Wildshape options?

[Louis IX]

Re-reading some 3.5 prestige classes a while ago, I found the following:

Warshaper level 5 gives Multimorph (while shaped, can change shape for free).

Do you know of another way of gaining this ability? I found a feat in Mongoose's Quintessential Druid, but it is more limited, and I'm somewhat wary of using non-WotC material. Is there something else?

Do you think Paizo's Advanced Player Guide will include things for wildshapers?

[BobChuck]

Well, it all boils down to a design decision.

See, Wild Shape can work like a Barbarian's Rage or a Monk's Ki, where it comes in round-by-round increments but does lots of different things. Or, it can work like a Paladin's Mount, where it can only be 'configured' a few times a day, but once done it's on and stays on for hours.

Duration vs Flexibility.

Paizo went for duration, which seems like the better choice - fits more in theme with the class. But that means the ability needs to be good because you can only set it up a few times per day.

A feat that let a Druid shift at will would be overpowered. You can see that rather plainly, as it is the classes capstone ability - they have to make it all the way as a single classed Druid to 20th level.

Now, a feat that gave additional uses of wild shape, so you could change two or three times per combat without being completely boned later on seems reasonable. I think +3 per day sounds right.

Also, avoid all the shapechanging prestige classes like the plague. The worst of the lot, Master of Many Forms, lets a fifth level Kobold become Omnipotent. They are not a valid reference.

[Arakhor]

Eyolf designed a third Wild Bond specifically around a more versatile wild shaper, if that's any help. It's located here.

[Jon Heineman]

If I recall correctly the ability let the druid use another use of his shapes per day to change straight from one form to another and restart the hours per level timer. A handy ability. As a feat it would require the at least one feat as a prereq. Maybe extra wild shape or fast wild shape. Changing from an elemental (for the movement type) to a melee power house as a standard or even a move action would be very useful but not really game breaking.

What was that about the 5th level kobold being omnipotent?

[nidho]

Jon Heineman wrote:

What was that about the 5th level kobold being omnipotent?

An optimization thought experiment called Pun-Pun.

A kobold that given time and an ability from a FR splatbook could more or less change every stat in his sheet to nigh infinite, get every ability in the game and finally ascend to godhood.

edit:It was even reduced to a 1st level kobold sorcerer IIRC.