I'd like to have some details about the Druid transformation in D&D 3.5.
Ok, you have reached level 8, so your BA is +6/+1 and let's say that I want to transform into a lion; according to rules I can choose between 2 kinds of natural weapon, bite or claws and that I can't use both at the same time except for taking -5 to every attack.
-
Once trasformed, can I use two bites at +6+Str.Mod+OtherStuff/+1+Str.Mod.+OtherStuff, or I have to sum -5?
-
Let's say I have MultiAttack feat, (reduces from -5 to -2 penalties) Can I use the Complete Attack specified in the monster manual, which is 1 bite AND 2 claws? Having 2 attacks per round, should I do 1x+6 bite and 2x+6 claws and 1x+1 bite and 2x+1 claws?
-
The lions and some other animals have Pounce which says that I can use full attack when charging and, if I hit, I have two other extra attacks. Is it correct?
-
Is there any object that can keep my magical items working while I'm transformed?
Thanks, sorry for bad english.
Best Answer
Natural Weapons and How to Use Them
I'm going to summarize here. Keep in mind a vast (maybe even overwelming) number of exceptions exist to modify this very basic summary. This is deliberately the game at its most basic. Natural attacks are detailed here and here and in the Monster Manual under the headings Attack and Full Attack on page 6 and in the entry Natural Weapons on page 312.
Standard Attack
During a standard attack a creature can either...
Full Attack
During a full attack, which is what a creature gets when using the extraordinary ability pounce (MM 313), a creature can either...
Do This:
Or Do This:
That -5 penalty to the natural weapons' attack rolls is reduced by the feats Multiattack and Improved Multiattack.
Example 1
Alvin the human Drd8 uses his supernatural ability wild shape to change his form into that of a lion (MM 274-5). As the ability wild shape is like the supernatural ability alternate form (MM 305), we learn that he loses his human form's natural weapons (of which he had none) but gains the lion's natural weapons and replaces his Str 8 with the lion's Str 21. We're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
When Alvin in lion form attacks he uses his character's Base Attack Bonus +6 and gains a +5 bonus to attack rolls from his lion form's Strength score. Again, we're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
Standard Attack
Full Attack
Example 2
Alvin the human Drd8 uses his supernatural ability wild shape to change his form into that of an ape (MM 268). As the ability wild shape is like the supernatural ability alternate form (MM 305), we learn that he loses his human form's natural weapons (of which he had none) but gains the ape's natural weapons and replaces his Str 8 with the ape's Str 21. We're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
When Alvin in ape form attacks he uses his character's Base Attack Bonus +6 and gains a +5 bonus to attack rolls from his ape form's Strength score. Again, we're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
Standard Attacks
Full Attacks
Example 3
Alvin the human Drd18 uses his supernatural ability wild shape to change his form into that of a dire shark (MM 64-5). As the ability wild shape is like the supernatural ability alternate form (MM 305), we learn that he loses his human form's natural weapons (of which he had none) but gains the dire shark's natural weapons and replaces his Str 8 with the dire shark's Str 23. We're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
When Alvin in dire shark form attacks he uses his character's Base Attack Bonus +13 and gains a +6 bonus to attack rolls from his dire shark form's Strength score. Again, we're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
After using his wild shape ability Alvin, now in dire shark form, has his followers garb him in Huge nonhumanoid hide armor (PH 123) (120 gp; 125 lbs.) with Huge spiked armor/armor spikes (PH 121, 124) (200 gp; 50 lbs.). To avoid the -4 nonproficiency penalty Alvin has taken the feat Martial Weapon Proficiency (spiked armor/armor spikes) (PH 97).
Standard Attack
Full Attack
Example 4
Alvin the human Drd18 uses his supernatural ability wild shape to change his form into that of a tendriculos (MM 241-2). As the ability wild shape is like the supernatural ability alternate form (MM 305), we learn that he loses his human form's natural weapons (of which he had none) but gains the tendriculos's natural weapons and replaces his Str 8 with the tendriculos's Str 28. We're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
When Alvin in tendriculos form attacks he uses his character's Base Attack Bonus +13 and gains a +9 bonus to attack rolls from his tendriculos form's Strength score. Again, we're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
After using his wild shape ability Alvin, now in tendriculos form, has his followers garb him in Huge nonhumanoid hide armor (PH 123) (120 gp; 125 lbs.) with Huge spiked armor/armor spikes (PH 121, 124) (200 gp; 50 lbs.). To avoid the -4 nonproficiency penalty Alvin has taken the feat Martial Weapon Proficiency (spiked armor/armor spikes) (PH 97).
Standard Attack
Full Attack
Example 5
Alvin the human Drd20 uses his supernatural ability wild shape to change his form into that of a 16 HD Huge earth elemental (MM 97-8). As the ability wild shape is like the supernatural ability alternate form (MM 305), we learn that he loses his human form's natural weapons (of which he had none) but gains the 16 HD Huge earth elemental's natural weapons and replaces his Str 8 with the 16 HD Huge earth elemental's Str 29. We're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
When Alvin in 16 HD Huge earth elemental form attacks he uses his character's Base Attack Bonus +15 and gains a +9 bonus to attack rolls from his 16 HD Huge earth elemental form's Strength score. Again, we're ignoring other adjustment for convenience.
Standard Attack
Full Attack
Using Magic Items While in Wild Shape
The easiest way to use magic items that your new form can also use is, while in your original form, drop the items nearby, use the wild shape ability to assume a new form, and then pick up the items again (or have a friendly creature secure them if the new shape lacks hands or whatever). That's usually not an option if starting combat in one's original form, though. Here are additional magic items that help magic items be functional while using the wild shape ability.
That's about it. What you're supposed to do is take the feat Natural Spell (PH 98) and cast spells on yourself while (and, obviously, before) you're in wild shape to compensate for your lack of magic items.