Shifter Help

[Chouzan]

So I'm playing in a current level 6 Eberron campaign and after my Dwarven Paladin ran into some difficulty with the land of the living (Horrid Ape + Inn Room + No Equipment = Oof!) and trying to create a subtitution character. The current party consists of a Fighter (Warforged), Rogue (Changeling), Bard (Kalashtar), and Wizard (Human).

I was heavily considering playing a Shifter Ranger to 6 which then would pick up the Weretouched Master; however, I'm not too keen on the Errata'ed Weretouched Master compared to its original incarnation (as I was going to go pure dexterity -a bit of powergaming is almost necessary for my DM), and I'm not sure as to what items he should grab or if I should continue ranger or another class , depending on what other people have to suggest.

Right now we're looking at fairly decent dex-centered stats: Str15, Dex21, Con18, Int12, Wis13, Cha10. The only feat that I have definetely chosen is Weapon Finesse (and I have yet to choose a weapon, although I'm leaning towards using 2 light weapons), so I have 2 feats open as well. I was considering later down the road after I get 2 more Shifter feats taking the "Extra Shifter Trait" feat from Races of Eberron and using it to gain a bite attack as well, although I question whether doing that would take too much effort/precious feats to get it to decent damage (as I would have to take Weapon Finesse (Bite) as well).

I know it's a lot of questions, but any advice?

 

[glass]

Umless you are still playing 3.0 (which seems unlikely given the Eberron references), there is no such thing as Weapon Finesse (bite). It's just Weapon Finesse and you only have top take it once.


glass.

 

[Chouzan]

Oh my. We typically play a 3.5 campaign, but only have one or two copies of the 3.5 PHP, so it's not uncommon for me to have a 3.0 PHP for feat reference. I suppose it's a little thing like that that really could make or break this character -thanks!

But do you think it's deviating way too much from making the character strong if I were to take the Extra Shifter Trait and possibly Improved Natural Attack to enhance the bite, or would those feats be better spent on other combat feats such as Spring Attack, etc. One of the biggest problems I'm finding with making a Shifter combat-type work is that there's a lack of feats unless I went fighter.

 

[Iku Rex]

You're starting the new char at level 6, right? With 6th level equipment?

Which books can you use?

 

[Anti-Sean]

Extra Shifter Trait is also available in the ECS, not just RoE, in case your DM decides to restrict access to the latter for some reason.

What primary shifter trait were you thinking of taking?

Are you able to switch your stats around? If so, and if RoE is available, I'd recommend putting a higher stat into WIS and creating a Shifter Druid with the Beast Spirit racial substitution level (replaces the Animal Companion class feature). At 6th level, you're looking at a free Alertness feat, a free +2 round shifting duration, and a free +2 bonus to STR, DEX or CON, transferable at will with 1 minute of concentration. The bonus increases at higher levels, and you get more goodies as well. The other two racial sub levels could be interesting as well (+2 init/-2 Will save for one (replaces Resist Nature's Lure), and trading out Wild Shape for increase #'s of shifting per day for the other) Work towards the Moonspeaker prestige class, which you should be able to take the first level of at character level 9. That PrC is chock full of amazing stuff! Damn, now I want to play!

 

[cmanos]

Oh my. We typically play a 3.5 campaign, but only have one or two copies of the 3.5 PHP, so it's not uncommon for me to have a 3.0 PHP for feat reference.

SRD - Such a wonderful thing.

Oh, and ditto on the Druid/Moonspeaker.

 

[Chouzan]

Well, as much as I've thought of the Shifter Druid, I really right now am looking to play a combat-class and not use many spells. We have nearly every official WotC book for 3.0 and 3.5, so everything's fair game. I can switch my stats around, and it's starting wealth.

Right now he's a Cliffwalker Shifter (20 Climb Speed +2 Dex). I did this so that he'll have his 21 dexterity increased to 23 while shifting (and at level 8 I add my ability increase to make it 24). The original goal was to use the non-errata Weretouched Shifter with a rat form in order to gain the next +6 Dex to force it to 30 to aid in his two-weapon combat and weapon finesse, as well as AC.

I may whip him up as a Shifter Druid though and place them side by side to see who would come out on top; I'm not looking to be a full-time spellcaster but rather a useful and effective physical combatant.