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Here's my version of what "the Shifter should have been" (I.E. a true and optimal shape shifting specialist class that's ahead of the curve of the Druid without spells) that I'm working on.
It's built on a bit of an "unchained Monk" type structure with unarmored AC bonuses and full BAB and bonus attacks, gets Wild Shape immediately and progresses it quicker in some ways but memorizes specific monster forms, bonus wildshape and monster feats, and essentially gets the benefits of what used to be Master of Many Forms, plus more, with a good capstone, all in one base class. But I still have some odd numbered dead levels (3rd, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, and 19th). I'm also not entirely sure on the level placement for Extraordinary Wildshape.
Let me know what you think of the balance and feel, any ideas, criticisms, inspirations, etc.
The Shapeshifter
Alignment: Any neutral.
Hit Die: d10.
Base Attack: High (as Fighter).
Saves: Fortitude and Reflex.
Starting Gold: 1d6 x 10 gp (35 average).
Class Skills
The Shapeshifter’s class skills are Acrobatics, Climb, Disguise, Fly, Handle Animal, Heal, Intimidate, Knowledge (nature), Knowledge (planes), Perception, Ride, Sense Motive, Stealth, Survival, and Swim.
Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.
Class Features
The following are the class features of the Shapeshifter.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
A Shapeshifter is proficient with all wooden weapons, and the natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of the forms he assumes with Change Shape, but not with armor or shields.
Bonus Languages
A Shapeshifter’s bonus language options include Sylvan, the language of woodland creatures, and Aklo, the tongue spoken by certain sinister fey or otherworldly denizens of reaches of the wild rarely explored by humanity. These choices are in addition to the bonus languages available to the character because of his race.
A Shapeshifter speaks Druidic, a secret language known only to Druids and Shapeshifters, which he learns upon becoming a 1st level Shapeshifter. Druidic is a free language for the Shapeshifter; that is, he knows it in addition to his regular allotment of languages, and it doesn’t take up a language slot. Shapeshifters are forbidden to teach this language to non-druids or non-shapeshifters.
AC Bonus
When unarmored and unencumbered, the Shapeshifter adds his Wisdom bonus to his AC and his CMD. In addition, a Shapeshifter gains a +1 bonus to AC and CMD at 4th level. This bonus increases by 1 for every four Shapeshifter levels thereafter, up to a maximum of +5 at 20th level.
These bonuses to AC apply even against touch attacks or when the Shapeshifter is flat-footed.
Wildshape (Su)
At 1st level, the Shapeshifter gains the ability to turn into a creature and back again. Your options for forms include all creatures with the animal type and this ability functions like the Druid’s Wild Shape, except you must choose specific creature forms to memorize and you can only change into specific creature forms that you have memorized. At 1st level, the Shapeshifter knows a number of creature forms equal to 3 + his Wisdom modifier. At each level thereafter, the Shapeshifter gains an additional creature form.
This ability otherwise functions as Beast Shape I, except as noted here. The effect lasts for 1 hour per Shapeshifter level + your Wisdom modifier, or until you change back, and can use it for a total number of that many hours each day. Changing form is a standard action and doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity.
A Shapeshifter loses his ability to speak while in an animal form because he is limited to the sounds that a normal, untrained animal of that form can make, but he can communicate with other animals of the same general grouping as his form. He can also communicate in nonverbal ways with allies.
Additionally, for the purpose of qualifying for prerequisites of feats either with Wildshape or Improved Unarmed strike as a prereqsuities, the Shapeshifter's effective Druid or Monk level is equal to his Shapeshifter level, and the Shapeshifter may take Monster feats that have a known type or form of monster as a prerequisite.
At 4th level, a Shapeshifter can use Wildshape to turn into a large or tiny animal. When taking the form of an animal, a Shapeshifter’s Change Shape now functions as Beast Shape II.
At 6th level, a Shapeshifter can use Wildshape to turn into a small or medium creature of the Monstrous Humanoid type. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Monstrous Physique I.
At 8th level, a Shapeshifter can use Wildshape to turn into a diminutive or huge creature of the animal type, a tiny or large creature of the monstrous humanoid type, or a small or medium creature of the magical beast type. When taking the form of an animal or magical beast, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Beast Shape III. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Monstrous Physique II.
At 10th level, a Shapeshifter can use Wildshape to turn into a tiny or large creature of the magical beast type, or a diminutive or huge creature of the monstrous humanoid type. When taking the form of a magical beast, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Beast Shape IV. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Monstrous Physique III.
At 12th level, a Shapeshifter can use Wildshape to turn into a diminutive or huge creature of the magical beast type, or an improved creature of the monstrous humanoid type. When taking the form of a magical beast, the Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Beast Shape IV, except it additionally allows you to change into a diminutive or huge creature of the magical beast type. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a Shapeshifter’s Wildshape now functions as Monstrous Physique IV.
Bonus Feats (Ex)
At 1st level, 2nd level, and every four levels thereafter, a Shapeshifter may select a bonus feat. These feats must be select either by those listed as monster feats, have wildshape as a prerequisite, or have improved unarmed strike as a prerequisite.
Feral Combat (Su)
At 4th level and every four levels thereafter, the Shapeshifter gains a magical +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls with natural attacks and special abilities while in a shape, to a maximum of +5 at 20th level. Additionally, the Shapeshifter’s attacks with natural weapons count as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 7th level, the Shapeshifter gains Improved Feral Combat. When making a full attack action with natural attacks, the Shapeshifter can make an extra attack at their full base attack bonus. Additionally, the Shapeshifter’s attacks with natural weapons count as cold iron or silver for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 10th level, the Shapeshifter’s attacks with natural weapons count as their alignment for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
At 14th level, the Shapeshifter gains Greater Feral Combat and the Shapeshifter can make two extra attacks at their full base attack bonus when making a full attack action with natural attacks.
At 16th level, the Shapeshifter’s attacks with natural weapons count as adamantine for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.
Versatile Shape (Su)
At 4th level and every four levels thereafter, choose a monster type from the following list: Aberration, Dragon, Fey, Giant, Ooze, Plant, Undead, and Vermin. You gain the ability to use Change Shape to change into creatures of that type in addition to the normal creature types provided by the Change Shape ability, and you may add a bonus creature of that type to your list of known shapes.
At 8th level, you can use your Wildshape ability to change into a large creature of any type chosen from Versatile shape.
At 12th level, you can use your Wildshape Shape ability to change into a huge creature of any type chosen from Versatile Shape.
At 16th level, you can use your Wildshape ability to change into a Gargantuan creature of any type chosen from versatile shape.
Skillful Wildshape (Ex)
At 5th level, the Shapeshifter gains all racial bonuses on skill checks possessed by any shape he takes using his Wildshape ability.
Extraordinary Wildshape (Su)
At 9th level, the Shapeshifter gains all extraordinary abilities and special qualities of any shape he takes using his Wildshape ability, whether or not they appear in the list of the relevant spell.
Wildshape Mastery (Su)
At 20th level, there is no more limit to how long you can use your Wildshape ability. Additionally, you gain the Shapechanger subtype, Damage Reduction 10/-, and you become immune to all magical aging and all unwanted transmutation effects.