And the price is....

[Tres`ni]

Here's the deal, I am workin on a special character (not for a game currently, just for the hell of it) that I want to have a special ability. Nothing really extrodianry (I don't think) but special still the same. Basicly it boils down to this:
When my character gets enraged (and we are talking either fears emminent danger to his life or that of a loved one) he changes. (This is uncontrollable, he can not do this at will.) In his rage he assumes the form of a wolf. Everything he is wearing is either dropped or in the case of shirts, pants, etc they are destroyed, ripped, or damaged (unless in some odd way they can fit a full sized male wolf).
Now my question for all the DMs out there: Would you allow a character with such abilities into your game and if so at what expense? (If not would you please give me reasoning too)

 

[BiggusGeekus]

Nice. Very Incredible Hulk.

Would magic armor shred?

 

[Florin]

I'd give whatever cost there is for the lycanthropy template. I'm not sure what ECL it would be, but that's what I'd use, since your character basically is one, only emotions are the trigger, not the moon.

 

[Crothian]

The lycanthrope template is a good place to start. However, in pure human form they get some bonuses and they have the ability to become the wolf man. Both of those I'd leave out. THis would reduce the ECL of the template IMO. I perfer lower ECL because they are easier to deeal with.

 

[Sodalis]

but lycanthropy would mean that he can control it and it has benefits in human form.

As i am reading it, he has no bonuses in human form, but in wolf form, gets to be a wolf (not human int)

So I would say that this can be a burden instead of benefit. But it would require that we know what it is that enrages you... is it a rare occurance? or is a normal thing? because they both have a great deal to do with the ECL:

if you turn to a wolf (with wolf stats) and only a druid can speak to you (communicate wioth animal/ animal empathy froma ranger) then that would be really hard to play- because it requires that another player tell you what to do- so i would give it a ECL 0

But if the thing that enrages you is anyone that acts hostile to you... and so you get the animal instincts of a wolf (and its stats) then that would mean that this is a huge benefit (from nat AC, str, dex, con, hp...) then I would up the ECL to the lycanthrope werewolf template.

But if the thing that enrages you is a full moon, then I would say the uncommon occurance of the situation is not cause for a ECL boost- since the DM tells you when there is and not a full moon- and since you haev NO bonuses in human form... it is trivial.

This is a funny character.. tell us more abotu what he can do in wolf forma nd what enrages hijm... and then you get a better picture of how much it is worth

 

[Umbran]

What the ability would cost would highly depend on the benefits you gather from it. If you turn into a creature that has the same hit points, BAB, saves, etc, of a normal, everyday wolf, then very soon it is a detriment, not a bonus.

So, define what you mean by "turns into a wolf".

Other than that... well, actually, this might be a hassle for a "standard" adventurer. Life threatening situations happen all the time for these folks, and you'd be changing in most of the combats. If the campaign in question were going to be low on combat, fine. But if it's a high-action game, you'll spend more time as the wolf than as a person.

 

[Tres`ni]

Me? Lacanthrop? *gasp*

As to when my character would change:
If his life or the life of someone close to him was in enimante danger. I define close as being someone that he truly cared for with the farthest reaching relationship being that of a best friend/confidant type of person (someone you could tell anything and fear no retribution.) If it were just another person on the street then he would stay human.

What he can do in wolf form:
Bite, scratch, claw, howl, communicate with wolves.
The wolf form would stay apon him until the rage subsides (ussually upto 3d10 minutes after the end of the battle) In wolf form he becomes a wolf (stats and all) with the only thought in his head is of saving himself (or the person.) To this extent he will fight anyone/thing that gets between him and saving himself/said person. Even after battle he will be overly protective of himself/said person to the extent of not letting others close (can be subsided by Handle Animal or Animal Empathy)

He gains none of the benifits of lacanthropy in human form.

 

[Tres`ni]

Define Wolf

The wolf would be a quote-unquote standard wolf for the most part. I would call it a Berserker wolf, having enhanced strength then a normal wolf, but not truly caring about it's own well being (other then dispatching off the danger). It would be quick and fierce. (For an example I point to Barak in Edding's books.)

Also some of the things that have been said (espcially the post by Umbran) have gotten me thinking. I believe even though he deson't have the ability to turn into a wolf at will, he should have the ability to keep it from happening. To this extent I believe it would be fair that he would make a saving throw agianst Will (DC15) to try and keep himself from changing. (Of course he could not take the roll and chagne if he felt so inclined). The roll would be made at the DM's discretion (if the situation gets worse he should reroll, but not if the situation lightens in intensity)