Eagle Shaman - Is Wild Shape Near-Useless?

[Garden Tool]

A quick question. The eagle shaman druid's wild shape ability says that the druid uses her druid level +2 when taking the form of an eagle or roc. See below.

PFSRD wrote:

Wild Shape (Su): At 6th level, an eagle shaman's wild shape ability functions at her druid level – 2. If she takes on the form of an eagle or roc, she instead uses her druid level + 2.

My question is this: how can I take the form of a roc, to get the full benefit from this ability? The roc is a gargantuan animal, and there is no version of beast form or wild shape which gains the ability to become gargantuan.

As far as I know, you cannot simply assume the "form" of a creature at a different size category. Is it impossible to use wild shape to take the form of a roc? Could I perhaps take the form of a roc with the young template, which is only Huge-sized?

[Deadmanwalking]

RAW, I don't think that's allowed.

That said, I'd absolutely allow it in my games. Dunno about anyone else.

[ShadowcatX]

I agree with Deadmanwalking. That said, I'm not sure of the RAW, but a young Roc should be a size category smaller. Maybe that would help.

[Rycaut]

There is a Roc animal companion in the Bestiary which is a large creature so that may be what is intended?

The animal shamans definitely call out for some special exceptions to the "no templates applied to creatures for polymorphs" rules.

[Grick]

Garden Tool wrote:

how can I take the form of a roc, to get the full benefit from this ability?

You can't, as far as I know. I would probably allow the animal companion/mount version of a Roc (Large size), but I don't know if that's any better than the giant eagle.

Garden Tool wrote:

Could I perhaps take the form of a roc with the young template, which is only Huge-sized?

By RAW, no. Polymorph forbids it.

However, the guy who wrote the Eagle Shaman doesn't see a problem with allowing it, if you do it right. See the posts by Jason Nelson in this thread for details.

[Garden Tool]

Right, no templates per polymorph. Forgot about that little detail.

This really might merit an exception, to meet the RAI. Also, the Young template doesn't affect CR, unlike most templates, so it should be okay...

[LazarX]

The path of the Eagle shaman is not want to take if you want to dominate the battlefield with wildshaping. It's path best taken for those who are more oriented towards spellcasting.

Keep in mind also that giant eagles from the bestiary, can also be of use.

[Frankthedm]

I'd bet the author was assuming the druid could use the Animal Companion stat line for choosing wild shapes. If that is not an option allowed by normal Wild Shape, then the Eagle Shaman only has the eagle option. Would not be the first time an author's misconceptions caused an ability to not function as intended. Don't expect errata to be of any help since it will probably just remove the Roc option.

Quote:

Roc Companions

Starting Statistics: Size Medium; AC +5 natural armor; Speed 20 ft., fly 80 ft.; Attack 2 talons (1d4), bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 19, Con 9, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 11; Special Qualities low-light vision.

7th-Level Advancement: Size Large; AC +3 natural armor; Attack 2 talons (1d6 plus grab), bite (1d8); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4.