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The pack lord archetype states that Improved Empathic Link "replaces the 6th-level additional use of wild shape." This seems simple enough, but does this affect the entire progression of wild shape? In other words, will I end up with 8 uses per day at 20th level or unlimited?
My first instinct says that the price isn't that great unless the entire progression is affected. However, I have a few reasons for thinking that you still end up with unlimited uses.
1) I don't know of any other archetype that trades away a capstone.
2) The trade-off seems a little steep. The Beast Master archetype for ranger is very similar and only trades away a single combat style feat for Improved Empathic Link.
3) The archetype creation guidelines in the new ACG suggest that if an archetype's new ability is intended to affect the entire progression of an ability, it should state that explicitly. This was done for the other druid archetypes, which typically alter wild shape to function at a decreased effective class level.
If one of the Paizo people could weigh in on this or post a FAQ concerning the issue, that would be ideal, but I would love to have other opinions in any case.