Animal Shapes
2024 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- 24 hours
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2024)
Choose any number of willing creatures that you can see within range. Each target shape-shifts into a Large or smaller Beast of your choice that has a Challenge Rating of 4 or lower. You can choose a different form for each target. On later turns, you can take a Magic action to transform the targets again.
A target's game statistics are replaced by the chosen Beast's statistics, but the target retains its creature type; Hit Points; Hit Point Dice; alignment; ability to communicate; and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. The target's actions are limited by the Beast form's anatomy, and it can't cast spells. The target's equipment melds into the new form, and the target can't use any of that equipment while in that form.
The target gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the Hit Points of the first form into which it shape-shifts. These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends. The transformation lasts for the duration or until the target ends it as a Bonus Action.
2014 Rules
- Level & School
- 8th-level transmutation
- Casting Time
- Action
- Range
- 30 feet
- Components
- V, S
- Duration
- Concentration, 24 hours
- Classes
- Druid
- Source
- Player's Handbook (2014)
Your magic turns others into beasts. Choose any number of willing creatures that you can see within range. You transform each target into the form of a Large or smaller beast with a challenge rating of 4 or lower. On subsequent turns, you can use your action to transform affected creatures into new forms.
The transformation lasts for the duration for each target, or until the target drops to 0 hit points or dies. You can choose a different form for each target. A target's game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the chosen beast, though the target retains its alignment and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores. The target assumes the hit points of its new form, and when it reverts to its normal form, it returns to the number of hit points it had before it transformed. If it reverts as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess damage carries over to its normal form. As long as the excess damage doesn't reduce the creature's normal form to 0 hit points, it isn't knocked unconscious. The creature is limited in the actions it can perform by the nature of its new form, and it can't speak or cast spells.
The target's gear melds into the new form. The target can't activate, wield, or otherwise benefit from any of its equipment.
Animal Shapes 5.5e 2024 vs. 5e 2014 edition differences
Animal Shapes popularity
How popular is Animal Shapes? It is a seldom seen spell in the game, but is chosen above nearly all other options when available. This spell is a rare gem that spellcasters seek out.
- #1 picked level 8 Druid spell
- Top 50% of all level 8 spells
- Bottom 50% of all 5e spells
Read about how this popularity data is calculated.
Spells similar to Animal Shapes
Polymorph 4th-level transmutation
It transforms a creature into a Beast, replacing most of its statistics while granting a new form and temporary durability.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Polymorph
Wind Walk 6th-level transmutation
A druid can use either spell to give several allies a dramatically different mode of movement for many hours.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Wind Walk
Giant Insect 4th-level conjuration
It is a druid transmutation centered on turning creatures into empowered animal-like forms that can act on the party's behalf.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Giant Insect
True Polymorph 9th-level transmutation
This is another high-level transmutation that fundamentally replaces a target's physical capabilities with those of a new creature.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over True Polymorph
Shapechange 9th-level transmutation
The spells share high-level creature transformation, flexible forms, and the ability to use the new body's capabilities.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Shapechange
Mass Polymorph 9th-level transmutation
Both reshape multiple creatures at once, letting each target gain a different form for an extended duration.
Players prefer Animal Shapes over Mass Polymorph