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vampeel 11-12-05, 07:49 PM

Ok this idea is still raw. I played a druid from first to near epic, our group got a bit too power game and I found the abilty to shape change actually did not help much at all, or atleast from a combat since. So I coming up with a very easy way to make shape shift both easy and useful to all levels. Shape changing is purely physical change, so only two stat should be involved: Strength and Dexterity. First step take the stated animal strength and dexterity stat which you would like to become and minus 14, this may give you a negative, add this to you druid stat, respectively. Divide the creature natural armor by 2 (round down) and add this to your stats. Second you chracter become the shape of the animal. This include size and weight. So a change to your size modifier to attacks and defense. Third you get the natural, mundane, ability of the creatures. For example, flight from mundane wings, claw attack, bite. You do not gain any magical abilities, no change in sight ability (if creature has no eyes, you lose sight), no sent or any feat the creature may have, except weapon finesse with the animal natural attacks. You lose the ability to vocalize, though you can make sound of the animal. Fourth all item meld into your body, but is still functionable, if it does not require activating or showing. So your amor will still give AC, and your Periapt of Wisdom still gives you wisdom, but boots of speed are unusable since you need to activate it, nor does your rod of Splendor since you need to have it seen to be used. Why no change to Constitution, I know it is physical trait, but I believe Constitution is not just how strong your body is held together, but how well you can focus your soul, how tough you mind is, and beside there no point to confuse your change in hit points and fortitude saves. Why minus 14, I figured that most character have stat that average 14 so instead of doing the advance math and weirdness of the orginal way, I think if the player has an average of 14 strength and there strength is suppose to become that of the animal, just take the animal strength and minus 14 to make. But why 14? I know the average NPC has a strength of 10, well most heroic adventures have atleast 12 and what I seen (my playing is limited) always push 18. And if your character with a base of 12 strength and a belt of strength +4, now the character has 16 strength, two more then what I say as average. Now under the old system even if you have magically item upping (or downing) your stats if you transform into an animal that plus or minus disappears. Because you get your armor to AC still, I think character turning into a animal with high natural armor should not make the druid into a super armored fighter. I also did not like the fact when a druid shapechanges and the Periapt of Wisdom meld into him she lose that wisdom. This is a work in progress Idea, please comment and sudjest ideas.