Changeling Shapechanging boost?

[shulamyth]

Hi there. We're doing an 21st lvl one shot game and I was wondering if there was any way to improve a changeling's shapeshifting abilities?

I know about the Cabinet Trickster in Races of Eberron, the only problem is that the Detect Thoughts (Su) abilities DC is 10+Cabinet Trickster lvl(max 5 lvls)+Cha...possibly not greatly useful and the entire class is based on that ability. The only thing I like is the final ability:

Change Shape (Su): At 5th level, you gain the ability to assume the shape of any Small or Medium humanoid, gaining the size, natural weapons, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of your new form and losing any such abilities granted by your native form. You can remain in this humanoid form until you choose to assume a new one.
A change in form cannot be dispelled, but you revert to your natural form if you are killed. A true seeing spell or similar ability reveals your natural form. See page 306 of the Monster Manual for more information on the change shape ability.

I was wondering if there are any other classes, feats, or template that would help?

 

[radmod]

Question:
I don't have RE, but I thought I'd look up the Cabinet Trickster online. The site I came across indicated the Detect Thoughts was based on character level, not class level. Are you sure it's class level?

 

[shulamyth]

Detect Thoughts (Su): At 1st level, you gain the ability to read the minds of others. Twice per day, you can use detect thoughts as the spell (caster level equal to your character level; save DC 10 + your class level + your Cha modifier). If you can read an opponent’s mind, you get a +4 circumstance bonus on Bluff and Disguise checks.
At 3rd level, you can use this ability four times per day. At 5th level, you can use this ability at will.

=/ Know of any other way to either boost the DC or an alter way to improve a changeling's shapeshifting?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Ability Focus for +2 DC?

 

[shulamyth]

Only effects spell-like abilities...it's a supernatural ability... =/

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

Where does Ability Focus say it only affects spell-like abilities?

 

[Herzog]

I always liked the idea of a Changeling Wildshape Ranger (UA variant)/Master of Many Forms/Warshaper .

Never have gotten around to playing one, though.

It basically bypasses the changelings shapeshift, using the wildshape as a base for the true shapeshift, and then after having changed into something else, using the minor shapechange from the changeling to LOOK normal again....

 

[Persiflage]

Where does Ability Focus say it only affects spell-like abilities?

It doesn't, you're quite right... but it does say that it only affects "Special Attacks". This is a class feature, not a special attack, so Ability Focus won't apply by my reading of it. Hell, it's a class feature rather than any kind of "ability" entry, let alone a "special attack" line in a creature description...

Basically, shulamyth is going to have to rely on DM pity. I'd try pushing Mindspy[1]: it doesn't improve the DC of your detect thoughts ability as written, but it's probably the best candidate to get that tacked on as an extra. If you can get them to synergise in this way, it'd be an awesome combination: being able to use those Thought Tricks against four creatures at once? As a standard+swift action?

Pure gold






[1] Note that there's a slight problem with Mindspy that will only be an issue if your DM is a total douche. Despite the fact that it's a class that explicitly lists Doppelgangers and other creatures with Detect Thoughts as a supernatural ability in its description, the actual prerequisites are "able to cast Detect Thoughts as a spell or spell-like ability", which rules out - among other things - Doppelgangers. This is clearly an error of omission, but a sufficiently mean DM might throw the whole thing out on that basis.

 

[shulamyth]

Where does Ability Focus say it only affects spell-like abilities?

I COMPLETELY, read the wrong ability. Sorry about that. So that WOULD work.

I always liked the idea of a Changeling Wildshape Ranger (UA variant)/Master of Many Forms/Warshaper .

Never have gotten around to playing one, though.

It basically bypasses the changelings shapeshift, using the wildshape as a base for the true shapeshift, and then after having changed into something else, using the minor shapechange from the changeling to LOOK normal again....

I tried making a MoMF character before that was a changeling and my DM severely restricted the stacking ability. I kinda wanted to stay away from wildshaping, I don't want her too reliant on nature.

It doesn't, you're quite right... but it does say that it only affects "Special Attacks". This is a class feature, not a special attack, so Ability Focus won't apply by my reading of it. Hell, it's a class feature rather than any kind of "ability" entry, let alone a "special attack" line in a creature description...

Basically, shulamyth is going to have to rely on DM pity. I'd try pushing Mindspy[1]: it doesn't improve the DC of your detect thoughts ability as written, but it's probably the best candidate to get that tacked on as an extra. If you can get them to synergise in this way, it'd be an awesome combination: being able to use those Thought Tricks against four creatures at once? As a standard+swift action?

Pure gold

[1] Note that there's a slight problem with Mindspy that will only be an issue if your DM is a total douche. Despite the fact that it's a class that explicitly lists Doppelgangers and other creatures with Detect Thoughts as a supernatural ability in its description, the actual prerequisites are "able to cast Detect Thoughts as a spell or spell-like ability", which rules out - among other things - Doppelgangers. This is clearly an error of omission, but a sufficiently mean DM might throw the whole thing out on that basis.

Mindspy is interesting...I'm STRONGLY considering it. The only thing that kinda bites is that I will be 10 levels focused on these two abilities that will probably have no effect on my enemies. =/

Hm. We're allowed to make one artifact (just discovered this today) so I might see if I can increase the DC by 5 while wielding it OR give me the shapeshifting ability that this class offers...