What base to use for my Warshaper?

[Kobold Esq]

I am planning some backup characters for when my current guy dies for a 3.5 Eberron game. It has been a few years since I made a bunch of new characters, so I figured I'd bounce some ideas off you guys.

I had a sudden urge to build a Changeling Warshaper, since he'll be able to get the most out of the Warshaper abilities. However I can't decide on what to use for the base. I was considering a mix of rogue and full BAB classes to give myself some skill variety (and allowing me to keep my disguise at close to max), but keep having second thoughts.

Some things to take into account:

1) The game doesn't use ToB

2) I hate being "unskilled" which means no fighter levels, unless they are mixed with something like ranger or rogue.

3) I don't really want a caster. I'd prefer skill/training.

4) I kind of want to keep my disguise and bluff as high as possible, so I can get as much use out of my Changeling-ness out of combat as possible.


Most of my non-full BAB entry plans mix rogue and a full BAB class (fighter 2, urban ranger 2, swashbuckler / Daring Outlaw, etc), but I have misgivings about each.

Anyways, I'm mostly in brainstorming mode, just looking for ideas.

[Magic Myrmidon]

I had a build planned out that's really similar to this. Basically, straight changeling rogue with the changeling rogue substitution levels. However, I also picked up the Dark template with the intention to buy off the LA.

The idea was to be the monster lurking in the shadows. Be a super social infiltrator assassin guy who's normal until he's hiding alone with his target, at which point he jumps out with tentacles, horns, sharp teeth, and about 10 natural attack's worth of sneak attack. Unfortunately, the dark template was nixed, so I couldn't play it to its fullest.

[Story]

If you're dipping for skills, Factorum is much better than Rouge if you can spare a positive int modifer.

[Kobold Esq]

If you're dipping for skills, Factorum is much better than Rouge if you can spare a positive int modifer.

Given that this guy is primarily going to be a melee smasher, I don't really see myself sparing points for Int. Nabbing a couple levels at the start of 6 or 8 points per level is more important.

Changeling Rogue 1 substitution level is very appealing looking, but I can't decide how much I am afraid of losing that 1 BAB, both for delayed entry into Warshaper, and the mere fact that I'll have -1 to all my attacks, essentially.

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

I'd strongly recommend not losing any BAB in your first four levels to get Warshaper as early as possible. Maybe use Thug (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#fighterVariantThug), possibly with Sneak Attack (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#fighter) if preferred.

You won't need any Ranger fighting styles, assuming you plan on getting tons of natural weapons from Warshaper. If you go with any (Urban) Ranger, just get one level and use this variant (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#ranger) to get Fast Movement.

Barbarian 2 would be extremely useful, considering you can use the Lion spiritual totem in CC to get Pounce and Wolf Totem (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/variantCharacterClasses.htm#wolfTotemClassFeatures ) for Improved Trip, plus Whirling Frenzy (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/classFeatureVariants.htm#rageVariantWhirlingFrenzy ), and pick up Knock-Down (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/divine/divineAbilitiesFeats.htm#knockDown). Use Extra Rage (CW) if you want to Whirling Frenzy more often, and get Extend Rage via the Otyugh Hole in CS a few times if possible. Starting with Barbarian also allows you to take the City Slicker (http://alt.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258440#30) flaw, and I'd also get Bestial Instinct if you plan on only using natural weapons and start high enough level to have some.