Alternate Druid Shapeshift from PHB2.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alternate Druid Shapeshift from PHB2.... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
djbeatboy
06-14-06, 06:42 PM Hey Gamers,

Has anyone played the Alternate Druid Shapeshift rules from PHB2?

Is it worth giving up Wildshape for?

How did you find it in comparison to Wildshape?

Comments.....?
psionichamster
06-14-06, 06:50 PM in our current game, one player has an elven monk 1/ druid 1 with the shapechange substitution.

at 2nd lvl, she was able to really utilize that +4 str on her unarmed strikes (which is probably a houserule on our dm's part...mostly to allow her to use non-lethal damage in predator form) to take down a number of foes.

as well, being a medium cat (predator form) helped her blend into a couple of situations where an elf would have really stood out. (namely, being in a tree, watching a bunch of people move by underneath)

also: i was able to ride her (gnome, total weight ~75lbs or so) when otherwise we'd have been moving at spd 15 the whole way.

not to mention, the shapechange gets rid of my biggest gripe w/ the druid entirely (Natural Spell... :thumbsdown: ), while not taking away from her combat effectiveness.

it remains to be seen if the ability will scale w/ level well, as well as how the other forms will work out.

since she's planning on going into Sacred Fist, that may or may not be shown in our game, anyways.

namaste'
the hamster
Lokathor
06-14-06, 09:38 PM at 2nd lvl, she was able to really utilize that +4 str on her unarmed strikes (which is probably a houserule on our dm's part...mostly to allow her to use non-lethal damage in predator form) to take down a number of foes.
No, this would be entirely legal without a houserule. You don't use monk unarmed strike to attack with a particular part of your body, and so you can't possibly lose that part of your body even when you change form (unless you get turned incorporeal, obviously).

My gripe is that the description doesn't actually spell out that you can disguise yourself as a creature, which speaks to the fact that they seem to only have thought of it as a "combat buff" and not a general ability like wildshape was.

All in all, it us much better balanced though.
lukelightning
06-15-06, 09:44 AM The shapeshift option sucks for gnomes and halflings. Woo! You can turn into a medium animal at high levels!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
djbeatboy 06-14-06, 06:42 PM	Hey Gamers, Has anyone played the Alternate Druid Shapeshift rules from PHB2? Is it worth giving up Wildshape for? How did you find it in comparison to Wildshape? Comments.....?
psionichamster 06-14-06, 06:50 PM	in our current game, one player has an elven monk 1/ druid 1 with the shapechange substitution. at 2nd lvl, she was able to really utilize that +4 str on her unarmed strikes (which is probably a houserule on our dm's part...mostly to allow her to use non-lethal damage in predator form) to take down a number of foes. as well, being a medium cat (predator form) helped her blend into a couple of situations where an elf would have really stood out. (namely, being in a tree, watching a bunch of people move by underneath) also: i was able to ride her (gnome, total weight ~75lbs or so) when otherwise we'd have been moving at spd 15 the whole way. not to mention, the shapechange gets rid of my biggest gripe w/ the druid entirely (Natural Spell... :thumbsdown: ), while not taking away from her combat effectiveness. it remains to be seen if the ability will scale w/ level well, as well as how the other forms will work out. since she's planning on going into Sacred Fist, that may or may not be shown in our game, anyways. namaste' the hamster
Lokathor 06-14-06, 09:38 PM	at 2nd lvl, she was able to really utilize that +4 str on her unarmed strikes (which is probably a houserule on our dm's part...mostly to allow her to use non-lethal damage in predator form) to take down a number of foes. No, this would be entirely legal without a houserule. You don't use monk unarmed strike to attack with a particular part of your body, and so you can't possibly lose that part of your body even when you change form (unless you get turned incorporeal, obviously). My gripe is that the description doesn't actually spell out that you can disguise yourself as a creature, which speaks to the fact that they seem to only have thought of it as a "combat buff" and not a general ability like wildshape was. All in all, it us much better balanced though.
lukelightning 06-15-06, 09:44 AM	The shapeshift option sucks for gnomes and halflings. Woo! You can turn into a medium animal at high levels!