View source for Shapeshifter (3.5e Class)

====Class Features====

All of the following are class features of the shapeshifter.

'''Weapon and Armor Proficiency:''' The shapeshifter is proficient with all [[SRD:Simple Weapon Proficiency|simple]] and [[SRD:Martial Weapon Proficiency|martial weapons]], [[SRD:Armor Proficiency (Light)|light armor]], [[SRD:Armor Proficiency (Medium)|medium armor]] and [[SRD:Shield Proficiency|shields]] (except [[SRD:Tower Shield Proficiency|tower shields]]). She is also proficient with all natural attacks (claw, bite, and so forth) of any form she assumes.

'''{{Anchor|Shapeshifter Trick}} {{Su}}:''' At 1st level, the shapeshifter can spend a [[SRD:Swift Action|swift action]] to grant herself one of the following benefits, she may end the trick as a free action: 
*Acrobacy: +4 enhancement bonus on [[SRD:Balance Skill|balance]], [[SRD:Tumble Skill|tumble]], [[SRD:Climb Skill|climb]] and [[SRD:Jump Skill|jump]].
*Climate Adaptation: You can exist comfortably in any natural climate (as per ''[[SRD:Endure Elements|endure elements]]'' spell).
*Might: +1 enhancement bonus to one of the three physical ability scores ([[SRD:Strength|Str]], [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], [[SRD:Constitution|Con]]) per three levels, rounded down. Can be split.
*Morphic Reach: The shapeshifter can stretch her limbs, neck, or other appendages outward, giving her 5 more feet of reach. The shapeshifter doesn't appear to have a longer reach until she actually uses it.
*Powerful Build: Modifies the shapeshifter's physical stature so that in many ways she's considered as if she was one [[SRD:Size Category|size category]] larger. Whenever she is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as during [[SRD:Grapple|grapple]] checks, [[SRD:Bull Rush|bull rush]] attempts, and [[SRD:Trip|trip]] attempts), she is treated as one size larger if doing so is advantageous to the shapeshifter. While under effect of this trick, she is also considered to be one size larger when determining whether a creature’s special attacks based on size (such as [[SRD:Improved Grab|improved grab]] or [[SRD:Swallow Whole|swallow whole]]) can affect her. She can use weapons designed for a creature one size larger without penalty. However, her occupied space and reach remain those of a creature of her actual size. The benefit stacks with the effects of [[SRD:Powers|powers]], abilities, and spells that change the subject’s [[SRD:Size Category|size category]].
:A shapeshifter may not activate both this and Slight Build at the same time.
*Resiliency: Damage reduction 3/-.
*Savagery: The shapeshifter gains a primary [[SRD:Natural Weapon|natural weapon]] that deals the appropriate amount of damage according to the size of the shapeshifter's form, 1d6 points of damage for a medium character. If the shapeshifter's form already has a [[SRD:Natural Weapon|natural weapon]], she may opt to increase the damage of the [[SRD:Natural Weapon|natural weapon]] as if it were one size category larger.
*Slight Build: Modifies the shapeshifter's physical stature so that in many ways she's considered as if she was one [[SRD:Size Category|size category]] smaller. Whenever she is subject to a size modifier or special size modifier for an opposed check (such as [[SRD:Hide|hide]]), she is treated as one size smaller if doing so is advantageous to the shapeshifter. While under effect of this trick, she is also considered to be one size smaller when [[Escape Artist#Tight Space|squeezing through a restrictive space]]. She can use weapons designed for a creature one size smaller without penalty. However, her occupied space and reach remain those of a creature of her actual size. The benefits of this racial trait stack with the effects of powers, abilities, and spells that change the subject's size category.
:A shapeshifter may not activate both this and Powerful Build at the same time.
*Speed: The shapeshifter gains a +10 feet bonus to her land speed. This benefit applies only when she is wearing no armor, light armor, or medium armor and not carrying a [[SRD:Carrying Capacity|heavy load]].
*Toughen: +1 enhancement bonus to [[Natural armor#Natural Armor|natural armor]] per four levels, rounded up.

'''{{Anchor|Minor Shapeshift}} {{Su}}:''' At 2st level, a shapeshifter gains the ability to change her appearance at will, as if using the ''[[SRD:Disguise Self|disguise self]]'' spell, that affects her body but not her possessions. This ability is not an illusory effect but a minor physical alteration that affects the shapeshifter’s facial features, skin color and texture, height, weight, frame, and gender within the limits described for the spell, she cannot change her body type. The alteration lasts until she changes shape again. A change in form cannot be dispelled, but the shapeshifter reverts to her natural form if she is killed. A ''[[SRD:True Seeing|true seeing]]'' spell or similar ability reveals her natural form. Using this ability is a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]]. If the shapeshifter uses this ability to create a disguise, she gets a +10 bonus on the [[SRD:Disguise Skill|Disguise]] check.

'''{{Anchor|Shifting Feats}} {{Ex}}:''' At 2nd level, the shapeshifter gets a bonus feat. She gains an additional bonus feat at 12th level. These bonus feats must be drawn from the feats noted as [[SRD:Fighter Bonus Feats|fighter bonus feats]], [[SRD:Wild Feats|wild feats]] or [[SRD:Monstrous Feats|monstrous feats]]. The shapeshifter must still meet all prerequisites for [[SRD:Fighter Bonus Feats|fighter bonus feats]] and [[SRD:Wild Feats|wild feats]], but not [[SRD:Monstrous Feats|monstrous feats]] which stay dormant and give the bonuses only when she meets all prerequisites (durining [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]], [[#Shapeshifter Trick|shapeshifter trick]] and [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]]). Once per day (8 hours of rest), after she meditates for 10 minutes, the shapeshifter may swap any number of these bonus feats for another feat. She may swap bonus feats an additional time per day at 12th level.

'''{{Anchor|Shapeshift}} {{Su}}:''' At 3rd level, a shapeshifter gains the ability to turn herself into any [[SRD:Small|Small]] or [[SRD:Medium|Medium]] [[SRD:Animal Type|animal]]. This ability functions like the [[SRD:Alternate Form|alternate form]] special ability, except as noted here. The shapeshifter does not gain the physical ability scores of her new form. When the shapeshifter assumes a new form, she loses her racial modifiers (bonuses and penalties) to her physical ability scores ([[SRD:Strength|Str]], [[SRD:Dexterity|Dex]], [[SRD:Constitution|Con]]) and gains those of her new form. The racial ability scores of the assumed shape can be determined by subtracting 10 (if even) or 11 (if odd) from the creature's listed score. The effect lasts for 1 hour per shapeshifter level, or until she changes back. Changing form is a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]] and doesn’t provoke an [[SRD:Attack of Opportunity|attack of opportunity]]. Each time she uses shapeshift, she regains lost [[SRD:Hit Points|hit points]] as if she had rested for a night.

Gear worn or carried by the shapeshifter either remains worn or held by the new form (if it is capable of wearing or holding the item), or melds into the new form if it is unable to wear the gear, and becomes nonfunctional. When the shapeshifter reverts to her true form, any objects previously melded into the new form reappear in the same location on her body that they previously occupied and are once again functional. Any new items worn in the assumed form fall off and land at the shapeshifter's feet, any that you could wear in either form or carry in a body part common to both forms at the time of reversion are still held in the same way. Any piece of equipment that is separated from the whole reverts to its true form.

The form chosen must be that of a creature the shapeshifter is familiar with. (Alternative: The form chosen must be that of a creature the shapeshifter has touched. The creature may not be dead more than one week per shapeshifter level.)

A shapeshifter can use this ability more times per day at 4th, 5th and every two levels thereafter. In addition, she gains the ability to take the shape of a [[SRD:Humanoid Type|humanoid]] and Antropomorphic animal (as the template) at 4th level, a [[SRD:Giant Type|giant]] at 5th level, a [[SRD:Monstrous Humanoid Type|monstrous humanoid]] at 6th level, a [[SRD:Vermin Type|vermin]] at 7th level, a [[SRD:Fey Type|fey]] at 9th level, [[SRD:Aberration Type|aberration]] at 10th level, an [[SRD:Magical Beast Type|magical beast]] at 11th level, a [[SRD:Plant Type|plant creature]] at 13th level, an [[SRD:Ooze Type|ooze]] at 14th level, an [[SRD:Outsider Type|outsider]] at 16th level, and a [[SRD:Dragon Type|dragon]] at 19th level.

The size limit of the shapes she can assume also increases as she gains levels. [[SRD:Large|Large]] at 5th level, [[SRD:Tiny|Tiny]] at 7th level, [[SRD:Huge|Huge]] at 10th level, [[SRD:Diminutive|Diminutive]] at 14th level, and [[SRD:Gargantuan|Gargantuan]] at 19th level. 

The new form’s [[SRD:Hit Dice|Hit Dice]] can’t exceed the character’s shapeshifter level. (Optional: The shapeshifter may not gain a racial bonus to any physical ability score and a [[Natural_armor#Natural_Armor|natural armor]] bonus that would exceed her shapeshifter level.)

The shapeshifter qualifies for feats, classes, may use abilities, skill tricks and items requiring [[SRD:Druid#Wild_Shape|wild shape]], as a [[SRD:Druid|druid]] with the [[SRD:Druid#Wild_Shape|wild shape]] ability of the character’s shapeshifter level.

'''{{Anchor|Shifter’s Tongue}} {{Ex}}:''' At 4 th level, the Shapeshifter maintains her ability to speak normally (including verbal components of spells) regardless of the form she takes. Furthermore, she can communicate with other creatures of the same kind while in wild shape, as long as such creatures are normally capable of communicating with each other using natural methods.

'''{{Anchor|Manifest Senses}} {{Ex}}:''' At 5th level, the shapeshifter gains any [[SRD:Extraordinary_Ability#Extraordinary|extraordinary]] senses of the forms she changes into using [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]].

'''{{Anchor|Shapeshift Transference}} {{Su}}:''' At 6th level, when a shapeshifter uses [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]], [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]] and [[#Shapeshifter Trick|shapeshifter trick]], she may opt to meld the weapons she's holding in each hand into her form, rendering them nonfunctional. After melding, she transfers any magical properties of the weapons to the natural attacks of her new form, additionally her natural weapons overcome damage reduction exactly like the weapons she was holding when she changed. The magic and material of a single weapon affects only the natural attacks made with the corresponding limb in the shapeshifter's new form, not all her attacks.

Similarly when a shapeshifter uses [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] and [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]], she may opt to meld pieces of equipment into her form, rendering them nonfunctional. She may have only one piece of equipment melded per body part (the rules of magic items on the body apply), when taking a form that would meld additional equipment, that equipment does not meld and falls to the ground in her space. Making a piece of equipment reappear is a free action. Magic items that meld into her new form, transfer all their magical benefits to the shapeshifter. The standard limits on types of items utilized simultaneously still apply.

When the shapeshifter uses this ability, tattoo like runes, markings, magical text (similar to scribed scrolls) and lines appear on the shapeshifter that contain the magical properties (she can consciously change them). They radiate the same aura as the magic items. This ability can be suppressed and enabled as a fee action disabling the benefits from the magic items and erasing the markings, this does not break attunement to magic items.

'''{{Anchor|Fast Shapeshift}} {{Ex}}:''' At 7th level, a shapeshifter can use her [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] and [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]] ability as a [[SRD:Move Actions|move action]] instead of a [[SRD:Standard Actions|standard action]].

'''{{Anchor|Shapeshift Manipulation}} {{Su}}:''' At 8th level, the shapeshifter has learned to widen the area that she can manipulate. As part of a [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] or [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]] she may change and mold her gear, and held items. She may reduce or enlarge the gear to fit her form (to a [[SRD:Size Category|size category]] limited by the ability she uses), change the minor details of her equipment (color, texture, style, etc.), change weapons, armor and shields into different types of the same material (Dagger to Falchion, Full plate to Chain shirt, Leather armor to Hide armor), metal equipment into decorative jewelery within size limits (Full Plate 50 lb to bracer 1 lb at [[SRD:Tiny|Tiny]]), manipulate 1 cubic foot per level of materials as if using a ''[[SRD:Fabricate|fabricate]]'' spell. The shapeshifter must make an appropriate [[SRD:Craft Skill|craft check]] to manipulate articles requiring a high degree of craftsmanship (equipment type changes, complicated forms etc.), if the [[SRD:Craft Skill|craft check]] fails the change does not occur. These changes have an indefinite duration while in contact with the shapeshifter, but the items revert to their original form as soon as the shapeshifter ceases touching them for one round. The shapeshifter may gain a +2 circumstance bonus on [[SRD:Disguise Skill|disguise checks]] in any situations where clothing is part of a disguise.

'''{{Anchor|A Multitude of Tricks}} {{Ex}}:''' She may have two [[#Shapeshifter Trick|shapeshifter tricks]] active at 10th and three at 20th level.

'''{{Anchor|Extraordinary Shapeshift}} {{Ex}}:''' At 10th level, the shapeshifter gains any [[Ex|extraordinary special qualities]], type, subtypes and [[SRD:Special_Abilities_Overview#Natural_Abilities|natural abilities]] of the forms she changes into using [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]]. She gains her original type as an [[SRD:Augmented Subtype|augmented subtype]].

'''{{Anchor|Amorphous Body}} {{Ex}}:''' At 13th level, the shapeshifter gains the [[SRD:Shapechanger Subtype|shapechanger subtype]]. The shapeshifter is adept at distributing her form's vital organs around her body to keep them safe from harm, as well as reflexively alter her body to close minor wounds. She is no longer subject to [[SRD:Critical Hit|critical hits]], gains immunity to the [[dazed]] condition and whenever she would be [[stunned]] she is [[dazed]] instead and has [[SRD:Fast Healing|fast healing]] 1. If the shapeshifter already has fast healing from a form or in her base form, her [[SRD:Fast Healing|fast healing]] increases by 1.

The shapeshifter no longer takes [[SRD:Ability Scores|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.

'''{{Anchor|Supernatural Shapeshift}} {{Ex}}:''' At 15th level, the shapeshifter gains any [[Su|supernatural abilities]] of the forms she changes into using [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]].

'''{{Anchor|Evershifting Form}} {{Su}}:''' At 16th level, the shapeshifter can change forms multiple times during the duration of [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]]. The shapeshifter may change into her natural form without ending the [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]]. Due to her body always rearanging and reshaping itself, the shapeshifter gains [[SRD:Regeneration|regeneration]] 1 (fire, acid) while [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] is active. If she loses a limb, head, or body part, as long as [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] is active, a new one grows in 3d6 minutes, or she can reattach the severed member instantly by holding it to the stump. She can instantly regrow body parts by expending one use of [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]]. If the shapeshifter's head is severed, she is considered [[SRD:Staggered|staggered]], [[SRD:Blinded|blinded]], [[SRD:Deafened|deafened]] and [[SRD:Silence|mute]].

'''{{Anchor|Infinite Variety}} {{Su}}:''' At 18th level, the shapeshifter gains the ability to create completely imaginary forms when she [[#Shapeshift|shapeshifts]] or uses [[#Evershifting Form|evershifting form]]. To create an imaginary form, she chooses one form she can assume as a base form. The shapeshifter can then choose a single aspect of a second form she can assume and add it to the base form. Her available options include the following:
*Replace the base form's [[Natural_armor#Natural_Armor|natural armor]] bonus with that of the second form.
*Add the second form's [[SRD:Movement,_Position,_and_Distance#Movement_Modes|movement modes]].
*Add one of the second form's [[SRD:Natural_Weapon|natural attack]] types (with the appropriate reach), if the base form doesn't have that attack type already.
*Add an extraordinary special attack of the second form.
*Add an [[SRD:Extraordinary_Ability#Extraordinary|extraordinary special quality]] of the second form.
*Replace one of the base form's physical ability scores, if both the base form and the second form are the same size category.

'''{{Anchor|True Form}} {{Ex}}:''' At 20th level, the shapeshifter's body becomes an amorphous, mutating wonder. The duration of [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]] changes to permanent. Any form the shapeshifter takes with [[#Shapeshift|shapeshift]], [[#Shapeshifter Trick|shapeshifter trick]] and [[#Minor Shapeshift|minor shapeshift]] is considered her base form, her transformations can't be seen through by any magic (like ''[[SRD:True Seeing|True Seeing]]'') and her body, unlike her changed equipment, doesn't radiate a magic aura. Her body does not revert after death, there is nothing to revert to. Any melded gear reappears after death.

A Shapeshifter's resilient physiology allows her to shrug off effects that attack her endurance, or disrupt her bodily functions. She is immune to all spells and effects that require a Fortitude save, unless the effect also works on objects, or is harmless. She can choose to allow an effect that requires a fortitude save to affect her.

As her body is quite malleable, she can slip through spaces smaller than her head, as long as reasonably thick oil could flow through them, and may attempt to slip manacles, ropes, webs, nets, grapplers, and similar bonds as a free action once per round per restraint.

The shapeshifter no longer ages, and will no longer die of old age, [[SRD:Ability Scores|ability score]] penalties for aging are reset to adulthood (zero), aging bonuses still accrue.
Allowed Alignments	Lawful Good +, Lawful Neutral +, Lawful Evil +, Neutral Good +, Neutral +, Neutral Evil +, Chaotic Good +, Chaotic Neutral + and Chaotic Evil +
Article Balance	Very High +
Author	Sergejsvk +
Base Attack Bonus Progression	Good +
Class Ability	Other +
Class Ability Progression	Full +
Fortitude Save Progression	Good +
Identifier	3.5e Class +
Length	20 +
Minimum Level	1 +
Rated By	RaelZero +
Rating	Rating Pending +
Reflex Save Progression	Poor +
Skill Points	6 +
Summary	The shapeshifter you were always looking for… +
Title	Shapeshifter +
Will Save Progression	Good +