I have a medium sized PC who is wearing plate armor. If he turns into a werebear, what happens to the armor? The MM states that any equipment it is carrying isn't transformed. Since the medium sized PC is polymorphed (via the Lycanthropy curse, not the polymorph spell) into a large creature, I imagine that the armor is torn apart as he transforms.
Understandably, the bear form is larger than the humanoid form, but regardless, I would assume both are too big for a medium size person's armor. What happens then?
EDIT: So, the conclusion I'm seeing is that people are torn on whether or not the use of the verb polymorph in the werebear's shapechanger ability is indicative of whether or not the ability follows the spell's melding of equipment clause. If so, then what is the purpose of clause Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed in the ability? Is it just to note that armor is dropped/torn? Is it to note that armor is not molded to fit the new size/shape? Or is it a misnomer that should not be in the description?
Best Answer
What happens is the werebear feels very sheepish about ruining a perfectly good suit of armour by forgetting to take it off first.
As Shapechanger says, no gear transforms with you, unlike with a normal polymorph spell:
Should circumstances prevent removal of too-small worn items before shapechanging, it is then the DM's job to get creative about what happens to the items in question and to the erstwhile wearer. In most cases this will probably be easy: seams rip, buckles burst, turning clothes into rags and reducing armour to bits that will need replacement straps and dents hammered out. (This is a nice opportunity for a PC with proficiency with Smith's or Leatherworker's tools to shine!)
It might hurt the werebear too, but compared to having your entire body reconfigured, probably not much actual hit point damage, or none at all.