Hello. I read in some of the threads that a non-druid, shapeshifting focused base class was something that is still missing. And since I like the druid's Wildshape ability a lot, I tried to whip something up.
I tried to compare all abilities to spells and other classes' abilities to balance things. But I need some opinions of other people. :3
Beastboy from Teen Titans was my guideline. A character that can quickly change between forms to utilize each form's maximum potential. For example charging the enemy as a Rhino and then turning into a snake to constrict.
There are two other types of shapeshifters though I'd love to see covered. The living liquid (texture and color never change but the form is fluid like a water elemental. It attacks by forming whatever weapons/appendages it needs at the moment) and the Doppelganger type (only mimics humanoids. Specializes on infiltration and such).
I hope I can cover those two with archetypes once the base class is finished.
But now I present: The Formshifter
Link to Word Document on Dropbox
To give the class some form of shapeshifting at level one, I gave it two types of shapeshifting. A short duration one for battles, where you can change shape as often as you like and that is available at 1st level.
And a long duration one a little later, for travel/infiltration/scouting that is pretty much the same as the Wildshape ability.
Following after that come abilities that make the different shapes stronger and some abilities that I thought fit into the theme.
I accept any tpye of input. Even if it is just a better name for the class/abilities or some nicely written fluff ^^
(Also it's midnight and I am heading to bed. Not going to answer questions soon :P )
Wow, is it so bad nobody wants to say anything?
One day per CR? Ouch. And nature checks (and later planes) can help you figure out if you are aware of something. The DC is remarkably low. 5 for common, 10 for uncommon, 15 for rare (as in, tarrasque rare). Well, that plus their CR.
no fly speed or darkvision reeks of game-ism, but...it's kinda needed.
Why are you giving Stimulate Metabolism at level 1 when it does nothing, since you round down (as normal) and there's no minimum (very unnormal). Speaking of fast healing...Shaping Focus and one level of this gives...hmm...5 minutes of the ability (since shaping focus deals with wild shape) of fast healing, assuming there's a minimum. that may be pushing the interpretations, but that's the kind of thing that's useful :)
Preferred form is far too vague...but at least the intent is clear.
Get rid of the secondary attack one. That's a +5 to-hit O_O
Stay in character is in addition to the +10 you get already for polymorph effects, right?
How does she risk losing herself? It's hours per level. Can you use it while you're in it to take the form of what you're in?
That's all for me, I have work to do!
One day per CR? Ouch. And nature checks (and later planes) can help you figure out if you are aware of something. The DC is remarkably low. 5 for common, 10 for uncommon, 15 for rare (as in, tarrasque rare). Well, that plus their CR.
I admit I have not spent a lot of time on that part. I have not seen a definition of being familiar with an animal (other than through roleplay). If you know one that'd be great :3
no fly speed or darkvision reeks of game-ism, but...it's kinda needed.
Yes, flying at level 1 would not fly too well with GMs ^^
But I think learning to fly is pretty hard. If you go from bipedal form to a quadruped form you still have basically the same type of limbs. They are just optimized for walking on all 4. The wings of a bird are a totally different matter and I could imagine it taking a long time to get all those little movements right.Why are you giving Stimulate Metabolism at level 1 when it does nothing, since you round down (as normal) and there's no minimum (very unnormal). Speaking of fast healing...Shaping Focus and one level of this gives...hmm...5 minutes of the ability (since shaping focus deals with wild shape) of fast healing, assuming there's a minimum. that may be pushing the interpretations, but that's the kind of thing that's useful :)
Yes, that was my bad. Of course I meant minimum 1. It is to help the shifter at the early levels and to utilize unused rounds.
Preferred form is far too vague...but at least the intent is clear.
Too vague? Could you explain what you mean? I thought chosing one type of creature would be clear enough.
Get rid of the secondary attack one. That's a +5 to-hit O_O
It was meant for players that want to play a herbivore (like a horse) that only has secondary attacks, to be somewhat at par with predators. But I should make that you can only chose that if you have no primary attack.
Stay in character is in addition to the +10 you get already for polymorph effects, right?
I didn't know a polymoprh effect automatically gives +10. I thought if you change into an animal you look indistinguishable from an animal automatically and only your behaviour could set off people.
How does she risk losing herself? It's hours per level. Can you use it while you're in it to take the form of what you're in?When duration ends you can simply activate another daily use to prolong the effect. I thought that was clear. I will add a sentence to that part.
Thanks for your input. It is appreciated a lot :)