Aspect of nature or wildshape?

[Vorput]

So, I'm finally getting to play a druid in our Eberron game!!
I'm playing an Orc (Eberron-y orc, +2 str, -2 cha- some druidy abilities) gatekeeper (Ranger 1/Druid X).

I'm curious on which seems like a better choice for wildshape to everyone. My DM says I can either choose the Unearthed Arcana Aspect of Nature variant:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm#wildShapeVariantAspectOfNature (house-ruled the various aspects to last 1 hr/lvl just like normal wildshape does)

Or else normal wildshape.

The character is 3rd level now, and wields a byschek (sp?) greatsword which is a family heirloom, and has 16 str, 14 con, and burned a feat on weap focus (greatsword). So he should be a fairly decent melee combatant. The Aspects variant would of course allow him to keep using this sword, and being in melee similar to how he is now (with the cool benefit of increased speed, or wings, or whatever).

Wildshape, however, seems to be much more powerful, versatile, and fits with me better flavor-wise. I worry that if I take that though I'll spend all my time in animal form though- thus losing touch with the Orc sword-wielder aspect of the character.

What does everyone else think?

 

[blargney the second]

I'd go for the Aspect of Nature route, personally. It sounds like more fun. Besides, the bookkeeping on regular wildshape is a pain in the ass.

 

[Legildur]

...Besides, the bookkeeping on regular wildshape is a pain in the ass.

You can say that again!

Between the druid character sheet, the wildshape options, the animal companion, the spell list, and then the pre-statted creatures for Summon Nature's Ally (with Augment Summoning feeat) soon adds up to a small tome in itself...

Still, I'd take Wildshape as it has a lot more utility. I believe that Aspect of Nature is probably more attuned to a melee druid.

 

[Tonguez]

Fun = Aspects
Utility = Wildshape

 

[shilsen]

So, I'm finally getting to play a druid in our Eberron game!!
I'm playing an Orc (Eberron-y orc, +2 str, -2 cha- some druidy abilities) gatekeeper (Ranger 1/Druid X).

I hope you know this means Korm is going to come to your house and charge you rental fees

From what you've described of the character concept, I'd say Aspect of Nature is definitely the way to go. You get some interesting abilities, you can cast spells while using it without having to take Natural Spell (as wildshape would require), you can use all your equipment, it takes less bookkeeping than wildshape, and most importantly, it lets the character use his heirloom weapon.

 

[Drowbane]

The UA aspect of Nature is rather lame (at least by the book, dunno if SRD spiced it up ). If you don't want to mess around with Wildshape then I'd try out the PHB II shifter-variant.

 

[Machiavelli]

...except that the shifter variant STILL can't use a sword.

The UA aspect of Nature is rather lame

Absolutely. Yuck! Still, it IS flavorful.

 

[Urbanmech]

You could also check out the Aspect of the Dragon Alternate Class feature from Dragon Magic. Gives access to 5 different abilities, at 5th lv you can take on one aspect at a time, 2 at 8th, 3 at 11th and 4 at 15th. You get as many uses per day as wildshape but they only last one hour. One aspect grants claws and +4 strength, good for a 2 handed weapon fighter.