Can You Use Legendary Actions with Shapechange?
In the world of Dungeons & Dragons, legendary actions are a unique feature that allows certain creatures to take special actions outside of their turn. But what happens when a creature uses the Shapechange spell to take on a new form? Can they still use their legendary actions, or are they lost forever?
Direct Answer
According to an unofficial tweet by rules designer Jeremy Crawford, legendary resistances are not legendary actions, and therefore are not excluded as part of the spell. However, when it comes to legendary actions, the answer is a bit more complicated.
The Official Ruling
In the Monster Manual errata, it is stated that if a creature assumes the form of a legendary creature, such as through a spell, it doesn’t gain that form’s legendary actions, lair actions, or regional effects. This means that if a creature uses the Shapechange spell to take on the form of a legendary creature, such as a dragon or a demon, they will not gain the legendary actions associated with that creature.
What Does This Mean for Players?
For players who want to use the Shapechange spell to gain access to legendary actions, this ruling may seem disappointing. However, there are still ways to use legendary actions with the spell. Here are a few options:
- Use the Shapechange spell to take on the form of a non-legendary creature: If a player uses the Shapechange spell to take on the form of a non-legendary creature, such as a wolf or a bear, they will not gain any legendary actions. However, they will still have access to the creature’s normal abilities and features.
- Use a different spell or ability to gain legendary actions: There are other spells and abilities in the game that allow players to gain legendary actions, such as the Polymorph spell or the Wild Shape ability of the druid class. These options may not provide the same level of flexibility as the Shapechange spell, but they can still be useful in certain situations.
- Work with your DM to come up with a custom solution: If a player is determined to use the Shapechange spell to gain legendary actions, they may want to work with their DM to come up with a custom solution. This could involve creating a custom legendary action for the player to use while in their new form, or finding a way to adapt the legendary actions of the creature they are taking on the form of to fit the player’s needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the Shapechange spell does not allow players to gain legendary actions in the same way that a legendary creature would, there are still ways to use legendary actions with the spell. By understanding the official ruling on legendary actions and the options available to players, it is possible to find creative solutions to this problem and make the most of this powerful spell.