Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 MrBloodpuppy Sep 05, 2014 20:25:10	Ok i don't have any info on monsters besides what is inthe PHB.    Im im trying to figure out what is more combat effective for a Druid. All spells or focus on shape shifting.   lets talk lvl 6 Druid. As a caster he could cast call lighting 3. Times a day for a total of 30 minutes. 3-d10 a round   a lvl 6 shape shifter can be a CR 2, polar bear, elk, rhino.  He could assume this shape almost all day if he takes a short break after 12 hours    as a player I have very rarely had more then 2-3 major combats in a single game day so I'm kinda not sure if shape changing is really worth it. BUT probably is more fun   any thoughts?
#2 MrBloodpuppy Sep 05, 2014 20:27:02	Also as a side question how would bark skin work with shape change. Does it bring your armor to 16 then add dex of creature?  Also does it take place of armor if you had armor built for your normal animal shape?
#3 AaronOfBarbaria Sep 06, 2014 6:30:29	What is more "combat effective" cannot be determined without knowing the details of every combat you are getting into - don't at all worry about that, and do what seems "effective" at the moment when an actual (meaning not theory-crafted) combat occurs.   As to your side questions regarding barkskin: All the spell does is exactly what it says, and it always does exactly that same thing.   That thing which it does is this little 2 step process:   Step 1) Figure out your AC normally for whatever armor, ability, magic item, or form it is that applies - ignoring the barkskin spell entirely Step 2) If the AC you have figured out from step 1 is not above 17 or higher, then your AC is 16.