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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Dagredhel" data-source="post: 381410" data-attributes="member: 3421">Back again.  This is too much.  Compare the barbarian's Rage ability; the raging barbarian is at -2 to AC, compared to the Cultist's combined AC bonus of +6; the barbarian's rage is measured in rounds, the Cultist's ability in hours.  The increase at 4th adds insult to injury in terms of balance.  The DR by itself isn't unmanageable as a high level ability, particularly if combined with "Form of the Beast". There are four special abilities here:1)  +1 natural armor2)  +4 bonus to Hide in tall grass or brush3)  1d6 damage with 'jaguar claws'4)  'jaguar claws' can be enhanced by the spell Magic FangEither of the first two would do by themselves as a level-granted ability.  As mentioned previously, 'jaguar claws' should by rights do very little damage, but the later two abilities could be combined elegantly were the Cultist's hands to transform into actual claws (which would balance the benefit with the inability to use tools, certain skills, and spells requiring more than a verbal component.)This is better than Skill Focus with all three skills!  A fighter gains a bonus feat every two levels, for chrissakes!  Including these skills on the Cultist's class skill list should be entirely sufficient, without further bonuses.Aaaargh!  Three more super-feats (doubling the bonus of Skill Focus) plus Blind-Fighting and Scent?  Yikes!!!  Either of the later is a great special ability all by itself, and the skill bonuses are over the top. Assumedly, a jaguar is attacking with a bite and front and rear claws when it pounces, bringing all of its weapons into play.  By analogy, a leaping Cultist might be capable of making two 'jaguar claw' attacks, but no more.Is this a bonus to Handle Animal and Animal Empathy checks?I'd suggest granting something along these lines much earlier, and doing away with the "Heart of the Jaguar" uber-ability entirely.  Consider granting the ability to assume a hybrid form (with reasonable bonuses to physical stats, some natural armor, etc.) once per day at a lower level of the PrC.  With increasing level, add an additional daily usage, and at mid to high level, allow the full form change.Here is where I'd consider sneaking in Damage Reduction.  The ability to change form at will is too much however.  One more daily usage of the ability would be more in line.</blockquote>

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