I think a Ranger with a bow, hunted shot, animal companion and Companion's cry might disagree. Some precision builds might come out higher in DPR, but it is hardly a waste of time/edge case scenario for someone with an animal companion to have the flurry edge.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Regardless, the debate about whether or not it's optimal isn't relevant to whether or not it's functional at all. Even if one were to concede that it's a bad option, it should still work properly.
|
(It is logical and is more consistent, but RAW and all ...)
Wrong edition. There is no such thing as "RAW" in Pathfinder 2E, thanks to the section on Ambiguous Rules in the Core Rulebook.
The problem with GM fiat is in PFS. You can't leave everything up to GM interpretation that is a grey area regarding character builds. Wild Shape (and Battle Forms in general) has so much grey area (handwraps bonus/non-striking runes), various feat interactions, whether some items work, spells like Avatar that directly contradict general Battle Form rules without specifying an exemption, whether Form Control works on a new form gained that level as the feats add forms without a base level, only a heightened level. The list goes on, and it gets worse with the Druid Dedication + Basic Wilding (Wild Shape) feats.
As wild shape stands, there is so much "GM variation" that it basically vetoes any build that relies on interpretation, which currently is all but a basic druid who doesn't try to make his combat better - just taking the listed bonuses (not his own).
|
The problem with GM fiat is in PFS. You can't leave everything up to GM interpretation that is a grey area regarding character builds. Wild Shape (and Battle Forms in general) has so much grey area (handwraps bonus/non-striking runes), various feat interactions, whether some items work, spells like Avatar that directly contradict general Battle Form rules without specifying an exemption, whether Form Control works on a new form gained that level as the feats add forms without a base level, only a heightened level. The list goes on, and it gets worse with the Druid Dedication + Basic Wilding (Wild Shape) feats.
As wild shape stands, there is so much "GM variation" that it basically vetoes any build that relies on interpretation, which currently is all but a basic druid who doesn't try to make his combat better - just taking the listed bonuses (not his own).
It's only a problem on paper.
I've GMed nearly 100 tables of PFS2 (and played in many, many more), and I've yet to encounter a Wild Shape build that was unusable or that couldn't contribute. I even have one myself. Every GM (myself included) allowed Athletics actions while Wild Shaped (before you "officially" could), and I've never once encountered a Level 8+ Fighter with Druid and Martial Artist Dedication that could theoretically even use the +2 Status bonus to Unarmed Strikes.
PFS2 liberally abides by Ambiguous Rules. It's enshrined in the Guide to Organized Play and reiterated by Leadership. It's not the "RAW Culture" that PFS1 was.
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
It's only a problem on paper.
I've GMed nearly 100 tables of PFS2 (and played in many, many more), and I've yet to encounter a Wild Shape build that was unusable or that couldn't contribute.
That is not the issue at all. That statement is also a very low bar to meet. I mean even the Superstitious Barbarian, or Eldritch Trickster Rogue can contribute and they are problematic.
The issue is at each of those 100 tables there would have been an interpretation about how the Wildshape would run. It would likely have been different from one table to the next.
At some tables some of the feats and items would have been a good idea at others they wouldn't. How do you play such a character? You should just avoid it.
Now we have batle forms spells in every tradition. It is a bigger problem and they still haven't fixed it.
Examples of some of the rules variations I see happening:
a) adding Strength Bonus to damage in wild shape
b) choosing Strength or Dexterity when working out the Druids unarmed attack modifier
c) the GM insisting that item bonuses to attack don't add to the druids unarmed attack modifier
d) not letting abilities of items to work at all, whether activated or not
e) adding or not adding Additional or Extra damage from weapons specialisation, or runes on handwraps
f) different positions on speaking in wildshape form.
g) some even allow spell casting in some forms like for Avatar forms.
h) ancestral abilities working in wild shape form, or not
i) but most commonly the GM is too busy so they just don't bother to check and lets the player run with whatever
Now we can work some of these out. But the answers don't always makes sense, and aren't easy to find, so GMs go their own ways.
Please fix the rules. We need a properly defined damage equation. The wording of the powers should be clear.