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So I had this synthesist summoner a while back for PFS that I loved to play. He was one of the most fun characters ever. But there's a problem. They banned them. He got replaced with a magus, which is fine and dandy. They're great too. But it just isn't the same. To explain what this synthesist summoner did, let me show you what he looked like in an Academy of Secrets game I played (back when you could just build a character for a pfs sanctioned module).
CG Large humanoid (Human, Elf, Outsider)
Init +5; SensesDarkvision 60 ft, Low Light Vision, Perception +28
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DEFENSES
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AC53, touch 16, flat-footed 47 (+8 armor, +4 shield, +3 Dex, -1 size, +25 natural, +4 deflect), 20% Miss chance
hp 231 (2d10+12d8+153)
Fort +15, Ref +14, Will +15
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OFFENSE
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Speed 40 ft.
Melee Claws of the Beast +30/+30 (7d6+20/x2, reach 10)
Draconic Claws +30/+30 (10d6+20/x2, reach 10)
Bite +30 (9d6+28/x2, reach 10)
Special Attacks Pounce
Bloody claws (5 bleed)
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STATISTICS
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Str 40, Dex 17, Con 18, Int 16, Wis 16, Cha 20
Base Atk +11; CMB +27; CMD 40
Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Eldritch Heritage (Draconic Bloodline, Red), Aspect of the Beast (Claws of the Beast), Improved Natural Weapon (Claws), Improved Natural Weapon (Bite), Extra Evolution, Extra Evolution, Extra Evolution, Toughness, Multiattack
Skills Intimidate +22, Perception +28, Spellcraft +20, Stealth +16, Use Magic Device +22
Languages Aklo, Celestial, Common, Elven, Sylvan, Undercommon
Combat Gear 2 Potion of Bloody Claws, 2 Potion of Strong Jaw, 2 Scroll of Greater Magic Fang; Other Gear Amulet of Mighty Fists (Shock and Frost), +6 Belt of Giant's Strength, +4 Ring of Protection, Minor Cloak of Displacement, Handy Haversack, +8 Bracers of Armor
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EVOLUTIONS
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Quadruped base form
Energy Attacks (Acid)
Improved Natural Armor
Improved Natural Armor
Improved Natural Armor
Improved Damage (Bite)
Improved Damage (Claws)
Ability Increase (Strength)
Ability Increase (Strength)
Large
Magic Attacks
Pounce
This is what he looked like after he got his buffs up, right before he would go eat someone. The idea of the character was, as the title implies, a werewolf. I've always liked the idea of playing one, and this was as close as I could get. Lycho was broken. He was overpowered and wrong. Because of him, I'm the reason you can't have nice things. He would fling himself into battle, charging the nearest creature and biting it, usually a one hit kill. Then he'd have four more attacks to hit the next closest creature with, all of which could usually bring something down on their own. It was sick, and borderline disturbing.
I want to play that again. A more power-appropriate version of him, so I can sit down at a table and not over-power everyone and everything the instant combat starts. I don't think that doing so is possible without the Synthesist summoner, which you can't be anymore, so that shouldn't be a problem. But, I still do want to feel powerful. Just not... this powerful. A gimpy character that uses claw attacks, yeah, would technically be the same idea. But playing him shouldn't be boring.
I've got a few ideas on how to do this, but I need some help with it. I think being a Tiefling would be a good choice here, taking the Qlippoth-spawn heritage, and the Maw alternative racial trait. Claw attacks seem easier to get than bite attacks. I would like him to go into Dragon Disciple eventually, as it will get me some more strength bonuses, some natural armor, and some other little things. Now, dragon disciples do require you to be able to cast arcane spells to get in, so that'd mean taking a level of either bard, sorcerer, or summoner, because getting the bite attack for tieflings trades away your spell like ability, which could have acted as a perquisite to get in if it's kept. Sorcerer seems the most obvious choice, but that's completely up in the air as to what I'd take. Also, I want to take a couple levels of Ranger, because of feats and general good-ness. Taking the natural weapon combat style, of course, and probably the Shapeshifter archetype.
What do you guys think? What's the best path here? Any and all advice is welcome, provided it's constructive! And yes, I know I should be ashamed of Lycho. He loved to slaughter, and he did it the best I could make him do it.
I believe you want an alchemist. Optionally beastform
Drink your mutagen! Take on the aspect of the werewolf [beastform only]! Howl as the feral mutagen discovery grows fangs and claws from your flesh! Rend the flesh of your enemies with strength bonuses and magic buffs!
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What is your advice beyond that? Remember, the character will be taking dragon disciple when he is eligible. Also, though the thread is title pseudo werewolf, don't focus too much on the fur-covered behemoth bit. It is more about specializing a tiefling dragon disciple in the use of claws and bites and such. Levels of alchemist might be nice, as I could take the extra limbs as well as the feral mutagen to get additional claw attacks every round.
this is an odd question, but the dragon bloodline gives claws. Could you say those are on your feet, provided you aren't wearing shoes?
EDIT: for the purpose of making the werewolf bit less important, and more about the natural attacks, assume the vestigial wings alternative racial trait is going to be taken. Now it is more dragon disciple focused
never mind then, I thought dragon disciple was a means, not a goal. Alchemist isn't the best option to get there.
I think Ximen Bao's idea is a valid path to getting where you want to go, though.
An Alchemist/Master Chymist (Beastmorph and Vivisectionist archtypes) would be a great natural weapons expert.
But if you are set on Dragon Disciple, then Ranger 3/Sorcerer 2 (Shapeshifter, Crossblooded Dragon/Abyssal or Dragon/Orc) going into DD would be good.