Anyone know of a good shape-changing homebrew or 3rd party class?


Homebrew and House Rules


As the title asks. I'm aware of the options paizo provides, but I don't really like any of them.


Spheres of Power Shifter base class.


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There is also this, which has the Shapeshifter class, and this, which has the Metamorph class.


ericthecleric wrote:
There is also this, which has the Shapeshifter class, and this, which has the Metamorph class.

While I am all for introducing people to metamorph, it is not a shapeshifter you would expect. Instead, it develops various special monstrous traits, abilities, organs, and limbs as it grows in power going through a series of metamorphoses that make it less humanoid and more whatever inspired its slow transformation. You don't get to polymorph yourself into different forms at will.


The Skinchanger is pretty cool.

Liberty's Edge

Azten wrote:
The Skinchanger is pretty cool.

Agreed! :)


We did a shapechanger homebrew class once. It was intended as NPC, but a player put it once to the test, too.

The rough description is:
HD: d8
BAB: medium
Saves: all high;
Skills: 6 + INT modifier
Feats: gains a bonus feat at levels 4, 8, 12 16 and 20
Special: class and race is one and the same here; you don't get to pick one and it's features
Bonus languages: 4, can pick any
Stats: +2 to a physical stat
Armor & weapons: none, is always at -2 with crafted weapons
Subtype: shapechanger (immune to polymorph and petrification, unless he wants to be affected)
Parentage: one of the parents was a shapeshifter (succubus, doppelganger, werewolf or whatever; the shapechanger receives some of the special powers of his parent, depending on DM whim; nothing too powerful, though)
Shapechange:
- can turn in any living creature he has studied (= must have met and observer it for one hour; excludes any creatures not in the gameworld)
- he can change shape once per class level + CON bonus per day
- the current shape is the real one; he does not have a natural form to turn back to; so he doesn't show up on true seeing for example
- he can study up to 2 forms per class level; a 5th level shapechanger would know up to 10 shapes; he can lose a shape once every other level to pick up a new one later
- he cannot study or assume a form with more HD than he himself has
- he cannot turn into something that has an acquired status; this excludes undead and were-creatures, since they are still humans (or whatever), only with a special status
- he gets all the abilities of the creature he turns into, except those based on the mind (like spellcasting, feats or skills); he is proficient with the natural weapons of his form and it's movement modes (he may gain some feats/skills, if they should be part of the shape; like Fly for birds); he always keeps his hitpoints and BAB, but has the physical stats of the new shape
- he can gain the SLA of the creature, if he has a high enough CHA and level (check vs sorcerer/oracle, if they could cast the SLA in question); a high enough shapechanger who turns into a dragon would get his SLA up to where his CHA and level allow it
- he cannot normally turn into a specific being (he is always himself), but he can spend an additional choice of shape to pick up a specific one

You get the idea. The actual write-up was a little more involved and detailed more of the parent background and campaign influence. The class was intended to live off the special abilities of monsters and requires a working knowledge of the monster books and which of them are around in a given campaign. In the campaign in which it was played it proved to be good, although some monster abilities can have surprising effects. The other players then were a cleric, a wizard, a paladin and a fighter/cleric, so it didn't outshine any of them. The player used it mostly as a toolbox/assassin, not as a combat monster.
The whole thing is definitely not for new or uncautious DMs (who tend to go overboard), but can be fun. It starts out slow, like a spellcaster, but will suddenly gain speed and branch out in unforeseen directions, once a certain HD treshold has been passed. A DM will learn a lot about his own critters, once a player wields their powers, btw :)


What exactly are you looking for in your shape change? Alchemists seem to do this reasonably well.

Grand Lodge

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Here's one I've been working on. Feedback is very welcome!

Shapeshifter

Perplexing scholars for ages, there are some rare individuals in the world with the natural ability to change shape at will without the need of arcane magic or divine blessings. As they learn to control their talents, these versatile enigmas can become even more powerful than the creatures they emulate, which is usually accompanied by the increasing fear and distrust of the community they once called home.

Role: The ability to change form at will gives shapeshifters the unique ability to modify their tactics whenever they please, clawing enemies with multiple attacks one round and flying into the sky on the next, only to return as a poisonous snake a round later. Outside of combat, their shapeshifting abilities make them natural infiltrators, able to pass unnoticed wherever they please.

Alignment: Any.
Hit Die: d8
Starting Wealth: 2d6 x 10gp (average 70 gp), plus an outfit worth 10 gp or less.
Class Skills
The shapeshifter’s skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Bluff (Cha), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Disguise (Cha), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (Nature), Perception (Wis), Profession (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), Swim (Str).
Skill Ranks Per Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Base Attack Bonus: Medium
Saving Throws: Fort: Good, Ref: Good, Will: Poor
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Shapeshifters are proficient with all simple weapons, light armor, and shields (except tower shields). They are also proficient with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of any form they assume with shapeshift (see below).

Special Abilities:
Shapeshift (Ex): At 1st level, the shapeshifter learns how to change her form at will, per the beast shape I spell. This is a standard action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity. The shapeshifter loses the ability to speak and cast spells while in animal form because she is limited to the sounds and gestures a normal, untrained animal can make, but she can communicate normally with other animals of the same general grouping as her new form.
At 4th level, this ability functions like the beast shape II spell.
At 7th level, this ability functions like the beast shape III spell.
At 12th level, this ability functions like the beast shape IV spell.
At 20th level, the shapeshifter can assume the form of a fine or gargantuan creature. This ability otherwise functions like Beast Shape IV.

Adaptation (Ex): At 2nd level and every even level thereafter, the shapeshifter gains an adaptation from the list below.


  • Broad Wings: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +10 foot increase to her fly speed. This adaptation only functions for animal forms that have a base fly speed. This bonus increases by +10 feet at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains a +2 competence bonus on Acrobatics skill checks made to jump or reduce falling damage.

  • Enduring Resolve: The shapeshifter gains 5 temporary hit points whenever she changes into an animal form. These temporary hit points do not stack, though additional shapeshifts can replenish the total amount. At 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter, this amount increases by +5. While in her base form, she gains the benefits of the Endurance feat.

  • Instinctual Maneuver: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +2 bonus on any combat maneuver emulated by an ability of her animal form. This bonus increases by +2 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains the benefits of the Combat Expertise feat.

  • Instinctual Skill: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +2 bonus on one of the following skills: Acrobatics, Climb, Escape Artist, Fly, Intimidate, Stealth, Survival, or Swim. This skill is set when this adaptation is chosen and cannot change. This bonus increases by +2 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. This adaptation can be selected multiple times, but must be applied to a different skill each time. While in her base form, she gains a +2 competence bonus on all aid another actions and increases the bonus granted when successful by +1 when aiding another with any of these skills.

  • Keen Senses: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +1 bonus on Perception and Survival skill checks. These bonuses increase by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, the shapeshifter gains the scent special ability.

  • Maiming Attacks: While in animal form, the shapeshifter causes 1d6 points of bleed damage whenever she scores a critical hit with a primary natural attack. This bonus increases by +1d6 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she can extend or retract claws as a free action, allowing her unarmed attacks to count as natural weapons and deal lethal damage.

  • Night Eyes: While in animal form, the shapeshifter always gains low-light vision and darkvision up to 60 feet. The range of her darkvision increases by 15 feet at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains low-light vision.

  • Nimble Feet: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +5 foot increase to her base speed. This bonus increases by +5 feet at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains the benefit of the Run feat.

  • Rapid Climber: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +10 foot increase to her climb speed. This adaptation only functions for animal forms that have a base climb speed. This bonus increases by +10 feet at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains a +2 competence bonus on Climb skill checks and can accelerate her climb speed at no penalty.

  • Savage Attacks: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +1 bonus on all secondary natural attack rolls. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains the benefits of the Improved Unarmed Strike feat.

  • Thick Hide: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +1 bonus to her natural armor. This bonus increases by +1 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she suffers no harm from being in cold environments.

  • Untamable Spirit: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +2 bonus on all Will saving throws. This bonus increases by +2 at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains the benefits of the Iron Will feat.

  • Wide Fins: While in animal form, the shapeshifter gains a +10 foot increase to her swim speed. This adaptation only functions for animal forms that have a base swim speed. This bonus increases by +10 feet at 5th level and every 5 levels thereafter. While in her base form, she gains the ability to breathe normally underwater.

Faceshift (Ex): At 2nd level, the shapeshifter can make a Disguise skill checks as a standard action and gains a +1 competence bonus per odd shapeshifter level. This ability only functions while the shapeshifter is her base form.

Beast Speech (Ex): At 3rd level, the shapeshifter can communicate normally, but not cast spells, while shapeshifted.

Moving Shapeshift (Ex): At 7th level, the shapeshifter can shapeshift as part of a move action.

Swift Shapeshift (Ex): At 13th level, the shapeshifter can shapeshift as a swift action.

Immediate Shapeshift (Ex): At 20th level, the shapeshifter can shapeshift as an immediate action.

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