The shifter Prc is it worth it??

[nharwell]

<shrug>
Like I said, it depends on the DM. Note that "complex interaction" is included as a possible way to gain familiarity. "Complex interaction" with someone paid (or persuaded) to teach you a new form should not be impossible.
B]

I'm not trying to be argumentative but it doesn't "depend on the DM" -- unless you mean that the DM can change the rules any way he or she chooses. As far as I know, the DND FAQ is considered "official."

Also, I'm not at all saying that the shifter is "underpowered," whatever your personal experience vs mine may be. I am simply trying to respond to the original poster by giving a balanced opinion on the class to compensate for the general "Shifters are SOO powerful" view that seems prevalent on the boards. As a DM and a player, I have found the shifter to be a slightly weak but very fun class -- but that's ok, as all prestige classes are NOT created equal. Obviously your experience differs from mine. That's ok too. But you should consider the possibility that the poster may not have the benefit of playing under such a flexible DM as apparently you have. He should be aware of the pros and cons of the class, according to the rules....

 

[Shard O'Glase]

I'm not trying to be argumentative but it doesn't "depend on the DM" -- unless you mean that the DM can change the rules any way he or she chooses. As far as I know, the DND FAQ is considered "official."

....

Um the faq isn't the "rules" It is basically a collection of sage advice. If it becomes errata then it is rules. While I happen to like sage advie and frequently agree with it,and he is usualy right when it is a hard and fast rules question. There are tons of posts on this board purely about how people think the sage is wrong.(though they usualy phrase it less politely than that) For them I suspect about the only use they could get out of the faq is to wipe their butt with it.

Also I wouldn't be surprised if people could point out pieces of sage advice where the end result in the errata was different than the advice.

 

[nharwell]

I respectfully disagree. The FAQ is "rules" in that it is where all new errata goes. I have yet to see WOTC update any of the errata files after they've been released -- instead, the changes go into the FAQ. Personally, I don't like this approach, but that seems to be the way WOTC has chosen to go.

 

[fl8m]

thank you for all your great replies, and especially Iku Rex for the link to the 14! page discussion about the shifter class on the wizard boards.

It looks like there are a few nagging rules questions that go hand in hand with the prestige class, but all in all it falls to the DM to decide.

From both boards it looks like the power level of the shifter depends heavily upon what creatures your DM has you encounter.
so i guess i'll just have to discuss the class with my DM first.

Although i do have to say from what i've read the shifter seems to be about equal to or a little underpowered compared to a straight druid (ignoring epic levels ) but more versitile on the fly, if an unexpected blue dragon jumps you then you can shift to a lightning imune form that can fly

I can't wait to try to play a shifter now.

 

[Spatzimaus]

The FAQ is official, as far as I know (despite its name). It's the errata that will go into the next printing of the book, or clarifications from the design team (NOT just one designer like the Sage Advice). Since they only update the Errata file each time the book is printed, this makes the FAQ the only place to find up-to-date rulings.

 

[Iku Rex]

As far as I know, the DND FAQ is considered "official."

It is. Which is why I, quoting the FAQ, pointed out that "complex interaction" is sufficient to gain familiarity...

The reason it still depends on the DM is that DMs may differ over exactly what "complex interaction" is and over whether or not something that looks exactly like the form in question will be a potential substitute for the "real thing".

Furthermore, both greater wild shape and polymorph are exceptions to the normal rules for "how a creature looks", and the rules do not usually list every possible exception due to a spell or special ability. The FAQ does not say that the ways mentioned are the only ways to gain familiarity with a form.