I offer this as an alternative to summon nature's ally for a PHB II shapeshifter Druid,
why ?
well the class already lacks an animal companion so I figure why not take it one step further and reduce the micro managment further to a point in line with other classes,
Ok so what are we talking about here
Player Handbook II
Druid
Shapeshifter Varient
Key Features
Gains Shapeshift at 1st level , loses animal companion
my addition
Gain additional shapeshift forms, loses the ability to cast any summon nature's ally
Mechanics Basing this on the first few levels
Already gets
Predator Form 1st level
Medium
+4 natural armor
+4 Strength
Bite 1d6 dmg
speed 50ft
Additonal forms offer verstailtiy that sumon nature ally would offer but without the extra management
Scavenger [[based on Dire rat]] 1st level
Small
+1 AC size, +6 Dex, +1 natural armor
Bite 1d4
speed 40ft
climb 20ft
Skill bonus +8 climb , +8 swim
Winged Scout [[based on eagle]] 1st level
Small
+1AC size, +4 Dex, +1 Natural armor
Talons 1d4
Speed 10ft
Fly 50ft (avg)
Skill Spot +8
((imo tiny form are not appropriate for 1st level, neither are the water breathing pure aquatic forms))
Druid get summon nature ally II at level 3, therefore gets these forms at level 3
Vicious Burrower [[based on dire badger]] 3rd level
Medium
+4 Strength, +4 Natural armor (gave str instead of dex more balanced imho)
Claw 1d4 (less than predator)
Speed 30ft
Burrow 10ft
Skills none
Dire Predator ( a small die upgrade for the single attack predator) 3rd level
Medium
+4 Strength, +4 Natural armor
Bite 1d8
Speed 50ft
Skills none
[[[I considered putting a small elemental form in here but I think that would be too much))
5th Level Druid gets Arial from as part of PHB 2
Arial Form
+2 STR +2 reflex +2 natural armor
1d6 talon attack
Speed 10ft
Fly 40ft (good)
and extra forms from list Summon Natures Ally 3
Ape
Medium
+6 STR +4 natural armor
Slam 1d6
Speed 30
Climb 30
Skill +8 Climb
Constrictor
Medium
+4 STR +3 Natural armor
Bite 1d3 OR Constrict 1d3 ( dmg done on a successful grapple plus STR mod)
Speed 20ft
Climb 20ft
Swim 20ft
Skill + 8 to grapple check
NB while in this form player does not benefit from improved grapple unless he has this feat through his normal feat selection thus does provoke AOO.
Level 7 (and so on using the next PHB 2 form as a guide of max dmg)
All the forms fall under the same rules for shapeshifting , as a swift action no limit per day.
Strictly speaking the forms get none of the supernatural abilities expect where it makes sense e.g. the constrictor big muscle snake gets its constrict ability because of its physical form, unlike a badgers rage ability which I did not allow.
How does that sound for giving this variant a bit more flavor while being balanced ? I mean compare this to a druid with an animal companion and summoned natures ally and see if its reasonable.
why ?
well the class already lacks an animal companion so I figure why not take it one step further and reduce the micro managment further to a point in line with other classes,
Ok so what are we talking about here
Player Handbook II
Druid
Shapeshifter Varient
Key Features
Gains Shapeshift at 1st level , loses animal companion
my addition
Gain additional shapeshift forms, loses the ability to cast any summon nature's ally
Mechanics Basing this on the first few levels
Already gets
Predator Form 1st level
Medium
+4 natural armor
+4 Strength
Bite 1d6 dmg
speed 50ft
Additonal forms offer verstailtiy that sumon nature ally would offer but without the extra management
Scavenger [[based on Dire rat]] 1st level
Small
+1 AC size, +6 Dex, +1 natural armor
Bite 1d4
speed 40ft
climb 20ft
Skill bonus +8 climb , +8 swim
Winged Scout [[based on eagle]] 1st level
Small
+1AC size, +4 Dex, +1 Natural armor
Talons 1d4
Speed 10ft
Fly 50ft (avg)
Skill Spot +8
((imo tiny form are not appropriate for 1st level, neither are the water breathing pure aquatic forms))
Druid get summon nature ally II at level 3, therefore gets these forms at level 3
Vicious Burrower [[based on dire badger]] 3rd level
Medium
+4 Strength, +4 Natural armor (gave str instead of dex more balanced imho)
Claw 1d4 (less than predator)
Speed 30ft
Burrow 10ft
Skills none
Dire Predator ( a small die upgrade for the single attack predator) 3rd level
Medium
+4 Strength, +4 Natural armor
Bite 1d8
Speed 50ft
Skills none
[[[I considered putting a small elemental form in here but I think that would be too much))
5th Level Druid gets Arial from as part of PHB 2
Arial Form
+2 STR +2 reflex +2 natural armor
1d6 talon attack
Speed 10ft
Fly 40ft (good)
and extra forms from list Summon Natures Ally 3
Ape
Medium
+6 STR +4 natural armor
Slam 1d6
Speed 30
Climb 30
Skill +8 Climb
Constrictor
Medium
+4 STR +3 Natural armor
Bite 1d3 OR Constrict 1d3 ( dmg done on a successful grapple plus STR mod)
Speed 20ft
Climb 20ft
Swim 20ft
Skill + 8 to grapple check
NB while in this form player does not benefit from improved grapple unless he has this feat through his normal feat selection thus does provoke AOO.
Level 7 (and so on using the next PHB 2 form as a guide of max dmg)
All the forms fall under the same rules for shapeshifting , as a swift action no limit per day.
Strictly speaking the forms get none of the supernatural abilities expect where it makes sense e.g. the constrictor big muscle snake gets its constrict ability because of its physical form, unlike a badgers rage ability which I did not allow.
How does that sound for giving this variant a bit more flavor while being balanced ? I mean compare this to a druid with an animal companion and summoned natures ally and see if its reasonable.
