As per the title, I'm looking to make a human character with the ability to change into a wolf; only those two shapes, no werewolf hybrid form. Does such a thing exist anywhere already?
Assuming it doesn't, I was looking at how I might do this using the Advanced Race Guide. I figured the easiest way to go about it would be to create a wolf and then simply add the lesser change shape ability to give it a human form. However, I find the point total rather high considering that all the canine bonuses aren't normally usable while in human form. Anyone have a better idea how that might affect the Race Point cost? Here's my preliminary writeup for the race. And suggestions are welcome. Thanks!
Type
Humanoid (shapechanger) 0 RP
Size
Medium (0 RP)
Base Speed
Normal (0 RP)
Ability Score Modifiers
Human Heritage (0 RP)
Languages
Standard (0 RP)
Racial Traits
Defense Racial Traits
Improved Natural Armor +2 bonus (3 RP)
Magical Racial Traits
Change Shape, Lesser (3 RP)
Movement Racial Traits
Fast x2: Base speed 50-ft. (3 RP)
Offense Racial Traits
Bite x2: 1d4 (2 RP)
Senses Racial Traits
Low-light vision (1 RP)
Scent (4 RP)
Total 16 RP
The race is too strong and you're not using the race building guide properly. You have a lot of advanced traits when PC races should only have standard traits. Also, turning into a wolf goes beyond the listed change shape abilities, which only let you change into a humanoid creature.
I'd consider turning into a wolf a 6 RP ability that can be done 3 + 1/2 per character level and lasts until you change back. That works similar to the skinwalkers. Then, give them low-light vision and scent, which will result in a 11 RP race. That seems fairly decent.
I'm aware that I'm trying to shoehorn psuedo-lycanthrophic abilities into a point buy system not designed for it. It just seemed to be the best way to create the desired race with the Advanced Race Guide without inventing an altogether new ability and assigning it an ad hoc RP cost.
That being said, your suggestion is pretty much what I'd been aiming for, certainly simpler and does seem to be roughly balanced around 11-13 pts or so I'd say. Good suggestion.
Witchwolf Skinwalker. This may be all you need.
I'm aware of the Witchwolf. Unfortunately, it doesn't turn you unto a wolf; so it's a bust.
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Step 1: Take a Kitsune.
Step 2: Replace its Fox Shape with a Wolf Shape.
Step 3: Thassaboutit.
Witchwolf Skinwalker. This may be all you need.
That alone won't get his PC into wolf shape. However:
1) Start with the Witchwolf PC and then grab one of the feats from the skinwalker article in the upcoming Wayfinder #13 (available around PaizoCon 2015).
2) Start with any PC race that could excel as a barbarian, and then instead level up in the wolf shifter class (from Wayfinder #5).
Shape Change (Su): As a standard action, a <RACE_NAME> can assume the shape of a wolf, as beast shape I. This lasts until the <RACE_NAME> changes back to humanoid form as a swift action. He can change shape a number of times per day equal to 3 + 1/2 his character level.
Step 1: Take a Kitsune.
Step 2: Replace its Fox Shape with a Wolf Shape.
Step 3: Thassaboutit.
Turning into a wolf is much more powerful than turning into a static human form with no special abilities or ability scores gained.
1) Start with the Witchwolf PC and then grab one of the feats from the skinwalker article in the upcoming Wayfinder #13 (available around PaizoCon 2015).
Maybe it would work but I'm afraid I'd have to see the feat to judge. We're playing tomorrow.
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Shape Change (Su): As a standard action, a <RACE_NAME> can assume the shape of a wolf, as beast shape I. This lasts until the <RACE_NAME> changes back to humanoid form as a swift action. He can change shape a number of times per day equal to 3 + 1/2 his character level.
Turning into a wolf is much more powerful than turning into a static human form with no special abilities or ability scores gained.Step 1: Take a Kitsune.
Step 2: Replace its Fox Shape with a Wolf Shape.
Step 3: Thassaboutit.
Fox Shape is a feat for a kitsune. I presume Wolf Shape would also be a feat. Wolf shape isn't strong enough of a combat form to be a primary combat option, so it's likely to have the same role as Fox Shape: Scouting and flavor. The Fox has better stealth, but the Wolf is slightly faster. That's mostly it.
1) Start with the Witchwolf PC and then grab one of the feats from the skinwalker article in the upcoming Wayfinder #13 (available around PaizoCon 2015).Maybe it would work but I'm afraid I'd have to see the feat to judge. We're playing tomorrow.
PM sent.
You could use the skindancer ritual as a base. Basically some humans or wolves would steal a corpse of the other race and perform the ritual to add the form to the other creature. As a move action they change. You would have a human (or elf or something) character sheet and a wolf smaller animal companion sheet. You could just use the figure card at first. You would have to ask the GM what level the wolf would advance to dire or whatever. You might go wolf and sniff at the door, possibly smelling undead.
The drawbacks are that when the ritual failed it created werewolves, who are your relatives. Also the ritual is abhorrent to many civilized persons.
Go to Link.
You would be playing 2 creatures with one soul. Damage and magic would probably not carry over, but poison and disease might. Again, it would be up to the GM weather you could get the feat that lets magic items work in your animal form.
2) Start with any PC race that could excel as a barbarian, and then instead level up in the wolf shifter class (from Wayfinder #5).
And if anyone's interested, the wolf shifter is now on d20pfsrd.com too.
2) Start with any PC race that could excel as a barbarian, and then instead level up in the wolf shifter class (from Wayfinder #5).And if anyone's interested, the wolf shifter is now on d20pfsrd.com too.
I'm a mite confused as to what the point of this class is. It seems more like a very involved Barbarian archetype than a true class.
True, it trades out most of the class features, but pretty much on a 1 for 1 basis, just like an archetype.
2) Start with any PC race that could excel as a barbarian, and then instead level up in the wolf shifter class (from Wayfinder #5).And if anyone's interested, the wolf shifter is now on d20pfsrd.com too.I'm a mite confused as to what the point of this class is. It seems more like a very involved Barbarian archetype than a true class.
True, it trades out most of the class features, but pretty much on a 1 for 1 basis, just like an archetype.
You'd have to ask the writers about the specifics, but I believe it was written back in late 2010, so I don't know if Paizo's APG (which introduced archetypes) had been released yet when the wolf shifter was conceived/written.
Edit: But yeah, it looks like it could easily be tweaked into an archetype for a barbarian, or with a bit more work, a bloodrager.
Ah. I thought this was a recent release.
Thanks so much to Ambrosia Slaad for hooking me up with a preview of her Skinwalker article in the upcoming Wayfinder #13. It's definitely worth a read to anyone interested in the Blood of the Moon supplement. Pick it up when it comes out!