I've been thinking about various class options for making a martial character around the polymorph line of spells (Alter Self initially, leading into the Monstrous Physique spells). I hadn't found an option that really appealed to me, but I was looking at Eldritch Scoundrel earlier and I'm thinking that it might be a decent option, assuming that I can choose claws as my finesse weapon of choice.
Am I missing any better ways to create a character who's shtick is turning himself into a monster and beating people over the head with his claws? Magus has the spells, but also has a lot of mechanics that aren't relevant to what I'm looking for.
Any opinions of the value of going into Arcane Trickster at 5th? Or perhaps there's an evangelist option with boons that would be particularly suitable?
Eldritch Scoundrel could do it, sure, so could many others. Alchemist (especially but not required the Metamorph archetype), Magus, Brown-fur Arcanist, Rageshaper Bloodrager etc. What are you looking for if the magus is a problem here?
Also what level range are you likely to play this character at?
Edit: as far as divine obediences go, if you take the diverse obedience feat too then Gozreh's sentinel boons are good, or Brigh's first two from sentinel and last from evangelist. Or if you use a cha-based caster possibly Arshea ...
The magus can do it, but the spell combat and spell strike remain the focus of their combat, the morphing becomes a minor detail instead of the focus.
I've never really cared for alchemy, the only time it's felt "on theme" is when playing a goblins side game.
I played a brown-fur transmuter about a year ago as a support character by polymorphing my allies (except the ones who didn't like getting turned into multi-limbed horrors). It's what got me interested in trying it as a self-buffing melee character in the first place.
A spontaneous caster (or maybe psychic caster if there's one with the correct spells) would fit better with the play style I'm looking for. I'll have a look at the rageshaper; I've never spent much time on the bloodrager.
If I were to play it any time soon, it would be at least tenth level, but I'd prefer something that functions lower as well in case I revisit it in a future campaign.
An unchained eldritch scoundrel looks like it should be able to do dex to damage - its main positive - but you'd have to retrain the weapon selected unless you can get claws by 3rd level somehow (maybe from race?). Feats don't apply to weapons you're not proficient in, and finesse training needs to be able to apply weapon finesse I think. It'd be weak defensively and it wants to do full attacks which is a bad combination.
On those other ideas - a psychic bloodline sorcerer with the eldritch scrapper archetype and a level dip in something for armor proficiency would be excellent defensively. I could see a gargoyle in full plate (gear doesn't merge in if you polymorph into a monstrous humanoid). Max strength and get just enough charisma to cast your highest level spells and it should be OK on offence.
A metamorph alchemist loses most alchemist features (possibly including the ones which annoy you) in exchange for hours-long alter self and monstrous physique effects. You keep the mutagen and discoveries but lose bombs, extracts/casting etc. It's not a strong option but the hours/level bit would make for much easier action economy.
The rageshaper bloodrager couldn't get monstrous physique until 10th and alter self isn't on their spell list. If you're starting earlier that might be frustrating. They can get claws from a bloodline though, and animal aspect would give you a little polymorphing from 7th level if you want.
Investigators get to use extracts like alchemists but they have a very different feel IMO. Not spontaneous which was one of the things you were looking for admittedly.
Lizardfolk get claws for free, but they're an STR/CON race.
A tiefling with claws works quite nicely to start off with claws. The dex-to-damage of the unrogue does kinda conflict with the typical benefits of polymorphing, but I think the potential sneak dice on a bunch of natural attacks might make it worthwhile anyhow.
Tried out the rageshapper. The lack of spells per day is brutal.
I'll have a look at your sorcerer and metamorph suggestions. I hadn't really considered any full caster options simply because the half bab seems likely to be an issue. The metamorph looks pretty weak at first glance. It seems like it should have received something in place of bombs to have been a remotely even trade.
I've built a few investigators; as you said, they feel very different from alchemists despite having mechanically identical casting. I might have a look at it as a possible path.
Two levels in ranger (wild hunter, probably) with the natural weapons combat style will qualify for Aspect of the Beast/Claws of the Beast. So you could have claws and Dex to damage by 5th; plus you regain armor proficiency (and better gain weapons).
The sorcerer probably wants to be something like fighter 1 / sorcerer 6 / eldritch knight 3 which would give you +7 BAB and Monstrous physique II at level 10.
But yes, the metamorph is definitely weak.
The sorcerer probably wants to be something like fighter 1 / sorcerer 6 / eldritch knight 3 which would give you +7 BAB and Monstrous physique II at level 10.
For sorcerer, I prefer to bump Str a bit more: barbarian 2/sorcerer 4/dragon disciple 4/eldritch knight 10.
But yes, the metamorph is definitely weak.
On the other hand, the metamorph transforms for 1 hour per level, instead of 10 min per level.