What is the equivalent level of a natural werewolf with one level in ranger?

[Michael Haneline]

(There wolf! There castle!)

Hey all, so I have decades of experience GMing with OTHER systems (including PF's predecessor, 3.5), but I've never run a PF game before. My players have requested one, so I'm giving it a try.

Now my wife wants to play a werewolf ranger. Of course, my first instinct was just to run it the 3.5 way, but I thought I'd look up to see how PF's rules are different.

So, she is supposed to start play at the same level as the CR of the creature? I'm a bit perplexed, because I'm looking at the werewolf example, and it uses a level 2 fighter (which would already by CR 2, right?), and yet even with the werewolf template it is still CR 2. Shouldn't it be CR 3?
(And likewise, a 1st level player would be at least level 2, right???)

Please clarify this for me.

[Samasboy1]

Well, the CR adjustment is +1, applied to either the base animal or base creature (which ever is highest).

This basically means you are one level higher.

For NPC's, their CR is lower because they are developed on lower stats and less money. So the Werewolf Fighter 2 is only CR 2 because he uses NPC rules. So Fighter (CR 2-1+1=2) and Wolf (CR 1+1=2). Neither is higher, and the CR is 2.

As a side note, if she wants to play a natural werewolf, I might suggest an adapted Kitsune instead of using the actual template.

"Werewolf" Kitsune

Spoiler:

+2 Str, +2 Wis, -2 Int
Medium Humanoid (Shapechanger)
30 ft speed
+2 Survival
Change Shape (can appear as one specific human, or natural wolf-man form)
DR 5/silver
Bite Attack (in natural form) 1d4
Lowlight vision

I think this is pretty "werewolf-y" and all the changes are value neutral (add no racial points) so it should balance with the base Kitsune.

[mdt]

Which means that she is appropriate for a second level campaign, or, if your players are ok with it, starting at 1st level and not gaining any levels until 3rd level.

[Secane]

Have a look at the Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of the Moon (PFRPG) book.

It may have what you are looking for.

[Michael Haneline]

Secane wrote:

Have a look at the Pathfinder Player Companion: Blood of the Moon (PFRPG) book.

It may have what you are looking for.

Ooh, neat!