D&D (2024) Circle of the Moon Druid Fix

[Clint_L]

Two of my campaigns have Circle of the Moon druids who have found that the new rules are definitely not fulfilling their class fantasy (being able to shift into a beast, including fantastical beast, and kick butt). I agree with them that the 2024 version is super underwhelming, and gave them this. So far, they have felt pretty balanced against same level party members. Thoughts?

Forms for Wild Shape:

General (non-combat)
Your Circle of the Moon Druid can transform into, basically, everyday animals, with a CR of 1/4 or lower. These have minimal use in fights, but can be awesome for scouting, getting into places, being pests and distractions, and can be dangerous in certain circumstances, like a venomous snake. In this form, you only have as many hit points as the animal would normally have, and if reduced to zero hit points you revert back to your regular form with any extra damage carrying over, so be careful!

Combat
These are shapes that will be more effective on the battlefield. Your Circle of the Moon Druid can transform into a real life or fantasy setting beast with a “combat rating” (CR) of up to half her level (so a CR of up to 2 at level 4, and so on). This list is not comprehensive, but I’ve tried to include a pretty representative selection.

(ugh, formatting - will try again with the table later. Basically, I added beast-like monstrosities, like owlbears and hippogriffs)

 

[Kobold Stew]

General: It appears the general forms become less effective for Moon Druids than they do for other druids. That seems an odd way to incentivize.

Combat: Are you saying there is no limit to the available number of creatures? Or is there only one creature available? (unclear)

I am surprised that the more powerful Wild Shape options in 2024 do not appeal to your players if the 2014 rules did.

 

[Clint_L]

General: It appears the general forms become less effective for Moon Druids than they do for other druids. That seems an odd way to incentivize.

It's for all Druids. Neither my players nor I are fond of the wild shape rule that gives you more HP for becoming, say, a fly to infiltrate.

Combat: Are you saying there is no limit to the available number of creatures? Or is there only one creature available? (unclear)

I am surprised that the more powerful Wild Shape options in 2024 do not appeal to your players if the 2014 rules did.

I'm not following - we are using the 2024 rules but I have enhanced them as they currently suck. Currently, Moon druids can be a form of up to 1/3 their level as a CR rating - that doesn't remotely keep pace with other classes. So I increased that to half CR rating, and added a ton more options.

The current rules don't even include a flying creature higher than CR 1/2 (giant wasp). Even the old, reliable giant eagle got changed to being a celestial.

 

[Kobold Stew]

You seem to have a lot going on. You have issues with the mechanics of the class, but you are nerfing the abilities to wildshape for non-Moon druids, and enhancing them only for moon druids. That's only going to increase the disparity in play experience, which means people are only going to want to play Moon Druids, since you are hobbling other choices.

In addition to that, two separate players are not having their individual class fantasies being met, but they were being met in 2014. Is that right? So, what specifically could they do in 2014 that is part of those players' fantasies that they can't do now? If it's turn into a giant eagle (or any "fantasy setting beast" in your words), just let them do that: there's no need to adjust CR or to hobble other potential choices.

 

[Will Brandiman]

Two of my campaigns have Circle of the Moon druids who have found that the new rules are definitely not fulfilling their class fantasy (being able to shift into a beast, including fantastical beast, and kick butt). I agree with them that the 2024 version is super underwhelming, and gave them this. So far, they have felt pretty balanced against same level party members. Thoughts?

Forms for Wild Shape:

General (non-combat)
Your Circle of the Moon Druid can transform into, basically, everyday animals, with a CR of 1/4 or lower. These have minimal use in fights, but can be awesome for scouting, getting into places, being pests and distractions, and can be dangerous in certain circumstances, like a venomous snake. In this form, you only have as many hit points as the animal would normally have, and if reduced to zero hit points you revert back to your regular form with any extra damage carrying over, so be careful!

Combat
These are shapes that will be more effective on the battlefield. Your Circle of the Moon Druid can transform into a real life or fantasy setting beast with a “combat rating” (CR) of up to half her level (so a CR of up to 2 at level 4, and so on). This list is not comprehensive, but I’ve tried to include a pretty representative selection.

(ugh, formatting - will try again with the table later. Basically, I added beast-like monstrosities, like owlbears and hippogriffs)

Are you using the 2024 rules for hit points or do they get the hp of the beast they transform into?

 

[GarrettKP]

Having played a Moon Druid in both 2014 and now for a few sessions in 2024, the 2024 rules are definitely better for Moon Druids but the way they play has definitely changed.

2024 Moon Druids need to be casting spells. Either precasting stuff like Spiked Growth or Conjure Minor Elementals, or by using Moon Beam and Conjure Animals while in Wild shape form.

That along with boosted beast forms means you can reliably do good to great damage for a caster, in my experience. Becoming an Owl and running through crowds with Conjure Woodland Beings or Conjure Minor Elementals is a very powerful strat, especially when you can also fire off some Starry Wisps on top of it.

 

[TiQuinn]

Basically, I added beast-like monstrosities, like owlbears and hippogriffs

You hit on something that’s always bugged me - why classify fantasy beasts as anything different than just another beast? Why do they have to be magical beasts or monstrosities instead of just a beast that’s natural for the fantasy setting, and let Druids wild shape into them. I like the change you’ve made.

 

[Will Brandiman]

I have to say, the changes to some of the creature types in the 2025 MM seems rather stupid, particularly the sneaky way they changed almost all of the flying creatures so that they can't be used for wild shape (at any level). I'd happily revert most/all of them and also allow some of the other creatures like Owlbears etc.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

That does not sound like a fix at all...

 

[Cap'n Kobold]

Is this in addition to the 2024 wildshape rules? So the druid still gets temp hp and AC boost?
And Wildshape regenerates on short rest?

Owlbears are CR 3, so a Druid of level 6 can turn into one.
They get two attacks at +7, dealing 2d8 + 5 damage.

Plus Moonbeam is going to be up a lot of the time unless sustaining is an issue: 2d10 save 1/2.

AC 16 or 17 and 18 temp HP.

Who else is in the party and how do they stack up against this level of capability?