Hi
I'm wondering about the Shaman archetypes for druids, like the Bear Shaman for example.
It says there that:
At 6th level, a bear shaman’s wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 2. If she takes on the form of a bear, she instead uses her druid level + 2.
It doesn't actually say that the druid gets their wildshape only at 6th level though.
So I'm wondering what happens at 4th and 5th level?
a) They can't wildshape at all and get it at 6th?
b) It works normally like for a vanilla druid.
However I'm also wondering what that druid level +2 actually does. Ok at 6th and 7th level it seems clear and allows you to use Beast Shape III already like if you were 8th level. But after that?
There is no level of Wildshape that gives you access to Beast Shape IV and Elemental Body or Plant Shape don't let you change into a bear so you would actually take the -2 on that. ("Like a bear, but on fire" - I don't think that counts as an elemental :) )
And Beast Shape III doesn't seem to get any more powerful when you go up in level.
Would it allow them at say 10th level to calculate their BAB and saves and HP as a 12th level druid when going into Bear form? (that sounds a bit OP so I doubt it)
I know the shamans get other goodies, like SNA as a standard action for their totem animal, which actually sounds pretty awesome, but I'm still wondering.
TL;DR:
1) Can they wildshape at 4th and 5th level like a normal druid without level adjustment?
2) What does the +2 do if they wildshape into a bear after level 8?
The Shaman druid archetype's wildshape ability performs as a vanilla druid until 6th level. At 6th level and beyond, it acts according to the Shaman descriptor for the power.
Unless proven by a RAW, this does NOT mean you have to wait until 6th level to obtain Wild Shape. You're still a druid, meaning you can still Wild Shape normally at levels 4 and 5.
Basically it's saying your attunement with your totem animal has progressed to the point where you can remain that animal longer, and if you're any other animal, the duration is shorter.
Other class archetypes have powers that specifically say "This replaces <insert ability here>. Shaman druids' wild shape ability does not state this. If it said "This takes the place of the druid's level 4 Wild Shape ability" or something similar, that would be different.
LazarX is correct.
The original designer has explicitly said it works that way.
http://paizo.com/forums/dmtz1ts7&page=5?Treantmonks-Guide-to-Druids#225
Oh here we go again, according to the books the shamans get wildshape at 4th level and at 6th it functions different but the guy* who designed them has said that they shouldn't get wildshape until 6th.
Keep in mind that this happened some time after APG came out, there was ample time to correct the wording in UM and UC but it was kept the same.
*who is a freelancer if i am not mistaken.
Yes, Jason is a freelancer. Paizo hires out freelancers very, very often to write the vast majority of all rules in the splat books. He also tells us what RAI should be.
Yes, Jason is a freelancer. Paizo hires out freelancers very, very often to write the vast majority of all rules in the splat books. He also tells us what RAI should be.
First of all i didn't intend anything foul with saying that Jason is a freelancer, i know how much work freelancers do in the RPG industry.
Second we have been in this road again Cheapy and you have laid your case very well (even convinced me about some things) but i still believe that if Paizo wanted them to work like that they would have either changed the wording until now or made a FAQ entry.
