MotW shapechanging PrC

[Sammael99]

Hi all,

As you probably know, MotW has still not made it to the European shores. One of my players (a druid) has a level-up right now, and he has heard about a PrC that focuses on the shapechanging ability. He's interested but would like to steer his character towards the pre-requisistes for this PrC.

Could someone please post the pre-reqs and give me a short description of the kinds of powers acquired by the class ?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Morose]

Be aware that the big limitation of the Shift PrC is that you completely give up all spellcasting advancement. This means a couple of things to a druid. Your animal friend will no longer get any better (since it's based on caster level) and you won't get those nifty higher level spells. In exchange, after you get about 6 levels in Shifter you can turn into some very cool things. But you'll feel kinda weak for the first few levels before you get all the neat forms. As for prerequisites, I believe you just need to have the feats Alertness and Endurance and have the INHERENT ability to Wildshape/Polymorph/Alter Self or the ability to cast Polymorph Self.

 

[EOL]

Here's a brief summary:

-------------------------------

Progression Table:

Lvl BAB Fort Reflex Will Special
1 +0 +2 +2 +0 GWS 1/Day (Small, Medium) (Humanoid)
2 +1 +3 +3 +0 (Animal, Monsterous Humanoid)
3 +2 +3 +3 +1 GWS 3/day (Large, Tiny) (Beast, Plant)
4 +3 +4 +4 +1 (Giant, Vermin)
5 +3 +4 +4 +1 GWS 5/Day (Diminutive) (Magical Beast)
6 +4 +5 +5 +2 (Abberation, Ooze) Supernatural Ease
7 +5 +5 +5 +2 GWS 7/day (Huge) (Dragon)
8 +6 +6 +6 +2 (Undead, Construct)
9 +6 +6 +6 +3 GWS 9/day (Fine) (Elemental, Outsider)
10 +7 +7 +7 +3 (Gargantuan) Evershifting Form


Hit Dice: d8

Requirements:
Feats: Alertness, Endurance
Spells: Able to cast 3rd level spells
Special: Alternate Form- Must know Polymorph Other, be able to Wild Shape, or Have some alternate form

Class Skills: Animal Empathy (Cha; Exclusive), Climb (Str), Concentration (Con), Craft(any) (Int), Diplomacy (Cha), Disguise (Cha), Handle Animal (Cha), Hide (Dex), Knowledge(nature) (Int), Listen (Wis), Spot (Wis), Swim (Str), Wilderness Lore (Wis)

4 + Int Modifier Skill Points per level

No Weapon and Armor proficiences

--------------------

There's obviously more to it than that, but that should give you the general idea.

 

[Sammael99]

Here's a brief summary:

<snip>

There's obviously more to it than that, but that should give you the general idea.

Thanks a lot. Just what I (and he, I suspect) needed. I'm not sure hell find it so hot considering, but at least he'll know what to expect. Again, thanks !

 

[Dark Psion]

If you want to keep your spellcasting, checkout the Shapeshifter in Oriental Adventures.

It has +1 level every odd level and basically duplicates the druid's wild shape abilities, but more quickly.

 

[nharwell]

Actually, the OA Shifter's abilities progress more SLOWLY than a Druid's; they gain 9 levels of Druid Wildshape over 10 levels. The only real advantage is that they initially get Wildshape 3/day, instead of 1/day.

 

[Shard O'Glase]

If you let this in your player would be smart to take it. The new wildshaping rules allow you to gain EX abilities. Also you gain the feats, and natural bonuses of the animal you become like racial bonus hide+4 on cats. Now when you are a shifter, think of the huge array of feats you could gain by shapeshifting. After just a few levels in the class and you can likely gain things like power attack, cleave. Great spellcaster type class, no. But spank the fighter in a fight type class yes. (and tons of utility type stuff as well.) Remember that regeneration, and Spell resistance are EX abilities. When you eventually can turn into outsiders, solars become amazing. A planatar with SR 30, and regen 10(with as far as I can tell no type of attack that actually hurts it), great stats, large size and you'll likely just kick the crap out of the fighter.(oh and some cool feats as well)

 

[Sammael99]

If you let this in your player would be smart to take it. The new wildshaping rules allow you to gain EX abilities. Also you gain the feats, and natural bonuses of the animal you become like racial bonus hide+4 on cats. Now when you are a shifter, think of the huge array of feats you could gain by shapeshifting. After just a few levels in the class and you can likely gain things like power attack, cleave. Great spellcaster type class, no. But spank the fighter in a fight type class yes. (and tons of utility type stuff as well.) Remember that regeneration, and Spell resistance are EX abilities. When you eventually can turn into outsiders, solars become amazing. A planatar with SR 30, and regen 10(with as far as I can tell no type of attack that actually hurts it), great stats, large size and you'll likely just kick the crap out of the fighter.(oh and some cool feats as well)

That would indeed be sick. I have discussed it with the player (who is still expecting his MotW) and it seems that he would not be able to join the PrC before level 9, so in effect he'd be able to do that at level 19. Seems reasonably fair.

Incidentally, a guy who shifted to Planetar every time he needs to kick some buttocks (aaaah... Eric's grandmama... Incidentally, does "arse" work ?) would likely attrack some serious attention from the powers that be

Still, quite a powerful power. I'm more worried about the shifting to an elder dragon... I can see that as a very serious campaign disruption element...

 

[nharwell]

How would someone get an "elder dragon" form in a non-epic game? Even the weakest dragon (white) has 18 HD as an adult (age category 6) -- it's even higher for the other species. Thus even at 20th level, only adult dragon forms would be available....

 

[EOL]

The Shifter is limited to his HD or less when choosing something to change into. As such the oldest dragon he could shift into would be an Adult Dragon, which while scary is not game breaking. I would be more worried about the Planetar, but you seem to have that covered.