D&D General Revised Lycanthropy

[Charlaquin]

Even in a world woth Raise Dead, are you sure they are going to be that casual about it?
Just one lycanthropic spree of manslaughter* is going to cast a shadow on all shapechangers, since many NPC's in the game world aren't likely to know the difference between the two different types.
Food for thought.

I mean, that’s a base D&D assumptions problem, not a specific to my version of lycanthropy problem. But, sure, I could definitely see the common folk being distrustful of Druids and other non-lycanthrope shapeshifters.

I'll see if I can dig it up for you. I think it was in the 3.0 DMG.

Cool, thanks!

 

[TiQuinn]

Yes, it’s meant to be a significant problem for the party. You could tone all the DCs down if you want it to be less dangerous. Or make it easier to cure, I guess.

I think that’s the issue with D&D lycanthropy. Don’t want to make it a class feature where it’s the purpose of the character or do you want to make it a problem, or something in-between? Each one comes with a different possible solution.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think that’s the issue with D&D lycanthropy. Don’t want to make it a class feature where it’s the purpose of the character or do you want to make it a problem, or something in-between? Each one comes with a different possible solution.

I wanted to make it a problem. Or, rather, a double-edge sword, because suddenly gaining a dozen HP worth of regeneration that only your party member with the silver sword can turn off when you get KO’d in a fight is actually kind of a huge buff, and there are a lot of precautions you can take to mitigate the risk you might pose to your party. I wanted it to be something the group has to take significant steps to plan around, but is ultimately more beneficial than harmful, without the potential harm ever completely going away. And I think this design accomplishes all of those goals. We’ll see, cause like I said, I’ll be using this mechanic in my new campaign. If it turns out to be horribly unfun in practice, I’ll take it back to the drawing board.

 

[Brendan Byrd]

I was wrong, it's a skill, not a feat. You'll need to adjust it for 5e, if you use it at all.
(MMI, at the end of the book in the template section.)

From the Lycanthrope template in the 3.5 SRD:

CONTROL SHAPE (WIS)

Any character who has contracted lycanthropy and is aware of his condition can learn Control Shape as a class skill. (An afflicted lycanthrope not yet aware of his condition can attempt Control Shape checks untrained.) This skill determines whether an afflicted lycanthrope can control his shape. A natural lycanthrope does not need this skill, since it has full control over its shape.

Check (Involuntary Change): An afflicted character must make a check at moonrise each night of the full moon to resist involuntarily assuming animal form. An injured character must also check for an involuntary change after accumulating enough damage to reduce his hit points by one-quarter and again after each additional one-quarter lost.

Involuntary Change Control Shape DC
Resist involuntary change
25

On a failed check, the character must remain in animal form until the next dawn, when he automatically returns to his base form. A character aware of his condition may make one attempt to return to humanoid form (see below), but if he fails, he remains in animal form until the next dawn.

Retry (Involuntary Change): Check to resist an involuntary change once each time a triggering event occurs.

Check (Voluntary Change): In addition, an afflicted lycanthrope aware of his condition may attempt to use this skill voluntarily in order to change to animal form, assume hybrid form, or return to humanoid form, regardless of the state of the moon or whether he has been injured.

Involuntary Change Control Shape DC

Return to humanoid form (full moon*)
25

Return to humanoid form (not full moon)
20

Assume hybrid form
15

Voluntary change to animal form (full moon)
15

Voluntary change to animal form (not full moon)
20

* For game purposes, the full moon lasts three days every month.

Retry (Voluntary Change): A character can retry voluntary changes to animal form or hybrid form as often as he likes. Each attempt is a standard action. However, on a failed check to return to humanoid form, the character must remain in animal or hybrid form until the next dawn, when he automatically returns to humanoid form.

Special: An afflicted lycanthrope cannot attempt a voluntary change until it becomes aware of its condition (see Lycanthropy as an Affliction).