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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Starfox" data-source="post: 9209687" data-attributes="member: 2303">What do I want from shapeshifting? <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCKVSPcd8Gs" target="_blank">Madame Mim vs Merlin!</a> <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />In a class system like DnD, shapeshifting abilitets have to be layered depending on class. 4E did try by basically making a variant "druid" for each of the four roles, I liked that idea. A ranger might be able to turn into a travel form, or a single totemic shape, such as a wolf, goose, or swan. Most druids should be able to take on varied forms, but mainly for utility. Specialist (Moon in 5E) druids should have fighting forms. I'm actually pretty happy with the OnDnD druid conceptually as it is pretty close to my ideas. I would love a more shape-change based class with less spells but higher utility and combat-worthy shapeshifting, but I think that would be very hard to balance and keeping complexity low. I did a subclass of the Pathfinder 1 summoner that built a variant form using the eidolon rules, but that would be WAY too rules-heavy for 5E.Mechanically, should the shapes be based on actual creature statblocks, or be template-based, like the Tasha's ranger. I think the best mix would be to use an existing stat block and then apply some minimum values based on the character. Like in whatever form you are, your Hp, AC, and attack bonus has a minimum value that improves as you level. I think it would be ok for druids to cast spells in animal form, and would make the class easier to play.I really like the the 5E Polymorph spell that ends when you run out of Hp, returning you to your normal form, effectively giving you the shape's hp as additional hp. I think that would be better done using temporary hit points, but the basic concept is very nice. Its how things work in NetHack. But it works less well for weaker forms, it feels like a bit of a waste to Polymorph into a dove or rabbit, so some kind of hp minimum might work out</blockquote>

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