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In my starting Savage Tide campaign, one of the players wants to play an Olman druid from the jungle; shaman style. I devised the jaguar shaman archetype; modifying the lion shaman. Feel free to use and critique:
Jaguar Shaman
A shaman with this totem calls upon the jaguar, king of the jungle and implacable predator, master of the jungle hunt.
Nature Bond: A jaguar shaman who chooses an animal companion must select a jaguar (counts as Cat, Big).
Wild Empathy (Ex): A jaguar shaman can use wild empathy with felines as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.
Totem Transformation (Su): At 2nd level, a jaguar shaman may adopt an aspect of the jaguar while retaining her normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses: movement (+10 enhancement bonus to land speed, +4 racial bonus on Climb checks), senses (low-light vision, scent), or natural weapons (bite [1d6] and 2 claws [1d4] for a Medium shaman, rake, +2 to CMB on grapple checks). While using totem transformation, the jaguar shaman may speak normally and can cast speak with animals (felines only) at will. Using this ability is a standard action at 2nd level, a move action at 7th level, and a swift action at 12th level. The jaguar shaman can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her druid level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be used in 1-minute increments. This is a polymorph effect and cannot be used while the druid is using another polymorph effect, such as wild shape.
Totemic Summons (Su): At 5th level, a jaguar shaman may cast summon nature's ally as a standard action when summoning felines, and these summoned creatures gain temporary hit points equal to her druid level. She can apply the young template to any jaguar to reduce the level of the summoning spell required by one. She can also increase the level of summoning required by one in order to apply either the advanced or the giant template, or increase it by two to apply both the advanced and giant templates. This ability replaces a thousand faces.
Wild Shape (Su): At 6th level, a jaguar shaman's wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 2. If she takes on the form of a feline, she instead uses her druid level + 2.
Bonus Feat: At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, a jaguar shaman gains one of the following bonus feats: Dodge, Athletic, Nimble Moves, Acrobatic Steps, or Skill Focus (Stealth). She must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats. This ability replaces venom immunity.
I think the jaguar in the beatiary is actually a medium size creature under the leapard entry. That being the case I think you should change what you have to "Cat, Small" as well as the statistics.
Echoing Gourry187 above me, jaguars use the small cat statistics, which is stated in the bestiary here. Moving past that, let's take a look at the changes you've made.
Nature Bond: Obviously it should use the small cat rather than large, but we've already mentioned that. Why does the Jaguar Shaman have no option to take a domain if she chooses? Or is this simply because you already know the player wants a jaguar?
Totem Transformation: First we get movement, which is weaker than the lion's and has a +4 to climb checks. If we're basing this off of the animal companion (which is based off of the Cheetah) then this is probably fine. However, the actual leopard entry is a stronger approximation of the jaguar. This ability should give a climb speed; say, climb 15? Then we have the attacks, which the lion shaman gives bite (1d4) and 2 claws (1d4). What was the reason for giving 1d6 bite?
Bonus Feats: Looks solid.
It seems fairly balanced as you've done it so far.
As for domains, I'd say Animal, Travel, Liberation and Strenght.
And why Run isn't a bonus feat?
As for domains, I'd say Animal, Travel, Liberation and Strenght.
And why Run isn't a bonus feat?
I'd prefer something like Darkness over most of those. Jaguars are nocturnal predators evoking fear and superstition. Keep your children indoors after sundown because the night has eyes.
I think the jaguar in the beatiary is actually a medium size creature under the leapard entry. That being the case I think you should change what you have to "Cat, Small" as well as the statistics.
You are right in that jaguar is a medium sized cat in the bestiary (same statistics as leopard). However, there are some inconsistencies between the bestiary and the animal choices:
- A leopard has pounce and rake, as well as a skill focus on stealth - fits a jaguar as well.- A "cat, small" has trip, and gets sprint later on. This is then similar to a cheetah.
- The "cat, big" has rake from the beginning, and gets grab and pounce.
- Neither animal choice says "jaguar", though the bestiary specifies jaguar = leopard.
Well, I suppose I could just create a new animal choice: medium sized cat, with rake; pounce / grab at level 4.
Mechanics aside, jaguars can get quite big; bigger than leopards, though not so big as lions.
Why does the Jaguar Shaman have no option to take a domain if she chooses? Or is this simply because you already know the player wants a jaguar?
Yes, that is the reason.
Totem Transformation: First we get movement, which is weaker than the lion's and has a +4 to climb checks. If we're basing this off of the animal companion (which is based off of the Cheetah) then this is probably fine. However, the actual leopard entry is a stronger approximation of the jaguar. This ability should give a climb speed; say, climb 15?
Good point! And fits a jungle druid... Though climb speed is quite powerful, isn't it? Still, I will keep it in mind.
Then we have the attacks, which the lion shaman gives bite (1d4) and 2 claws (1d4). What was the reason for giving 1d6 bite?
Thanks for spotting that! This is an oversight from coying the text from bear shaman...
As for domains, I'd say Animal, Travel, Liberation and Strenght.
And why Run isn't a bonus feat?
Animal, Strength - yes. Liberation maybe. Travel? Hm. I'd definitely add Jungle domain, though.
Run is not a bonus feat, because well, jaguars are more climbers / stalkers than runners. They are good swimmers as well, and therefore I included "Athletic".
I'd prefer something like Darkness over most of those. Jaguars are nocturnal predators evoking fear and superstition. Keep your children indoors after sundown because the night has eyes.As for domains, I'd say Animal, Travel, Liberation and Strenght.
And why Run isn't a bonus feat?
You do have a point. Stealthy as bonus feat might fit as well.
Climb is useful, but in all fairness I see it as an advantage in versatility, not power. A climb speed grants a +8 to climb checks, allows you to take 10, and doesn't leave you flat footed. It makes climbing an in combat viability but doesn't do much other than make you suck less.
Thank you all for your input - I'll give it a go with this revised version:
Jaguar Shaman
A shaman with this totem calls upon the jaguar, king of the jungle and implacable predator, master of the jungle hunt.
Nature Bond: A jaguar shaman who chooses an animal companion must select a jaguar (see below). If choosing a domain, the jaguar shaman must choose from the Animal, Strength, Travel and Jungle domains.
Wild Empathy (Ex): A jaguar shaman can use wild empathy with felines as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.
Totem Transformation (Su): At 2nd level, a jaguar shaman may adopt an aspect of the jaguar while retaining her normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses: movement (+10 enhancement bonus to land speed, climb speed 15ft.), senses (low-light vision, scent), or natural weapons (bite [1d4] and 2 claws [1d4] for a Medium shaman, rake, +2 to CMB on grapple checks). While using totem transformation, the jaguar shaman may speak normally and can cast speak with animals (felines only) at will. Using this ability is a standard action at 2nd level, a move action at 7th level, and a swift action at 12th level. The jaguar shaman can use this ability for a number of minutes per day equal to her druid level. These minutes do not need to be consecutive, but they must be used in 1-minute increments. This is a polymorph effect and cannot be used while the druid is using another polymorph effect, such as wild shape.
Totemic Summons (Su): At 5th level, a jaguar shaman may cast summon nature's ally as a standard action when summoning felines, and these summoned creatures gain temporary hit points equal to her druid level. She can apply the young template to any feline to reduce the level of the summoning spell required by one. She can also increase the level of summoning required by one in order to apply either the advanced or the giant template, or increase it by two to apply both the advanced and giant templates. This ability replaces a thousand faces.
Wild Shape (Su): At 6th level, a jaguar shaman's wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 2. If she takes on the form of a feline, she instead uses her druid level + 2.
Bonus Feat: At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, a jaguar shaman gains one of the following bonus feats: Dodge, Athletic, Nimble Moves, Acrobatic Steps, or Skill Focus (Stealth). She must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats. This ability replaces venom immunity.
New animal choice:
Jaguar
Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20ft.; AC +1 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4), 2 claws (1d3); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 21, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 8; Special Attacks rake (1d4); Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
4th-Level Advancement: Size Medium; Attack bite (1d6), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +2; Special Qualities grab, pounce, rake (1d4).
It could make sense to create a domain ad hoc too- after all, Eagle shamans can choose the Eagle domain, and Arctic druids the Arctic domain, etc. Maybe a domain for all the great cats- that is, for Lion and Tiger too?