Post/Author/DateTime	Post
goawayugh 09-11-07, 09:02 AM	Here's my question: Can the Shapeshift variant of wildshape (PHBII) be used as a prereq for Warshaper (CW)? One of the things it lists is "wild shape or similar class feature". Here's why I'm asking this question (you don't have to read this part if you don't want to): I always DM. I am actually getting to be a PC in a regularly occuring game, probably my first in 2.5 years. I am the rules expert in our group (not just with D&D, but all games we play too), so if I say that something is a rule or that it "should" be a certain way, it is generally taken as fact. This works great when I'm DMing. Now that I am a PC, I am a little worried that I may be interpreting rules in my favor without meaning to. I just want to check to see what everyone else says on this ruling. I don't want to favor my self even though I think it should be allowed.
SiuiS 09-11-07, 09:36 AM	Well, it mostly makes sense to me, although I thought, for someone like the druid, that the special abilities only apply when in the alternate form. I should probably check Well, some small amount of book-browsing later, my thoughts are thus; first. No, as it lists the alternate shape feature of such creatures as imps, quasits, and vampires (almost put aranea there, must be tired after all) is not sufficient to qualify, and the effect of the alt. class feature for the druid is mechanically equivalant as far as I remembered. You get a certain number of forms, and just those forms. How they look, whether jaguar or dire wolf or giant crab, is as much out of the equation as the exact details of two different quasits transformed into goats. Sure, one is white, one is black, but they are both goats. Second. No, because I thought it didn't quite fit thematically. I have always thought that such creatures as werewolves, hengeyokai, whatever, could train, and eventually gain any feature they wanted- Claws, a different face, veins that go around a wounded artery, etc. Having several static forms just didn't seem sufficient (Though I must admit, this is just an elaboration on my first point). Third. Yes. Shapeshift as a supernatural ability is sufficient to qualify for the class. it's called shapeshift, and it's supernatural- And to be fair, it is just like an early (and simplified) wild shape. I find that, even on a thematic level only, the druid's alternate shapeshift feature is inferior to wildshape, but the wording of it does allow for a druid to, say, attack with reach by clenching his fist to his side, swinging his arm, and having it crash into his foe as a tornado (literally), photosynthesize wounds closed, stop a blade to the heart by having the chest of a mountain (or stout oak... I like that thought... Heh.) Now, I haven't given it too much thought, since it is very close to "try and wake me and I will kill you" time, but it seems that the flashmorph ability (that is, change as a move action) is a bit powerful in contrast. Since I find the shapeshifter can't become anything useful though, it's not really a problem. I also would like to point out that my initial reactions were based more on a prejudice against the shapeshift ability and a lack of thorough understanding on my part as to how it works. I just find it more entertaining to show all my thoughts on the subject. Cheers! ~S