[OA] Shaman's Bonus Feats

[Dust]

Every four levels or so, the shaman gets a bonus feat from a small list. Does the character need to meet the prerequisites for these feats? If so, it seems a little odd, as a good number of the earlier prerequisite feats in some of the chains are not also on the list. Further, the vast majority of these bonus feats require at least a 13 Intelligence, many require a 13+ Dexterity as well, and with a very few exceptions the ones that don't require a 17+ or 19+ Wisdom. How is the shaman, whose "Abilities" section doesn't mention dexterity or intelligence, supposed to qualify for all these feats and still be able to excel in its primary abilities?
Of course, if the shaman doesn't have to meet the prereqs, then this isn't really an issue at all. If he does, then the bonus feats seem like a waste of time and a class ability.

 

[Crothian]

I see nothing that says you don't need the prerequisites, so I do need them.

Just requires yopu to think ahead a little to take full advantage.

 

[twjensen]

Could be worse...

Plan ahead, make sure you have the prereqs from normal sources and the stats to match.

If you're on a stingy point buy, you may not be able to make an effective Shaman, given the feat requirements. If this is the case, present your problem to the DM and ask for a house rule. (Maybe *your* shaman gets to have the feats without stat prereqs)

I've never much liked stat prereqs anyway. In high-powered games they mean nothing, and in low powered games they can have unintended screwing the PC consequences.

 

[Dust]

Same Old

I'm not bitching about the prereqs; I actually think the shaman is a perfectly good and balanced class even with the bonus feats removed (I think they're only included because of the 1E OA shukenja's martial arts). Nevertheless, it seems that if you're going to include a class ability, it should be better thought out.

 

[strongbow]

Suggestion for Feats. If your Dex and Int are both below 13, I suggest you go for the grappling line of feats. Since Shamans get Improved Unarmed Strike for free, you can take tham freely. The main use for them is when you Polymorph Self into a big bad nasty. Just my 2 cents as someone who plays a Shaman himself. They rock!

 

[hong]

Every four levels or so, the shaman gets a bonus feat from a small list. Does the character need to meet the prerequisites for these feats?

Of course.

Further, the vast majority of these bonus feats require at least a 13 Intelligence, many require a 13+ Dexterity as well, and with a very few exceptions the ones that don't require a 17+ or 19+ Wisdom. How is the shaman, whose "Abilities" section doesn't mention dexterity or intelligence, supposed to qualify for all these feats and still be able to excel in its primary abilities?

In exactly the same way a fighter is supposed to qualify for Expertise, Spring Attack and Whirlwind Attack, even though Int isn't one of his primary abilities.