Lycanthropy FaQ's - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Lycanthropy FaQ's

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
foolaholic
May 02, 2010 14:26:54 I've been comtemplating Lycanthropes (werebears specifically), and I had a couple of questions that I was hoping somebody could help me with;

1. Is there a specific template for lycanthropes, or does it simply fall under the shapeshifter template?

2. Can lycanthropes cast spells in animal/hybrid forms?

3. Does armor made to conform to wild shape users give the same benefit to lycanthropes changing shape?

Thanks in advance
#2
Neutronium_Dragon
May 02, 2010 17:44:39 I will assume that this is about 4E, since the answers in 3E are in the MM.

1) 'Lycanthrope' is not a template. Lycanthropes are a group of shapechanger-subtype creatures that share some common elements. (There are no longer human werebears, elf werebears, dwarf werebears, and so on, as per old-E - there are just werebears. Some might have humanoid forms that look like a human or elf or dwarf, but it's purely cosmetic - they're not human or elven or dwarven in the slightest; their true form is the 'hybrid' one.)

2) Typically they're described as being unable to use weapons in animal form and their bite/claw/etc attacks in humanoid form; the one example I've seen of a spellcaster (werewolf stormcaller) didn't limit their use of powers that resemble spells in any form.

3) If it specifically keys off of wild shape, then no.
#3
foolaholic
May 02, 2010 20:41:49 Thanks very much for your help, that's exactly what I needed
#4
dragonsblood
May 03, 2010 3:14:51 You should consider playing a shifter, found in PHB2. True lycanthropes don't have much support as player characters in terms of balance or features (feats and paragon paths).
#5
Kaganfindel
May 07, 2010 10:16:49 While they don't exist by that name, a shifter druid could really easily be flavored to suit.
#6
Neutronium_Dragon
May 07, 2010 18:48:19 Shifters fall flat on both theme and mechanic* to many of those who are asking about playable werewolves, which is why they ask about PC versions (otherwise they'd just use the shifter in the first place). The druid makes for an awkward substitute and is also role-specific.

* Yes, I mean mechanic, not mechanics - they only get one thing and it either begs exploitation or contrary behavior to make it useful.

There are PC-appropriate versions on the Races and Homebrew forums from time to time, which usually (there have been a few exceptions) aim for a writeup that is of equivalent power to the published races.
#7
desperado_421
May 08, 2010 6:21:24 a shifter warden would also be a nice mix as well

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 foolaholic May 02, 2010 14:26:54	I've been comtemplating Lycanthropes (werebears specifically), and I had a couple of questions that I was hoping somebody could help me with; 1. Is there a specific template for lycanthropes, or does it simply fall under the shapeshifter template? 2. Can lycanthropes cast spells in animal/hybrid forms? 3. Does armor made to conform to wild shape users give the same benefit to lycanthropes changing shape? Thanks in advance
#2 Neutronium_Dragon May 02, 2010 17:44:39	I will assume that this is about 4E, since the answers in 3E are in the MM. 1) 'Lycanthrope' is not a template. Lycanthropes are a group of shapechanger-subtype creatures that share some common elements. (There are no longer human werebears, elf werebears, dwarf werebears, and so on, as per old-E - there are just werebears. Some might have humanoid forms that look like a human or elf or dwarf, but it's purely cosmetic - they're not human or elven or dwarven in the slightest; their true form is the 'hybrid' one.) 2) Typically they're described as being unable to use weapons in animal form and their bite/claw/etc attacks in humanoid form; the one example I've seen of a spellcaster (werewolf stormcaller) didn't limit their use of powers that resemble spells in any form. 3) If it specifically keys off of wild shape, then no.
#3 foolaholic May 02, 2010 20:41:49	Thanks very much for your help, that's exactly what I needed
#4 dragonsblood May 03, 2010 3:14:51	You should consider playing a shifter, found in PHB2. True lycanthropes don't have much support as player characters in terms of balance or features (feats and paragon paths).
#5 Kaganfindel May 07, 2010 10:16:49	While they don't exist by that name, a shifter druid could really easily be flavored to suit.
#6 Neutronium_Dragon May 07, 2010 18:48:19	Shifters fall flat on both theme and mechanic* to many of those who are asking about playable werewolves, which is why they ask about PC versions (otherwise they'd just use the shifter in the first place). The druid makes for an awkward substitute and is also role-specific. * Yes, I mean mechanic, not mechanics - they only get one thing and it either begs exploitation or contrary behavior to make it useful. There are PC-appropriate versions on the Races and Homebrew forums from time to time, which usually (there have been a few exceptions) aim for a writeup that is of equivalent power to the published races.
#7 desperado_421 May 08, 2010 6:21:24	a shifter warden would also be a nice mix as well