[RPG] Can a druid use Wild Shape in order to escape her restraints

dnd-5edruidwild-shape

According to the description of the druid's Wild Shape feature:

You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it.

Assuming a druid is chained up via non-magical chains. Would the druid be able to make the chains fall to the floor via Wild Shape?

Best Answer

Restraints are not Equipment (or at least, they aren't yours)

(emphasis added)

You choose whether your Equipment falls to the ground in your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it.

Items restraining you are not your equipment, just like former allies who are attacking you are not your allies. As such, this rule would not cause the chains to automatically drop.

Note that if you wild shaped into something which was the wrong size for the chains (like an insect), the chains would almost definitely drop to the ground (supported by the 2019 sage advice compendium p. 3, thanks to V2Blast for pointing this out):

Can a bound and gagged druid simply use Wild Shape to get out? It’s hard to capture someone who can turn into a mouse at will. Transforming into a different size can be an effective way of escaping, depending on the nature of the bonds or confinement.

If you tried to Wild Shape into something too large for the chains, what would happen is deliberately unclear. Whether or not a beast similar to your size (like a bear) would remain chained is a gray area, and may depend on how you are restrained (and more accurately, depend on your DM).