Shapeshifting classes!?

[Vicon]

Hey there!

Just fleshing our new character concepts and I was wondering if people had any advice on classes with shapeshifting... I am sure there are a couple of classes out there, so anybody what knows how to do these things, if they could point me in the right direction or share builds I would be really grateful.

[Redchigh]

In the guide to class guides sticky, read treantmonk's gguide to druids. I personally like the shapeshifting ranger class....

[Corlindale]

Druids are the obvious choice, good shapeshifters out of the box. And they get Natural Spell, which is just broken good for a shapeshifter.

Transmuter wizard going Eldritch Knight could also be ok for an arcane shapeshifter. Alternatively some combination of sorceror and dragon disciple might work, taking advantage of the high strength score of the DD which would get further boosted in polymorph shapes.

Oracle of the Dark Tapestry with the Many Forms mystery can also be a decent choice, particularly if you go with a class that can take the alternate favored class bonus to get +1/2 effective level for a revelation. Then you can effectively get Greater Polymorph at level 10, earlier than any other class.

[UndeadViking]

Check out the new Shapeshifter base class in the "Grimoire Viperian" by Magic Skull Games.

The class is not just limited to animals but also lets you use alter self and change into mythical beasts of legend like the hellhound, winter wolf, centaur, nightmare, unicorn, sphinx and eventually giants and dragons. You not only get some of the their standard abilities as you would from a beast shape spell, but you also get some of their special or spell-like abilities that normally aren't available with beast shape or polymorph spells.

This Shapeshifter is also customizable, letting you choose favored forms and special form abilities so no two shapeshifters are exactly alike.

You can download a partial free sample preview at the Paizo store or at DriveThruRPG. Both sites offer the full PDF with all the Shapeshifter rules, plus the Pyro class, prestige classes, new spells, eldritch path feats, supernatural signs, and monster templates for a very reasonable price.

[InVinoVeritas]

Aberrant Sorcerers are another good source for shapeshifting--they just do it via polymorphs.

[UndeadViking]

InVinoVeritas wrote:

Aberrant Sorcerers are another good source for shapeshifting--they just do it via polymorphs.

I've always liked the aberrant sorcerer concept and beast shape/polymorph spells, but unless a sorcerer or wizard has a high strength he's still not effective in combat, even with the spell's bonuses. Couple that with the sor/wiz's low AC, Con and BAB and the spells just don't make them very combat viable. The spells are good for mobility/flying and disguises, though. I suppose you can throw on some buff spells prior to changing, like Bull's Strength and Bear's Endurance, if you have the time.

Has anyone played a shapechanging focused sorcerer or wizard? I'd love to know more about how it went and any tips/tricks.

That's why I like druids and the Grimoire Viperian Shapeshifter base class. Better hit points and BAB make assuming animal form (and magical beast form plus others for the Shapeshifter base class) more viable in combat.

[InVinoVeritas]

The trick with the aberrant sorcerer is not to rely on claws, but on touch attacks. Also, the buffs you want are things like Transformation to deal with BAB issues if the claws are important.

[Lamontius]

Just a quick shout out to the Alchemist, with regards to Mr. Hyde/Beastmorph builds, Animal Aspect Extracts, etc.

[firefly the great]

Synthesist summoner. Pathfinder nerfs everything that makes the 3.5 druid overpowered, and then gives it to the synthesist.

[northbrb]

I am currently working on a home-brewed class called the Skinwalker, its a barbarian alternate class that turns into a humanoid hybrid monster.