Shifter

The Shifter PrC was release mid-July, 2021.

Description

The shifter has no form that she calls her own. Instead, she clothes herself in whatever shape is most expedient at the time. While others base their identities largely on their external forms, the shifter actually comes closer to her true self through all her transformations. Of necessity, her sense of self is based not on her outward form, but on her soul, which is truly the only constant about her. It is the inner strength of that soul that enables her to take on any shape and remain herself within.

At first, the shifter can risk only humanoid forms and familiar animal shapes. As she grows more comfortable with her own true shapelessness, however, she can assume more outlandish forms. Eventually, she knows herself so well that she feels just as comfortable in the shape of a completely different creature type as she does in her own. At that point, her past - even her race - becomes irrelevant, since external form no longer matters to her.

The shifter's path is ideal for a spellcaster of any race who has experienced shapeshifting and yearns for more of it. Such a character can be a great force for either good or ill in the world; an evil shifter in particular poses a terrible threat, for she can appear anywhere, in any form. The same opponents may face her again and again, in one shape after another, never realizing that they actually face a single, formless enemy.

Requirements

Race: Any

Alignment: Any

Feats: Alertness, Toughness

Ability Score: at least a natural 13 or higher in primary casting ability score (without enhancement)

Spells: Able to cast 3rd level spells as a druid (5), spirit shaman (6), wizard (5) or sorcerer (6) or be a warlock (6)

(only levels in base classes are accounted for )

Class Features

- Hit Die: d8

- Base Attack Bonus: High

- High Saves: Fortitiude, Reflex

- Weapon Proficiencies: A Shifter gains no weapon proficiencies.

- Armor Proficiencies: A Shifter gains no armor proficiencies.

- Skill Points: 4 + Int Modifier.

- Class Skills: Acrobatics, Concentration, Diplomacy, Heal, Hide, Lore: Nature, Move Silently, Listen, Parry, Spot, Survival

- Spells per Day/Spells Known: The Shifter does not progress spellcasting

- Special: If the character is a druid, Shifter levels progress Wild Shape uses per day. In addition to that, at Shifter level 15 character qualifies for Legendary Animal Shape and Epic Elemental Shape. Lastly, at level 20, he qualifies for Dragon Shape, though note that this feat cannot be taken at the level it qualifies, and instead must be taken on a level after Shifter 20 is attained. NOTE: Shifter and Druid levels DO NOT STACK to determine the HD of the Dragon Shape form (max HD is always going to be 25 HD Dragon).

- READ GAMEPLAY NOTES AT BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE!!!

Class Feats (by Level gained)

1: Polymorph At Will, Darkvision

2: Shifter Wild Shape, Knockdown

3: Blind Fighting

4: Shifter Wild Shape

5: Shifter Regeneration 1

6: Shifter Wild Shape

7: Uncanny Dodge

8: Shifter Wild Shape

9: -

10: Shifter Wild Shape, Shapechange at will

11: Shifter Regeneration 2

12: Shifter Wild Shape

13: -

14: Shifter Wild Shape

15: -

16: Shifter Wild Shape

17: Shifter Regeneration 3

18: Shifter Wild Shape

19: -

20: Shifter Wild Shape

Class Feat Descriptions

Polymorph At Will

Type of Feat: Class

Prerequisites: Shifter 1

Specifics: Shifter may cast Polymorph Self at will. Character level will be used as the caster level.

Use: Selected

Shifter Wild Shape

Type of Feat: Class

Prerequisites: Shifter 2

Specifics: Beginning at 2nd level, Shifter chooses a single creature which form s/he masters. Every even level, s/he may select another creature. Shifter forms progress in power with more Shifter levels. At certain intervals they increase in STR, DEX, CON. Additionally, they receive Shield Enhancement AC and Enhancement Bonus to their weapons.

- Base Strength increase: +1 per 2 Shifter levels

- Base Dexterity increase: +1 per 2 Shifter levels

- Base Constitution increase: +1 per 4 Shifter levels

- Weapon Enhancement bonus: +1 per 4 Shifter levels (max +5 at Lvl 20 Shifter)

- Shield Enhancement AC: +1 at 2nd level, then +1 every 3 Shifter levels (max +7 Shield AC at Lvl 20 Shifter)

Shifter Regeneration

Type of Feat: Class

Prerequisites: Shifter 5

Specifics: Starting at 5th level, Shifter learns to leverage his shape-shifting powers to heal his own wounds. He gains one point of regeneration. At 11th and 17th levels this further increases by an additional point.

Use: Passive

Shapechange At Will

Type of Feat: Class

Prerequisites: Shifter 10

Specifics: Shifter may cast Shapechange at will. Character level will be used as the caster level.

Use: Selected

Shapechange Stats

Shifter_Shapes
Race	Passive Abilities	Active Abilities	Weapon	STR	CON	DEX	Natural AC (Dodge type)
Dryad (Longbow)	(5 + SHIFTER_LVL/4) DR / COLD IRON; SHIFTER_LEVEL/4 magical damage arrows	Vindictive Vines The dryad summons vines from deep within the ground and commands them to constrict her enemies. For 5 rounds, enemies in the area must pass reflex save (DC = 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL) or they take (SHIFTER_LEVEL/2)d6 damage and become rooted in place for 2 rounds. On successful save, they are slowed for 1 round instead. Cooldown: 1 minute Greater Sleep The dryad compels creatures to fall into a magical slumber. The ability functions just like the Sleep spell except the cumulative HD limit is equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL * 2 and there is no individual HD limit. The DC is equal to 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL. Cooldown: 1 minute	Ranged (Piercing)	10	19	11	3
Gelatinous Cube	See Invisibility Ooze Immunities: Electricity Immunity 25% piercing and slashing damage Immunity Paralyzing attacks	Engulf The Gelatinous Cube engulfs the enemy. The ability functions similarly to a Bigby 9 spell with the following differences: in the grappling rolls the cube uses SHIFTER_LEVEL + STRENGTH (instead of caster level + casting attribute) the ability lasts 10 rounds. Each round in hold, the cube deals acid damage equal (to SHIFTER_LEVEL)*d4 and heals the cube for half of that amount the grapple is broken whenever the cube moves away from its target Cooldown: 1 minute	Unarmed (bludgeoning)	10	19	1	8
Gorgon	(5 + SHIFTER_LVL/4) / - DR Scent Furious Charge Powerful Charge Dire Charge 30% Movement Speed increase	Charge Petrifying Breath The gorgon exhales petrifying gas in a cone. Each enemy creature in that area must succeed on a fortitude save (DC = 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL) or will be turned into a stone. Cooldown: 1 minute	Unarmed (slashing)	21	10	21	7
Manticore	Scent Multiattack 30% Movement Speed increase	Charge Manticore Spikes With a snap of its tail, the manticore looses a voley of six spikes. On a successful RTA, each spike deals 2d8 + SHIFTER_LEVEL piercing damage. Cooldown: 30 seconds	Unarmed (weapon 1: slashing, weapon 2: slashing)	20	15	19	6
Mindflayer	20 + SHIFTER_LEVEL of Spell Resistance See Invisibility	Mind Blast The mind flayer magically emits psychic energy that invades the minds of enemies. Every enemy caught in the area takes (SHIFTER_LEVEL)*d10 damage and must succeed a will save (DC = 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL). On a success, the damage taken is halved. On a failure, the target is additionally stunned for 3 rounds. Cooldown: 30 seconds Extract The mind flayer attempts to extract and devour a brain from an incapacitated humanoid. The victim must succeed a fortitude save (DC = SHIFTER_LEVEL + 10). On a successful save, it suffers (SHIFTER_LEVEL)*d10 damage. On a failed save, the victim dies and the mind flayer receives 30 temporary hit points and a morale bonus of +2 to attacks, saves and armor class for 1 minute. Cooldown: 1 minute Dominate Monster The ability functions just like the spell. Caster level is equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL. Cooldown: 10 minutes	Unarmed (Slashing)	12	14	12	3
Ogre Magi (Warmace)	Regeneration 5 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL of Spell Resistance See Invisibility 10% Movement Speed increase	Orb of Force The ability functions just like the spell. Caster level for damage calculation is equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL. Cooldown: none Chain Lightning / Firebrand The abilities functions just like the spells. Caster level for damage calculation is equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL. For spell penetration purposes, character level is used. Reflex DC is equal to 10 + SHIFTER_LEVEL. Cooldown: 30 seconds	Weapon (Bludgeoning (Warmace))	21	10	17	5
Owlbear	(5 + SHIFTER_LVL/4)/- DR Scent 10% Movement Speed increase	Knockdown Deafening Screech Unlike his usual hoots, the Owlbear emits a piercing screech causing his foes to tremble and deafen. Each enemy in 30 feet range must pass a SHIFTER_LVL + 10 Fortitude check or become stunned for 1d4 + 1 rounds and deaf for 10 rounds. Regardless of the save, they receive penalty of SHIFTER_LVL to Concentration checks for 10 rounds. Cooldown: 1 minute	Unarmed (weapon 1: slashing, weapon 2: slashing + piercing, weapon 3: slashing + piercing)	23	12	21	8
Pixie (Shortbow)	(5 + SHIFTER_LVL/4) / COLD IRON DR 15 + SHIFTER_LEVEL of Spell Resistance Sneak Attacks: 3d6, increased to 6d6 at Shifter 10, 9d6 at Shifter 20 50% Movement Speed increase	Invisibility The pixie is able to cast Invisibility at will with a caster level equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL. Irresistible Dance The pixie throws her enemies into an involuntary dance. For the next SHIFTER_LEVEL/2 rounds, the enemies fall into bursts of dance. Each round after the first, victims can attempt to break out with a Will save check equal to SHIFTER_LEVEL + 10. Cooldown: 1 minute	Ranged (Piercing (bow))	7	18	11	1
Werewolf	(5 + SHIFTER_LVL/4) DR / SILVER Scent Multiattack 20% Movement Speed increase	Knockdown Lacerate Once a round (automatic), the werewolf rends his enemy causing it to bleed. The wound inflicts STR_MOD * 2 damage each round for 3 rounds total.	Unarmed (slashing + piercing)	18	15	16	4
Wyvern	Scent Multiattack Immunity to sleep & paralysis 30% Movement Speed increase Wyvern poison on tail stings	Charge Knockdown	Unarmed (weapon 1: slashing, weapon 2: slashing, weapon 3: piercing)	21	12	15	8

DISCLAIMER I: Some bugs may still be present in this implementation. Please report and don't expect them to remain un-fixed, if they are beneficial.

DISCLAIMER II: Underperforming shapes might be positively adjusted, should they really need it. However, not all shapes fullfil the same purpose/role, so don't expect them to be playable across the entire PvE! Shifters gotta be shifting.

DISCLAIMER III: Sometime in the future, couple of models will get replaced by newer, prettier ones.

DISCLAIMER IV: Prettier, more detailed wiki-documentation will take time. If there is any volunteer to help with that, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks Steve!

DISCLAIMER V: If you cannot find a small bar with shape's special abilities, look in the upper-left corner. Drag it to wherever you want it to be.

Gameplay Notes

Weapon Type Summary:

Creature (shape) weapons type by damage have this result when using gloves/gauntlets that grant EB...however, Shifter Shapes grant their own EB depending on Shifter level investment (see above):

Bludgeoning (so 1d4 bludgeoning won't stack with it if has EB bigger than 2 from any source)

Piercing (so 1d4 piercing won't stack with it if has EB bigger than 2 from any source)

Slashing (so 1d4slashing won't stack with it if has EB bigger than 2 from any source)

Slashing + piercing (so 1d4 slashing won't stack with it if has EB bigger than 2 from any source. but 1d4 piercing will stack with it).

Only the highest save item (from any slot) counts in shape!

Ogre Mage - Extra damage or vamp. properties from any (not only from warmace) equipped melee weapon does transfer to shape. (Update:Material from weapon does not transfer to shape!)

Pixie and Dryad can equip any ranged weapon to improve their damage. (But not with unl. ammo properties) Ranged polymorph/shapechange forms benefit from equipped darts.

All other shapes can equip gloves to improve damage or add vamp. regeneration. (on hit from gloves seems not to transfer)

Natural Spell is available as a feat to Shifters (that means wizard/shifter may select it if he meets the requirement of 13 WIS). Natural Spell feat can also taken in place of a Shifter form at Level Up.

Divine Might /Epic Divine Might /Expose Weakness, Northlander Hewing damage is reduced by 50% in wildshape effects.

Credits

Class courtesy of matelener, thorough testing by the Quality Control Team. Contributions by Jude for models and Nastya for icons. Implementation on the server by matelener.