Druidic Circle - Circle of the Pack
Many druids view lycanthropes as unnatural beasts owing to their cursed origins, yet some see the power and ferocity as merely another expression of nature - of an apex predator that other druids are afraid of due to their own smallmindedness. While the first druids to attempt this lost their minds, over the years the method refined itself, and now the method to become one with the Pack can be conducted safely...mostly.
These Druids of the Pack dedicate themselves to perfecting the lycanthropic form by way of druidic magic, and in turn sacrifice the flexibility of their standard Wild Shape forms for a far stronger form - that of a lycanthrope. With claws that can rend steel and a hide far thicker than most other wild shape forms, the Druids of the Pack tear through their foes.
Pack Shape
Druids of the Pack have a more limited, yet more directed form of Wild Shape. When you take this subclass at 2nd level you lose the ability to wild shape into animal forms and instead gain only a single lycanthrope shapeshift. These typically take the form of a werewolf, though others are also viable options for your appearance. This Pack Shape follows the same rules for Wild Shape, with the following exceptions:-
- You retain your ability scores and hit points in your new form.
- Your Strength score is set as equal to your Wisdom score.
- You can't wear armour, shields, or wield weapons. Your armour class is calculated as 14 + your dexterity modifier.
- You gain a claw attack. This deals 1d8 + your strength modifier slashing damage.
- You have resistance to damage from non-magical slashing, bludgeoning, and piercing weapons that are not silvered.
- You can enter and exit Pack Shape as an action or bonus action on your turn.
- If you are reduced to 0hp, you revert to your normal form.
- As a bonus action on your turn you can expend a spell slot to heal yourself. This heals 1d8 + your wisdom modifier, plus an additional 1d8 for each spell level above 1st.
- You can still talk normally, however cannot cast spells in Pack Shape, until you reach 18th level in this class.
In addition, due to your magical proximity to lycanthropes, you cannot be cursed with lycanthropy.
Infused Pack Shape
When you reach 6th level, when you take the attack action in Pack Shape you may make two attacks isntead of one. Your claws are now also treated as magical for the purpose of overcoming damage resistance and immunity.
In addition, whenever you use your Pack Shape you may expend a spell slot in order to add a bonus to its AC, attack, and damage rolls, as detailed on the following table. This lasts until your Pack Shape ends
| Spell Slot Level | Attack/Damage Bonus | AC Bonus |
|---|---|---|
| 1st/2nd | +0 | +1 |
| 3rd/4th | +1 | +2 |
| 5th/6th | +2 | +2 |
| 7th+ | +3 | +3 |
Greater Pack Shape
From 10th level your Pack Shape gains the following additional benefits:-
- You gain the Pack Tactics feature. You have advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of your allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
- You have advantage on Perception and Initiative checks.
- So long as you are above 1 hit point but below half hit points, you regain 1 hit point at the start of each of your turns.
- Your movement speed is increased by 10ft.
Perfected Pack Shape
From 14th level your ability to Pack Shape is even more advaned. When you you expend a spell slot on Pack Shape, you also gain temporary hit points equal to 5 x the level of spell slot expended. These last until you exit your Pack Shape. If the slot is of 6th level or higher you also gain Magic Resistance which grants you advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.
In addition, your Pack Shape now gains an additional Bite attack. When you take the attack action on your turn, in addition to your two claw attacks you may also make a bite attack. This deals 1d6 + your strength modifier in damage. If it hits, you may choose to grapple the target automatically. The grapple immediately ends if you attempt to bite another creature. While you have a target grappled with your bite, subsequent bite attacks against that creature have advantage.