What Abilities Should A Shapeshifter Class Have?

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Ideally, I'd like to see a point based system (similar to psionics) with the number of "shift points" being modified by constitution and number of known forms modified by wisdom. Individual forms would be classified into the familiar nine tier system.

 

[Tetsubo]

Ideally, I'd like to see a point based system (similar to psionics) with the number of "shift points" being modified by constitution and number of known forms modified by wisdom. Individual forms would be classified into the familiar nine tier system.

Ok, I admit my own ignorance here... what familiar nine tiered system?

Have you worked anything out beyond the general idea?

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Ok, I admit my own ignorance here... what familiar nine tiered system?

The one used for magic spells and psionic powers, where an effect is assigned a level relative to it's power, and characters gains access to new tiers as they level up.

Have you worked anything out beyond the general idea?

Not really. I think the hardest thing about this approach it going through the possible forms and assigning them each a level, but it has the advantage of opening up the variety of forms at low levels beyond a narrow range of creature types. It's one of those things I wouldn't mind having done for me by a professional game designer.

 

[Kaodi]

If you wanted to use that kind of approach, you might even do something like the wizard, and give them a number of extraordinary forms known that they gain at each level (common animals, humanoids and such would be automatically known). Any creature they saw in action they could duplicate (when high enough level), and creatures they extensively research (with low to non-existant cost). I just think it would keep them from strangely knowing every creature under the sun from the get go.

 

[Nifft]

If you wanted to use that kind of approach, you might even do something like the wizard, and give them a number of extraordinary forms known that they gain at each level (common animals, humanoids and such would be automatically known).

I'm not sure this is what you mean, but I like the idea of a variant Transmuter who doesn't have a familiar, bonus spell-slots or bonus feats, but instead gains shape-shifting abilities.

-- N

 

[Kaodi]

Err.... rather, a Shapeshifter would still be its own class, no spells, but starts with N known creatures, gains X bonus creatures a level, and can learn any creature through observation and study at no direct cost (if libraries require a costly pass, then that is a cost, but more roleplay than mechanical).