shifter power
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deathdearler1
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shifter power
what if we used the shifter scripting for NS3.5 on NS4? i have a druid/shifter/monk on 3.5 and i can see in the text window the checks that it makes so that you can have certain equipment stacked with your shift. and i know this was a hard concept for bioware to grasp, but technically anything that you can wear in your shifted form is part of your new body. if you have toes your rings stack, if you have a head your helm stacks. you get the idea right? i just think the 3.5 scripting might work better than the scripting we have now.
when death comes for you and you are not afraid, if he asks why tell him you met me
They are most likely using Iznoghoud's scripts.
If those were put in place on NS4 that would help reduce the loss of power that Shifter experience as a result of not allowing Shifter/Druid/Monks!
Here's the link to the Scripts (as well as a link to the earlier discussion thread about the scripts).
http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic ... 0&forum=47
Basically it handles the "correct" merging of items with the same stat or skill bonus and it also merges weapon properties into UNARMED forms. It also handles the correct stacking of multiple kinds of AC bonus. I.e. rather than just keeping the single biggest AC bonus, it will correctly stack Deflection + Natural + Dodge + Armor + Shield bonuses. This of course can lead to insane armor classes when used on Shifter/Druid/Monk's but that combo is impossible on NS4 atm.
The only thing to fear would be a Monk/Druid with Epic Dragonshape but then you wont see that with the current level cap
If those were put in place on NS4 that would help reduce the loss of power that Shifter experience as a result of not allowing Shifter/Druid/Monks!
Here's the link to the Scripts (as well as a link to the earlier discussion thread about the scripts).
http://nwn.bioware.com/forums/viewtopic ... 0&forum=47
Basically it handles the "correct" merging of items with the same stat or skill bonus and it also merges weapon properties into UNARMED forms. It also handles the correct stacking of multiple kinds of AC bonus. I.e. rather than just keeping the single biggest AC bonus, it will correctly stack Deflection + Natural + Dodge + Armor + Shield bonuses. This of course can lead to insane armor classes when used on Shifter/Druid/Monk's but that combo is impossible on NS4 atm.
The only thing to fear would be a Monk/Druid with Epic Dragonshape but then you wont see that with the current level cap
I'm glad to see the shifter issue reawakened. the poll in the other section was a bit old so i didn't bother posting there.
I've got my druid/shifter to 5/5 now and he's great fun to play but i'm finding him very underpowered (and so quite difficult to level now). my human form has more ac than all of my shifted forms due to losing about 8 of my magic ac and the extra natural ac almost never makes up for it. the unarmed forms are almost pointless because losing the +d8 bonus damage my sword gives me is just too painful, not to mention the extra loss of dex ac if items don't merge (otherwise i would probably be in love with my manticore shape). Add to that that in 5 levels time i'll have to stop taking shifter levels and my shapes will then fall behind my character level and i'll have even more problems i'm not sure i can face the idea of getting to epic level so i can get undead and epic shapes.
The main constructive point i want to make is that as we have a world where monk/shifter is not allowed this is a great opportunity to fix the shifter class in a way that doesn't rely on exploiting monk abilities (in my opinion a rather shameful workaround). It even sounds like others have come up with a set of improvements that can be implemented just by replacing the scripts, though i guess it might ire the devs a bit to import others' work into their mod, not reinventing the wheel when others have tested and balanced a solution can't be all bad.
On the other hand the true true sight on my wyrmling form is interesting, though even if i find an SD i can't kill them with it...
While I suppose the argument that if the shifter is underpowered just don't play it is valid (i would probably agree with them in the harper scout's case), i think if a little effort can make a *great* game feature work it's worth it.
I've got my druid/shifter to 5/5 now and he's great fun to play but i'm finding him very underpowered (and so quite difficult to level now). my human form has more ac than all of my shifted forms due to losing about 8 of my magic ac and the extra natural ac almost never makes up for it. the unarmed forms are almost pointless because losing the +d8 bonus damage my sword gives me is just too painful, not to mention the extra loss of dex ac if items don't merge (otherwise i would probably be in love with my manticore shape). Add to that that in 5 levels time i'll have to stop taking shifter levels and my shapes will then fall behind my character level and i'll have even more problems i'm not sure i can face the idea of getting to epic level so i can get undead and epic shapes.
The main constructive point i want to make is that as we have a world where monk/shifter is not allowed this is a great opportunity to fix the shifter class in a way that doesn't rely on exploiting monk abilities (in my opinion a rather shameful workaround). It even sounds like others have come up with a set of improvements that can be implemented just by replacing the scripts, though i guess it might ire the devs a bit to import others' work into their mod, not reinventing the wheel when others have tested and balanced a solution can't be all bad.
On the other hand the true true sight on my wyrmling form is interesting, though even if i find an SD i can't kill them with it...
While I suppose the argument that if the shifter is underpowered just don't play it is valid (i would probably agree with them in the harper scout's case), i think if a little effort can make a *great* game feature work it's worth it.
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deathdearler1
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ok, i finally got humanoid shape and it rocks more than the rest. the dex bonus for the shapes goes nice and i went from a 31 ac to a drop to 28. for the rest of my shapes i go down to about 20 or less.... 
the worst thing of all of them is the molding of armor bonuses and the like into the forms. i don't like to be a cookie cutter like everyone else. most ppl can tell you that some of my char's are a little stranger mix than most. i like shifters they are interesting and add a little something different to the game, plus i like to stand in the towns and harrass ppl about doing tricks. if we can get some serious looking into the shifter scripts than perhaps there might be more than 2 shifters on the whole mod. its either that or i'm going to make a harper scout so i can get more power.
the worst thing of all of them is the molding of armor bonuses and the like into the forms. i don't like to be a cookie cutter like everyone else. most ppl can tell you that some of my char's are a little stranger mix than most. i like shifters they are interesting and add a little something different to the game, plus i like to stand in the towns and harrass ppl about doing tricks. if we can get some serious looking into the shifter scripts than perhaps there might be more than 2 shifters on the whole mod. its either that or i'm going to make a harper scout so i can get more power.when death comes for you and you are not afraid, if he asks why tell him you met me
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Donan
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I have never played a druid or shifter even in the OC game but made one here. Between the different forms and still being able to use animal empathy this is the most enjoyable class I have ever played. The compliments out of the way ill get to the negative. The ac problem is huge loosing that much ac on shift makes my char barely able to stand in combat without being slaughtered quick and I do not want to become typical druid by using stonehold/swarm to kill everything (hmm wizards bigbies/max igms seeing a pattern 
)
I made my shifter for 2 main forms. The drow and undead vampire. Before anyone says anything I choose these since so far the drow is the most fun and the vampire looks like a great time also. Making the toughest pking machine is not a priority but I do want some survivability. I do think not allowing the monk to combine with shifteris right, I think that would create an impossible killing machine and agree about keeping them separated but I was hoping to take a couple lvls of fighter to dedicate some feats to longsword and maybe scythe if I wanted to play around with risen lord, I don’t know if it designed this way but as a druid I cannot use feats to get exotic weapon or even martial.
I look forward to any improvements but for now I am having a great time playing this class and only kick myself for not trying it before.
) I made my shifter for 2 main forms. The drow and undead vampire. Before anyone says anything I choose these since so far the drow is the most fun and the vampire looks like a great time also. Making the toughest pking machine is not a priority but I do want some survivability. I do think not allowing the monk to combine with shifteris right, I think that would create an impossible killing machine and agree about keeping them separated but I was hoping to take a couple lvls of fighter to dedicate some feats to longsword and maybe scythe if I wanted to play around with risen lord, I don’t know if it designed this way but as a druid I cannot use feats to get exotic weapon or even martial.
I look forward to any improvements but for now I am having a great time playing this class and only kick myself for not trying it before.
