Well pathfinder has opened up several different ways to do it. Just wanted to get a feel for what people think is the best mechanical base for a shape shifter.
And by that I mean the class best suited for a hard shape shifting focus to the detriment of everything else.
Current possiblities
Druid: d8 Obvious, get it early 4th, unlimited time, limited changing, maxes out at 12th level, spell buffs help forms.
Sorceror: d6 bloodline powers can offer some nice power boosts and has access to the entire polymorph tree early 6th and plenty of casts per day, limited time in form
Wizard: d6 school powers (transmutation 1+1/5vls to STR/DEX/CON) access to polymorph early also 5th, limited casts per day, limited time in form, meta magic extend useful.
Cleric: d8 animal domain for poly, limited forms , cleric buffing, 2nd domain to boost forms.
Thoughts ?
any options I've missed here ? I mean Druid is the obvious choice for a shifter but I'm wondering if I couldn't get away with a sorc/wiz possibly even doing it better.
Any idea ?
You can't beat druid. All the other ones rely on spells and the druid doesn't. That's a huge advantage. If you allow the Complete Adventurer book, get Master of Many Shapes at the first opportunity. Don't forget the Natural Spell feat.
If your DM allows it, try to start with a race that has some natural shifting ability, like changelings from Eberron/MM III.
The next choice is tough. They are all about equal. I would go with transmuter though. In my experience, Sorcerers are better when they are designed to blast things. Clerics have too many other things to do than spend it shifted into other forms.
get Master of Many Shapes at the first opportunity.
not gonna happen hehehe the new polymorph rules are nice and clear cut and mixing them with the old polymorph is well .... as I'm sure my DM would put it.... not gonna happen ;) but thanks.
actually I was thinking of mixing in a good chunk of a Fighter class with the druid since wildshape maxes out at 12th level and the extra BAB and melee abilites could really bring out the shapes.
any thoughts on the other 8 levels ? I mean I'd take druid to 12 first get the full s*~#ing asap but after that I've really got 8 levels to play with.
You can't beat druid. All the other ones rely on spells and the druid doesn't. That's a huge advantage.
But...
The spells give you access to some powerful forms. In particular, the spell Beast Shape IV gives you access to the gorgon and the androsphinx. Take a look at the gorgon's breath weapon and the androsphinx's roar -- much better than claw/claw/bite, wouldn't you say? :)
You're right, though -- if you can get access to the 3.5 Master of Many Forms, then the druid is the #1 shapeshifter by far!
The spells give you access to some powerful forms. In particular, the spell Beast Shape IV
this is what got my thinking about sorc/wiz in the first place since it also elminiates the need for a good BAB/STR when your simply blasting away with a special ability.
warrior transformation to get all the bab they need.
where would I find this spell, never come across it before ?
where would I find this spell, never come across it before ?warrior transformation to get all the bab they need.
Tenser's Transformation, in the PHB.
Tenser's Transformation, in the PHB.where would I find this spell, never come across it before ?warrior transformation to get all the bab they need.
Interesting such a spell would defiantly solve the STR/CON and BAB issues.
Heh I guess what would really be nice would be an arcane equivalent of a druid with monsteroushape in place of wildshape.
Given the fact that there isn't such a huge gulf between Druids, Wizards, and Sorcerers in terms of hit points now, I'd have to say that I believe that the latter two classes now have the edge in terms of shapeshifting combat power. As long as you adopt a form that still allows you to cast Transformation, you'll have an edge over a Druid or Cleric in the same forms. Unfortunately, you'll need a regular supply of Bull's Strength potions if you plan on using this tactic regularly, and you won't be able to cast spells while shifted. What the Druid lacks in raw physical power while shifted, he makes up for in versatility.
And I'm sure someone will either convert the Master Of Many Forms or come up with a new, superior Prestige Class to replace it. It's just a matter of time.
Given the fact that there isn't such a huge gulf between Druids, Wizards, and Sorcerers in terms of hit points now, I'd have to say that I believe that the latter two classes now have the edge in terms of shapeshifting combat power. As long as you adopt a form that still allows you to cast Transformation, you'll have an edge over a Druid or Cleric in the same forms. Unfortunately, you'll need a regular supply of Bull's Strength potions if you plan on using this tactic regularly, and you won't be able to cast spells while shifted. What the Druid lacks in raw physical power while shifted, he makes up for in versatility.
And I'm sure someone will either convert the Master Of Many Forms or come up with a new, superior Prestige Class to replace it. It's just a matter of time.
A suitable PrC for a Pathfinder druid would be a 8 level PrC to continue on after the wildshape maxes out at 12th level on the druid.
heh perhaps paizo did this intentionally to allow a shifting PrC to make up the last 8 level for the cost of the last 8 levels of druid casting.
Please. This is a Master of Many Forms free zone. I played in a group with one and it can get out of hand. At level 11 or 12 we had I think it was an 11-headed cryohydra. That's SCARY stuff. 33d6 cold damage every 1d4 rounds. I'm not sure if the new rules fix this, but if they don't then I'm bringing it up as a needed fix when we get to classes. The character joined the party at around level 6/7 due to a character death, and he spent so much time wildshaped that no one in the party knew what race he was. I'd say it is the most abuse prone prestige class I've ever seen after Ur-Priest.
Please. This is a Master of Many Forms free zone. I played in a group with one and it can get out of hand. At level 11 or 12 we had I think it was an 11-headed cryohydra. That's SCARY stuff. 33d6 cold damage every 1d4 rounds. I'm not sure if the new rules fix this, but if they don't then I'm bringing it up as a needed fix when we get to classes. The character joined the party at around level 6/7 due to a character death, and he spent so much time wildshaped that no one in the party knew what race he was. I'd say it is the most abuse prone prestige class I've ever seen after Ur-Priest.
Two points:
1) Hydras are Magical Beasts. Masters Of Many Forms do not get the ability to change into Magical Beasts. The only way you can Wild Shape into a Cryohydra is if you take the Frozen Wildshape Feat from Frostburn.
2) But even if you take the Frozen Wildshape Feat, the Cryohydra's breath weapon is a Supernatural Ability. A Master Of Many Forms wouldn't be able to use its breath weapon at ANY level. You could subvert this by taking the Assume Supernatural Ability Feat from Savage Species, but I don't know any sane GMs that would allow anyone to use this overpowered 3.0 feat.
In short: the vast majority of people playing Masters Of Many Forms are not throwing down with 33D6 breath weapons every 1D4 rounds.