This is my first and only attempt at a shifter. I don't really care for the class, with the exception of the dragon and rashaka forms none of the forms are really powerful. I didn't want to focus on single shape, as it kind of defeats the purpose of being a shifter and, with the exception of the forms I mentioned, you can make a better build with other classes to match the other forms. Thus, I decided to focus on two shapes, the Kobold commando for melee purposes (it is one of the better melee forms) and the Rashaka form to combat casters. As both of these forms don't override constitution I decided to increase that attribute as well. The end result works okay, it's pretty strong in kobold form and confounds casters as a rashaka. It should do okay in no magic to low magic settings.
If you wanted to, you could switch to dwarf. You could increase your STR to 14 and raise your CON to 17, which would free an epic feat, and make the build a bit more playable at lower levels at the cost of 43 skill points and a pre-epic feat.
While working on it I did get the idea that a druid 29/shifter 10/shadowdancer 1, that focused on the Rashaka form abusing HiPs and the Rashaka spells could be an effective build (and one which hasn't been posted), but I have no interest in working it out.
Advantages
-Good HP. With 632 hitpoints he can take a pounding -9 points of damage reduction. This can be very useful in a no or low-magic setting -Good Saving Throws. Unshifted his reflex save is not great, but it is fine when shifted. -Outsider Shape. He can turn into a rashaka against wizards and sorcs. -4 attacks per round. -Okay melee AB while shifted. In Kobold Commando form he has an AB of 44 which is okay in a no or low-magic setting. -Improved Knockdown and Called Shot. In Kobold Commando form he can spam IKD for sneak attacks and use a couple of called shot legs to weaken his opponents.
Disadvantages
-Weak offense while in rashaka form. He can't do much damage with his spells and his AB isn't great. -Weak spell casting. With only 5 druid levels he can only cast level 3 spells. -Low AC. With the hit points and DR this isn't too much of a problem in a low or no magic setting.
Stoneskin Skindancer
Race Human
Alignment NG, LN, TN, CN or NE
Base Attributes STR 12 DEX 8 CON 16 INT 14 WIS 16 CHA 8
Attribute Bonuses Levels 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 40 increase Constitution Levels 24, 28, 32 and 36 increase Wisdom
Final Level Distribution Druid 5 Fighter 16 Shifter 19
Final Attributes STR 12 DEX 8 CON 22 INT 14 WIS 25 CHA 8
AB and Damage (no buffs, mundane shortsword) 32/27/22/17 7+1D6 (17-20 x2)
(no buffs, mundane composite longbow) 34/29/24/19 1+1D8 (20 x3)
AC 15 (no buffs no equipment) 26 (Full Plate, Tower Shield) 52 (+4 to DEX, +5 Full Plate, +5 Tower Shield, +5 amulet of natural armor, +5 ring of protection, Boots of Speed)
Final Saves (Vs. Spells) Fortitude 33 (37) Reflex 17 (21) Will 27 (31)
AC 33 (no buffs no equipment) 50 (+10 to DEX, +5 Full Plate, +5 ring of protection, Boots of Speed, Barkskin)
Final Saves (Vs. Spells) Fortitude 35 (39) Reflex 25 (29) Will 29 (33)
Hit Points 662 (max. every level)
Damage Reduction 9 points _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
Edited By Mithdradates on 05/19/06 11:26
Interesting shifter build... I agree that shifters get a lot less attractive as magic gets more prolific in the environment, but I do think they are pretty fun and unique for all that. Not the most powerful build, but still looks like it could be fun to play.
Don't sell your gargoyle shape short, the epic gargoyle shape at shifter level 11 has DR 25/+7 - pretty significant even in medium-high magic worlds. That should work with your EDR 3 and soak up to 34 damage per hit from most attackers. Not shabby at all. Since it doesn't look very practical to fit undead shape into your build for the risen lord, I'd probably hotbar the gargoyle shape to "turtle up" in when I need some breathing space to drink potions or use heal kits. _________________ Experience is the mother of good judgement; bad judgement is the father of experience.
I don't think +5 plate stacks with +5 ring of prot while shifted, since "everything" becomes deflection bonus. Spells don't change their bonus though, so Barkskin works.
As for shifters being best in low-magic settings, that ain't necessarily true about the Rakshasa since some more immunities can make him more resilient. And he will still work quite fine vs enemy casters.
Cool title you have. Good formatting and thoroughly documented. All in all a good build, a pity about having so little spell-power though. _________________ Dragonlance ROH is back, better than before! and I spend a little time here WoG
Interesting shifter build... I agree that shifters get a lot less attractive as magic gets more prolific in the environment, but I do think they are pretty fun and unique for all that. Not the most powerful build, but still looks like it could be fun to play.
Don't sell your gargoyle shape short, the epic gargoyle shape at shifter level 11 has DR 25/+7 - pretty significant even in medium-high magic worlds. That should work with your EDR 3 and soak up to 34 damage per hit from most attackers. Not shabby at all. Since it doesn't look very practical to fit undead shape into your build for the risen lord, I'd probably hotbar the gargoyle shape to "turtle up" in when I need some breathing space to drink potions or use heal kits.
So DR from a shifted form stacks with EDR? I didn't realize that. So, do you know if EDR stacks with item DR (ie, Greater Belt of Swords, etc). My understanding was that it didn't, but maybe you know better _________________ Favorite PW's: Hall of the Worlds, Higher Ground, World of Iniquity.
I don't think +5 plate stacks with +5 ring of prot while shifted, since "everything" becomes deflection bonus. Spells don't change their bonus though, so Barkskin works.
Yeah, I just double checked. The AC totals presented are accurate, but the ring of protection doesn't do anything.
Quote: As for shifters being best in low-magic settings, that ain't necessarily true about the Rakshasa since some more immunities can make him more resilient. And he will still work quite fine vs enemy casters.
I'll agree the Dragon and Rashaka shapes can be useful in higher magic settings, though at about +8-10 the Dragon will start falling behind too.
Quote: Cool title you have. Good formatting and thoroughly documented. All in all a good build, a pity about having so little spell-power though.
Thanks. _________________ Two wrongs don't make a right but three lefts do.
