D&D 5E Druid Wild Shape Help

[Charmsu]

Hey everyone!

I have a question on the animal that the Druid can turn into and it's stats, but I think I can better explain it once I provide the stats.

For example, I will be using the Brown Bear.

Brown Bear
AC: 11(natural armor)
HP: 34 (4d10 + 12)
Speed: 40ft climb 30ft

Actions
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft one target
Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage

Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5ft one target
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage

So my question would be the following:
1) What would the total hit points be?
- I'm just confused on how to calculate this because it says the 4d10 + 12 part @_@
2) What exactly does the [Hit] mean under Action?
- For the attack damage itself, I add +5? What is the Hit in this case since it says 8(1d8 + 4) ?

I'm new to D&D and have so many questions, but this is something that bothers me most lol. I'm hoping someone is kind enough to help me!

 

[Cernor]

1. The total hit points are 34. The value in parentheses (4d10+12) is there for DMs who want to roll the HP (which isn't the standard), as well as to provide internal consistency for how the monster's HP are calculated.

2. The (hit) part is what happens when you hit an enemy with that attack. When you make your attack roll you add +5 to the raw d20 roll (in this case--other creatures have different modifiers to their attack roll which are noted in the block), and compare that against the target's AC (which the DM does). If your total (roll plus modifier) equals or exceeds the target's AC, your attack has hit and you deal the damage noted in the block. If you hit with your Bite attack, you roll a d8 and add 4 to determine how much damage it does. The 8 is the average damage, which can be used by NPCs if the DM decides it is (but in most cases the damage will be rolled).

Welcome to D&D!

 

[Charmsu]

Omg Cernor, thank you so much!

It totally makes sense now lol

Again, thank you so much