Do you have players who want to be lycanthropes? I do, too.
I decided the best way to handle it is to break things down into a level-by-level progression for the template, building up to full power slowly enough that it won't overshadow standard race PC's and still allow access to the cool shapechanger stuff.
Here's what I've come up with so far. I've based the ability access partly on what level characters get equivalent spell access, so things are balanced. The Change Shape being limited in rounds per day was done to make a balanced player character ability without overstepping the druid's territory, which I consider to have a "monopoly" on PC shapechanging access.
This assumes that the PC is gaining class levels and goes by total Character level. These are racial abilities that scale up as character level goes up
This results in a character that, while not 100% like the template, is so close you'd never notice the difference in actual play.
Level 1:
+2 Wis, -2 Cha
Low-light vision
Level 2:
Scent
Lycanthropic Empathy
+1 Natural Armor
Level 3:
Change Shape: 1/day as a move action you can access a more primal, animalistic form, gaining a +2 bonus to your Strength. You can remain in this form for Character Level + Wisdom mod rounds per day
Level 4:
+1 natural armor (+2 total)
Change Shape: When using Change Shape, you also get +2 Con.
Level 5:
Change Shape: You can assume an animal form, gaining its natural attacks and climb 30 feet, fly 30 feet (average maneuverability), swim 30 feet, darkvision 60 feet if the animal form has those movement types or abilities.
Level 6:
You can now change shape twice per day and gain access to hybrid form but your size does not change. You gain DR 2/silver when using Change Shape.
Level 7:
You can change into Large animal or hybrid form, and if the animal form has climb 60 feet, fly 60 feet (good maneuverability), swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, grab, pounce, or trip you gain the ability as well.
Level 8:
You gain DR 4/silver when using Change Shape.
Level 9:
You can change shape 3 times per day.
Level 10:
You gain DR 6/silver when using Change Shape
Level 12:
You can change shape 4 times per day and get DR 8/silver when using Change Shape.
Level 14:
You get DR 10/silver when using Change Shape
Level 16:
You can Change Shape at will
Thoughts/comments/suggestions?
What does the player give up for this...?
it is supposed to be a curse right? like herpes are your players wanting to be natural lycanthropes, or afflicted.
i am running Expedition to castle ravenloft and our wizard just got bitten and is now an afflicted werewolf. he now gets to wake up naked covered in blood alone in a forest with no idea of where he is and how he go there.
I don't know what to make them give up... I was thinking it replaces their racial features to start with, but I don't know how to balance things out in the long run. Lycanthropes are pretty powerful, so I thought if I slowed down the rate of ability gain it would help. What would you suggest?
I don't know what to make them give up... I was thinking it replaces their racial features to start with, but I don't know how to balance things out in the long run. Lycanthropes are pretty powerful, so I thought if I slowed down the rate of ability gain it would help. What would you suggest?
I think some sorts of will save per level, or have you ever read the madness rules? in wheel of time for male channelers?.
or every time they drop to a certain hp they go into to a rage? and attack out blindly. the thing i think is lycanthropes are supposed to be unpredictable. so they should have to fight to control the beast with in
Also... If someone just wants to be able to transform into a wolf or wolf hybrid, with powers scaling as they level, the wolf shifter base class in Wayfinder 5 is excellent.
I'm working on a lycanthrope character right now... He's a backup for a 9th level guy right now... but I like the way he's looking.
Instead of playing around with templates and such... I just go 'fluff' for most of it.
He's an invulnerable rager barbarian 7/Alchemist 2
His rage powers are scent and low light vision... Revitalizing rage for some Regen....
He's got power attack, improved unarmed strike, and belier's bite for some slashing power...
So basically... he's a standard guy... unless you get him angry, then he gets strong... senses sharpen... and he starts to REALLy hurt ya...
If he completely loses control... the Feral mutagen kicks in with the D6 claws and D8 bite...
Also he's currently at 3/- DR...
All legit, and without having to get TOO much DM approval for home-made kits..
I've been told that he's still going to be taken over on the full moon as an npc... but fluff-wise, I'm fine with that... that's what masterwork manacles are for ;)
Lycanthrope is only a +1 lvl eq. I just gave up my first level up on my Ulfin barbarian from Irrisen to make sure he stays level with my fellow players. Brun is now a 9th lvl barbarian while the rest of his party is 10th. Brun is a natural werewolf and the abilities didn't manafest until 2nd lvl. He now assumes hybrid form when rageing whether he wants to or not (so he avoids rageing in towns & citys if he can). But his friends know what he is and accept him (he saves their baccon alot) and what barbarian can't make the 15 or 20 FORT saves to avoid changeing durring the full moon? The beauty of the hybrid-rage; the -2 AC for rage is off set by the +2 werewolf natural armor. But I wold like to find some options for advanceing his were side, like turning into a direwolf for his full form.
If you are going to nerf it this much, I hope you do it for NPC as well, otherwise just ban it.