Is lycantrope a magical beast subtype?

[Brandigan]

One of my players wants her ranger to have lycantropes as a favored enemy. According to the favored enemy table in player's handbook (3.5) there's no real specified lycantrope type. I assume it'll be under magical beast? But would this include too many monsters and be unbalanced? Or should I just assign a new shape-changer type? Any input is appreciated.

 

[Oscar carramiñana]

I don't have any book here but I think the licantrope is a monster type.
If you select as your favored enemy any creature with this template is your Favored enemy

I hope that helps

 

[hong]

There's no "lycanthrope" type or subtype. Lycanthrope is a template (well, a bunch of templates) that can be applied to other creatures: eg you get a werewolf by applying the werewolf template to a human.

There is a "shapechanger" subtype, which includes all lycanthropes (and some other things). You could use that as the favoured enemy. It's technically not listed as one of the choices in the PHB, but thematically and balance-wise, I don't really see any problems.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

There's no "lycanthrope" type or subtype. Lycanthrope is a template (well, a bunch of templates) that can be applied to other creatures: eg you get a werewolf by applying the werewolf template to a human.

There is a "shapechanger" subtype, which includes all lycanthropes (and some other things). You could use that as the favoured enemy. It's technically not listed as one of the choices in the PHB, but thematically and balance-wise, I don't really see any problems.

Well taking the "shapechanger" subtype may just pose a problem in application, because often the player has no idea if he is actually facing a shapechanger - mostly when using skills, like the gruff neck-of-the-woods farmer with the bushy eyebrows, excessive body hair and menacing gazem who constantly sniffs the air - is he simply some local variety of inbreeding or the looked-for werewolf in his civil humanoid form ??

Thus the GM has to be rather careful with handling the skill modifiers and extra damage while the shapechanger is not conclusively identified. Otherwise, it might be just too easy to detect, say a doppleganger.
But that's simply a problem of the GM's workload, not an issue of game-balance if properly handled.

Secondary problem - a wide number of classic shapechangers are classed as outsiders, Succuci, Rakhshasas etc. The GM might want to jot down a definite list just what monster is a "shapechanger" for purposes of favoured enemy.

 

[Brandigan]

Very good points. I think I'll stick with a lycantrope type (just werebeasts). Actually this character's background is a shifter that was captured and raised by the church of the silver flame to track down werewolves. Since combat tactics against these type of creatures should be pretty similar, i think it would make a balanced and fitting type. Thanks again.