Circle of the Moon
Circle of the Moon Wild Shape by level
Armor Class, hit points, the highest CR and the strongest forms at every level from 2 to 20, for both editions.
2024 rules · 5.5e
From level 3, a Circle of the Moon druid uses Circle Forms in every Wild Shape:
- Armor Class is 13 + your Wisdom modifier when that beats the beast’s own: 16 with Wisdom 16, 17 with 18, 18 with 20.
- Temporary hit points are 3 × your level when you transform, on top of your own hit points.
- Highest CR is your level divided by 3, rounded down, and never lower than any druid’s.
Because every form gives the same temporary hit points and most share Circle Forms’ Armor Class, the choice between forms is mostly about attacks and movement.
| Level | Highest CR | Temp HP | Known forms | Hardest hitter | Best Armor Class | Best scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | CR 1 | 9 | 4 | Lion 15 avg | Any form AC 16 | Panther Climb 40 ft |
| 4 | CR 1 | 12 | 6 | Lion 15 avg | Any form AC 16 | Panther Climb 40 ft |
| 5 | CR 1 | 15 | 6 | Lion 15 avg | Any form AC 16 | Panther Climb 40 ft |
| 6 | CR 2 | 18 | 6 | Saber-Toothed Tiger 22 avg | Any form AC 16 | Panther Climb 40 ft |
| 7 | CR 2 | 21 | 6 | Saber-Toothed Tiger 22 avg | Any form AC 16 | Panther Climb 40 ft |
| 8 | CR 2 | 24 | 8 | Saber-Toothed Tiger 22 avg | Any form AC 16 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 9 | CR 3 | 27 | 8 | Giant Scorpion 32 avg | Any form AC 16 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 10 | CR 3 | 30 | 8 | Giant Scorpion 32 avg | Any form AC 16 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 11 | CR 3 | 33 | 8 | Giant Scorpion 32 avg | Any form AC 16 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 12 | CR 4 | 36 | 8 | Hippopotamus 32 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 13 | CR 4 | 39 | 8 | Hippopotamus 32 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 14 | CR 4 | 42 | 8 | Hippopotamus 32 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 15 | CR 5 | 45 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 16 | CR 5 | 48 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 17 | CR 5 | 51 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 18 | CR 6 | 54 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 19 | CR 6 | 57 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
| 20 | CR 6 | 60 | 8 | Giant Shark 45 avg | Archelon AC 17 | Owl Fly 60 ft |
2014 rules · 5e
A 2014 Circle of the Moon druid transforms as a bonus action and can take CR 1 beasts from level 2. From level 6 the highest CR is your level divided by 3, rounded down, and attacks in beast form count as magical. The beast’s Armor Class and hit points are used as printed, so a big hit point pool is what keeps you standing.
| Level | Highest CR | Movement | Hardest hitter | Most hit points | Best scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | CR 1 | No swimming, no flying | Brown Bear 11 avg | Giant Hyena 45 HP | Giant Wolf Spider Climb 40 ft |
| 3 | CR 1 | No swimming, no flying | Brown Bear 11 avg | Giant Hyena 45 HP | Giant Wolf Spider Climb 40 ft |
| 4 | CR 1 | No flying | Giant Toad 13 avg | Giant Octopus 52 HP | Giant Octopus Swim 60 ft |
| 5 | CR 1 | No flying | Giant Toad 13 avg | Giant Octopus 52 HP | Giant Octopus Swim 60 ft |
| 6 | CR 2 | No flying | Giant Elk 22 avg | Plesiosaurus 68 HP | Giant Octopus Swim 60 ft |
| 7 | CR 2 | No flying | Giant Elk 22 avg | Plesiosaurus 68 HP | Giant Octopus Swim 60 ft |
| 8 | CR 2 | Any | Giant Elk 22 avg | Plesiosaurus 68 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 9 | CR 3 | Any | Giant Elk 22 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 10 | CR 3 | Any | Giant Elk 22 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 11 | CR 3 | Any | Giant Elk 22 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 12 | CR 4 | Any | Elephant 23 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 13 | CR 4 | Any | Elephant 23 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 14 | CR 4 | Any | Elephant 23 avg | Killer Whale 90 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 15 | CR 5 | Any | Triceratops 24 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 16 | CR 5 | Any | Triceratops 24 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 17 | CR 5 | Any | Triceratops 24 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 18 | CR 6 | Any | Mammoth 29 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 19 | CR 6 | Any | Mammoth 29 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
| 20 | CR 6 | Any | Mammoth 29 avg | Giant Shark 126 HP | Flying Snake Fly 60 ft |
From level 10 you can spend two uses at once to become an elemental: Air Elemental, Earth Elemental, Fire Elemental, Water Elemental.
How the picks are made
“Hardest hitter” is the highest average damage in one round, counting Multiattack. “Best scout” weighs flying, swimming, climbing and burrowing speeds, stealth and size. They’re a starting point, not the last word on what’s best at your table. Summarized from the Player’s Handbook (2014: p. 69) and SRD 5.2.1 p. 42; stat blocks from the SRDs.
More guides: What changed in 2024 · Forms by level · Every Wild Shape form