Druid Shifter with PH2 Shapeshift?

[Herzog]

I'm thinking about a new character for when/if my Artificer is reincarnated into an unplayable character....

I was reading the Shifter race description, and I got this idea stuck in my mind of a Shifter that can shapechange into 'his' animal.

Basically a druid with a preferred form. (large cat I think)

I like the elegance of the PH2 Shapeshift alternative, with panther and tiger as the obvious choices, although the flying and plant forms wouldn't fit the profile.

I'd also like this preferred form to synergise with the shifter trait(s) and shifter feats I could take.

I plan on using 'Summon Natures Ally' to summon matching animals. Not sure about other applicable spells right now.

Has anyone done something like this before? Am I missing a class or prestige class that would better fit the 'single form feral shapechanger' theme?

Any suggestions appreciated

 

[Arkhandus]

This druid wild shape variant from Unearthed Arcana might work, with the right flavor text added. Just take Tooth & Claw as your first aspect, then another appropriate aspect each time you get a new one, to represent a better shapeshift into the chosen animal form. It's not RAW exactly, but it doesn't say you need to describe the aspects of nature one particular way or another.