Understanding the Ranger: Shapeshifter?

[Deadalready]

Hi guy I need some help understanding the Range archtype: Shapeshifter, several points which need some clarification on.

1: The ranger combat styles allow the ranger to select any feat without prerequisites, at level 2 the ranger must select "Natural Weapon Style" but it seems like most of the feats won't be usable till level 3 and/or because he needs natural attacks already?

2: How does a ranger acquire an actual natural attack because I assume that normal unarmed attacks don't translate into natural attacks. Furthermore using unarmed attacks requires the feat to even use?

3: Does natural attack attract an attack of opportunity, unless the character as unarmed combat as a feat?

4: Assuming a ranger has picked up Aspect of Beast: Claws of the Beast (gain two 1d4 natural attacks), does this count as dual wielding and as thus attack penalties?

Thanks for answers!

[Bob Bob Bob]

...so you should probably sit down and look through the natural attack rules. Here you go.

That being said, I'll try to answer your questions.

1. Yes, many of them aren't usable until you have a natural attack (naturally). That's why Aspect of the Beast is there, so you can easily gain some.

2. Race, usually. Half-orcs, tengus, and catfolk off the top of my head. Otherwise usually other classes, barbarian Lesser Beast Totem and druid Wild Shape off the top of my head.

3. No. Only unarmed strikes have a special rule about nonproficiency. Otherwise it's normally just a -4 attack penalty. That being said, I think everyone is proficient with natural weapons, but I can't find the text right now.

4. No, because natural attacks do not follow the manufactured weapon rules. They're either primary (full attack and strength to damage) or secondary (attack-5 and half strength to damage). If you mix them with manufactured attacks they all become secondary, and you can never reuse a limb that attacked with a weapon for a natural attack (so no sword/claw/claw without three hands, but sword/claw is fine).

[Lincoln Hills]

For races that don't have a natural attack, the usual assumption is that you'll start by taking the feat Aspect of the Beast as your first bonus feat, and opting for the 'claws' option of that feat.