The Druid makes me chew the furniture

[Ethalias]

As far as shapeshifting is concerned, I have a feeling shapeshifting is going to look like the Rat Form Armor from AV:

Seems highly possible. Perhaps with an at-will or two, maybe more.. Like an encounter power which causes you to expend an encounter power similar to the Barbarian's rages..

 

[frankthedm]

I'm just waiting to see the ZOMG BORKEN! and/or "DRUIDZ NERFED TO NOTHING!" commentary.

though the idea of the druid being violated by the nerf bat pleases me.

 

[Ethalias]

I'm just waiting to see the ZOMG BORKEN! and/or "DRUIDZ NERFED TO NOTHING!" commentary.

though the idea of the druid being violated by the nerf bat pleases me.

Agreed.

Nothing is more likely to make me close a tab than the descent into any of that sort of debate. Especially given that it generally appears an hour after a playtest article is posted and therefore can't have actually been played with extensively. *Super-yawn* My life is too short for that sort of thing!

 

[Cadfan]

I think daily powers are a better fit for combat shapechanging. It works better, I think, if you typically shapechange once for an entire fight, rather than several times in one fight. First, it requires less bookkeeping because your stats change less often. Second, it seems to fit the theme better. At least to me. I know that shapechangers who shift forms continuously have their place in fiction, but I'm not sure that its the nature shapeshifters who should be doing that.

 

[Rechan]

I think daily powers are a better fit for combat shapechanging. It works better, I think, if you typically shapechange once for an entire fight, rather than several times in one fight. First, it requires less bookkeeping because your stats change less often.

I really don't think that stats will be changing all that much.

Prime example: The Duerger shock trooper in THunderspire. They go from Medium to Large. The only stat adjustment? Reach 2, +5 to damage. That's it. That's not a lot of book keeping, if you ask me.

Also, it depends on what the rest of your abilities are. After all, it's hard to use that magical axe when you're a bear. It also might prevent you from using spells, which a druid may be using.

 

[Ethalias]

I think daily powers are a better fit for combat shapechanging. It works better, I think, if you typically shapechange once for an entire fight, rather than several times in one fight. First, it requires less bookkeeping because your stats change less often. Second, it seems to fit the theme better. At least to me. I know that shapechangers who shift forms continuously have their place in fiction, but I'm not sure that its the nature shapeshifters who should be doing that.

If you were replying to me, I was suggesting that when shapeshifted (likely through a daily) you might get at-will powers unique to the new form.. Perhaps encounter powers were a step to far. But I agree that the actual shapeshift would work better as a daily; it's how i was thinking of it, if not explaining it very lucidly

 

[Vael]

I'm hoping for some utility forms. Druids, to me, aren't just shapeshifting to kick butt, it's the scouting in hawk form or sneaking around as a common dog, that kind of thing.

 

[Thasmodious]

I'm hoping shapechanging looks like your speculation, rechan. A few easy stat adjustments, and *limited choices* would be nice. No more pouring through MMs looking for the greatest advantage...

It would be neat if the forms were kind of generic, like vermin, bird, big mammal and the stats changes were static but you could pick the form (like snack, rat, racoon for vermin or lion, tiger, bear, wolf for mammal). If the forms were limited enough, I think some at-wills might be doable.

 

[Scribble]

I'm looking forward to the upcoming playetsts...

I'm also looking forward to hopefully some new ideas. I want to see some class ideas we haven't seen before. Maybe some inspired by the 4e system.

 

[Engilbrand]

Maybe each of the abilities, or at least the at-wills, will have a secondary ability that activates when shapeshifted. See the Barbarian at-wills for what I'm talking about.
I could see Utility forms requiring a ritual that can only be used by someone with Druid shapechanging. If you need to fly around, give it 10 minutes and then feel free. If you're in the middle of combat, go Bear form and tear it up.