After several experiments, I'm now posting the "Harvester of War" build. This build will be first of my series of builds that aim towards one to three shapes, and try to maximize their potential. That is not to say that these builds have no use for the other shapes, which will be used, if not for anything else, atleast for leveling up.

This first build, the "Harvester of War", tries to use shifters versatility to it's advantage, by utilizing Risen Lord shape for melee and Rakshasa shape to deal with spellcasters.

Dwarf - Lafwul Neutral
Druid 17/Shifter 13/Dwarven Defender 10
STR 8 (most shapes change your STR, and those are the shapes you are going to use)
DEX 13 (most shapes change your DEX, but you need 13 for Dodge)
CON 18 (most shapes change your CON, but you need 21 for Epic DR. Besides, your caster slaying shape, Rakshasa, doesn't change your CON.)
INT 10 (not needed, and stat points are spread thin)
WIS 17 (need 25 for Outsider shape, run out of points)
CHA 6 (min-maxing )

Stats at lvl 40:
HP: 120 (DwDef) + 136 (Druid) + 104 (Shifter) = 360 HP + CON modifier * 40 + Toughness + Shape Bonus HP
- Human = 360 + 6 * 40 + 40 = 640
- Risen Lord = 360 + 4 * 40 + +40 + 60 = 620
- Rakshasa = 360 + 6 * 40 +40 + 30 = 670

Saves: FOR 32 - REF 20 - WIL 30

Spells can add 120 HP (Blood Frenzy + Aura of Vitality)

As my comp has no excel I must do it this way

Class: - Feat/Stat - Conc - SpeCr - Disc - Tumble
1. Druid - Combat Cast. - 4 - 4 - 0 - 0
2. Druid - - 5 - 5 - 0 - 0
3. Druid - Toughness - 6 - 6 - 0 - 0
4. Druid - WIS +1 - 7 - 7 - 0 - 0
5. Druid - - 8 - 8 - 0 - 0
6. Druid - Alertness - 9 - 9 - 0 - 0
7. Shifter - - 10 - 9 - 0 - 5
8. Shifter - WIS+1 - 11 - 9 - 0 - 5
9. Shifter - Dodge - 12 - 9 - 0 - 5
10. Shifter- - 13 - 9 - 0 - 5
11. Druid - Max. Spell - 14 - 14 - 0 - 5
12. Druid - WIS +1 - 15 - 15 - 0 - 5
13. Druid - - 16 - 16 - 0 - 5
14. DwDef - - 17 - 16 - 17 - 5
15. DwDef - Spell Pen. - 18 - 16 - 18 - 5
16. DwDef - WIS +1 - 19 - 16 - 19 - 5
17. DwDef - - 20 - 16 - 20 - 5
18. DwDef - Great. SpPen - 21 - 16 - 21 - 5
19. Druid - - 22 - 22 - 21 - 5
20. DwDef - CON +1 - 23 - 22 - 23 - 5

*** Druid 10/Shifter 4/DwDef 6 ***

21. Shifter- Great WIS - 24 - 22 - 23 - 5
22. Shifter- - 25 - 22 - 23 - 5
23. Shifter- - 26 - 22 - 23 - 5
24. Shifter- Great WIS - 27 - 22 - 23 - 5
Con +1
25. DwDef - - 28 - 22 - 28 - 5
26. Shifter- - 29 - 22 - 28 - 5
27. Shifter- Undead Shape - 30 - 22 - 28 - 5
28. Shifter- CON +1 - 31 - 22 - 28 - 5
29. Shifter- - 32 - 22 - 28 - 5
30. DwDef - Epic DR I - 33 - 22 - 33 - 10
31. Druid - - 34 - 34 - 33 - 10
32. Druid - WIS +1 - 35 - 35 - 33 - 10
33. Druid - Epic DR II - 36 - 36 - 33 - 10
34. Druid - - 37 - 37 - 33 - 10
35. DwDef - - 38 - 37 - 38 - 10
36. Shifter- Outs. Shape - 39 - 37 - 38 - 10
Epic DR III
WIS +1
37. Druid - - 40 - 40 - 38 - 10
38. Druid - - 41 - 41 - 38 - 10
39. Druid - Epic SpPen - 42 - 42 - 38 - 10
40. DwDef - CON +1 - 43 - 42 - 43 - 10

That took long

I'm not shifter expert, so I can't really recommend what shapes you should use before acquiring Undead and/or Rakshasa shape, but the basic idea is to use any shape that changes your STR, and, preferably, carries a weapon, as most of those shapes mend most of the stuff you carry ( Click Here )

Advantages:

General
- 15/- DR
- Massive HP + Druidic healing
- All shapes up to Outsider Shape
- All Druid spells
- Retains Dodge AC in any circumstances
- Can't be flanked
- Immunity to Poison
- Immunity to Grease, Entangle & Web (bugged at the moment?)

Risen Lord
- 21 STR
- 15/+3 DR
- SR 20
- Undead Immunities in Risen Lord Shape
- +5 Scythe with +2 Vampiric Regen
- Cleave & Whirlwing Attack

Rakshasa
- +2 Saves (universal)
- 17 STR, 20 DEX
- Immunity to 0-8 lvl spells
- 15/+5 DR
- True Sight (goodbye HIPS & Sneaks!)
- Infinite casting of Dispel Magic, Mestil's Acid Breath, Ice Storm/Maximized Ice Storm
* Maximized Ice Storm Damage: 18 Bludgeoning + 42 Cold Damage (I know - it's low...)

Disadvantages:
- Low AC (AND only Shield AC bonus from items mends)
- Low DC for druid spells (Read: Do not use spells with DC)
- Undead shapes get Undead weaknesses
- Rakshasa shape instantly killed if struck with Blessed Weapons - Don't know if weapons with Bless Weapon casted on count, but I fear they do. Also Holy Avenger & and spell Holy Sword that grants it might prove troublesome when fighting againts Paladin.
- Risen Lord: 19 CON

There might be some advantages/disadvantages that I've missed, but I'm sure I'm going to hear all the negative ones atleast

For the full advantages/disadvantages list for ALL shapes and other information, consult the shifter FAQ mentioned before...

I have atleast 2 more of this kind of shifter builds coming, next one being either wizard that uses Rakshasa shape to take out enemy wizards or either an assassin or a rogue shifter, that abuses 3 shapes in particular...

Any advice/critic/admiration is thanked for, but please don't quote the whole thing

EDIT 1: It is propably easier to use quote option, then cut & paste the build on notepad so it shows correctly ... There should be 6 straight lines showing all the necessary info, but it doesn't sow correctly in the post as this forum cuts additional lines away ...

EDIT 2: Duh, corrected the link... Can't link straight to FAQS in gamefaqs
_________________
"Lavamancers use three aspects of magic to make a golem: Transmutation; to mold the golem, Necromancery; to bind a soul to control the golem, and Evocation; to blast the damn thing on fire."
- Jushak Firestone - Grim Lavamancer

Edited By Jushak Brimstone on 03/31/04 08:10:25