Lycanthropes and wilding armor

[ChimericDream]

Since armor with the "wilding" ability (I think that's what it's called... don't have it right in front of me) is made specifically to keep its armor bonus when a druid is in wild shape, would it work the same way for a shapechanger? I mean, they're basically doing the same thing as a Druid.

I have made some wereapes (elven barbarians... stole the idea from here), and will be throwing them at my players tonight, but I wanted to give them a little something extra.

I went ahead and gave it to them under the assumption that the armor will still work, but I wanted clarification for the future.

 

[jbuck]

i think that it does stack. (i had a 4 hour argument with my dm after a gaming session about this topic)

However either way if you are the dm and you say that it works then it works.

 

[frankthedm]

Since armor with the "wilding" ability (I think that's what it's called... don't have it right in front of me) is made specifically to keep its armor bonus when a druid is in wild shape, would it work the same way for a shapechanger? I mean, they're basically doing the same thing as a Druid.

No, they are not the same thing. The druid has the ability to wildshape, which that enhancment specifies IIRC. The lycanthrope "alternate form" is a seperate ability that may use the same or similar mechanics.

Is this it?

Wild
The wearer of a suit of armor or a shield with this ability preserves his armor bonus (and any enhancement bonus) while in a wild shape. Armor and shields with this ability usually appear to be made covered in leaf patterns. While the wearer is in a wild shape, the armor cannot be seen.

Moderate transmutation; CL 9th; Craft Magic Arms and Armor, baleful polymorph; Price +3 bonus.

 

[javcs]

Maybe not the 'wild' ability that you described, frankthedm, but myself, I'd rule that the 'beastskin' armor ability (from Complete Adventurer) would work, because beastskin alters the armor so that the wearer is still wearing the armor in the new form, though, it does take a usage of the wildshape ability to get it to shift too ..
Beastskin is on the first page of magic items in CAdv, either 127 or 128.

 

[Corsair]

i think that it does stack. (i had a 4 hour argument with my dm after a gaming session about this topic)

However either way if you are the dm and you say that it works then it works.

You have a very forgiving DM. After about minute 3, I would've started ignoring you at the minimum, especially since the description of Wild Armor is pretty explicit.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Per the rules, as mentioned upthread, the only armor that works with an alternate form is specific only to the Wildshape alternate form.

Me, I would HR that Wilding armor works with any alternate form, even that from Poly Other.
Seems silly to me that a mechanically equivilent ability would not be able to use the Wilding armor.

YMMV

 

[ChimericDream]

So, all of this being said, it seems the general consensus is that "no, wilding armor doesn't work with a lycanthrope's alternate form". So now I ask, is there such an armor ability? If not, I think I may go ahead and create something that works like the wilding ability.

 

[Pinotage]

There are loads of product out there that have similar armor to wild armors. Slaves of the Moon: The Essential Guide to Lycanthropy from Paradigm Concepts is just one, but Sean Reynolds' recent Curse of the Moon, I think had another. Nothing stopping you from allowing something like that.

Pinotage

 

[ChimericDream]

Hmmm... since I don't have either of those (or know anyone who does), I may just make a similar ability. It should be pretty straightforward, considering the two shape shifting abilities are similar to start with.

 

[ChimericDream]

Here's my attempt at making this armor. Let me know if you think it is balanced enough. I went from the angle of Wild armor, and basically made it specific to creatures that have a natural second form (ruling out polymorphed creatures and such).

Shifting
The armor and enhancement bonuses of this item remain in effect even while the wearer is in an alternate form (such as a lycanthrope's Alternate Form ability). Such items meld into the wearer's alternate form and thus cannot be seen in that form. This item does not work with a Druid's Wild Shape ability, nor does it work with spells that change the form of a creature. It only works with a natural alternate form of a creature.
Caster Level: 15th; Prerequisites: Craft Magic Arms and Armor, polymorph any object; Market Price: +2 bonus.