Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration
, up to 24 hours
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.
Verbal Component:
Forma Bestia
Verbal Component (Alternative):
By this spell I overhaul, twist and shape you into an animal
Class: Druid
Tags: Shapechanging
Source: Player's Handbook [5th Edition] (page 212)
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Spell FAQs
Below are commonly asked questions about this spell. Some of the information is pulled official D&D sources (such as books and the twitter feeds of D&D officials), but other information is derived from forums and online discussions. As always, it is up to the DM to decide how they wish to spell questions. If you have a FAQ about this spell that you feel other DM's may wish to know, please send us the message!
Does Animal Shapes continually refresh a creature's Hit Points?
According to the spell's description:
On subsequent turns, you can use your action to transform affected creatures into new forms.
And
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.
The creature's "new form" appears in both places ... so yes, each time it assumes a new form it gets the new hit points.
Can a willing creature targeted by the Animal Shapes spell choose to return to their normal form before the spell ends?
No, nor can the caster "drop" the animal form although they can use an action to transform a target into a new beast.
However, Animal Shapes is a concentration spell, so the caster can choose to end it for everyone at any time.
Other Planes and Effects
Below is information about this spell as it relates to other planes and area of effects (i.e. underwater). Some of the information is pulled official D&D sources (such as books and the twitter feeds of D&D officials), but other information is derived from forums and online discussions. As always, it is up to the DM to decide how they wish to handle spell effects.
Underwater - Verbal Component
Official rules have been verified by Jeremy Crawford - "No rule prohibits verbal components from working underwater. Keep in mind that if you're talking, you're not holding your breath." Hence, while submerged underwater and holding its breath, a creature can cast a spell that requires a verbal component. After casting the spell, if the creature can't breathe underwater, it immediately runs out of breath. The creature can survive for a number of rounds equal to its Constitution modifier (minimum of 1 round).
