Everything You Need to Know About Druid Wild Shape in 5e D&D

One of the most appealing aspects of the Druid is their Wild Shape, a form of transformation that lets you take on the shape of any creature you’ve seen. Wild Shape proves a useful ability for scouting and sneaking as well as battle. What more could you want from this nature-loving class? 

The thing is, Wild Shape is more versatile than you might think. While Circle of the Moon Druids will always benefit the most from its existence, it remains a useful addition to any Druid’s arsenal. Wild Shape allows for easy exploration and quick transportation for your allies. Are you ready for the ultimate Druid Wild Shape list? 

How to Use This Guide

Throughout this guide, you will see a series of emojis—we use these to rank how useful a feature or ability is for your chosen class. 

✅ — A critical feature that you absolutely need in order to play a Druid to the best of its ability. It may also provide exclusive bonuses. 

🆗 — A good feature that should definitely be considered. 

⚠️ — A weaker feature that might only work with specific builds. Definitely largely circumstantial. 

⛔ — A terrible feature that could be detrimental to your class that often weighs you down. It can also be a dump stat that is completely useless.

How to Use Wild Shape

Your Druid transformations are basically unlimited when you use Wild Shape, which is part of what makes it so much fun. However, it must be a creature you’ve seen before. This is usually determined by where your Druid grew up and what they’ve seen on their adventures. 

It’s something that you should discuss with your DM before the game starts, so you get a clear idea of what your starting list looks like. Your CR also limits your options until you begin leveling up.

Wait, So What Does CR Mean? 

Before we get started, it’s probably wise that we take a look at what CR is. CR stands for Challenge Rating, which increases by level as your Druid advances through the game. 

The standard CR goes from 0 to 6, with Circle of the Moon Druids the only circle able to use every CR level from the get-go. Where other Druids typically only use their Wild Shape at low levels for combat, Moon Druids are able to use it more effectively at higher levels. This is because other Druids can only reach CR1 creatures—making a Moon Druid the most practical choice if you want to take advantage of Wild Shape. 

The Rules Behind Wild Shape 

Wild Shape has a few cardinal rules you need to follow: 

1. Your Druid level determines the CR rating of the beast you can transform into. 
2. You cannot transform into a beast with swimming speed until 4th level. 
3. You can’t transform into beasts that fly until the 8th level. 
4. You can use the proficiency bonus of the beast or yourself, whichever is higher. 
5. A creature of CR 4 or lower has a proficiency bonus of +2.
6. A creature of CR 5 or 6 has a proficiency bonus of +3.

How Circle of the Moon Druids are Different 

Here’s the thing about Circle of the Moon Druids. They’re able to take the form of high CR beasts as early as 2nd level—giving them an advantage over other Circles. Moon Druids typically use their shape for combat, scouting, exploration, and transportation.

Looking at Wild Shape Forms by CR 

You might look at some of our creatures and wonder why we’ve rated them so low. This is because all Druids, no matter their Circle, can’t transform into creatures that swim or fly until the 4th and 8th levels, respectively. By the time these low-rated forms unlock, they’re likely to be useless. 

CR 0

At this point, you aren’t really looking for a combat form since the creatures you can shift into aren’t dangerous unless they have Pack Tactics. What you want here is a form that excels at scouting and infiltration, which is exactly what this list provides you with. 

• ⛔Baboon: Pack Tactics and climb speed, but nothing particularly useful. 
• ⚠️Badger: You get Keen Smell and burrow speed, both of which can be helpful.
• 🆗Bat: The tiny size, flight, blindsight, and Keen Hearing make this a fantastic form for scouting. 
• 🆗Cat: This beast offers a DEX bonus and stealth form. Since it’s a small form that’s common in cities, it makes the perfect exploration creature. 
• ⚠️Crab: It might not be good enough to use in combat, but it is a good scouting option for when you want to be nice and inconspicuous. 
• ⚠️Cranium Rat: What do you get with this? Darkvision, Illumination, Telepathy, and Telepathic shroud. It’s a decent combo, but only really handy for scouting. 
• ⛔Deer: You get great speed, but other than that, there is nothing useful about it, and a flying form is more efficient if you’re a high enough level. 
• ⛔Eagle: You get a great flying speed as well as the best possible attack at this CR. However, by the time you unlock this, you’ll be able to shift into a Giant Owl, and that is just a better option in every way. 
• ⛔Frog: Crab is better, but you could have a little fun kissing a princess and then surprising them as you shift back. 
• ⛔Giant Fire Beetle: I mean, you glow, but other than that there isn’t much to it, and your party has loads of other ways to generate light. 
• ⛔Goat: The damage is alright, but you’ll be hard-pressed to use Charge more than once in the same combat. 
• ⛔Hawk: Eagle is a better option at this CR, but the smaller size of the hawk can make it useful in some situations, and you get an AC of 13. 
• ⛔Hyena: You get good speed and Pack Tactics, but the AC is quite low.
• ⛔Jackal: You get nice speed, Keen Hearing and Smell, and Pack Tactics.
• ⚠️Lizard: You don’t get any Stealth, but there is Darkvision and climb speed. 
• ✅Octopus: Not only does it have good swimming speed, but it is also the ideal aquatic stealth creature—offering you a sneaky way around undetected. 
• ✅Owl: This is the ideal scout, offering a small size, fantastic perception bonus, and the ability to see in the dark. Nothing can escape those eyes. 
• ⛔Quipper: Octopus is just better, but you can’t use either until 4th level. You do get a decent AC 13 as well as some solid stats to keep you going. 
• ⚠️Rat: You get Darkvision and Keen Smell, and there is also the advantage that rats are found everywhere. While you might be able to escape quickly, you’re still at risk from cats, people who hate rats, and monsters. 
• ⚠️Raven: The big thing is that you can’t use it until 8th level. You get decent fly speed and Perception, and you might be able to speak using Mimicry, but other flying options are better for stealth and scouting.
• ⛔Scorpion: You’re easy to spot, and it doesn’t have much to offer, especially in terms of AC and stats, which are fairly low. 
• ⛔Seahorse: It’s just so pointless I don’t understand why it even exists (laughs in self-deprecation). 
• 🆗Spider: You only get one hit point, which is not great, but your climbing skills will get you anywhere, and you’re so small that no one would even notice you’re there. The perfect spy. 
• ⚠️Vulture: Keen Sight and Smell, and Pack Tactics on a flying creature, but Eagle is better for combat and Owl is better for scouting.
• ⚠️Weasel: You get Perception and Stealth, plus Keen Hearing and Smell. However, it doesn’t make a great scouting form. 

CR ⅛ 

This is a pretty weird CR because there isn’t much here that’s useful. It’s a sort of limbo between CR 0 and the higher levels. The forms in CR 0 are better because they make for good scouts and are quite versatile, but it’s good to know what your options are. 

• ⛔Blood Hawk: By the time you unlock this at 8th level there are much better forms with improved capabilities, but the AC of 12 is fairly nice if you decide to use it. 
• 🆗Camel: You get good speed, and it’s the first form that your party members can ride. 
• ⛔Flying Snake: If you didn’t have to wait until you unlock flying forms, this would be a fantastic option as it has an AC of 14, strong stats, and nice movement speed. 
• ⛔Giant Crab: This form doesn’t really have a bonus because it is too big to work as a scout and doesn’t do damage or have special skills. 
• ⛔Giant Rat: Darkvision and Keen Smell, as well as Pack Tactics, but no special movement types.
• ⛔Giant Weasel: Darkvision and Keen Hearing and Smell, and good Stealth, but no special movement types. The AC is about the only decent thing that it can offer. 
• 🆗Mastiff: Keen Hearing and Smell, and a knockdown effect. It makes for a pretty good form, and you get to be the best boy (or girl). 
• ⛔Mule: Camel is faster, but you can carry a lot more as a Mule, and it has nice stats. Just not ideal if you want something built for speed.  
• ⛔Poisonous Snake: It’s unusable until you hit 4th level, by which point there are plenty of better options out there. However, the movement and AC are pretty good. 
• ⛔Pony: Camel is faster. The AC is low but the stats are good if you do decide to use it. 
• ⛔Stirge: Flying Snake is better because this form leaves you susceptible to being knocked out of Wild Shape. 

CR ¼ 

Unless you are a Moon Druid, this is going to be your best CR between levels 2 and 3. If you are a Circle of the Moon Druid, you are going to skip this CR entirely because you’ll be headed straight to CR 1. 

• ⚠️Axe Beak: Good speed and a decent attack, but no special abilities and poor AC.
• 🆗Boar: At low levels, it can cause some serious damage with its tusk attack. The relentless trait also allows it to take a lethal hit, giving it even more hit points. 
• ⛔Constrictor Snake: Honestly, there are a few things that would make this a great choice, but by the time you unlock it at the 4th level there are much better options available—especially for Moon and Land Druids. 
• ⛔Cow: The low Hit Points and AC make it a pretty pointless form… but free milk for the party if you’re into that. 
• ⛔Dimetrodon: Crocodile is just better, especially by the time you unlock this form at 4th level. It does have nice stats and a good AC, and, well, it’s a dinosaur. 
• ⚠️Draft Horse: Able to carry up to 540lbs in this form, you can carry two people on your back and have a form that’s both sturdy and reliable. 
• ⚠️Elk: Ram is pretty nice and gets some added power from your Charge, and you also have a knockdown effect. If you get stuck in melee, you can also use Hooves. The downside is that it has low AC and Hit Points. 
• 🆗Giant Badger: While it has a poor AC and low Hit Points, you do get burrow speed, Keen Smell, and a multi-attack.
• ⛔Giant Bat: SO MANY Hit Points, like an incredible amount, but everything else about it is kinda lame. 
• ⛔Giant Frog: This is another one with great options, but it remains unusable until 4th level when better Wild Shapes are available. The stats are decent, but that’s about the only good feature. No princess is going to be kissing you. 
• ⚠️Giant Lizard: Very similar to the Axe Beak, except that you have increased climb speed as well as reduced land speed. 
• ⛔Giant Owl: The damage is decent, and the flying is great. The only thing is that by the time you unlock it at the 8th level, it’s no longer a great option. The AC and Hit Points are good, however, so that can be worth considering. 
• ⛔Giant Poisonous Snake: Honestly, this would be a good option if it was usable before 4th level. By the time you unlock it, there are loads of better options. You do get good AC and stats, but, again, still not a top choice.
• 🆗Giant Wolf Spider: This has a CR of 1/4, and has a lot going for it at low levels. It has incredible climbing speed, a high AC, and paralytic poison to wrap it up nicely. 
• ⛔Hadrosaurus: Everything is poor with this form. 
• ⚠️Panther: Keen Smell and great Stealth. Pounce adds a nice knockdown effect to the Panther’s claws, but there are much better options within this CR. 
• ⛔Pteranodon: Giant Owls is just a better choice. However, the stats are half-decent if you just can’t resist being a giant flying dinosaur. 
• ⛔Riding Horse: It sucks, quite frankly. Only good thing is that you can ride it. From an RP perspective, it can come in handy, especially if you want to replace a king’s horse or something. 
• ✅Velociraptor: You get Pack Tactics as well as better damage than the Wolf. The only downside is that there is no trip effect. 
• 🆗Wolf: You get Keen Hearing and Keen Smell, which are nice to have, and Pack Tactics back up the attacks. The damage might not be amazing, but you get a decent AC and Hit Points that make it a nice choice. 

CR ½

If you are a Moon Druid, you’re going to end up skipping this and heading straight to CR 1. For everyone else, this will be the CR you use between levels 4 and 7. Once any other Druid reaches 4th level, they’ll have access to forms with swim speeds that will be a great advantage for Land Druids. 

• ✅Ape: You get a ranged attack which is basically unheard of in Wild Shape, as well as two melee attacks with decent damage and an Attack Bonus. If your DM is feeling generous, you can use weapons as well because the Ape has hands. 
• ⛔Black Bear: While the Black Bear has good speed, the Ape does everything it can much better. 
• 🆗Crocodile: This is a really nice form of crowd control for single targets. Bite does nice damage, and you get an Advantage on it until they escape. Multiple targets are pretty tricky, though, so you’re not going to have much luck there. 
• ⛔Giant Goat: It does decent damage, but Warhorse is a much better option from both a damage and strategy viewpoint. 
• ⛔Giant Sea Horse: It’s fun, but Reef Shark is so much better. 
• ⛔Giant Wasp: It’s the only flying option at this CR and has a good flying speed. However, the damage is poor and by the time you are able to use it, it’s become pretty useless. The poison damage is nice, though. 
• ✅Reef Shark: If you are in an aquatic campaign, there is nothing better than being able to manoeuver quickly underwater. The reef shark provides this and more. 
• 🆗Warhorse: You get a really nice speed and damage increase that will set you apart from the rest, and the charge effect makes you a valuable protector for your allies. 

CR 1

If you aren’t a Moon Druid, this is the end of the line for you, and you won’t be able to explore any of the options beyond this CR. By the time you reach this point as a Druid from any other Circle, you might find that it’s difficult for you to use these as combat forms because of the increased enemy AC. 

For Land Druids, this problem is resolved when you hit 8th level and flying forms become available to you. Giant Vulture is something that can address any of the problems you faced at a lower level. 

If you are a Moon Druid, this is the beginning for you. While swimming and flying forms will not be available to you if you’re under 4th level. You have some great starting options though, and it’s going to be a lot of fun for you to explore. 

• 🆗Brown Bear: You get a lot with this. A decent number of Hit Points, the benefit of Keen Smell, climbing speed, and a multi-attack with two different attacks. The issue is that the Brown Bear has a low AC for its CR, and the Hit Points don’t compensate for it, so you’re going to need a lot of Barkskin first for this. 
• 🆗Deinonychus: This is honestly a really nice charger that has the power to outdo the Dire Wolf in terms of multi-attack damage, and it can only trip if it moves around. The Dire Wolf is better in the sense that it doesn’t need to risk an Opportunity Attack in order to trip things, but this form remains a very solid choice. 
• ✅Dire Wolf: They don’t have the highest damage, but they do have great staying power and benefit from Pack Tactics. Plus, a high AC and a good number of hit points. 
• ⛔Giant Eagle: We’re talking Tolkien-style eagles here, able to carry a couple of party members on their backs. Did I mention the 80ft flying speed as well? 
• 🆗Giant Hyena: The low AC isn’t great, but the hit points and abilities certainly make up for it. Rampage allows you to chomp your way through enemies like they were nothing. 
• ✅Giant Octopus: While situational, it is an excellent option to have as a high-DC auto-grappling tentacle attack is truly a force to be reckoned with. 
• 🆗Giant Spider: The Web Attack is honestly the best part about this form, and you get a nice Attack Bonus that the target can’t make a save against to resist its effects. Everything you do with this form ends up as a win-win for you, and it’s the most effective against a single enemy. 
• 🆗Giant Toad: It might be a swimming beast, but it is powerful on land as well as in the water. Standing leap improves mobility, and bite means you can poison and swallow enemies—what a combination, right? 
• ✅Giant Vulture: The only thing the Giant Eagle does better than this form is speed. Other than that, it’s a hugely advantageous form. Pack Tactics means you get reliable multi-attack hits as well as impressive damage. While it is the best for all Druids, Moon Druids will find it becomes obsolete at 9th level. 
• ⛔Lion: Honestly, this form isn’t able to offer you a great amount, and everything it does is done better by the Dire Wolf. 
• ⛔Tiger: It’s exactly the same as the Lion. Dire Wolf is the better option. However, you do get Darkvision with the Tiger—that might be it’s only useful feature. 

CR 2

This is where Wild Shape really starts to get interesting. You’ll experience power increases as well have some fun with multiclassing—such as Fighter levels benefitting from getting Extra Attack. 

• ⛔Allosaurus: It’s basically a Giant Elk but with way less damage. 
• 🆗Aurochs: While the damage might be better than some of its counterparts, the durability is low. 
• ⛔Giant Boar: Honestly, the Dire Wolf has more to offer. 
• ✅Giant Constrictor Snake: This gargantuan snake benefits from some seriously cool grappling skills that make crowd control a breeze. To top it off, it has high damage and hit points. 
• 🆗Giant Elk: The Giant Elk’s Charge ability is nice, but its Hooves attack is totally unusable. It only works on prone creatures, and you can’t use it in the same turn that you use Charge. If you have an ally who’s good at Shoving and doesn’t mind spending one of their attacks to help you out, Hooves is a ridiculous pile of damage.
• 🆗Hunter Shark: For most of the battle, you’ll get an advantage because the enemy Hit Points will be less than the Hunter Shark’s maximum. It also has Blood Frenzy which is a winner. However, Giant Octopus is better overall. 
• ⛔Plesiosaurus: Hunter Shark comes with Blood Frenzy and that’s just better than anything this form has to offer. 
• ⚠️Polar Bear: There’s a multi-attack with good damage, but other choices at this CR have better performance overall. 
• ⛔Rhinoceros: You get decent damage and a better Charge DC than Giant Elk. However, the elk’s hooves get better results in those longer, draw-out fights. 
• ✅Quetzalcoatlus: There’s nothing better than turning into a pterosaur, and this beast is practically unstoppable. It has low hit points, but what makes this a real monster is the dive attack, flyby trait, and the 80ft flying speed.  
• 🆗Saber-Toothed Tiger: The hit points and AC are nothing to get excited about, but this is all about stealth. Its natural stealth combined with its pounce trait makes it ideal for ambushes. 

CR 3

Well, this CR gives you some nice options. You get a great defense option as well as one that’s fantastic for murdering everything that stands in your way. Your third option isn’t as good, but it’s a decent addition. 

• ✅Ankylosaurus: This particular dinosaur is basically a prehistoric tank with a powerful tail attack. The knockdown effect is impressive, as is the 10ft reach. 
• ✅Giant Scorpion: There are more durable giants out there, but those grappling claws are ideal for immobilizing enemies, and the poison is highly effective. 
• ⚠️Killer Whale: While it can only be used in the water (watch out, aquatic campaigns), its blindsight goes out 120ft which is, well, incredible. 

CR 4

Honestly, the range here is very disappointing. While you do get a decent option from Stegosaurus, its damage output is nothing compared to the top contenders in the CR 3 segment. 

• ⛔Elephant: You can only have this form as a Circle of the Moon Druid, but you can carry the whole party since you can take 1,320lbs.
• ⚠️Stegosaurus: It’s a better option than the elephant in terms of AC and damage, but you don’t get anything special with it. 

CR 5

You do get a nice selection of options here, and each of them has its own strong purpose—although the Giant Crocodile and Giant Shark are your best options. Got multiple enemies to handle? Your neighborhood Long Boi is here to help. 

• 🆗Brontosaurus: I mean, the fact you’re turning into this is reason enough, but if you need a little more convincing, then 20ft attack reach should tickle your fancy. 
• ✅Giant Crocodile: It’s one of the strongest beasts in the game, making it a very tempting choice. Its jaws can lock down on one target while the tail goes for another, and it comes with good hit points, excellent swimming speeds, and a good AC. 
• ✅Giant Shark: Another water-only beast, the hit points are mind-blowingly high. While the bite attack isn’t incredible, the damage is still enough to make this choice worth it. 
• ⚠️Triceratops: It’s pretty much an elephant, but it has better numbers. It’s not a massive improvement, but still an improvement. 

CR 6

There are just so many incredible options, you’ll truly be spoiled for choice when choosing a CR 6 beast to shift into. I mean, seriously, have you seen…oh, wait. 

• ✅Mammoth: This is the definition of pure fun. The hit points are high, you get Trampling Charge which is an exceptional trait for taking down anything and everything in your path, and the whole party can ride on your back. 

Elemental Wild Shape Forms 

This is something that Circle of the Moon Druids benefit from, and it is one of the coolest shapeshift forms you will be offered. It should be noted that all elementals are CR 5 according to the Monster Manual, and it will consume both of your Wild Shape uses which means it can be a bit of a risky move. 

• 🆗Air Elemental: This is the kind of form that allows you to become a literal gust of wind. It’s great for travel and has its uses in combat as well. 
• ⚠️Earth Elemental: In terms of offense, it’s a pretty underwhelming choice. However, it has the highest AC of all the elementals, and its durability makes it appealing. 
• ✅Fire Elemental: Feeling like a bit of a murder hobo and just want to set everything on fire? Yeah, this is the one for you. If you use your movement and Dash, you can set absolutely everything on fire. If your enemies can’t douse your flames in time they’re going to take damage. This form is pure power. 
• ✅Water Elemental: It doesn’t quite have the same level of murderous potential as the Fire Elemental, but it remains exceptionally powerful nonetheless. You have the power to grapple, restrain, and drown two creatures at the same time while also attacking—making this elemental a serious threat. 

Unarmoured Defense In Wild Shape

This refers to the ability that comes with either a Barbarian or Monk if you decide to put some levels into multiclassing. Unarmoured Defense is incredibly useful if you are a Circle of the Moon Druid. There are some things to keep in mind before deciding which class to combine with your Druid. 

If you’re going for a single-level dip, Monk is your best bet because it uses your Wisdom to give you a nice +5 AC. However, if you want to go for several levels, then Barbarian has a lot to offer beyond Unarmoured Defense. 

Why does this matter? Well, you use your Unarmoured Defense’s calculation in place of your Wild Shape one. This also means that your natural armor won’t stack, so you are making the choice between the two. Unarmoured Defense is definitely an upgrade in many ways for Moon Druids in particular. 

Feats When Using Wild Shape

This is where things can get a little tricky because it isn’t always clear how Druid feats impact your character in Wild Shape. The rules of Wild Shape state, “you retain the benefit of any features from your class, race, or other source and can use them if the new form is physically capable of doing so.” 

This suggests that as long as you comply with the rules of Wild Shape, you should be able to use your feats in this form. Of course, some feats have clear and specific rules, such as Tough having no effect on the number of Hit Points you have in beast form. 

For other feats, the rules are not as clear. This is particularly true for the Dragonborn racial feat Dragon Hide. Yes, Wild Shape overrides your ability score increase, but the rest of the feat remains incredibly vague, especially in relation to the claws and toughening scales.