Shapeshifter Type Class

The shapeshifter is a master of many forms, using the power of monsters to fight back at the monsters of the world. A shapeshifter moves in and out of forms so many times that even their closest companions rarely know what their true face is. What's to say her birth form is her true one? Most shapeshifters end up spending more time in others ones.

Role: Martial combatant that brings a variety of skills to the table based on their form. Possible forms include - animals, monstrous humanoids, elementals, plants, fey, oozes, vermin, magical beasts, naga, undead, dragons, and giants.

Alignment: Any

Hit Die: d10

Starting Wealth: 5d6 x 10 gp (average 175 gp.) In addition, each character begins play with an outfit worth 10 gp or less.

Contents show]

Class Skills

The shapeshifter’s class skills are Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Fly (Dex), Handle Animal (Cha), Disguise (Charisma), Heal (Wis), Knowledge (dungeoneering) (Int), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Profession (Wis), Ride (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks Per Level: 2 + Int modifier.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

Shapeshifters are proficient with all simple and martial weapons and with all armor (heavy, light, and medium) and shields (except tower shields). They are also proficient with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of any form they assume with wild shape (see below).

Shaping Mastery (Sp)

At level 1 the shapeshifter can use wizened appearance, and youthful appearance as spell-like abilities. At level 3 she can use Alter Self as a spell-like ability. At level 5 she can use Assume Appearance as a spell-like ability. At level 7 she can use Adjustable Polymorph and Assume Appearance, Greater as a spell-like abilities.

The caster level for these abilities equal the shapeshifter's class level. Each of these abilities can be used a number of times per day equal to half your level (minimum 1). These abilities can only be used on the shapeshifter herself (as if the range was 'personal' and the target was 'you'). These abilities can only be used when she is in her normal form.

Wild Shape (Su)

At 2nd level, a shapeshifter gains the ability to turn herself into various creatures. Her options for new forms increase as she levels up. This ability functions like the listed spells, except as noted here. The effect lasts until she changes back. Changing form (to a creature or back) is a standard action and doesn’t provoke an attack of opportunity. The form chosen must be that of a creature the shapeshifter is familiar with.

A shapeshifter is limited to the sounds that the creature they have turned into can make. She gains any language the creature would normally have for as long as she is transformed into that creature.

The shapeshifter automatically gets the animal form specialization at 2nd level. At 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 18th levels she may select a new form specialization. She may only select a form specialization that she has at least the level to take it's first form.

Speed Shifting

At 5th level the shapeshifter receives Quick Wild Shape as a bonus feat. If she already has this feat she instead gains any feat she meets the prerequisites for.

At 7th level she is no longer limited to forms available to a shapeshifter two levels lower when changing form as a move action with the Quick Wild Shape feat.

At 9th level she is limited to forms available to a shapeshifter two levels lower instead of four when changing form as a swift action with the Quick Wild Shape feat.

At 11th level she is no longer limited in any way when changing form as a swift action with the Quick Wild Shape feat.

Bonus Wild Feats

At 6th level, and at every even level thereafter, the shapeshifter gains a bonus feat in addition to those gained from normal advancement. These bonus feats must be selected from those that list the wild shape class feature as a prerequisite. When taking feats in this way she ignores caster level and wisdom prerequisites.

If a feat works with spells (such as Wild Speech) it works with her spell-like abilities as well. If a feat requires the expenditure of daily uses of wild shape (such as Planar Wild Shape) she may still use it. If she already has all of the feats that meet this feature's restriction she may select any feat she meets the prerequisites for.

Dragon Form

The shapeshifter learns how to take on the form of the mighty dragon! She chooses one of the following dragon forms. Once made she cannot choose any of the other dragon forms.

Classic Dragon

At 10th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as form of the dragon I.

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the dragon II.

At 14th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge dragon When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the dragon III.

Exotic Dragon

At 10th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as form of the exotic dragon I.

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the exotic dragon II.

At 14th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge dragon When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the exotic dragon III.

Alien Dragon

At 10th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as form of the alien dragon I.

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large dragon. When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the alien dragon II.

At 14th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge dragon When taking the form of a dragon, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as form of the Alien Dragon III.

Wild Melding

At 11th level the shapeshifter treats all armor and shields that she wears as if they had the Wild special ability. If the form the shapeshifter takes while wild shaped would normally be able to wear armor the shapeshifter may choose to have the armor transform to fit the new shape instead of meld. If taken off the armor will revert to it's original form.

A Thousand Faces (Su)

At 13th level, a shapeshifter gains the ability to change her appearance at will, as if using the alter self spell, but only while in her normal form.

Timeless Body (Ex)

After attaining 15th level, a shapeshifter no longer takes ability score penalties for aging and cannot be magically aged. Any penalties she may have already incurred, however, remain in place. Bonuses still accrue, and the shapeshifter still dies of old age when her time is up.

Pinnacle of Polymorphing Prowess

At 20th level, a shapeshifter learns all remaining form specializations (including dragon forms) and is immune to any negative polymorph effect, including spells to force her to transform back into her normal form.

Form Specializations

Animal

At 2nd level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small animal. When taking the form of an animal, a shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as beast shape I.

At 6th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny animal. When taking the form of an animal, a shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as beast shape II.

At 8th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive animal. When taking the form of an animal, a shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as beast shape III.

Monstrous Humanoids

At 4th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small monstrous humanoid. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a shapeshifter's wild shape functions as monstrous physique I.

At 6th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny monstrous humanoid. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as monstrous physique II.

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive monstrous humanoid. When taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as monstrous physique III.

At 10th level when taking the form of a monstrous humanoid, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as monstrous physique IV.

Undead

At 4th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small undead. When taking the form of an undead, a shapeshifter's wild shape functions as undead anatomy I.

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny undead. When taking the form of an undead, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as undead anatomy II.

At 10th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive undead. When taking the form of an undead, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as undead anatomy III.

At 14th level when taking the form of an undead, a shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as undead anatomy IV.

Elemental

At 6th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Small elemental. When taking the form of an elemental, the shapeshifter’s wild shape functions as elemental body I.

At 8th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium elemental. When taking the form of an elemental, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as elemental body II.

At 10th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large elemental. When taking the form of an elemental, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as elemental body III.

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge elemental. When taking the form of an elemental, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as elemental body IV.

Naga

At 6th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large naga. When taking the form of a naga, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as naga shape I.

At 8th level when taking the form of a naga, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as naga shape II.

At 10th level when taking the form of a naga, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as naga shape III.

Fey

At 6th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small Fey. When taking the form of a Fey, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as Fey Form I.

At 10th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny Fey. When taking the form of a fey, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as Fey Form II.

At 12th level when taking the form of a Diminutive or Huge fey. When taking the form of a Fey, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as Fey Form III.

At 16th level, when taking the form of a fey, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as fey form IV.

Ooze

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small ooze. When taking the form of a ooze creature, the shapeshifter’s wild shape functions as ooze form I.

At 10th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large ooze. When taking the form of a ooze, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as ooze form II.

At 12th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge ooze. When taking the form of a ooze, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as ooze form III.

Vermin

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small vermin. When taking the form a vermin, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as vermin shape I.

At 10th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny vermin. When taking the form a vermin, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as vermin shape II.

At 12th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge Vermin. When taking the form a vermin, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as vermin shape III*.

Magical Beasts

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small magical beast. When taking the form of animals or magical beasts, a shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as beast shape III.

At 10th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large or Tiny magical beast. When taking the form of a magical beast, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as beast shape IV.

At 12th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge or Diminutive magical beast. When taking the form of a magical beast, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as magical beast shape.

Plant

At 8th level the shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Medium or Small plant creature. When taking the form of a plant creature, the shapeshifter’s wild shape functions as plant shape I.

At 10th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large plant creature. When taking the form of a plant, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as plant shape II.

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge plant creature. When taking the form of a plant, the shapeshifter’s wild shape now functions as plant shape III.

Giant

At 12th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Large giant. When taking the form of a giant, the shapeshifter's wild shape functions as giant form I.

At 14th level, a shapeshifter can use wild shape to change into a Huge dragon or a Huge giant. When taking the form of a giant, the shapeshifter's wild shape now functions as giant form II.

Behind the Scenes

I wanted to make a shapeshifter martial class that focuses on wild shape and had no casting. I wanted to maintain an element of choice. The list of forms available was determined by the spells that allow transformation. If more spells come out (like a demon shape, etc.) I'll add it. I wanted level 10 to have a cool and powerful form, sort of how other classes have a greater form of their class features (like Rogues and Arcansists for example). The dragon form seemed like the perfect thing.

*Note - There is no spell 'vermin shape III'. It is referenced in Ultimate Wilderness and it's expected an erratta/faq will create the spell or remove the reference. I'll modify this when that happens.