Hello again, everyone! Next on my list of "what ifs" is the Swarm shifter, a bizarre archetype for the base Shifter that lets you "shift" into a large swarm. At level 1. And it's not a polymorph effect. Let's elaborate on this a little
The only thing that really changes about your character at level at level 1, is that you're affected as a modified version of enlarge person and some natural armor. What this tells me is that you're still a humanoid....just made of bugs, beetles, rats...and that baffles me. Lets discuss!
I can see this working with Ratfolk swarming trait with the appropriate feats, you can share the space of at least 4 different party members, if not more, and benefit from your swarming trait and teamwork feats. Kobold style can let your swarm self dog pile an enemy.
If I were a generous GM, I would allow the use of the Gruesome Shapechanger feat with the Vermin Aspect. Does it make sense rule wise? No. Would it be awesome for your character to fall to literal pieces onto the floor while a swarm bursts from your own pile of viscera? YES.
Personally, I'd run it as an Android, my nanites concealing into a literal swarm, able to attack and dismantle my enemies into component pieces, making heavy use of Harvest Parts and Grisly Ornaments feats to essentially become a living 3-D printer!
