a sorceror gains new spells learned. The table looks like this: ..............HD...........HD........... HD............HD..........HD ..............5.............6 .............7..............8........... ..9 Level 5..............1 6..............2.............1 7..............3.............2.......... .....1 8..............4.............3.......... .....2..............1 9..............4.............4.......... .....3..............2..........1 I hope that displays properly for everyone. Upon gaining 9th level, the player does not automatically gain a new 5HD form, as he has hit the cap. I would appriciate your opinions as both DM and player as to the balance of this system. EDIT: It would seem the table didnt come out the way i had designed it. I will clarify if you have any confusion.
Tyler Do'Urden 08-25-05, 08:51 PM	I never thought of wild shape as being all that unbalanced. Really, I don't think you need to limit it this much. I certainly doubt the creators intended you to have a finite number of known forms depending on level, especially when most druids will have three or four forms that they use on a regular basis for their entire careers. Just do it on a case by case basis. If he wants to wild shape into a T-rex and there aren't any in your world, just say "no."
SwollenOstrich 08-25-05, 09:02 PM	Just do it on a case by case basis. If he wants to wild shape into a T-rex and there aren't any in your world, just say "no." There is no limit to the number of wildshapes the druid can assume. The number of shapes the druid AUTOMATICALLY learns upon leveling up is what is capped. For instance, how does a MoMF gain familarity with aberrations without fighting them? Assuming the DM doesnt throw aberrations at the druid, should the druid be completly denied their class feature? This way, the druid gets AT LEAST 4 forms at any given HD he can wildshape into. By placing these limits, the DM can assure the player will have access to at least a few powerful forms of his choosing, without allowing the player to go overboard and have familarity with as many as he wishes.
ccubed 08-25-05, 09:57 PM	I like the idea, although I'd put the freebie cap at 5 forms for the respective levels so it progresses similarly to spellcasting (although still accelerated in order to provide suitable HD.)