Good Races/Classes for Warshaper

[Dr. Cliché]

I was recently thinking of making a Shifter/Warshaper/[Other Stuff]:smallwink:

However, I then realised that I'd misread warshaper and only get the benefits when changed (which, with a shifter, wouldn't be that long :smalltongue:).

Anyway, I'm looking for alternative classes or races (preferably with low/no level adjustments in the latter) that would let me qualify for Warshaper and also gain the benefits for a reasonable time period.

A Druid (or ranger variant) with Wild Shape would be the obvious choice, and I'm also aware of the Changeling race, but are there any other good candidates?

[stack]

Changeling is the easiest, 24-hr use of warshaper abilities. The divine minion template can also get you wildshape early. You trying to get in to warshaper at a low level? Becuase it doesn't advance wildshape I would use it later in a ranger/MoMF build, though most likely I would just go changeling or hengoiyaka (don't know how to spell it) from oriental adventures (+0 LA according to the update).

[IAmTehDave]

I know you said no/low LA, but have you considered Lycanthropy?

[Dusk Eclipse]

I know you said no/low LA, but have you considered Lycanthropy?

Quasi-lycanthropy (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040721a) is actually better for Warshapers, since it is only LA+1; sure you need to spend a standard action to refresh the duration every 100 rounds, but unless your DM is deliberately screwing with you , it is essentially all day long. LA+1 is much easier to deal with than LA+3 (you need to be a natural lycanthrope to actually use your Lycanthropy) and a bunch of racial HD.

DR 10/Silver is awesome at low levels, since almost nothing will be able to pierce it and it will save your life early on, as you get to higher levels it will fall down, but since it is still difficult to bypass it functions as a nice little buffer.

[Dr. Cliché]

I know you said no/low LA, but have you considered Lycanthropy?

I have, and +5LA seems quite steep.

Still, it's something to consider if my DM approves.


Quasy-lycanthropy (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040721a) is actually better for Warshapers, since it is only LA+1; sure you need to spend a standard action to refresh the duration every 100 rounds, but unless your DM is deliberately screwing with you , it is essentially all day long. LA+1 is much easier to deal with than LA+3 (you need to be a natural lycanthrope to actually use your Lycanthropy) and a bunch of racial HD.

DR 10/Silver is awesome at low levels, since almost nothing will be able to pierce it and it will save your life early on, as you get to higher levels it will fall down, but since it is still difficult to bypass it functions as a nice little buffer.

I hadn't heard of Quasy-lycanthropy before. But, yes, that would suit my character perfectly - far better than Shifter, in fact (since I have a silly, but hopefully amusing character trait idea).

I'll run it past my DM and make sure he's ok with it (he might object to DR10/Silver for just +1LA).

Thanks for that great find. :smallbiggrin:

[Dusk Eclipse]

Glad to be of help, just note the restrictions on the Disguise self ability, you can only enhance traits of your lycanthropy, so fangs, shaggy hair/beard, stuff like that.

[AmberVael]

Quasy-lycanthropy (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/mb/20040721a)


I hadn't heard of Quasy-lycanthropy before.

*eye twitch*

Quasi. An adjective often used in compound words. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quasi?s=t) Not Quasy.


...on to more relevant and actually important stuff, the quasilycanthrope is pretty good for the Warshaper, but Changeling (as stack mentioned) is definitely the less costly option. 0 la, capable of retaining their form change all day. They can be found in the Eberron Campaign Setting, or in Monster Manual III. Admittedly, there is a little bit of disagreement over whether they can actually use Warshaper, but I think I've seen the majority allow it.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Oops :smallredface:

[Dr. Cliché]

*eye twitch*

Quasi. An adjective often used in compound words. (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/quasi?s=t) Not Quasy.

:smallredface:

Memo: Engage brain before typing.



...on to more relevant and actually important stuff, the quasilycanthrope is pretty good for the Warshaper, but Changeling (as stack mentioned) is definitely the less costly option. 0 la, capable of retaining their form change all day. They can be found in the Eberron Campaign Setting, or in Monster Manual III. Admittedly, there is a little bit of disagreement over whether they can actually use Warshaper, but I think I've seen the majority allow it.

Well, my DM was a bit concerned about DR10. So I asked if I could play a changeling; but with the quasi-lycan disguise ability, instead of the changeling disguise ability. He said that was fine.

[Fouredged Sword]

Another option is to dip Psion (egoist) and take the minor shapeshift ACF that trades your extra feat at first level for the changling minor shapeshift ability. It is better than eating 1 or 2 LA unless buyoff is in play. Take thicken skin and Skate as your powers and say that you are using your inate shapeshifter powers to increase your abilities.

Here is the web expansion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070314a)

[anacalgion]

My personal favorite is wildshape ranger 5/ warshaper 5/ MoMF 10. Tons of shapeshifting goodness.

[Dusk Eclipse]

Eh I prefer getting into MotMF ASAP, the 7th level ability is just nuts, Warshaper is a nice way to finish the build though.

[CIDE]

Another option is to dip Psion (egoist) and take the minor shapeshift ACF that trades your extra feat at first level for the changling minor shapeshift ability. It is better than eating 1 or 2 LA unless buyoff is in play. Take thicken skin and Skate as your powers and say that you are using your inate shapeshifter powers to increase your abilities.

Here is the web expansion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070314a)


Won't work. What gets changeling into Warshaper isn't it's racial ability but it's subtype. That only gives you the ability but not the subtype.

[Fouredged Sword]

You can pick up the subtype via shifter as the race. It merely opens up options.

[CIDE]

You can pick up the subtype via shifter as the race. It merely opens up options.

True that. I just wanted to get it out there that that one ACF alone wouldn't do it.

[Venger]

hengoiyaka (don't know how to spell it) from oriental adventures (+0 LA according to the update).

hengeyokai is how it's spelled if OP wants to look for it.


Another option is to dip Psion (egoist) and take the minor shapeshift ACF that trades your extra feat at first level for the changling minor shapeshift ability. It is better than eating 1 or 2 LA unless buyoff is in play. Take thicken skin and Skate as your powers and say that you are using your inate shapeshifter powers to increase your abilities.

Here is the web expansion (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/psm/20070314a)

if you do dip egoist, I'd suggest taking the changeling egoist substitution levels. they're flabbergastingly good. in races of eberron. it also adds thicken skin (and a few others including metamorphosis) to your list of powers known fo' free


My personal favorite is wildshape ranger 5/ warshaper 5/ MoMF 10. Tons of shapeshifting goodness.

also have him be a changeling. :]