Some sort of catlike humanoid Non furry. More... feral.

[Dannyalcatraz]

Besides the Anthros and Shifters (both excellent suggestions), you might also check out Oriental Adventures Hengeyokai. They're shapeshifting animals (with distinct stat differences depending upon animal type- and yes, there is a cat) who have access to a human form and a hybrid form (but are NOT lycanthropes), and their LA is +1. Because they are not humanoids, they have a few immunities, and their favored class is Wu Jen (FWIW). They can communicate with animals of their own kind, even in hybrid form. Their shapechanging operates per Polymorph self, takes a full round, and provokes AoOs.

The cat hengeyokai are +2 Dex, +4 Balance in hybrid form, and retain their low-light vision.

According to the 3.5 OA update in Dragon #317 (April 2004), the only changes to this race was that their type was changed to humanoid (shapechanger) and their LA was removed.

 

[roushguy]

Wow. Lots of things to go look up. Thanks again for all the new info. What sort of weapon besides claws should I use? (though mauling someone with claws to kill them would raise some eyebrows, lol. "He was clearly mauled by a wild cat. How did a cat get INSIDE the fortress? IDK....)

 

[Ahnehnois]

Bladed gauntlets maybe if you wanted something clawlike but more conventional. Of course there are various ways of enhancing natural weapons if you go that route.

 

[roushguy]

Alright. DM allowed the werepanther, so long as I wasn't evil (curse my big mouthed brother) and the cleric asked me to be a "tank". So, now I need to find a way to still be stealthy enough to get outta Dodge if necessary, but also be able to really plow into damage. What kind of weapon should I use? Should I go with Combat Expertise, Imp. Trip, and Combat Reflexes, then just let my bite do all the work? Or should I find some way to go charging in like a lunatic and shred everything within arm's reach?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Werepanther? Sounds like fun. (Color me jealous!)

What kind of stat mods does being a Werepanther get you?

And have you chosen a class yet? Are you going straight warrior or roguish type, depending upon your allies to buff you, or do you want to buff yourself?

(Self-buffing has all kinds of interesting options...PsyWars, Duskblades, Battle Sorcerers, etc.)

1. Sounds like Improved Natural Attack is virtually a must-have.
2. You'll probably be high-Dex, too, so have some kind of good ranged weapon. If nothing else, some kind of spear/javelin that could do double duty. (I like Greatspears, myself: 1d10 x3 P, Reach, RI 10')
3. If you do use some kind of reach weapon, Combat Reflexes is probably a nice one to look at...then the rest of the CR feat tree, like Hold the Line, Stand Still, Deft Opportunist...and something like Shorten Grip (or whatever it is) that lets you attack adjacent foes with your polearm. Assuming, of course, that your Natural Attacks aren't already beefy.

 

[Alzrius]

Just use a tibbit, from the Dragon Compendium. They can shapeshift between a halfling-sized humanoid, and a housecat. Non LA that I remember.

 

[roushguy]

Tibbits are furries... besides, I'm not trying to play Belkar who can turn into Mr. Scruffy...

I'm probably going fighter, and not many of the more esoteric classes are allowed, and the cleric wants me to be a "tank"... my idea was to go fighter, and either take EWP: spiked chain, CR, dodge, and combat expertise, then get Karmic Strike at 2nd level and hold the line and probably mobility, OR I could go with CR, CE, Dodge, and Karmic Strike, allowing my bite to lean out and thrash them after I charge in with two claws, two rakes, and a bite. Then pick up more CR tree feats and imp natural attack bite or claws.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Personally, I'd start off by beefing up my natural attack right out of the gate.

A few questions:

1. I'm unclear on the lingo: what distinguishes the tibbet as a "furry" as opposed to some of the other animalistic races?
2. Is Battle Sorcerer allowed? If so, a free MWP + Imp. Nat Att + the spells Enlarge Person & Magic Weapon could be a lot of fun for you. Down the road, Feats like Arcane Strike (channel non-offensive spells or spell slots for additional damage), Battlecaster (wear heavier armor and cast spells), or even esoteric ones like Infernal Heritage/Infernal Sorcerer Shout or Blade of Force could be interesting...

 

[roushguy]

The halflings are "furries" because they are tabby cats... they're not the feral, might-just-rip-out-your-jugular-as-soon-as-look-at-you style I'm after. Plus.... I just don't like halflin's I'd have to show the DM the class... what sourcebook is it in? Chances are I've got it on my laptop, and if not, my DM probably does.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Reported