sonofzeal
2009-09-29, 08:04 PM
As per my "optimizing weakness" thread, I'm building a Sorcerer that tries to avoid Core material as much as possible. It's going pretty well so far, using a strong Fey theme, PrC'd out into Sentinal of Bharrai for the nature-ness, don't plan on using the various Core SLA's from it. Thing is, my guy's now got the ability to walk around in the body of a bear, which is too awesome to pass up, but still rather... Core.
The "optimal" choice here is probably Polar Bear, but I'm leaning towards Black Bear just to reduce cheese (and stay Medium). Still, I feel like I need to do something to make it more exotic. I'm not worried about power here, it doesn't have to be something that makes it more effective (actually, I'd rather it didn't), just stranger.
For the rules-lawyers out there, the Bear Shape ability lists "black bear, brown bear, or polar bear" by name, which may or may not allow for templates that change type. It functions as an at-will Polymorph (not Wildshape), with the normal HD limit caveat, and speech is maintained.
Summary - I need a way to make a Black Bear more exotic and non-Core, without significantly boosting its power. Flavourwise, a connection to Fey, Nature, Illusions, and Fear effects would be ideal but not strictly necessary.
The "optimal" choice here is probably Polar Bear, but I'm leaning towards Black Bear just to reduce cheese (and stay Medium). Still, I feel like I need to do something to make it more exotic. I'm not worried about power here, it doesn't have to be something that makes it more effective (actually, I'd rather it didn't), just stranger.
For the rules-lawyers out there, the Bear Shape ability lists "black bear, brown bear, or polar bear" by name, which may or may not allow for templates that change type. It functions as an at-will Polymorph (not Wildshape), with the normal HD limit caveat, and speech is maintained.
Summary - I need a way to make a Black Bear more exotic and non-Core, without significantly boosting its power. Flavourwise, a connection to Fey, Nature, Illusions, and Fear effects would be ideal but not strictly necessary.