Post/Author/DateTime	Post
celloshane 07-31-07, 10:10 PM	I've been trying to think of a way to compensate for the innate flaw of the Daggerspell Shaper class. I've thought about introducing this feat to my group, but I wanted opinions first. Practiced Shapeshifter Prerequisites: Knowledge (Nature) 4 ranks. Benefit: Your effective druid level for the purpose of wildshaping is considered 4 levels higher. This benefit can't increase your effective druid level higher than your Hit Dice. However, even if you can't benefit from the full bonus immediately, if you later gain Hit Dice from levels of a non-wildshaping class, you might be able to apply the rest of the bonus. If a class grants you an increase to your effective druid level for a portion of Wildshaping, (such as duration, size, or Hit Dice) then those benefits do not stack with the benefits listed in this feat. The goal here, is to regain a portion of what is lost by taking the Daggerspell Shaper class. The class is a wonderful concept, but frustrating in that it grants you bonuses to fighting in wildshape yet forces you to use forms too weak to be useful. Granted, this feat feels more powerful than Practiced Spellcaster, so I'm not sure it's balanced enough to use in general play. Should it be restricted for use only with Daggerspell Shaper or similar classes? Or is there a way to make it more acceptable for general multiclassing? By the way, I don't care for the name (I used it only because of the obvious carryover from Practiced Spellcaster) so if anyone has a suggestion for that I'd love to see it.
Kouk 08-01-07, 01:06 AM	Maybe 3 levels would be more in line with a feat. But since it is such an obvious thing, it begs the question why something like this wasn't introduced before? Perhaps the whole concept is overpowered, I don't know.
Jackmojo 08-01-07, 12:41 PM	I would have it apply only to the max hit die not size/types of creatures you can shape into. Of course I would also allow Daggerspell shaper to stack correctly, so the only lost level would be the rogue/ninja levels needed. Jack P.S. Also remember that there is a magic item that does this exact thing (+4 effective druid levels for wildshape, not capped to your hit die though).
celloshane 08-02-07, 07:29 AM	I would also prefer to simply allow the DsS to increase it's wildshape HD properly, as the class really needs it to function. For many DM's that just doesn't fit their understanding of the rules, such as mine feels that the DsS gains enough abilities to offset the HD loss. This feat is meant as a middle ground. What is the name of that magic item Jackmojo? I assume it's in MIC.
Jackmojo 08-02-07, 02:05 PM	Not in the MiC I don't think, but there are two choices, Wildshape Amulet from Magic of Faerun (+4 to your effective druid level capped at effective level 20) and from a Dragon the Skin of Kaletor(same thing not capped, plus a penalty to all CHA skills and Wild Empathy, this one is probably too cheap to be balanced though). Jack