Tansformation: beast shape etc

[Kusuriurite]

I've seen a few threads in passing on this issue but, did not find one that dealt with this directly.

I assume this is a concern for druid type characters and some sorcerers but, by launch what kind of transformative mechanics would you like to see in game?

Obviously transforming into a full size dragon isn't likely accessible to the player but what about other simple creatures? Will it extend to all enemies? will we have a polymorph spell?

additionally, I see this as a great way for characters to have some semblance of stealth if name tags are not visible at all times (transforming into a creature or member of a goblin mob to blend in with the surroundings). Any one hacking to see your true shape would have a disadvantage in this case as well, since they wouldn't know what attack range you actually have etc.

[Nymerias]

I'm not sure if this will be a mechanic that is on a priority list for the launch of EE. I'm not aware of any PnP class that gets transformative powers from level 1.

I am very interested in the stealth capabilities of Wild Shape. It would be really nice to be able to turn into a bird, and look like a bird that appears in the background instead of having a special this is clearly a druid trying to be a bird model. There should be some way for players to be able to work out the difference between a bird and a druid-bird, but it should not be (I really should phrase it as I would like it to not be) plainly apparent with no effort.

[Imbicatus]

I want there to be as close to PnP wild shape as possible for Druids. I know that is asking for a lot in a videogame due to different forms having different stats and a host of art assets and animation time that may not be able to be lifted directly from critter templates.

I want there to be options for at least a wolf/bear/big cat combat form, a small bird/bat arial recon form, a tiny climbing critter like a mouse/squirrel/gecko for a hiding form, and a horse/stag/camel four legged travel form.

I want a Natural Spell feat or skill to be able to cast while in animal form.

If a player is smart then they should be able to blend in in wilderness areas by wild shaping, but if you act like a person by running full speed in a straigt line towards the closed resource node then people will probally be able to figure out there is something weird with the AI on that wolf even if there are no name plates on. Even more so if you start casting call lightning to try to snipe from mouse form.

[Vancent]

That'd be the best mouse ever.

I definitely want to see full wildshaping/polymorphing mechanics, you say it's something they might not add till later after launch, and that may be true. However, to do it right it's really something that needs to be considered from the very beginning and built into the game from the ground up. Furthermore, they have said that they intend to have each of the core classes, which includes druids, fully represented in-game before launch. So I remain hopeful that wild shaping will be in there.

[DarkOne the Drow]

Yep, for any polymorph ability for any class, it has to be in the design from the word go to support it when characters and foes get the ability to transform. Even the enlarge and reduce forms is polymorphing. There is a visual and variable changes to the character, even if it simple increase or decrease in size (level 1 spells that is accessible right from character creation). Alter appearance, might be the simplest transformation affecting one's appearance without any variable changes of the character.

I would say all the transformation spells and abilities fall into this group, which requires the core mechanics for transmutations to be in place before EE.

[Vancent]

I wouldn't say "in place" but "in the works". Early enrollment is going to be like an alpha/beta test. Not all features will be in or working. The game will be playable but incomplete. As EE goes on they'll introduce more features and mechanics. Eventually working towards a complete game for "Open Enrollment", what I call "Launch", the official release of the game.
If you expect to have everything working in EE you're going to be very disappointed.

For an example of what Early Enrollment will be like, check out Wolfire's game Overgrowth. They've been releasing weekly playable builds for pre-order holders for well over a year now. I imagine Early Enrollment will be something like that.

[Kusuriurite]

Would also be nice to disguise as inanimate objects for stealth reasons. Use the old hide in a pot routine...granted one would have to be wary of wandering knights in green hats.

[Wyldethorne]

I think one way to incorporate many variable shapeshifting/polymorphing forms would be to have a drop down menu prior to casting that linked to all the available templates for creatures in the game, and you choose which one you want. May be a lot harder to code than I'm thinking, but it'd be nice to not always have to pick from bear/cat/bird.

An example would be a 4th level druid can assume any small or medium animal form. Your Wild Shape hotkey would link to all the S/M animal templates in the game, and you pick the one you want and begin transformation.

[Sebastian Hirsch]

Actually the option to change into the shape of a flying creature might very well be limited. I all depends on how the want to deal with flying spells, but a level 4 druid can fly for hours, that and obviously natural spell might be to much so some people.

[Kusuriurite]

Wyldethorne wrote:

I think one way to incorporate many variable shapeshifting/polymorphing forms would be to have a drop down menu prior to casting that linked to all the available templates for creatures in the game, and you choose which one you want. May be a lot harder to code than I'm thinking, but it'd be nice to not always have to pick from bear/cat/bird.

An example would be a 4th level druid can assume any small or medium animal form. Your Wild Shape hotkey would link to all the S/M animal templates in the game, and you pick the one you want and begin transformation.

I'd argue for allowing one to hotkey specific transformations.

[Karnov]

Being able to transform players into cats against their will via magic? That's boffo box office baby!

[Sunwader]

I wonder, if you transform someone into a small animal and a player kills the animal or its killed by another wildlife animal, how will that work out flagwise and xp wise :)

[Being]

Unless you had true sight or something similar there should be no flag. XP is time based.

[Sunwader]

Yeh, just thinking aloud :)

[Being]

Hmm. I hadn't thought of that. If the game gives you no flag for killing a shapeshifted druid, then all someone would have to do is trick the Druid into shapeshifting. Once shapeshifted he could be attacked (briefly?) with impunity. Yet the shapeshifted druid would be flagged if he actively defended himself.