Building a Shapeshifter

[xXxTheBeastxXx]

I've read a few posts (and thought about it myself) commenting on how it would be fun to make a shapeshifter class based around the Summoner's Eidolon evolution mechanic. I agree wholeheartedly. The idea of a man or woman infused with primal chaos, their body in a constant state of flux, really appeals to me. I would adore playing (or NPCing one as a GM) a character like this.
And so, I have decided to build a class based around it.
Unfortunately, I've hit a bit of a snag. I have the basics down, but am lacking special abilities to add to it. I understand that it essentially just has a huge pool of abilities thanks to the evolution mechanic, but I think it also needs some unique, flavorful abilities as well.

Here's what I have so far:

Class: Shifter
HD: d10
BAB: Full
Skill points: 2+int modifier.
Skills:
Proficiencies: None.
Spells: Spontaneous (arcane or divine, haven't decided) low casting (paladin, ranger), with a list focusing mostly on buffing spells like magic fang, enlarge person, etc.
Special:

Evolutions: This functions almost exactly like the eidolon's evolutions for the summoner, except that the shifter applies them to himself rather than a pet (counting as the biped base form). All normal restrictions apply (he cannot take bonuses that cannot be taken by a biped, level restrictions, etc.) and he gains the same number of evolution points as an eidolon (based on summoner level, not eidolon HD; therefore he technically would gain less than the eidolon if the eidolon gained more HD).

The shifter also has the same number of maximum natural attacks as an eidolon.



This gives the shifter a lot of options, but I think it needs more. I don't think it deserves the "no blank space" treatment of other classes, but it definitely needs something to bump up the flavor.

Originally I thought of giving it kind of an "advanced wild shape" style ability, so it could use the other "form" spells, rather than just beast shape. But I thought that was a little cop-out-ish, and didn't fit with the concept. It's not a person who can transform into other creatures, it's a person whose very being is at war with itself. It's not about transformation so much as the constant chaos of its very DNA. It isn't just a magic-user, but almost a physical manifestation of the dangers of magic itself.

If anyone out there has any ideas for fun abilities, then please let me know. I'm all ears (or eyes, since it is text). I would love to know.

Current ideas:
--An ability to change the shifter's "base form" to quadruped or serpentine.
--A natural armor bonus.
--Native outsider.


-The Beast

 

[Theroc]

I'd love to see the shapeshifting version of a summoner able to change shape, definitely learn the evolution surge abilities as spells or spell-like/supernatural abilities.

If such a class were to be instated, I'd be ecstatic... as shapeshifting is one of my favorite themes for a fantasy character, as it somewhat lets me play whatever I want... without needing a separate character. Another thing we could possibly do is just add more evolution points. Those things are varied enough just getting more is roughly equivalent to a class ability.

 

[Walking Dad]

I had a similar idea with the animal companion mechanics

Quadruped form would be a powerful ability, as it opens up pounce...

Should be the last form you get (after serpentine).

 

[GlassEye]

The fluff behind shifting is so varied (with its own set of 'rules' and forms) that I almost think you need bloodlines to focus it a bit. Right off the top of my head I can think of Doppleganger, Dragon, Lycanthrope, Protean.

I'm torn on the idea of spellcasting. With some ideas it seems to be entirely appropriate, Dragon descended shifters, for example, but others like the Lycanthrope less so. If spellcasting were removed then I think key abilities would need to be integrated as special abilities.

 

[xXxTheBeastxXx]

The fluff behind shifting is so varied (with its own set of 'rules' and forms) that I almost think you need bloodlines to focus it a bit. Right off the top of my head I can think of Doppleganger, Dragon, Lycanthrope, Protean.

I'm torn on the idea of spellcasting. With some ideas it seems to be entirely appropriate, Dragon descended shifters, for example, but others like the Lycanthrope less so. If spellcasting were removed then I think key abilities would need to be integrated as special abilities.

This actually came up in my thoughts as well. But overall, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want someone descended from shapeshifters so much as someone whose body just shifts on its own. Closest to the Protean bloodline if anything, focusing on primal chaotic magic rather than the natural transformations of a lycanthrope or the magical changes in a doppelganger or a dragon.
This was why I was avoiding a "wild shape" styled power.

Thanks for the input, though, and I may head back in the bloodline direction, dependent on what comes out of the class and whether it seems appropriate.


Idea: No lawful.

I'll have a write-up soon of what I've gotten so far. Within the next couple days.

 

[GlassEye]

Any new ideas? Or old ones you never shared?

This actually came up in my thoughts as well. But overall, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want someone descended from shapeshifters so much as someone whose body just shifts on its own. Closest to the Protean bloodline if anything, focusing on primal chaotic magic rather than the natural transformations of a lycanthrope or the magical changes in a doppelganger or a dragon.
This was why I was avoiding a "wild shape" styled power.

Ya know, when I posted that 'shifters descended from dragons' bit that really isn't what I was thinking at all. OK, I was thinking that, too, but what I was really interested in was using the evolution mechanic as a PF savage species type thing (and yet that idea never made it into my last post). Wanna play a minotaur? At first level you get the Gore and Scent evolutions. That sort of thing.

I get where you're coming from with the primal/chaos shifting idea. At one point I was considering using the evolution mechanic for a pbp where everyone was spawned from the primal chaos, protean creatures born to be gods. Of course, that's a totally different scale...