Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Iry 06-23-06, 12:32 AM	Both of the groups I play with seem to think the Druid's Wildshape ability is thematically inappropriate for the world in which we play in. One went so far as to disallow Druids on the principal that Shapeshifting was downright unheard of in that world. I myself have always felt a little awkward shifting around willy-nilly, and want to get opinions on a simple alternative. So, the purpose of this post is to ask wether an alternative would be Balanced... What's Lost: All ability of the druid to Wildshape is removed, including Elemental Wildshape. What's Gained: For the purposes of having an Animal Companion, calculate Effective Druid Level as 50% higher. Round fractions down. What's Accomplished: You've still got a woodland focused caster except he has a much greater emphasis on his animal companion. You might go so far as to say he becomes a pet specialist. Now, the druid is a very powerful class to start off with. The Loss of the Wildshape ability is an astounding blow, and the class still stands strong even with the loss, but I don't feel confortable simply taking without trading. The Trade Off results in a much stronger animal companion. While the Trade Off seems to be a definite power down it appears to be only a slight decrease overall. I know this can be abused with things like Supermount(tm), but I've no intention of doing so. So, opinions? Changes? I tried to keep it very simple and straightfoward. *Also Posted in Unearthed Arcana Board*
ksbsnowowl 06-23-06, 02:44 AM	Unearthed Arcana has a few alternate abilities for a wildshape-less druid. You can get the information online from the SRD.Druid The druid might choose to give up her wild shape ability in exchange for becoming a swift and deadly hunter. Gain Bonus to Armor Class when unarmored (as monk, including Wisdom bonus to AC), fast movement (as monk), favored enemy (as ranger), swift tracker (as ranger), Track feat (as ranger). Lose Armor and shield proficiency, wild shape (all versions). Some may think this varient underpowered, but it is a good place to start.
periscope 06-23-06, 02:54 AM	Have you seen the PHB II yet? There is an alterantive wild shape there that does seem balanced. You dont gain it extraordinary abilities. You lose the normal wildshape and animal companion. You gain: 1st level you gain a predatory form. You choose the visuals (guys from the jungles tend to choose jaguars or panthers while ones from the arctic tend to choose wolves). Once chosen it cannot be changed. Gain an enhancement to str, nat armor, a bite attack, and a land speed of 50. 5th level you gain a flight (your size looks like a big bat, eagle, vulture, or whatever). Gain flight, an enhancement to reflex saves, dex bonus, and a talon attack. Later you gain a super predator form (Like a tiger, a bear, a dire wolf, etc.), a forest avenger form (like a big plant), and a pseudo elemental form (not an actual elemental but you do gain the subtype). All give you big bonuses to str, nat armor, certain checks, natural attacks, yadda yadda (I cant give specifics). It seems nice and well balanced. You still gain a natures fury feel but you cant just kill everybody and then turn into a mouse and run off, then turn into an elder elemental, kill a town, and repeat.
ElvenOutlaw 06-23-06, 11:11 AM	A Druid without wild shape is like a root beer float without the ice cream. A "improved" animal companion nowhere comes close to making up for the lose of wild shap. IMHO Wild shape is far more useful ability than just combat related. Killing off the wild shape shuts down the druid on being the spy & the scout, tracker , the bruiser when needed in combat, Deep-water diver, heck if the party is low on funds he can be someones mount if he doesn't have a personal problem with them. If any form of shifting is still allowed either - Aspects of Nature varient from Unearthed Arcana or Shapeshifting varient from PHBII you to lose the variety again compared to wild shape but I view both of those of a more equal trade. If neither of those is a option, the more Ranger-ish Druid mentioned earlier or perhaps stealing somethings from the Spirit Shaman. If THAT is not a option , serious house-ruling needs to be done or I just say find another class to fill in the gap the druid was providing. Druids are not a overpowered class in DnD they are just one of the most versatile classes available.
Eladimir 06-23-06, 01:33 PM	IMO its a bigger power loss. Thereby if you want to make that trade off go nuts.