[RPG] What are the mechanical differences between the Shapechanger and Change Shape abilities

dnd-5emonstersshapeshifter

Many creatures can transform into other forms. For some, the ability is called "Shapechanger".

  • Doppelganger: Shapechanger. The doppelganger can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form.

  • Jackalwere: Shapechanger. The jackalwere can use its action to polymorph into a specific Medium human or a jackal-humanoid hybrid, or back into its true form (that of a Small jackal).

  • Succubus: Shapechanger. The fiend can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid, or back into its true form.

Meanwhile, other creatures have a very similar "Change Shape" ability:

  • Deva: Change Shape. The deva magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less than its own, or
    back into its true form.
  • Night Hag: Change Shape. The hag magically polymorphs into a
    Small or Medium female humanoid, or back into her true form.
  • Oni: Change Shape. The oni magically polymorphs into a Small or Medium humanoid, into a Large giant, or back into its true form.

I'm not sure why there are two terms for abilities that appear nearly identical.

What are the mechanical differences (if any) between the "Shapechanger" and "Change Shape" abilities?

Best Answer

The action is named after the creature subtype

Monsters with the Shapechanger action have the creature subtype "Shapechanger".

  • Doppelganger is a "monstrosity (shapechanger)"
  • Jackalwere is a "humanoid (shapechanger)"
  • Succubus is a "fiend (shapechanger)"

This is important because some spells and magic effects work differently with shapechangers.

Creatures with the Change Shape action usually are not shapechangers:

  • Deva is a "celestial"
  • Night Hag is a "fiend"
  • Oni is a "giant"

The action itself has a different name, and its description might vary (see below).

Shapechanger are nearly identical for all shapechangers:

...can use its action to polymorph into a Small or Medium humanoid it has seen, or back into its true form. Its statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.

The Change Shape description varies depending on the creature (emphasis mine):

The deva magically polymorphs into a humanoid or beast that has a challenge rating equal to or less than its own, or back into its true form. It reverts to its true form if it dies. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying is absorbed or borne by the new form

The hag magically polymorphs into a Small or Medium female humanoid, or back into her true form. Her statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment she is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. She reverts to her true form if she dies.

It also explicitly says it is "magical", hence, can be detected by the Detect Magic spell. See Is the changeling's Shapechange ability detectable with Detect Magic?

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