Link to the math I did: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mf1s7vreBZZC7-R0WPPox8vIopD08x753Pl PAtYWNCI/edit#gid=0
So I was wondering how worthwhile it might be to mix unarmed strikes in with natural attacks with the Shifter, since I was picking up a Zen Archer Monk dip anyway. Unarmed strikes are marked with brackets []
Here's what I've got:
Monk1, Shifter7
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Shifter's Edge, Two-Weapon Fighting
Items: +1 AoMF, Belt of Strength +2
Stats: 22 Dex (18, +2 from level, +2 from Aspect) 16 Strength (14, +2 from belt)
Humanoid Form:
Claws: +14/+14 dealing average of 10.5/10.5 damage (21 total)
vs.
TWF Unarmed and Claws: [+12]/[+12]/+9/+9/[+7] dealing average of [7.5]/[5.5]/8.5/8.5/[7.5] damage (37.5 total)
Tiger Form:
Natural Attacks: +13/+13/+13 dealing average of 14/14/13 damage (total 41)
vs
TWF Unarmed and NA: [+11]/[+11]/+8/+8/+8/[+6] dealing average of [10.5]/[7.5]/11/11/10/[10.5] total of (60.5)
If we add in Power Attack (+4 dmg -2 hit):
Humanoid Form:
Claws: +12/+12 dealing average of 14.5/14.5 damage (29 total)
vs.
TWF Unarmed and Claws: [+10]/[+10]/+7/+7/[+5] dealing average of [11.5]/[7.5]/10.5/10.5/[11.5] damage (51.5 total)
Tiger Form:
Natural Attacks: +11/+11/+11 dealing average of 18/18/17 damage (total 53)
vs
TWF Unarmed and NA: [+9]/[+9]/+6/+6/+6/[+4] dealing average of [14.5]/[9.5]/13/13/12/[14.5] total of (76.5)
Edit:
Conclusion: It appears effective against easy to hit enemies. Adding power attack only works against really easy to hit enemies.
Further notes:
Acquiring the Multiattack feat would go a long way toward improving this option. Qualifying for it requires three natural attacks which the Shifter doesn't get in humanoid form (barring certain races). It would be a reasonable idea do get an Amulet of Mighty Fists with the Training enchantment that grants Multiattack when in wild shape.
One of the big reasons this option does look compelling is that it grants a full BAB class access to iteratives. Even if they're likely to miss compared to the other attacks, you still get the ability to hope for crits.
This option also gives a large number of attacks which obviously plays well toward sneak attack or bonus damage builds.