So I'm playing a "lycanthrope" -- at least as fluff goes. Mechanically I have the following for the build:
Human (heart of the wild) Barbarian (invulnerable rager)
H -- Racial heritage(lycanthrope)
1 -- power attack
2 -- lesser beast totem
3 -- extra rage power (animal fury)
4 -- Scent
5 -- Aspect of the beast (low light)
6 -- beast totem
7 -- Eldritch claws
8 -- Intimidating glare
9 -- Lunge
10 -- Beast totem
11 -- Intimidating prowess
12 -- Terrifying Howl
13 -- Iron Will
The one thing that is missing of course is the animal form. I talked to my GM and we are thinking to trade out greater rage for beast shape II limited specifically to my werecreatures shape (in this case a tiger), working basically the same as wild shape for the druid. The major catch that we added on is I can't rage while in animal form (since rage represents my hybrid form and I can't be in two forms at once).
I would like other people's opinions on this trade. Is it fair/balanced/etc?
If you were playing at the table would you be upset if this was available for another player?
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It seems it can be a bit strong -- just thinking about it; make sure the PC can't get ou of being Fatigued by wild shaping, maybe.
But my advice is to try it as a playtest and, a few sessions in, see if it is broken. If it is, work with the DM to nerf it a bit.
This is what we always do -- try something out based on the concept the Player wants to attempt and tinker with the mechanics as needed -- not in the middle of a session, but between sessions.
It's great for building the DM-Player trust and you can work out pretty much everything.
That was a concern. However due to the penalty on dex, and the large size without reach I'm still taking the AC penalty -- without the Con boost (due to that not being present in beast shape 2). I'm not actually gaining any abilities I didn't already have (I'll have scent, low light, claws, bite, natural armor and pounce from the rage powers), and I'll lose my armor bonus too (due to it being a polymorph). I'll also lose out on the greater rage boost... but that's "just" a +2 strength and con for what would amount to an "all day lesser rage" I guess it could be said.
I just wanted to collect opinions before we gave it a go. Thank you very much, as I fully agree that the method you suggest is the best way to handle it -- I'm wanting to make sure we didn't miss anything important on the first take.
There was the bear warrior class from the complete warrior book, cant remember it too well, but it might be good for inspiration.
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The Bear Warrior was a really cool concept.
The only experience I have of it was when a Player asked to play one in my game -- he was joining late and made a (I think) 9th level PC. Anyway, I was concerned it would be overpowering so I told him "go for it ... but, if it seems better than the other PCs we'd have to tweak it to be fair (see my earlier post).
As it turned out his stats in Bear form were not as cool as his stats in Barbarian form. The only real reason for him to change (those first few levels) was to use a wilderness disguise or to get Scent.