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Shifter Speculation?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
Omni-Wyvernil
Feb 09, 2009 16:50:50 One of the reasons why there's seemingly only five races in the PHB2 which hasn't come up often, is that the Shifter isn't actually a single race. The first monster manual had both STR/WIS shifters and DEX/WIS shifters, and some of the preview material specifically mentioned 'razorclaw' shifters.

That seems to imply multiple "shifter" races will be featured in PHB2. But will it just be the two from the Monster Manual (razorclaw and longtooth), or will there be some new ones as well? Perhaps a CON/WIS shifter (beasthide?), or a WIS/CHA one (dreamsight?) might be some ideas.

I'm going to guess if there's some new shifter races, that the most we get are the two from the MM and two new ones, bringing the total number of races to eight, same as the PHB1. At the very least, there will probably be the first two available with full write-ups.

What you do think?
#2
sigil_beguiler
Feb 09, 2009 16:57:14 Well the pictures of the Avenger section of the PHB2 mentions under what Races work well for the Avenger it mentions, "Elves and razorclaw shifters make excellent pursuing avengers"

So I would say pretty comfortably there will be at least the two kinds from the MM in PHB2.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davethegame/3264016606/sizes/l/in/set-72157613512677768/
#3
lucasa78
Feb 10, 2009 14:02:44 As cool as it would be for them to bump the number of races up, it seems kinda unlikely that they would have half of them be shifters. which makes you wonder if they are going to add some race feats to customize characters more.

also, there is something i noticed in the character builder:
under manage>campaign settings>restrictions>Players handbook 2> Racial traits there is the "longtooth shifting" ability

it could be a goof or it could be an accidental spoiler
#4
GMforPowergamers
Feb 10, 2009 14:06:02 I would like to see razor claw and long tooth shifters in phb2...and maybe 1 or 2 more in Ebberon players guide
#5
GhostStepper
Feb 10, 2009 15:06:31 I bet you any money shifters are going to be organized like genasi. "Razorclaw" shifter is analagous to "Earthsoul" genasi or "Firesoul" genasi. There is no need to put multiple unique races when we already have a much simpler precedent.
#6
Kobold_Avenger
Feb 10, 2009 15:24:42 The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers.
#7
Cyber-Dave
Feb 10, 2009 15:27:30
The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers.

Different elemental types of genasi get different powers. I really don't think its that big of a deal.
#8
Bolongo
Feb 10, 2009 15:28:48
The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers.

Different manifestations of Genasi also have different powers.

And ability modifiers are 1 line of text. So don't worry, they won't bloat the page count by too much. :P
#9
tiwaztyrsfist
Feb 10, 2009 15:45:28 So, we had 6 types of shifter in the original Eberron Campaign Setting book, and several more in the "Races of Eberron" suppliment in 3.5.

I expect we'll see the Shifter entry in PHBII look a lot like the Genesai entry in the FRPG.

Which is to say we'll see the general features, followed by mini-entries for each type.

4e Longtooths are a combo of 3.5 attack breeds (longtooth AND Razorclaw in a 4e version) and

4e Razorclaws are a combo of 3.5 Longstrider and Beasthide(slightly).

I'd like to see a 4e Beast Hide with a +2 AC, +2 Fort, and a Cliff Walker with Climb speed and reflex bonus.

It is possible we'll see some additional breeds in the Eberron PG.

Also, it seems highly probable that PHBII races will differ slightly from the MM appendix entries.
We may see races get different skill bonuses, or slight modifications of racial powers, on the basis of more indepth playtesting.
#10
Kobold_Avenger
Feb 10, 2009 15:53:55
Different manifestations of Genasi also have different powers.

And ability modifiers are 1 line of text. So don't worry, they won't bloat the page count by too much. :P

I guess that is true, although they also have different skill bonuses as well.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Omni-Wyvernil Feb 09, 2009 16:50:50	One of the reasons why there's seemingly only five races in the PHB2 which hasn't come up often, is that the Shifter isn't actually a single race. The first monster manual had both STR/WIS shifters and DEX/WIS shifters, and some of the preview material specifically mentioned 'razorclaw' shifters. That seems to imply multiple "shifter" races will be featured in PHB2. But will it just be the two from the Monster Manual (razorclaw and longtooth), or will there be some new ones as well? Perhaps a CON/WIS shifter (beasthide?), or a WIS/CHA one (dreamsight?) might be some ideas. I'm going to guess if there's some new shifter races, that the most we get are the two from the MM and two new ones, bringing the total number of races to eight, same as the PHB1. At the very least, there will probably be the first two available with full write-ups. What you do think?
#2 sigil_beguiler Feb 09, 2009 16:57:14	Well the pictures of the Avenger section of the PHB2 mentions under what Races work well for the Avenger it mentions, "Elves and razorclaw shifters make excellent pursuing avengers" So I would say pretty comfortably there will be at least the two kinds from the MM in PHB2. http://www.flickr.com/photos/davethegame/3264016606/sizes/l/in/set-72157613512677768/
#3 lucasa78 Feb 10, 2009 14:02:44	As cool as it would be for them to bump the number of races up, it seems kinda unlikely that they would have half of them be shifters. which makes you wonder if they are going to add some race feats to customize characters more. also, there is something i noticed in the character builder: under manage>campaign settings>restrictions>Players handbook 2> Racial traits there is the "longtooth shifting" ability it could be a goof or it could be an accidental spoiler
#4 GMforPowergamers Feb 10, 2009 14:06:02	I would like to see razor claw and long tooth shifters in phb2...and maybe 1 or 2 more in Ebberon players guide
#5 GhostStepper Feb 10, 2009 15:06:31	I bet you any money shifters are going to be organized like genasi. "Razorclaw" shifter is analagous to "Earthsoul" genasi or "Firesoul" genasi. There is no need to put multiple unique races when we already have a much simpler precedent.
#6 Kobold_Avenger Feb 10, 2009 15:24:42	The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers.
#7 Cyber-Dave Feb 10, 2009 15:27:30	The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers. Different elemental types of genasi get different powers. I really don't think its that big of a deal.
#8 Bolongo Feb 10, 2009 15:28:48	The problem with that suggestion is that the write ups in the back of the monster manual have different stat bonuses and different powers. Different manifestations of Genasi also have different powers. And ability modifiers are 1 line of text. So don't worry, they won't bloat the page count by too much. :P
#9 tiwaztyrsfist Feb 10, 2009 15:45:28	So, we had 6 types of shifter in the original Eberron Campaign Setting book, and several more in the "Races of Eberron" suppliment in 3.5. I expect we'll see the Shifter entry in PHBII look a lot like the Genesai entry in the FRPG. Which is to say we'll see the general features, followed by mini-entries for each type. 4e Longtooths are a combo of 3.5 attack breeds (longtooth AND Razorclaw in a 4e version) and 4e Razorclaws are a combo of 3.5 Longstrider and Beasthide(slightly). I'd like to see a 4e Beast Hide with a +2 AC, +2 Fort, and a Cliff Walker with Climb speed and reflex bonus. It is possible we'll see some additional breeds in the Eberron PG. Also, it seems highly probable that PHBII races will differ slightly from the MM appendix entries. We may see races get different skill bonuses, or slight modifications of racial powers, on the basis of more indepth playtesting.
#10 Kobold_Avenger Feb 10, 2009 15:53:55	Different manifestations of Genasi also have different powers. And ability modifiers are 1 line of text. So don't worry, they won't bloat the page count by too much. :P I guess that is true, although they also have different skill bonuses as well.