Druid Archetype (Badger Shaman) -- Feedback Welcome

[Sonofapreacherman]

Hello all. In looking for a druid archetype that played well with badgers, I eventually discovered that no such archetype exists. Many other animal companions are featured, but no musteloids. As such, I took it upon myself to create one using the existing conventions for shaman archetypes. This is my first draft. Please feel free to offer any feedback. Thanks.

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Badger Shaman
A shaman with this totem calls upon the stubborn ferocity of these natural burrowers who challenge any opponent, no matter how imposing, and stop at nothing to unearth the truth.

Nature Bond
A badger shaman who chooses an animal companion must select a badger. If choosing a domain, the badger shaman must choose from the Animal, Earth, Destruction (Rage subdomain), and War (Blood subdomain).

Wild Empathy (Ex)
A badger shaman can use wild empathy with musteloids (badgers, wolverines, and other weasels) as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.

Totem Transformation (Su)
At 2nd level, a badger shaman may adopt an aspect of the badger while retaining their normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses:

• movement (burrow speed +10, +4 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks)
• senses (low-light vision, scent)
• natural weapons (bite [1d6], 2 claws [1d4] for a Medium druid, +2 on combat manoeuvre checks to grapple)
• toughness (+2 natural armour bonus to AC, Endurance feat)

While using totem transformation, the badger shaman may speak normally and can cast speak with animals (musteloids 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 badger 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 badger shaman may cast summon nature's ally as a standard action when summoning musteloids, and these summoned creatures gain temporary hit points equal to their druid level. A badger shaman can apply the young template to any musteloid 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 badger shaman's wild shape ability functions at their druid level –2. If a badger shaman takes on the form of a musteloid, use their druid level + 2.

Bonus Feat
At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, a badger shaman gains one of the following bonus feats: Diehard, Critical Focus, Endurance, Skill Focus (Escape Artist), or Toughness. A badger shaman must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats.
This ability replaces venom immunity.

[blahpers]

I like the theme.

There aren't a lot of musteloids, though. Far as I can see, there's only one on the normal summon nature's ally lists. Off the list, I see giant skunk at CR 3. With giant and advanced, it wouldn't be too bad. You'd have to get the GM to approve a custom list, though.

Still, it'd be nice if there were some bigger, badder things to summon with it. Like some sort of Fell Badger King.

mushroom! mushroom!

[Bardess]

There are wolverines, also. A Wolverine Druid... nice!

[FiddlersGreen]

Needs a...Mushroom. MUSHROOM!

Oh and snake! Snake! SNAKE! Ohhh...it's a snaaaaake....

[Mr. Sillybiscuits]

Bardess wrote:

There are wolverines, also. A Wolverine Druid... nice!

Oh man, the thought of that totally makes me regret my wolf themed Druid!

[Siddhartasam]

Consider Shaman of the Cloven-Hoof:

Shaman of the Cloven Hoof
A shaman with this totem calls upon the dual nature of his/her spirit animals for guidance - peaceful grazers among friends, they fiercely defend against those who would threaten their herd.

Nature Bond
A Cloven-Hoofed shaman who chooses an animal companion must select a horse, cow, goat or sheep (including ram). If choosing a domain, the Cloven-Hoofed shaman must choose from the Animal, Earth, Community (Family subdomain), and Protection (Defense). Additionally, the Cloven-Hoofed Shaman must eat a strictly vegetarian diet. Any knowing breach of this means that he/she becomes an Ex-Druid as noted in the class description. (Getting blood and such in one's mouth while savaging an enemy does not count.)

Wild Empathy (Ex)
A Cloven-Hoofed shaman can use wild empathy with herd animals (cows, goats, &c.) as a full-round action with a +4 bonus.

Totem Transformation (Su)
At 2nd level, a CLoven-Hoofed shaman may adopt an aspect of their Totem while retaining their normal form. She gains one of the following bonuses:

•movement (movement speed +10, add one movement increment to total distance allowed during Run or Withdraw actions)
•senses (low-light vision, scent)
•natural weapons (bite [1d4], 2 hoofs [1d3, secondary] for a Medium druid) At level 6, weapons become: Bite [1d4], Gore [1d8], 2 hoofs [1d4, secondary].
•Fleet (+10 size bonus to jump checks made while running, Endurance feat) At level 6, add Acrobatic Steps feat effect while using this totem transformation.

While using totem transformation, the Cloven-Hoofed shaman may speak normally and can cast speak with animals (animals with cloven hoofs only, i.e. even-toed ungulates) 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 Cloven-Hooved 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 Cloven-Hoofed shaman may cast summon nature's ally as a standard action when summoning animals with cloven hooves, and these summoned creatures gain temporary hit points equal to their druid level. A Cloven Hoofed shaman can apply the young template to any even-toed ungulate(s) 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 8th level, a Cloven-Hoofed shaman's wild shape ability functions at their druid level –4. If a Cloven-Hoofed shaman takes on the form of a musteloid, use their druid level + 2.

Bonus Feat
At 9th level and every 4 levels thereafter, a badger shaman gains one of the following bonus feats: Back to Back, Lookout, Improved Overrun, Improved Natural Armor, or Trample. A Cloven-Hoofed shaman must meet the prerequisites for these bonus feats.
This ability replaces venom immunity.

Just a thought, because so many of the shaman types are overly focused. Give increased width of creature types for increased restrictions. Note that cloven hooves covers creature from wee pygmy pig to Behemoth Hippopotamus.

[Siddhartasam]

edit out all instances of 'badger' and 'musteloid' for "even-toed ungulates."

[Amethysmus]

I did something very similar to this badger shaman and am currently still playing it happily.

All I did, though, was take the Bear Shaman, replace its swim totem transformation with climb, replace the protection domain with rage (similar to what you did up there), and replaced all bear wild shaping and summoning with wolverine.

BAM! Instant Wolverine Shaman. My GM had zero issues with that.