D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] Shapeshifter

[ImperatorK]

Rules for character creation:
Gestalt.
Level 7.
PrCs allowed on both sides.
Dual PrCs (like Mystic Theurge or Arcane Trickster) allowed.
Abilities 18, 16, 14, 14, 12, 10.
Two flaws, two traits.
Max HPs.
WBL as a 7th level PC (19k).
No item can cost more than 1/4 of the WBL.
Custom items allowed, but the DM has to approve first.

I want to create a shapeshifter. Power isn't really that important. As long as it will be decently optimized (T3), I'm satisfied.
It would be great if he could be beast at melee combat, but also have some capabilities outside of fighting.

My build looks like this:
NE changeling Wildshape Ranger 5 / Master of Many Forms 2 // Whirling Frenzy Spirit Lion Totem Barbarian 1 / Warblade 1 / Swordsage 2 / Warshaper 3.
Abilities (with Warshapers Morphic Body bonus added): Str 14, Dex 12, Con 22, Int 14, Wis 16, Cha 14.

In two levels I'll be Warshaper 5, which will give me effectively wildshaping at-will (I use Wild Shape and for the next couple of hours I can change forms as I please thanks to Multimorph).

I need to change Animal Companion to something more useful.

Any suggestions/ideas/advice concerning my concept/build?

 

[Wyvernhand]

Solitary Hunter and Distracting Attacker are generally the two best ACFs to trade your pet for. One is in PHBII, and i forget where the other is, but google can tell you quick.

Instead of Warshaper5, I like Warshaper4/NaturesWarrior1. Pick up the Serpents Coils ability. There are very very few ways to get Constrict, and it is so good. Multimorph is nice, but not vital, IMO. Shift into something big with Imp Grab squish smaller foes with ease!

 

[ImperatorK]

Instead of Warshaper5, I like Warshaper4/NaturesWarrior1. Pick up the Serpents Coils ability. There are very very few ways to get Constrict, and it is so good. Multimorph is nice, but not vital, IMO. Shift into something big with Imp Grab squish smaller foes with ease!

But then I won't be able to change shape at-will.

 

[Wyvernhand]

So? Pick a big scary shape, and spend most of your time in that. You still have enough uses that you can shift a few time for utility. Double so if you buy a Wilding Clasp or 3 so that you can benefit from worn gear while shifting. Each clasp gives one extra use per day.

 

[ImperatorK]

I want shaping at-will, as fast as possible. It's not negotiable.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I want shaping at-will, as fast as possible. It's not negotiable.

Shapeshifter Variant Ranger can at will assume animal forms at level 1.

...I know you're not looking for super powerful, but double PrC allowed, Dual progressing PrC's allowed, I'd imagine a caster build that quadrupled caster levels that focused on Polymorph etc. would be effective at level 7. And as levels increased, the technical limit on spells per day would be overshadowed by the actual abundance of spells (really good spells) you could have access to that could allow you to assume whatever shape you want a practical number of times per day.

 

[ImperatorK]

I don't want to be a caster.

Where's the Shapeshifter Ranger from? I vaguely remember reading something like that, although it might have been the Druid Shapeshifting variant. IIRC, it only shifts into humanoid/animal hybrids?
I assume it won't qualify for MoMF.

 

[Wyvernhand]

Could you put NW on the other side, right after MoMF2? MoMF breaks really well at 2, 5, and 7, so sliding a level of something in there at one of those points is decent. What maneuvers did you plan? Sudden Leap is a nobrainer. I'd suggest Step of the Wind and Child of Shadows as your 2 Swordsage stances. For Warblade, I'd say it is a toss up between Hunters Stance and the WR charging stance. Many of your forms have Scent, but having it available on demand is useful. On the other hand, some of your forms have Pounce, which synergizes well with the charging stance. If you later decide to dabble in grappling and take the NW level, drop another 3 levels in Warblade for Crushing Roots of the Mountain stance. It is a3rd level Stone Dragon that gives a pseudo-Constrict which attacks with normal constrict. More damage is more fun!

 

[ImperatorK]

Could you put NW on the other side, right after MoMF2? MoMF breaks really well at 2, 5, and 7, so sliding a level of something in there at one of those points is decent.

No, I'm going MoMF all the way. I want more shapes, as fast as possible.

What maneuvers did you plan?

I made this thread to get suggestions.

Sudden Leap is a nobrainer.

I have pounce, so will it really be necessary?

Many of your forms have Scent, but having it available on demand is useful.

Do you even get scent when wildshaping? IIRC, you don't. MoMF gets a class feature that gives you extraordinary qualities of the assumed form, but you get it at 6th or 7th level.

On the other hand, some of your forms have Pounce, which synergizes well with the charging stance.

I have pounce thanks to Spirit Lion Totem ACF.

 

[Wyvernhand]

Sudden leap is still great. If you want, you can sudden leap away from a foe, and even recharge them for extra charge bonuses. You will want mostly boosts, imo. Most forms have multiple natural attacks, the better ones having more. That doesn't synergize well with strikes, especially since most of the low level strikes don't scale well (outside of Emerald Razor, but that needs a 2 hander and Power Attack). Boosts like Searing Blade and Cloak of Deception, however, seldom go out of style.

EDIT: You want more shapes? Have you considered taking the Frozen Wildshape feat or even Aberrant Wildshape? Both are decent. The former opens up multiheaded Cryohydra. The later is a little lackluster, given most of the goodies that Aberrations get are SU or SP, but there are some ok forms there like the Chull and Darkmantle. Also, do a google search for the MoMF Bible. It has literally every monster you can WS into somehow, the minimum ECL to do so, and a list if some of the benefits of each like flight, pounce, grappling, abnormally high stats, etc. It used to live on the wizards boards, I hope someone transcribed it before Gleemax took over.