Druid - Shapeshifter allow to go smaller ?

[Phasics]

Just a quick Q

from the point of view of balence of the class would it be unbalencing to allow the char to choose to drop a 1-2 size categories for Preadtor and Ariel Forms ? (I cant see a problem here these forms arent strong enough to casue a problem)

(allow 1 size drop until 8th level when char can go 1 size up so allow to drop 2 sizes after that. Perhaps even allow 3 size cat drops once char can increase by 2 size categories ? )


I wasent sure about the larger forms would allowing size dropping make these potentially more powerful (i.e. harder to hit with large dmg bonuses)
e.g. Elemental Form goes 2 sizes up so you could choose to stay at original size (better attk and AC) instead and still get the large STR and Natural AC enchantment bonsues ?


Gut instinct says on Pred and Ariel this would be fine and just allow char to be more stealthy/scouty and good for escaping. Not sure about larger forms though.

Thanks in advance

 

[Thaniel]

I wasent sure about the larger forms would allowing size dropping make these potentially more powerful (i.e. harder to hit with large dmg bonuses)
e.g. Elemental Form goes 2 sizes up so you could choose to stay at original size (better attk and AC) instead and still get the large STR and Natural AC enchantment bonsues ?

It sounds to me like you're trying to get something (Attack and AC bonus) for nothing.

In my view, the STR and Natural AC bonuses are in part because of the size difference. Check out the MM rules on changing size and put in the same Str and Nat.AC mods that it gives for those size changes.

For instance, going from M to H gives you +16 Str and +5 Nat.AC. I don't have my PHB2 with me, but what would it do if you took -16 Str and -5 Nat.AC off the elemental form?