Druid Wildshape options: what animals? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Druid Wildshape options: what animals? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fitz10019
02-08-08, 05:21 PM I have a halfling druid with the racial substitution levels. At level 10, he can't do Large yet, but he can do diminutive. Because of this, I'm looking for as many Medium options as I can find.

So, where do you all look for animal options? I mean besides the Animal chapter of MM1, and the Dire entry of same. I looked at the handful of extra animals in the Races books (Brixashulty, Dire Hawk, etc.).

Or, is this not a research issue... should I be able to ask me DM to stat any reasonable animal?
Jackmojo
02-08-08, 05:33 PM Most current version of the Druid Handbook (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400)

Not aimed at halflings with the sublevel in particular (as they're a non-optimized choice to some degree), but it lists some solid medium options (fleshraker dino being the obvious choice).

Jack
Fitz10019
02-08-08, 05:42 PM Great reference material there, thanks.

The trouble is, I'm trapped in the "must be familiar with" clause. My character is in the Western Heartlands of FR, so no dinosaurs in his experience.
DrMorganes
02-08-08, 10:26 PM Then start there. What animals has your L10 druid encountered in his lifetime? Make a list. I would say anything on your Summon Nature's Ally lists is OK, but the final word is always up to your DM.

Since your DM is sticking to the "must be familiar with" portion of your class (and let's be honest here for a moment - if it's in the class's description, one truly must expect that it will be enforced unless house-ruled to the contrary), ask him for a list of acceptable animals. Also ask him to define exactly what amounts to a "familiar" animal and how you go about adding additional animals to the list. Keep your list of animals with your character sheet and add to it as appropriate.
happy_fuzzy
02-08-08, 10:36 PM are you implementing the make a knowledge nature check rule to see if you know an animal? Because if you have max skill pts you should be able to know decent forms (if your DM allows dinosaurs in FR then i would put a fleshraker at around 24-28, not that bad.)
Shades_of_Grey
02-09-08, 03:30 AM Well the Western Heartlands contains forrests and swamps. That gives you bears, wolves, cougars, alligators/crocodiles, medium vipers, medium constrictors, possibly dire versions of animals like hawks etc.
MadWand
02-10-08, 03:11 AM This one is pretty easy to answer, fortunately. Summon Nature's Ally 4 to summon Deinonychus and become familiar with it. This dinosaur has been errated to be a medium creature (see MM errata), and it is almost as good in combat as the Fleshraker. I actually prefer it because of the skill bonuses, actually. Good luck.
Fitz10019
02-11-08, 01:53 PM I would say anything on your Summon Nature's Ally lists is OK

Actually, the DM has extended the 'must be familiar' rule to limit the summoning options. Heh, I may never see a thoqqa!

What do folks think about cats, big cats like lions? In today's world, we associate lions with Africa, but they were in Europe prior to the Middle Ages. Do you think the Western Heartlands would have lions? I tried to get a "mountain lion" with the Cheetah stats (for a medium cat option), but I was shot down.
Jackmojo
02-11-08, 02:14 PM Sounds like your DM is being unnecessarily hardass about it.

I would ask him to provide you with a list of appropriate animals, since he keeps shooting down your suggestions. Point out to him the types of terrain you're from to use as a starting point.

Jack
Fireclave
02-11-08, 02:23 PM What do folks think about cats, big cats like lions? In today's world, we associate lions with Africa, but they were in Europe prior to the Middle Ages. Do you think the Western Heartlands would have lions? I tried to get a "mountain lion" with the Cheetah stats (for a medium cat option), but I was shot down.

For medium-sized big cats, see the Leopard entry. African lions have their own stats and are large.

These jungle cats are about 4 feet long and weigh about 120 pounds. They usually hunt at night. The statistics presented here can describe any feline of similar size, such as jaguars, panthers, and mountain lions.
...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fitz10019 02-08-08, 05:21 PM	I have a halfling druid with the racial substitution levels. At level 10, he can't do Large yet, but he can do diminutive. Because of this, I'm looking for as many Medium options as I can find. So, where do you all look for animal options? I mean besides the Animal chapter of MM1, and the Dire entry of same. I looked at the handful of extra animals in the Races books (Brixashulty, Dire Hawk, etc.). Or, is this not a research issue... should I be able to ask me DM to stat any reasonable animal?
Jackmojo 02-08-08, 05:33 PM	Most current version of the Druid Handbook (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=733400) Not aimed at halflings with the sublevel in particular (as they're a non-optimized choice to some degree), but it lists some solid medium options (fleshraker dino being the obvious choice). Jack
Fitz10019 02-08-08, 05:42 PM	Great reference material there, thanks. The trouble is, I'm trapped in the "must be familiar with" clause. My character is in the Western Heartlands of FR, so no dinosaurs in his experience.
DrMorganes 02-08-08, 10:26 PM	Then start there. What animals has your L10 druid encountered in his lifetime? Make a list. I would say anything on your Summon Nature's Ally lists is OK, but the final word is always up to your DM. Since your DM is sticking to the "must be familiar with" portion of your class (and let's be honest here for a moment - if it's in the class's description, one truly must expect that it will be enforced unless house-ruled to the contrary), ask him for a list of acceptable animals. Also ask him to define exactly what amounts to a "familiar" animal and how you go about adding additional animals to the list. Keep your list of animals with your character sheet and add to it as appropriate.
happy_fuzzy 02-08-08, 10:36 PM	are you implementing the make a knowledge nature check rule to see if you know an animal? Because if you have max skill pts you should be able to know decent forms (if your DM allows dinosaurs in FR then i would put a fleshraker at around 24-28, not that bad.)
Shades_of_Grey 02-09-08, 03:30 AM	Well the Western Heartlands contains forrests and swamps. That gives you bears, wolves, cougars, alligators/crocodiles, medium vipers, medium constrictors, possibly dire versions of animals like hawks etc.
MadWand 02-10-08, 03:11 AM	This one is pretty easy to answer, fortunately. Summon Nature's Ally 4 to summon Deinonychus and become familiar with it. This dinosaur has been errated to be a medium creature (see MM errata), and it is almost as good in combat as the Fleshraker. I actually prefer it because of the skill bonuses, actually. Good luck.
Fitz10019 02-11-08, 01:53 PM	I would say anything on your Summon Nature's Ally lists is OK Actually, the DM has extended the 'must be familiar' rule to limit the summoning options. Heh, I may never see a thoqqa! What do folks think about cats, big cats like lions? In today's world, we associate lions with Africa, but they were in Europe prior to the Middle Ages. Do you think the Western Heartlands would have lions? I tried to get a "mountain lion" with the Cheetah stats (for a medium cat option), but I was shot down.
Jackmojo 02-11-08, 02:14 PM	Sounds like your DM is being unnecessarily hardass about it. I would ask him to provide you with a list of appropriate animals, since he keeps shooting down your suggestions. Point out to him the types of terrain you're from to use as a starting point. Jack
Fireclave 02-11-08, 02:23 PM	What do folks think about cats, big cats like lions? In today's world, we associate lions with Africa, but they were in Europe prior to the Middle Ages. Do you think the Western Heartlands would have lions? I tried to get a "mountain lion" with the Cheetah stats (for a medium cat option), but I was shot down. For medium-sized big cats, see the Leopard entry. African lions have their own stats and are large. These jungle cats are about 4 feet long and weigh about 120 pounds. They usually hunt at night. The statistics presented here can describe any feline of similar size, such as jaguars, panthers, and mountain lions. ...