Shifters from Eberron

[Bagpuss]

Couple of questions is there any logical or balance reason why a Razorclaw shifter is limited to a single claw (or two with a full round action) attack per round no matter what there base attack bonus is?

Also not really rules bases but more a fluff question.

Do shifters look human when they aren't shifting or do they still look different in some why? I've only got the Races of Eberron book and it isn't really clear in that.

 

[Crothian]

Shifters are humaniod, but they do look a bit different. THe pictures in the book seem a little more furry and animal like.

 

[Bagpuss]

It's hard to tell if the pictures are meant to be when they are shifting. The reason I ask is because they are meant to be related to lycanthropes and they can appear completely human in appearance.

The fact they have a separate culture and stick together implies they look different, but I couldn't find anything else that made it clear.

 

[saucercrab]

Couple of questions is there any logical or balance reason why a Razorclaw shifter is limited to a single claw (or two with a full round action) attack per round no matter what there base attack bonus is?

Because it's considered a natural attack. Natural attacks work that way.

If you're considering making an exemption for shifters, then you'd also have to consider doing that for a lot of other intelligent creatures with high BAB & natural weapons (like a lot of outsiders).

You could allow the Rapid Strike feats in Drac (by relaxing the feat requirements).

Also not really rules bases but more a fluff question.

Do shifters look human when they aren't shifting or do they still look different in some why? I've only got the Races of Eberron book and it isn't really clear in that.

I'd say they look like feral humans (& not meaning the template).

From the ECS:
"Their faces have a bestial cast, with wide, flat noses, large eyes, & heavy eyebrows, pointed ears, & long sideburns (in both sexes).Their forearms & lower legs grow long hair, & the hair of their heads is thick & worn long."
This is under the general description, & doesn't reference shifting.

Also, going by a bunch of the artwork, their feet are tough enough to forgo footwear.

 

[Klaus]

It's hard to tell if the pictures are meant to be when they are shifting. The reason I ask is because they are meant to be related to lycanthropes and they can appear completely human in appearance.

The fact they have a separate culture and stick together implies they look different, but I couldn't find anything else that made it clear.

http://www.enworld.org/Pozas/Pictures/Line_Art/eberron_characters.jpg

http://www.enworld.org/Pozas/Pictures/Illustration/shifter_druid.jpg

 

[Bagpuss]

Interesting Klaus (nice illustrations as always), in the first picture the shifter on the left could easily pass for human (if she hid her skin and ears), but the second one couldn't (unless the druid is meant to be shifted in that illustration).

 

[Stone Dog]

They look like WW werewolves in glabro or dalu form. Passable for a human in certain circumstances, but not in a nicely lit room or anything like that.

 

[Bagpuss]

Just so I'm clear a 20th level Razorclaw Shifter Fighter with the Improved Unarmed Attack feat would be able to punch away doing four attacks (BAB +20,+15,+10,+5) with a full attack action, but as soon as he shifted he'd be limited to two attacks (BAB +20/+20). Even though his fists would be a natural weapon and his claws would be a natural weapon.

 

[Klaus]

He could punch four times, at +18/+13/+8/+3 and attack with one claw at +18. And if he picks up Extra Shifter Trait and chooses Longtooth, he could also get in a bite attack at +13.

Or he could use both claws at +20/+20 and a bite at +15. But now he qualifies for Multiattack, so he could attack with the claws at +20/+20 and bite at +18.

 

[Bagpuss]

Just trying to understand how the same hand can go from being able to make four attacks to just one attack (while remaining a natural weapon)? Does shifting induce arthritis?