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123456789blaaa
2012-09-05, 04:08 PM
Note : I'm reposting this from the minmaxboards in the hopes of getting even more suggestions. If someone adds something to the minmaxboards version I'll put it here and vice versa.

The Consolidated Lycanthropy Guide is a great resource but it's more for general feat/item/whatever advice that all lycanthropes qualify for rather than specific builds. I would like to create a thread that lists the best animals to take for the lycanthrope template(Don't forget to say why they're good) as well as lycanthrope builds. Nanshork even said he'd link it :smallcool: .

EDIT: Also Entomanothropes (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a) (were vermin) are amazing. You get LA 2 without having to deal with control shape at all. The template is also much more specific about what natural attacks you get in hybrid form and they all have immunity to mind-affecting as an Extraordinary ability. . Be careful though, there are lots of small differences in the entomanothrope template compared to the lycanthrope template.

Animals

Nifern (serpent kingdoms)
Good because of a poison that paralyzes your opponent for 1d10 rounds (I recommend the black blood hunter Prc so you can get the poison in hybrid form), blindsight,extra natural attack (tail sting), good stats (Str 16,Dex 14, Con 15,Int 2, Wis 14,Cha 9) and it's only 2hd. 40 speed is nice too.

Carcass eater (libris mortis):
Good because it is only 1hd and has good stats (Str 8,Dex 17,Con 17,Int 2,Wis 12,Cha 6) and the blood frenzy ability (When damaging a living creature, you get +4 Str, +4 Con, -2 AC, auto bite for 1d4 damage when your target goes to negative hp, you can't end it voluntarily but it has no rage/frenzy restrictions), and a burrow speed of 10 feet.
Sewarm (serpent kingdoms):
Only 2 hd with a +16 racial bonus to grapple. Decent stats (Str 17,Dex 17,Con 11,Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 2). They also have a bunch of racial skill bonuses (for being a snake they get a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks as well as an +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. It can also choose to take 10 on a climb check even if it is rushed or threatened and can use either its Strength modifier or Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher.

A sewarms specific skill bonuses are a +8 racial bonus on Jump checks and it's racial bonus to Hide checks is +8 instead of +4. It also has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to preform a special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check,even if it is rushed or threatened. It cam use the run action while swimming if it swims in a straight line.)
Climbdog (arms and equipment guide)
"Don't focus on their lack of crazy abilities, like the fleshraker. They have a bite that gets 1-1/2str, 40ft land and climb speeds which are pretty fast. Plus, those 2 size changes bumps it up to 27 Str for 5 HD, second only to a sewerm's 29 for the same 5 HD.

Agreed, the sewerm is superior in many ways (swim, attach, blood drain, grapple and skill bonuses, etc) but was already suggested."
Desmodu guard bat (Monster Manual II)
"A desmodu guard bat gets you +6 str, +12 dex, +6 con, and large size for 4 HD. It looks pretty good for a lockdown build. Note that it was downgraded from blindsight to blindsense in the 3.5 update."
Fleshraker (monster manual III)
Fleshrakers might seem cool and they are. However you have to remember some things that there strengths also carry a hefty penalty of 4hd. Your minimum ECL is level 5 is ECL 7 (or 8) - 4RHD, +2 LA (or +3 for a natural lycanthrope) and a single class HD. Plus the best parts the of animal ( its special abilities) only work in animal form (unless you go into the black blood hunter Prc).

That's enough negativity for now. Lets look at the perks. We have: decent stats (Str 17,Dex 18,Con 15,Int 2,Wis 14, Cha 12), 50 ft move speed, an +8 racial bonus to Hide checks (which turns into +10 in forested areas) and a +6 racial bonus to Jump checks. It also has a tail attack. It's special abilites are awesome with leaping pounce (pounce on super steroids) being the best of the lot.
Dog (The monster manual)
"Dog is a core classic, great stat bumps and only 1 RHD. Lots of animals presented in various splatbooks (such as jackals in Sandstorm) simply say 'use stats of dogs' too, so you're not just limited to weredogs, cosmetically."
Two headed adder (forgotten realms campaign setting)
Has two heads, two bite attacks and only 1 HD. Also has a +4 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, and Spot checks and a +8 racial bonus on Balance and Climb checks. It can always choose to take 10 on a Climb check, even if rushed or threatened. A two-headed adder uses either its Strength modifier or its Dexterity modifier for Climb checks, whichever is higher. It also has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to preform a special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check,even if it is rushed or threatened. It cam use the run action while swimming if it swims in a straight line.)
Swindlespitter (monster manual III)
"Has great dex, a poison spit (that covers an area) blinding and mobility and weapon finesse as bonus feats, 2HD though)"
Octopus (monster manual)
Octopusses (octopus,octopi?) are freakin awesome. For only 2HD you get a bunch of great abilities that work both inside and (by RAW) outside of water. A problem is that wereoctopi gain the aquatic subtype in both hybrid and animal form (which is where you'll be doing the fighting).

There are a couple of ways to circumvent this.The first is to apply the amphibious template from stormwrack to the base humanoid/giant. It's 0LA and all you sacrifice is -2 Dex. The second option is to "...get your shape change as a free action, shift, attack, and shift back, all in one turn..."(suggestion by TypoNinja). Two ways to do this are:

1. getting to the 5th level of the warshaper prestige class and taking the quick change feat (both the prestige class and the feat allow you to change as a move action, they stack to make changing a free action).

2. getting to 10th level of the black blood hunter prestige class.

The third option (suggested by Littha) is "Anyway, easiest way around the Aquatic problem is playing as a race that already has the Amphibious quality like Merfolk They are another LA on top of what you already have but the stat mods are pretty nice.

Aventi from Stormwrack are LA 0 with amphibious but have nothing else of note other than a +1 caster level to water spells."

The amphibious template is the quickest option (besides playing as a race with the amphibious quality) (and it preserve your chars race) but if you can start at a level when you can use the other options, do so (an exception is . playing a race with the amphibious quality, it saves you -2 Dex at the cost of locking you into a race (which may be subpar). Easiest doesn't always mean best). Dex is the octopusses only good stat modifier plus changing as a free action is awesome anyway.

The advantages of the octopus are many. They include: 30 ft swim speed,a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks, a +10 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks, a. +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard (It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check even if distracted or endangered and it can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line) 81 arm that's still nice for being an extra natural attack (unsure if it retains it in hybrid form), Improved grab without size limits that automatically deals bite damage if it succeeds (I reccomend black blood hunter so you can use it in hybrid form), The ability to emit a cloud of jet-black ink 10 feet high by 10 feet wide by 10 feet long once per minute as a free action. The cloud provides total concealment and is usable in all your forms (by RAW you can both this ability and the jet ability out of water), weapon finesse as a bonus feat, and the ability to jet backward once per round as a full-round action, at a speed of 200 feet. It must move in a straight line, but does not provoke attacks of opportunity while jetting and this ability can be used in any form.You could also use this to "fly":Jet 200' into the air.
Drop distance = land movement speed (much slower)
Jet 200' further at an angle to adjust height.
???
Profit!
To land, adjust height to 5'. Flop back on land for 0 damage. (You need a ring of feather fall for the trick to work since "you can't fly with jet for more than 2 rounds normally, and you will take massive falling damage. drop distance is 150 ft. on the first round, and 300 ft. on all subsequent rounds. dmg pg. 20 and dmg pg. 148 provide examples, although no general falling rule is mentioned in the phb, the dmg, or the rules compendium." ). (suggested by 2xMachina)

The only dark spot on the octopusses shining lamp of awesomesauce is that it's only stat above 12 is Dex (17) however, this synergizes well with getting weapon finesse.

Oh and if you use the sword and fist splatbook, an octopus gets an extra grapple modifier for its extra limb.

Note: Littha suggests squid as an alternative to the octopus. He says: " The difference between Squid and Octopus is an extra HD for +2 Str mostly. You also get 1 more natural armor and 30ft bonus to your swim speed. Nothing spectacular"
Cheetah
3HD and has weapon finesse as a bonus feat. Stat mods are okay and the sprint ability is alright " Cheetah is really the core only option for Fleshrakers. It has less HD and lower Str but the same speed/size. Doesn't have leaping pounce but trip is useful in its own way".

Builds

The Werebadger Lord (by Nanshork)
Dwarf Werebadger Lord (natural, +3 LA and 3 animal hit dice)
Barbarian 1/ Fighter 1/ Warshaper 2/Battlerager 5/ Deepwarden 2/ Fist of the Forest 3
Alignment: non-lawful
Variants: Lion-Totem Barbarian (Complete Champion)

1 ) Barbarian - Power Attack
2-4 ) Werebadger Lord- Iron Will (b), Track(b), Great Fortitude, Endurance
5 ) Fighter - Cleave
6 ) Warshaper - Reckless Rage
7 ) Warshaper
8 ) Battlerager
9 ) Battlerager - Close Quarters Fighting(b), Steadfast Determination
10 ) Battlerager - Improved Unarmed Strike(b)
11 ) Fist of the Forest
12 ) Deepwarden - Track(b) [retrain to Snap Kick], Multiattack
13 ) Deepwarden
14 ) Battlerager - Reckless Offensive(b), Great Cleave(b), Improved Natural Attack (bite)
15 ) Battlerager - Improved Multiattack
16 ) Fist of the Forest
17 ) Fist of the Forest

Lycanthrope template says animal HD are never first HD.

Minimum Int is 14 for skill prereqs.

Items: Monks Belt, Amulet Mighty Fists

Other feats of interest: Leap Attack, Shock Trooper (requires Imp. Bull Rush)
Jack the Dread Capuchin (by Rancor1)
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9321119&postcount=153

Unnamed Build 1(by Biffoniacus_Furiou)
Were- Dark Creature (ToM) Serval (Sandstorm) + Whisper Gnome (RoS), Fractional BAB (UA), Animal 1/ Spellthief 1/ Unarmed Swordsage 4/ Warshaper 4/ Unarmed Swordsage+. Darkstalker, (Improved) Multiattack, etc. Spellthief allows the use of wands of most Wizard schools, namely Wraithstrike. Insane bonuses to Hide and Move Silently without even putting any ranks into them.

A few items of note:
1. Serval has Weapon Finesse at +0 BAB, so in accordance with the core Monster Manual errata that should be switched to a racial bonus feat and its 1 HD feat should be a +2/+2 skill feat, most likely Stealthy.
2. Dark Creature doesn't change the Serval's type from animal, and you don't count any of the base animal's level adjustment. Not as bad as throwing Paragon on it, but if it's too much you can get a greater Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis instead.
3. Always use fractional BAB (UA) with Lycanthropes, unless its number of animal HD is an increment of four.
4. Wear a small decorative (worthless) pendant around your neck. Hire an NPC spellcaster to put (Extended, Heightened) Deeper Darkness on it. Place it in your mouth to block the darkness effect. If you're lacking conditions that permit you to hide, you can 'drop' it as a free action by spitting it out, and it falls back into its place hanging around your neck.

Old Lob Many Eyes (by Akal Saris)
http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showpost.php?p=8441606&postcount=106

DINO-POWER! (by Snizor)
Name: DINO-POWER
Race: Human Were-Fleshraker (afflicted)
Build: Warblade 1/ Fleshraker 6 (4hd, 2 LA), Warblade +1/ Bloodclaw Master 3/ Warblade +9

Feats (by ECL):

1. Power Attack, (Improved Bull Rush)
3. Improved Natural Attack: Claw
5.(Track)
8. Multiattack
11.Shock Trooper
14. Leap Attack, (Warblade bonus feat)
17. Combat Expertise
19. (Warblade Bonus feat)
20. Improved Trip


Maneuver Known/readied: 11/6
Initiator Lvl: 16

Stances Known: Leading the Charge (WR 1), Crushing Weaight of the Mountain (SD 3), (Any 8th lvl or lower stance).

Recommend Maneuvers: Dancing/Raging Mongoose, Sudden Leap, Various Tiger Claw strikes supplemented with minor counters from Diamond Mind.


Tactics: This build focuses on charging and making use of the Fleshraker's Leaping Pounce ability. In order to do so, one must be in animal form. The Bloodclaw Master levels provide full STR to dmg and remove the Multiattack penalty for Claws. The default stance against enemies that are you're size or smaller should be Crushing Weight of the Mountain for the Constrict Attack. Here's the lvl 20 ideal charge.

Raging Mongoose (TC 8)+Shocktrooper+Leap Attack+Leaping Pounce+Improved Trip+Leading the Charge (WR 1): Raging Mongoose gives us 4 additional claw attacks, so the full attack routine looks like this: 6 Claws, 1 Bite, 1 Tail(against opponent not bitten), One Rake. Leaping Pounce then allows us to trip an opponent up to our size catagory. If this is successful, Improved Trip gives another attack and Leaping Pounce allows us to attempt to pin them to the ground.

Round 2: Activate Crushing Weight of the Mountain stance (the only Stone Dragon stance that doesn't deactivate after moving more than 5ft) gives us a Constrict attack to go with the 2 Claws + Rake attack from the pin initiated by Leaping Pounce.

Design Notes: Due to the 2 LA and 4 racial hd (which lowers to final initiator lvl by 4), I tried to avoid PRC into non-initiator classes.

1.The Black Blood Hunter (PGtF) for 3 lvls would have given me the ability to use Leaping Pounce in hybrid form, but I would've lost access to eigth lvl maneuvers (Raging Mongoose) and had a BAB of +15, which defeats to purpose of hybrid form anyways. The reason I avoided a 1-to-2 lvl dip is because it would lower BAB and initiator lvl. Besides, the ability to make use of Wilding armor and similar is not that important for those who spend the majority of their time in animal form (just use barding designed for a quadraped)

2. A 2 lvl dip in Warshaper was tempting. I avoided it for the BaB/Initiator lvl drops it would provide. Also, I had no desire to abuse the poor wording of the Morphic Weapons ability to create rediculous #s of attacks.

Improved Trip line seems a bit weak at lvl 20, any suggestions for replacements?

Also, a rules question, would a Mouthpick (LoM) 2-hander allow for 6 attack (Raging Mongoose with Mouthpick weapon)+ 3 Claw+1 Claw+1 Rake+1 Tail in a Leaping Pounce?

I could add why the builds I posted are good as well if people want me too.

Credits

Credits for animals
Suggested by 123: Nifern, Carcass eater.
Suggested by Serpercival: Sewarm.
Suggested by Maat Mons: Desmodu guard bat.
Suggested by Zook1shoe: Climbdog, Fleshraker.
Suggested by Hirax: Dog
Suggested by God Imperror: Two headed adder, Swindlespitter.
Suggested by Madara: Octopus (not directly but he made a thread explaining how they make good lycanthropes).
Suggested by Littha:Squid,Cheetah.

Credits for builds
Suggested by 123: Dwarf Werebadger Lord, Jack the dread capuchin,Old Lob Many Eyes,DINO-POWER! .
Suggested by Biffoniacus_Furiou: Unnamed Build 1.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-05, 04:09 PM
Being optimistic

123456789blaaa
2012-09-05, 04:10 PM
Being more optimistic

Urpriest
2012-09-05, 04:16 PM
Are you limiting this to just characters? From an NPC perspective, Were-Battletitan is pretty sweet (36HD for only 6 CR, better than any type-based advancement).

Hirax
2012-09-05, 04:24 PM
Dog is a core classic, great stat bumps and only 1 RHD. Lots of animals presented in various splatbooks (such as jackals in Sandstorm) simply say 'use stats of dogs' too, so you're not just limited to weredogs, cosmetically.

Ryu_Bonkosi
2012-09-05, 04:29 PM
Wasn't there a thread about a Wereoctopus a month or so back that functioned due to the lack of the octopus's abilities requiring it to be in water?

VGLordR2
2012-09-05, 04:30 PM
Were murder of crows.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2012-09-05, 04:43 PM
Were- Dark Creature (ToM) Serval (Sandstorm) + Whisper Gnome (RoS), Fractional BAB (UA), Animal 1/ Spellthief 1/ Unarmed Swordsage 4/ Warshaper 4/ Unarmed Swordsage+. Darkstalker, (Improved) Multiattack, etc. Spellthief allows the use of wands of most Wizard schools, namely Wraithstrike. Insane bonuses to Hide and Move Silently without even putting any ranks into them.

A few items of note:
1. Serval has Weapon Finesse at +0 BAB, so in accordance with the core Monster Manual errata that should be switched to a racial bonus feat and its 1 HD feat should be a +2/+2 skill feat, most likely Stealthy.
2. Dark Creature doesn't change the Serval's type from animal, and you don't count any of the base animal's level adjustment. Not as bad as throwing Paragon on it, but if it's too much you can get a greater Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis instead.
3. Always use fractional BAB (UA) with Lycanthropes, unless its number of animal HD is an increment of four.
4. Wear a small decorative (worthless) pendant around your neck. Hire an NPC spellcaster to put (Extended, Heightened) Deeper Darkness on it. Place it in your mouth to block the darkness effect. If you're lacking conditions that permit you to hide, you can 'drop' it as a free action by spitting it out, and it falls back into its place hanging around your neck.

God Imperror
2012-09-05, 05:31 PM
Forgotten realm campaign setting has a few good ones.

Two headed adder (has two heads, two bite attacks and only 1 HD)

Tressym (1/2 HD fly 50ft (good), scent, poison immunity, weapon finesse and decent dex, bonus to hide, move silently and balance)

Additionally swindlespitter (MM3) has great dex, a poison spit (that covers an are) blinding and mobility and weapon finesse as bonus feats, 2HD though)

Madara
2012-09-05, 05:34 PM
Wasn't there a thread about a Wereoctopus a month or so back that functioned due to the lack of the octopus's abilities requiring it to be in water?

My thread, it was here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249311)

By RAW, both Jet and the Ink Cloud work out of water, and you get both as a werecreature.

Biffoniacus_Furiou
2012-09-05, 06:00 PM
Forgotten realm campaign setting has a few good ones.

Two headed adder (has two heads, two bite attacks and only 1 HD)

Tressym (1/2 HD fly 50ft (good), scent, poison immunity, weapon finesse and decent dex, bonus to hide, move silently and balance)

Additionally swindlespitter (MM3) has great dex, a poison spit (that covers an are) blinding and mobility and weapon finesse as bonus feats, 2HD though)

From the 3.5 update (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/we/20040313a) for FR monsters:

Tressym: Magical beast; +0/–12; 2-1/2 ft./0 ft.; Balance +10,
Climb +4, Hide +18*, Listen +3, Move Silently +10, Spot +2;
Stealthy, Weapon FinesseB. Add darkvision 60 ft. to special qualities.

God Imperror
2012-09-05, 06:02 PM
That makes me sad.

Gavinfoxx
2012-09-05, 06:51 PM
So uh... what will this thread do that this thread:

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=607.0

Doesn't do?

Invader
2012-09-05, 07:48 PM
My thread, it was here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=249311)

By RAW, both Jet and the Ink Cloud work out of water, and you get both as a werecreature.

I remember that thread, jet wouldn't work out if the water though.

Madara
2012-09-05, 07:50 PM
I remember that thread, jet wouldn't work out if the water though.

By RAW it does, but RAW is silly.

Invader
2012-09-05, 08:04 PM
By RAW it does, but RAW is silly.

It could fire the ink jet but just because it's on land doesn't mean RAW somehow changes the laws of physics. And technically by RAW, there's nothing in the lycanthropy description that would give an aquatic creature the ability to breath air in the first place, IIRC.

Madara
2012-09-05, 08:17 PM
It could fire the ink jet but just because it's on land doesn't mean RAW somehow changes the laws of physics. And technically by RAW, there's nothing in the lycanthropy description that would give an aquatic creature the ability to breath air in the first place, IIRC.

It doesn't get the aquatic subtype from lycanthrope, but I won't derail this thread, this had all been discussed in the other.

Arcanist
2012-09-05, 08:21 PM
It could fire the ink jet but just because it's on land doesn't mean RAW somehow changes the laws of physics. And technically by RAW, there's nothing in the lycanthropy description that would give an aquatic creature the ability to breath air in the first place, IIRC.

The Laws of Physics you say!?

In the wonderful world of Dungeons and Dragons the Laws of Physics don't apply... In fact! It is entirely possible that the world of Dungeons and Dragons exist in the 8th Dimension where the laws of physics might be entirely different (or just don't exist entirely!) Perhaps. Just perhaps! They are bound by a system of Laws and Balances that just don't make any sense :smallwink:

Invader
2012-09-05, 08:23 PM
It doesn't get the aquatic subtype from lycanthrope, but I won't derail this thread, this had all been discussed in the other.

It has the aquatic type from the octopus and gains the shapechange subtype. It still can't breath air? Not really derailing the thread as its in response to a suggestion someone made pertaining to the OP's question.

Madara
2012-09-05, 09:23 PM
It has the aquatic type from the octopus and gains the shapechange subtype. It still can't breath air? Not really derailing the thread as its in response to a suggestion someone made pertaining to the OP's question.


The base creature’s type does not change, but the creature gains the shapechanger subtype.

Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm)

Derailing in the sense that the full discussion was made on the other thread, and the OP can look it over for themselves. As you can see, nowhere does it say you take on the subtype of the animal.

gorfnab
2012-09-05, 10:38 PM
Just found this (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=607) over on minmaxboards.

Gavinfoxx
2012-09-05, 11:22 PM
Just found this (http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=607) over on minmaxboards.

Read up, I totally swordsage'd you... :P

TypoNinja
2012-09-06, 12:53 AM
Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm)

Derailing in the sense that the full discussion was made on the other thread, and the OP can look it over for themselves. As you can see, nowhere does it say you take on the subtype of the animal.


Alternate Form

A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume one or more specific alternate forms. A true seeing spell or ability reveals the creature’s natural form. A creature using alternate form reverts to its natural form when killed, but separated body parts retain their shape. A creature cannot use alternate form to take the form of a creature with a template. Assuming an alternate form results in the following changes to the creature:

The creature retains the type and subtype of its original form. It gains the size of its new form. If the new form has the aquatic subtype, the creature gains that subtype as well.

So right off the SRD, yes you keep the aquatic subtype, but only in animal and hyrbrid.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-06, 03:45 PM
Are you limiting this to just characters? From an NPC perspective, Were-Battletitan is pretty sweet (36HD for only 6 CR, better than any type-based advancement).

Sorry, PC's only. I don't get why a gm needs to worry about type based advancement. If they want to make a monster over CR'd whats the problem? the CR system is borked anyway.


Were murder of crows.

The were murder of crows is very cool but could you explain why it's one of the best animals for a lycanthrope?


Were- Dark Creature (ToM) Serval (Sandstorm) + Whisper Gnome (RoS), Fractional BAB (UA), Animal 1/ Spellthief 1/ Unarmed Swordsage 4/ Warshaper 4/ Unarmed Swordsage+. Darkstalker, (Improved) Multiattack, etc. Spellthief allows the use of wands of most Wizard schools, namely Wraithstrike. Insane bonuses to Hide and Move Silently without even putting any ranks into them.

A few items of note:
1. Serval has Weapon Finesse at +0 BAB, so in accordance with the core Monster Manual errata that should be switched to a racial bonus feat and its 1 HD feat should be a +2/+2 skill feat, most likely Stealthy.
2. Dark Creature doesn't change the Serval's type from animal, and you don't count any of the base animal's level adjustment. Not as bad as throwing Paragon on it, but if it's too much you can get a greater Collar of Umbral Metamorphosis instead.
3. Always use fractional BAB (UA) with Lycanthropes, unless its number of animal HD is an increment of four.
4. Wear a small decorative (worthless) pendant around your neck. Hire an NPC spellcaster to put (Extended, Heightened) Deeper Darkness on it. Place it in your mouth to block the darkness effect. If you're lacking conditions that permit you to hide, you can 'drop' it as a free action by spitting it out, and it falls back into its place hanging around your neck.

Do you think serval is good even without that build? it seems kind of lackluster compared to the other animals in this thread.

Unfortunatelly you can't change into templated animals.
Actually, know that I think about it you are probably talking about applying the template to the base creature, nevermind.

the fractional BAB piece of information is exactly the type of information that should be in the consolidated lycanthropy guide. If it's okay with you could I mention it in the discussion thread?


So uh... what will this thread do that this thread:

http://www.minmaxboards.com/index.php?topic=607.0

Doesn't do?

Er...Did you read the OP?


The Consolidated Lycanthropy Guide is a great resource but it's more for general feat/item/whatever advice that all lycanthropes qualify for rather than specific builds...Nanshork even said he'd link it :smallcool:.


In fact, I actually asked if this type of information could be put into the guide and Nanshork said to make a new thread.

wereoctopus discussion

I think I'll add it in. This guide isn't just about land based adventures. Anyways if you really want to have a wereoctopus on land than you could just apply the amphibious template from stormwrack.

TypoNinja
2012-09-06, 03:51 PM
I think I'll add it in. This guide isn't just about land based adventures. Anyways if you really want to have a wereoctopus on land than you could just apply the amphibious template from stormwrack.

You could always also pull flashmorph shenanigans, get your shape change as a free action, shift, attack, and shift back, all in one turn. That could actually be quite hilarious.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-06, 03:55 PM
You could always also pull flashmorph shenanigans, get your shape change as a free action, shift, attack, and shift back, all in one turn. That could actually be quite hilarious.

Oooh that's a good idea. I'll add it in when I put up the wereoctopus.

EDIT: Should I actually put the animals stats in or should I just make a note if they have particularly high or low stats (groogroos have great dex but terrible str).

Also, when suggesting animals please keep in mind that hybrid form allows you wield weapons and gives you claws and a bite attack. If the animal has stuff that only works in animal form they should be worth giving up the hybrid forms advantages.

Gavinfoxx
2012-09-07, 12:01 PM
Er...Did you read the OP?


Sorry, I think I zoned out there... was doing too many things at once... I am just not sure that we _need_ another guide...

123456789blaaa
2012-09-07, 12:40 PM
Sorry, I think I zoned out there... was doing too many things at once... I am just not sure that we _need_ another guide...

Apparently the creator of the consolidated lycanthropy handbook think so. I actually asked him if this thread was necessary and he said yes. He even linked the one on the minmaxboards.

Urpriest
2012-09-07, 01:02 PM
Oooh that's a good idea. I'll add it in when I put up the wereoctopus.

EDIT: Should I actually put the animals stats in or should I just make a note if they have particularly high or low stats (groogroos have great dex but terrible str).

Also, when suggesting animals please keep in mind that hybrid form allows you wield weapons and gives you claws and a bite attack. If the animal has stuff that only works in animal form they should be worth giving up the hybrid forms advantages.

Ability to wield weapons isn't that critical. Hybrid form has claws, so you'd want to have either Improved Unarmed Strike or a Mouthpick weapon to get your full complement of iteratives anyway, and both carry over to animal form. Hybrid form does give you cheaper armor and less controversial casting, though.

Invader
2012-09-07, 09:22 PM
Link (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm)

Derailing in the sense that the full discussion was made on the other thread, and the OP can look it over for themselves. As you can see, nowhere does it say you take on the subtype of the animal.

Thank you for proving me right? :smallamused:

Kuulvheysoon
2012-09-07, 09:37 PM
To the OP;

A were-fleshraker isn't an ECL 5 character.

It's an ECL 7 (or 8) character - 4RHD, +2 LA (or +3 for a natural lycanthrope) and a single class HD.

Might also be worth it to talk about the little-known/used Entomanothropes (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a) - Were-Vermin.

Goldfly
2012-09-07, 10:23 PM
Thank you for proving me right? :smallamused:

For the sake of the Lycanthrope template, the humanoid/giant is considered the "base creature". The animal is referred to as the "base animal".

123456789blaaa
2012-09-08, 10:45 AM
To the OP;

A were-fleshraker isn't an ECL 5 character.

It's an ECL 7 (or 8) character - 4RHD, +2 LA (or +3 for a natural lycanthrope) and a single class HD.

Might also be worth it to talk about the little-known/used Entomanothropes (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20040621a) - Were-Vermin.

Do'h, fixed.

entomanothropes are very nice yes. I'll talk about them in the OP.

lunar2
2012-09-08, 01:49 PM
You could also use this to "fly":Jet 200' into the air.
Drop distance = land movement speed (much slower)
Jet 200' further at an angle to adjust height.
???
Profit!
To land, adjust height to 5'. Flop back on land for 0 damage. (You need a ring of feather fall though). (suggested by 2xMachina)


you can't fly with jet for more than 2 rounds normally, and you will take massive falling damage. drop distance is 150 ft. on the first round, and 300 ft. on all subsequent rounds. dmg pg. 20 and dmg pg. 148 provide examples, although no general falling rule is mentioned in the phb, the dmg, or the rules compendium.

even feather fall only slows you to 60 ft. per round. so you could fly using feather fall and jet, but you still need to go up at least 60 ft. per round.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-08, 02:39 PM
you can't fly with jet for more than 2 rounds normally, and you will take massive falling damage. drop distance is 150 ft. on the first round, and 300 ft. on all subsequent rounds. dmg pg. 20 and dmg pg. 148 provide examples, although no general falling rule is mentioned in the phb, the dmg, or the rules compendium.

even feather fall only slows you to 60 ft. per round. so you could fly using feather fall and jet, but you still need to go up at least 60 ft. per round.[/

Isn't that what jet is for?

lunar2
2012-09-08, 02:51 PM
but that only works if you've got feather fall. jet can't keep you up more than 2 rounds without feather fall.

Kuulvheysoon
2012-09-08, 02:57 PM
Do'h, fixed.

entomanothropes are very nice yes. I'll talk about them in the OP.

Don't forget to mention that they all have immunity to mind-affecting as an Extraordinary ability.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-08, 07:36 PM
but that only works if you've got feather fall. jet can't keep you up more than 2 rounds without feather fall.

When I said " (you'll need feather fall though)" I meant you needed it for using the flying jet trick to work in general as well as avoiding falling damage. Guess I wasn't clear enough, I'll change it (and quote you) to make my meaning more clear.


Don't forget to mention that they all have immunity to mind-affecting as an Extraordinary ability.

How could I forget that? Also added.

dspeyer
2012-09-09, 12:53 PM
How about a were-rat spy? Using an ordinary rat, not a dire one. Climb and swim speeds, racial bonuses to hide and move silently, tiny size, and if someone does spot you they'll say "oh, it's only a rat, nothing to worry about". You need a small race for the base humanoid, but that's not hard.

I don't know how fractional racial hit dice work for lycanthropes. Maybe you can round it down to zero.

Take levels in swordsage. Shadow Hand is nice, and Greater Insightful Strike on a normally 1 point natural weapon is just awesome.

Dusk Eclipse
2012-09-09, 01:39 PM
How about a were-rat spy? Using an ordinary rat, not a dire one. Climb and swim speeds, racial bonuses to hide and move silently, tiny size, and if someone does spot you they'll say "oh, it's only a rat, nothing to worry about". You need a small race for the base humanoid, but that's not hard.

I don't know how fractional racial hit dice work for lycanthropes. Maybe you can round it down to zero.

Take levels in swordsage. Shadow Hand is nice, and Greater Insightful Strike on a normally 1 point natural weapon is just awesome.

Whisper Gnome were-rat spy FTW!! massive bonus to Hide & Move Silently.

Flickerdart
2012-09-09, 01:45 PM
Giant Wasps make sweet entomanothropes. They have everything that the hybrid form gets from the template. Tail sting? Check. Wings? Check. Poison? Check. The stat boosts (+8 STR, +4 CON, +2 DEX) are solid. They don't get the claw attacks a scorpion would have, but getting claw attacks is easy.

Dusk Eclipse
2012-09-09, 01:50 PM
Giant Wasps make sweet entomanothropes. They have everything that the hybrid form gets from the template. Tail sting? Check. Wings? Check. Poison? Check. The stat boosts (+8 STR, +4 CON, +2 DEX) are solid. They don't get the claw attacks a scorpion would have, but getting claw attacks is easy.

5 HD are a steep price; but if you can obviate them (Energy Drain if allowed) I agree it is a good option.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-15, 04:05 PM
How about a were-rat spy? Using an ordinary rat, not a dire one. Climb and swim speeds, racial bonuses to hide and move silently, tiny size, and if someone does spot you they'll say "oh, it's only a rat, nothing to worry about". You need a small race for the base humanoid, but that's not hard.

I don't know how fractional racial hit dice work for lycanthropes. Maybe you can round it down to zero.

Take levels in swordsage. Shadow Hand is nice, and Greater Insightful Strike on a normally 1 point natural weapon is just awesome.

Eh I don't think it would be that great. Remember that this thread is for the best lycanthrope animals. a rat has 1HD(you round up) and at least 2 LA. Is that really worth it's benefits? you have terrible stat bonuses and some ability score bonuses that are worse than a sewarms. I don't think a rat belongs on the list. I'd love to be proved wrong :smallsmile:.


Giant Wasps make sweet entomanothropes. They have everything that the hybrid form gets from the template. Tail sting? Check. Wings? Check. Poison? Check. The stat boosts (+8 STR, +4 CON, +2 DEX) are solid. They don't get the claw attacks a scorpion would have, but getting claw attacks is easy.

5HD plus 2LA is harsh. 5RHD, +2 LA and a single class HD so ECL 8 at minimum. Very good benefits yes but does it belong on a list of the best lycanthrope animals? I'd love to be proved wrong :smallsmile:.

Flickerdart
2012-09-15, 04:24 PM
HD ain't no big deal if you have some wights around.

123456789blaaa
2012-09-15, 05:46 PM
HD ain't no big deal if you have some wights around.

Well yes, but in that case why not just take the most powerful animals you can find and use them for the lycanthrope template? Most gm's will not allow the HD draining trick so I'm not taking it into account.

TypoNinja
2012-09-16, 07:54 PM
HD ain't no big deal if you have some wights around.

Well in that case, lets go with a Half Ogre, Were Tiger. Now I'm huge sized, and get something like a +24 str and +8 con for a total of +3 LA, and get to ignore those 13 tiger hitdice.

Pounce means full attack on landing, lets go monk/fist of the forest/tattooed monk for giggles and mix my monk unarmeds into my full attack while in animal form, the improved grapple for free helps with the rakes too.

If you get that far without the DM hitting you over the head with a source book power to ya, but mine sure as hell wouldn't let me get away with that :P

Dusk Eclipse
2012-09-16, 08:01 PM
You don't get pounce unless you are in Tiger form, so not really that useful, though you could take Black Blood hunter to get it, which is a stupid move if you only want Pounce as it is readily available via Spirit Lion Barbarian.

And that would be LA +5 (natural lycanthrope) or +4 (inflicted) as Races of Destiny updated Half-Ogre to LA +2 superseding the Savage Species version.

TypoNinja
2012-09-16, 09:23 PM
You don't get pounce unless you are in Tiger form, so not really that useful, though you could take Black Blood hunter to get it, which is a stupid move if you only want Pounce as it is readily available via Spirit Lion Barbarian.

And that would be LA +5 (natural lycanthrope) or +4 (inflicted) as Races of Destiny updated Half-Ogre to LA +2 superseding the Savage Species version.

Lycanthropes are 2 or 3, and the Krynn setting has a LA 1 half-ogre. so +3 for a turned hoger.

I don't really see the pounce as a limit, since I do the vast majority of my fighting in animal form anyway.

Dusk Eclipse
2012-09-16, 09:55 PM
Didn't know about that version of Half-ogre (I really don't know anything about Dragonlance). And if you are going to be fighting in animal form I'd say going Wildshape-focused druid is a better option IMO.

TypoNinja
2012-09-17, 12:15 AM
Eh, I guess either has high points, but I like the were-tiger options.

DR /silver (which freaking nothing can bypass), nat armour, unlimited uses/duration per day, and the strength boost gives me simply impressive damage output. I tend to one shot whatever I pounce at.

Warshaper adds immunity to crits, fast healing 2, increased damage dice, and +4 str and con. Take the last level if you plan on full on free action morph shenanigans, or skip it and grab something else.

1 Level monk dip boosts saves, throws a couple of useful feats in, wis to AC didn't hurt either, and then move into tattooed monk and pick up a bunch of passives, like not needing to breath eat and sleep, SR, and a 1/day reroll of any d20.

So far, its by far the most effective beatstick I've ever played. It even tops my Fang Dragon at this point. Mostly because of pounce. I have to spend time getting the Dragon into position, or waiting for something stupid enough to rush a dragon, the Tiger just kinda kills whatever he lands on.

I'm a lot more familiar with melee than I am casters, so I'm genuinely curious what would the perks for a focused wild shape build would shake out to?

lunar2
2012-09-17, 09:58 AM
Eh I don't think it would be that great. Remember that this thread is for the best lycanthrope animals. a rat has 1HD(you round up) and at least 2 LA. Is that really worth it's benefits? you have terrible stat bonuses and some ability score bonuses that are worse than a sewarms. I don't think a rat belongs on the list. I'd love to be proved wrong :smallsmile:.



5HD plus 2LA is harsh. 5RHD, +2 LA and a single class HD so ECL 8 at minimum. Very good benefits yes but does it belong on a list of the best lycanthrope animals? I'd love to be proved wrong :smallsmile:.

actually, RHD rounds down. it isn't stated to round up, so the default rule of "everything rounds down, even if over 1/2, unless stated otherwise" kicks in. a rat lycanthrope has no RHD, by RAW.

Urpriest
2012-09-17, 04:25 PM
actually, RHD rounds down. it isn't stated to round up, so the default rule of "everything rounds down, even if over 1/2, unless stated otherwise" kicks in. a rat lycanthrope has no RHD, by RAW.

Why are we assuming it rounds at all? The base rat has fractional hit dice, why wouldn't a wererat have an improper fraction?

Coidzor
2012-09-17, 05:05 PM
actually, RHD rounds down. it isn't stated to round up, so the default rule of "everything rounds down, even if over 1/2, unless stated otherwise" kicks in. a rat lycanthrope has no RHD, by RAW.

Maybe for other partial HD creatures, but wererats (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm#wererat)they actually statted out.

Flickerdart
2012-09-17, 05:16 PM
Maybe for other partial HD creatures, but wererats (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm#wererat)they actually statted out.
That's a were-dire-rat. Dire rats don't have fractional HD.

lunar2
2012-09-17, 06:14 PM
Maybe for other partial HD creatures, but wererats (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/lycanthrope.htm#wererat)they actually statted out.

the printed were rat uses the dire rat as the base animal. a regular rat has a fractional HD, which would be rounded down to 0.

Madara
2012-09-17, 08:59 PM
As much as I love seeing my dear octopus placed in a guide, I would like to point out that in counter to playing it by-RAW, you don't have 8 limbs. Nowhere in the text does it give you those, and while it says "Arms" under natural attacks, it only grants one attack, not 8. So my dear friends, when you argue that you can use Jet and Ink Cloud outside of the water, be prepared to not get 8 limbs. On the otherhand, if your GM argues logic against Jet and Ink Cloud, you can expect logic to grant you the extra arms. :smallamused:

Just be warned.

Edit: Whereas the Squid which is mentioned directly states that it has a +4 racial bonus to grapple checks. :smallsmile: But is that worth the extra HD?

123456789blaaa
2012-09-18, 06:44 PM
As much as I love seeing my dear octopus placed in a guide, I would like to point out that in counter to playing it by-RAW, you don't have 8 limbs. Nowhere in the text does it give you those, and while it says "Arms" under natural attacks, it only grants one attack, not 8. So my dear friends, when you argue that you can use Jet and Ink Cloud outside of the water, be prepared to not get 8 limbs. On the otherhand, if your GM argues logic against Jet and Ink Cloud, you can expect logic to grant you the extra arms. :smallamused:

Just be warned.

Edit: Whereas the Squid which is mentioned directly states that it has a +4 racial bonus to grapple checks. :smallsmile: But is that worth the extra HD?

Darn you're right. I just assumed I was missing something when I couldn't see the octopus having any extra arms in its entry :smallsigh:.

I personally don't think the squids advantages are worth the extra HD but I put it in as an option.

Madara
2012-09-25, 10:04 PM
:smallbiggrin:

I was digging around and found the Carcass Eater on page 91 of LM. They get the Blood Frenzy ability, Burrow Speed, +1 Natural Armor, +6 Con and +6 Dex all for the low low price of 1 HD.

Ladies and Gentleman, I think we have a winner! :smallamused:

Edit: I totally Missed it on the list :smallredface:
Still, its worth reiterating. I think it gives the best stat bonuses.

123456789blaaa
2012-10-08, 12:05 AM
:smallbiggrin:

I was digging around and found the Carcass Eater on page 91 of LM. They get the Blood Frenzy ability, Burrow Speed, +1 Natural Armor, +6 Con and +6 Dex all for the low low price of 1 HD.

Ladies and Gentleman, I think we have a winner! :smallamused:

Edit: I totally Missed it on the list :smallredface:
Still, its worth reiterating. I think it gives the best stat bonuses.

Weirdly i was actually coming to this thread to add that carcass eaters had a burrow speed. Then I saw your post completely by accident. Freaky huh?