Hello ladies and gents
Just need some advice on how to build a new character. Basic idea is that they are a half-orc who chooses to transform into animals and other creatures to destroy his enemies. Now I am not sure what would be better. Being a druid who transforms and has a companion to assist them, or a transmuter wizard or a sorcerer.
Thanks in advance
Druid is certainly better, Wizards and Sorcerers can get somewhat competent at it late in the game but their BAB and reliance on min/per level spells will always hold them back.
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How about playing an actual Shaman!
The New Paths Compendium from Kobold Press has 7 new classes (as well as new archetypes, tons of new feats, many of which improve animal companions, etc)
One of these classes is the Shaman - a spontaneous casting druid-like class with otherworldly new abilities and an animal spirit guide.
In addition to the Shaman class itself, the NPC also has 3 shaman archetypes: the Elemental Shaman (complete with an elemental spirit guide!); the Primal Shifter (reduced spell casting ability but MUCH more powerful wildshaping abilities); and the Witch Doctor (diminished wildshaping but enhanced and expanded healing abilities.
Oh! And if you are willing to he a Half-Elf/Aasimar or can take Racial Heritage (Half-Elf) you can then take the Half-Elf's FC bonus to Oracle and get the Dark Tapestry mystery, grabbing the Many Forms ability, and gain the ability to turn int dragons.
I mean ELF not half-elf
Not necessarily. Druids never gain Dragon Shape, which Dark Tapestry oracles get.
A synthesist summoner could work for this kind of character. The Eidolon have the flexability of wildshape it would still be rather powerfull IMO, although I haven't made a syth yet.
Druid. Play it. Go Druid. Don't think, just Druid. Look at your wizard, now back to me. I'm a tiger that can actually hit things and keep casting spells as a tiger. Now back to the wizard. He's dead.
See... this is what you did to my brain right there... or maybe I should just blame my brain.
If you don't mind it just being 90% fluff (which you probably would), a beastmorph alchemist changes himself and gets self buffs. You could flavor it as a sort of lycanthropy. Another third party option in addition to Marc Radle's, an egoist psionicist or natural attack focused psychic warrior could cover some of your goals.
For full shapeshifting though, druid wins. Hard. Mother Nature is his girlfriend. Its akin to Elminster dating Mystra.
Thanks for all the advice. Our group just sticks to paizo material for simplicity sake. So, druid eh? Well now the question do we go in for archetypes or just a straight druid? What companion choice is best or do I need one? I know tiger and bear are pretty good, but could a boar work?
Bear is not good, your best options are Tiger or Deinonychus.
I wouldn't recommend most of the archetypes, unless you really want to focus on a particular environment, or a particular type of animal.
Most diminish or remove your shapeshifting.
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I actually like Domains for druids. You are already monopolizing a lot of time per turn with a wildshape build if you have five + natural attacks. Having another animal around makes it ever worse. Cave Domain gives tremorsense, Plains gives pounce once per day before you get it from wildshape, and Crocodile is great for giving you SA damage without needing to dip rogue.
As for Archetypes, Cave Druid is good for being able shift into Oozes, Desert Druid gives you the ability to shift into vermin and at will gaseous form, and Urban Druid gives you a thousand faces for at will alter self at 6, but you are four levels behind on wild shape.
For any archetype that gives up wild shape levels, consider a dip into monk, You get Wis to AC in all forms, and more importantly, qualify for Shaping Focus to get a four level bump to wild shape to negate the penalty of your archetype.