Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 joboo Jun 26, 2008 11:24:58	I have prepared an encounter with a were rat for my players and I have noticed some changes. While the whole lycanthropy disease spread issue does not really concern me at this point I am more concerned with the shape change abilities. It appears that they can change into unique individuals, which seems harmless at first. When I read what shapechange in the back of the monstrous manual it appears that they mean impersonating a unique individual. If Lycanthropes can impersonate unique individuals wouldn't that take away from the Doppleganger (Changeling)? I have always thought that Lycanthropes had one human form that they could choose. While this opens up many unique opportunities for story creation it also harms the Doppleganger as being the ultimate assassin and meddler. I may still allow Lycanthropes to impersonate other individuals but they will not have such a high bonus to bluff checks (normal a + 20). Instead they will only recieve that bonus when assuming their individual form. Then when impersonating another person they will instead receive a +10 to their bluff checks. If anyone sees through the disguise it will be due to things like- "I don't remember Duke Arlingten being so hairy..." If I am misunderstanding "unique individual" let me know.
#2 Nived Jun 26, 2008 12:58:53	I don't have my monster manual with me but I think it means they change into one and only one unique individual, themselves, their human form, no others.
#3 mystrich Jun 26, 2008 15:10:28	I suppose it could be interpreted either way. That the unique individual is only it's human form, or any unique individual (which seems to be what it means by reference Change Shape). Comparing it to the doppleganger entry doesn't help much either, as it says what it can transform into includes a unique creature. Although both species are prominent in Eberron, perhaps you should move this to the general forum. You'd probably get a better response.