Help with rules for Shifter class

[Joral]

Ok Im looking at maybe playing a Shifter in my groups current game but I have a few questions about how the Greater Wild Shape works.

First off can you apply templates to yourself if you meet all the reqs?
For example when you get to Magical Beasts could you turn into fiendish and celestial animals? If so why would I not always apply a template as it doesn't raise the Hit Dice that limits which creatures I turn into. (PS Half-Dragon Dire Elephant Woo hoo)

Secondly, How are people ruling on sneak attacks and crits on someone wild shaped into an Ooze or elemental with no front or back to speak of not to mention no vitals.

Third, when the shifter hits 10th level and Evershifting form, which allows unlimited number of shape changes a day at 1 per round as a move equiv, do you still get your level in HP back for changing forms?

Forth, would you allow someone who can Wildshape into a humanoid ,as the 1 level ability of this class, a bonus to disuise checks? How about if they are just trying to disguise who they are not as someone else?

Just thought I would try to get some answers/opinions/guesses on these questions before they come up in game. Especially since the Shifter class at really high levels is kind of weak as the Druid spell "Shape change" can do everything this class can plus the six highest levels of druid spells that the Shifter gives up to take this class.

 

[Sollir Furryfoot]

1. No, Rules Lawyers may argue on this.
2. Not sure but I believe the amorphous trait is Ex so you would gain that and thus be immune to crit attacks and so forth.
3. Yes, although this was errata'd to be limited (not sure on exact amount)
4. I would assume +10 to the disguise check.

 

[Dwarmaj]

On #1, I believe Templates are allowed, but there are limits

Familiarity, you have to be familiar with the creature. No turning into a Half-Dragon/Troll unless you've seen one and have access to Dragon and Giant forms.

As mentioned above, you have to have access to the correct forms.

Hit Dice, you can't change into something that normally has more hitdice than you do. Dire Bear is out until 12th level.

 

[Joral]

On #1, I believe Templates are allowed, but there are limits

Familiarity, you have to be familiar with the creature. No turning into a Half-Dragon/Troll unless you've seen one and have access to Dragon and Giant forms.

As mentioned above, you have to have access to the correct forms.

Hit Dice, you can't change into something that normally has more hitdice than you do. Dire Bear is out until 12th level.

I was thinking along these lines too and looking at the celestial/fiendish templates a shifter wouldn't get much more over a normal version of the animal other than resistances to certain energy types. As the Smite evil/good and the damage reduction are both supernatural abilities.
However I could see a GM ruling that you add the challenge rating modifier to the hit dice for determining if you could assume a templated form. +1 for celestial/fiendish, +2 for Half-dragon and so on.
Oh and I totally agree that you have to meet the requirements for both forms, magical beasts for celestial/fiendish animals, dragons for Half-dragons, Outsiders for Half-fiends/half-celestial, and Undead for Ghost, Vampire and Lich.
If and when I play this character I'll be bringing him or her into an advanced party. Any GMs have thoughts on a fair way of determining familiarity of creatures based on character knowledge? Just to be safe Ill probably have lots of ranks in KNowledge (nature) with some cross class ranks in KNowledge
(arcana) and Knowledge(The Planes) If I can choose Ill take the Remorhaz just so I can eat my foes and burn them alive within me bwahahahaha.
By the way this character will probably be CN if you hadn't guessed.

2. Not sure but I believe the amorphous trait is Ex so you would gain that and thus be immune to crit attacks and so forth.

Only creature I can find with the trait "amorphous" is the Gibbering Mouther and yes on that it is an (Ex) ability however for Oozes and elementals it list it as part of the "type" which wild shape doesn't change ( I don't take the type ooze just a humanoid in ooze form) but I think with the gibbering mouther as an example it might be understood that amorphous should be understood as an (ex) ability for these types and should be confered when changing into one.

3. Yes, although this was errata'd to be limited (not sure on exact amount)

Really? I've not seen the MotW errata yet and I really didn't think this was a broken ability that needed it. Like I already mentioned most people I've talked to think the class is weak because you give up all your spells just to have a limited shape change on all the time.

 

[eisgowen]

errata?

Can u post where i can find this errta?

 

[Joral]

Re: errata?

Can u post where i can find this errta?

Yeah, Can you?