PHII druid shifter variant experiences

[Moon-Lancer]

this variant would be cool if you didn't loose the animal companion. wtf were they thinking?

 

[Erywin]

edit: doh got confused with the RoE Shifter subsitution, nothing to see here, keep moving

 

[MacMathan]

How does the PHB II variant compare with the one in UA?

 

[Christian]

I wouldn't mind a permanent swap out of the aerial form for a aquatic form, or even for a constricting form. But it would have to a a permanent fix from the first level the form is available.

EDIT: As an aside, I played a couple sessions as a half-orc druid that turned out to be a combat monster - however I found that a lot of the power of the build came from Nature's Warrior. Making the (seemingly obvious) change to allow Nature's Warrior to work with the new shapechange in the same way it would wildshape ended up granting some powerful bonuses when in Slayer form. In the end, the druid ended up being a better damage dealer than the front line fighter, an AC that rivaled the best in the party, better mobility, etc. Throw in spells on top of the build and it looks like the druid had lost very little "oomph."

One thing that we added in the Nature's Warrior variant were some options for adding aquatic and tiny forms, to replace some of the ability choices that didn't make sense for shapeshifting druids ... Regarding the point you added in the edit, I'm curious which powers caused problems for your character--nothing looked broken to us, but this isn't in play yet (one more level!), so we have time to fix it if it is.

 

[Felon]

All right, the PH II has been out a while and it has that nifty wildshape/shifting variant for druids. Useable at 1st level, unlimited uses, gives one set of stat boosts to normal stats regardless of form, druid chooses any appearance each time, gives up normal wildshape and animal companion.

Don't forget that the animal form's natural attacks gain an innate magic enhancement bonus.

 

[frankthedm]

this variant would be cool if you didn't loose the animal companion. wtf were they thinking?

That is was kind of undruidic of having an animal companion that could be used as a meatshield with only 24 hours to replace.

That letting a full caster also have a pet 'tank' that more often than not could easily shut down classed NPC's by improved grabbing them was a mistake.

 

[Jhaelen]

One thing that we added in the Nature's Warrior variant were some options for adding aquatic and tiny forms, to replace some of the ability choices that didn't make sense for shapeshifting druids ...

Nature's Warrior is simply great! Luckily it wasn't difficult to sell it to the druid's player in my group. And he's quite happy with his choice, too.

However, I'd love it even more, if there was an aquatic form, as well. I've been thinking about creating a feat (or feats?) to 'unlock' an additional shape.

It's also a pity that prestige classes requiring the wildshape ability are no longer a valid choice. Even if I houseruled the prereqs, they typically require too many modificiations to work properly. But it's not overly dramatic since druids definitely don't need to a prestige class to be viable.

 

[Piratecat]

this variant would be cool if you didn't loose the animal companion. wtf were they thinking?

I bet they were thinking "The goal is simplification, and man, tracking the stats, attacks and improvements to an animal companion is a pain in the ass."

 

[Moon-Lancer]

but i like the animal companion.

Its hard work and sacrifice living in a druidic paradise.

sacrifice being time and book keeping...

Its just not a druid imho without animal friends. I would be pritty cheesed if the dm said I had to use that variant.

 

[Snapdragyn]

I haven't had a chance to play it much, but my newest character is a warforged shapeshift-variant 'wild shape' ranger.

I talked the DM into allowing a house-ruled additional 'woodland creature' shape from first level -- a non-combat stealth shape with small bonus to hide and move silent (in addition to the hide bonus from smaller size), a minor dex bonus (for the AC & reflex), low-light vision, and 20' climb speed (maybe burrow too? I'm at work & can't remember). We also agreed on a feat to allow aquatic variations of whatever forms are available, though I have yet to take it (party is 7th level, but wanted some other feats first -- it might be my 9th level pick, though).