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4 years ago ::
Dec 02, 2008 - 9:18AM
#91
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Date Joined:
Aug 14, 2002
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CelticMutt, good catch. I totally spaced while I was typing that though I think the question remains. Assume then that instead of Sorcerer I had typed any other class and say that if you have 8 powers to start in the PHB2, are the classes not inherently more attractive then one from the PHB1 which will only have that many if you have also bought the ____ Power book. And when the Power book appears for the power source of your PHB2 class you suddenly have 12 at-wills to choose from.
Crayg, the comment was based on the idea of using only Wildshape to assume your sneaking form, not using the power at all. And since wildshape alone does not allow you to change your size your rat form would likely look pretty suspicious. I misread the original post, my bad.
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4 years ago ::
Dec 02, 2008 - 11:07AM
#92
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Date Joined:
May 18, 2002
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Skittering Sneak states that you can "Assume the form of a tiny natural beast or fey beast, such as a mouse, a house cat, or a large spider."
There ar also no guide lines about how other animals will react to you. If the druid turns into a spider to move through a swarm of spiders will the swarm ignore her. or would a Nature check be required for the Druid to know how how to interact with other creatures?
Crayg, the comment was based on the idea of using only Wildshape to assume your sneaking form, not using the power at all. And since wildshape alone does not allow you to change your size your rat form would likely look pretty suspicious. I misread the original post, my bad.
Yes to the above note, but still a good question on animal interactions. Regardless of what ability you use to take on an animal form, what types of things would you think a druid could accomplish?
The spider thing to avoid the swarm sounds like a good idea (if a bit horrific!), unless of course your plan is to just sit there and let them pass you by...and the swarm happens to be a species that consumes it's dead or something! 
Nature check sounds good to fake it among animals in a pinch. Maybe Bluff to fool humanoid onlookers???
There should probably be a line somewhere for each DM to prevent sacrificing too much story for biological accuracy. I imagine most groups wouldn't need to get into pack dynamics and behavior just because the druid turns into a wolf......but if the druid turns into a wolf and uses a beast form power to slay the alpha, does the druid then own the pack???
Side note: I wonder if there'll be a ritual for speaking with animals. Any other thoughts on druid-related rituals?
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4 years ago ::
Dec 02, 2008 - 1:33PM
#93
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Date Joined:
Aug 13, 2007
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
please never let WotC do anything like WW
WWWWW (What's Wrong With White Wolf)?
I'm not talking about rules, the d20 system works wonderfully, I'm just talking about actually inserting some flavor into the game. Either that, or taking the flavor out, giving you straight rules and allowing you to customize the flavor to your character every time. I, personally, think that WotC ought to choose one or the other, not give us this little tease of flavor. I actually don't know the rules system to WW very well, because, though I've bought 8 or 9 books from them, because I've spent so much time emmersing myself in the story, it's a very nice change from the WotC style.
Thanks,
Hdier
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 2:24AM
#94
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Date Joined:
Jul 23, 2004
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Are the attacks made in Beast Form considered to be 'claw attacks' and as such able to benefit from the proficiency bonus granted by the Claw Fighter feat. E.g.: Attacks are now at a +3 for proficiency bonus?
Savage Rend has the Implement keyword, so it does not get any proficiency bonus. Compare it to the Swordmage powers, where they all use a sword and get its enhancement bonus, but some are Weapon powers and also get the proficiency bonus, and some are Implement powers and don't.
Flavor-wise, when you Wild Shape and use Savage Rend, you turn into a beast with claws. These claws are distinct from any you might have in your humanoid form.
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 7:05AM
#95
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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What about scent? If a druid wildshapes into a wolf and a wolf approaches her, will the wolf automatically smell that the druid isn't a real wolf?
Flavorwise I would say the druid at least smells like a wolf as it doesn't affect game mechanics. Of course the druid couldn't talk like wolf but hopefully a ritual or spell will change that.
Also this kinda a Realms question but still ties into druid class: Since Rashemen now has a greatly increased number of fey residents, would the native spirits of Rashemen be considered fey and if so, could a druid/Hathan of Rashemen turn into one of the animal spirits with her wildshape?
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 7:09AM
#96
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Hi guys, new to the forum here  Am I the only one who miss a little of the old druid's mechanical changes in Beast Form? I mean, I'm all for rule simplicity and everything, but I was really disapointed with how this went out. I playtested the class yesterday and, to me, Wild Shape just seemed something like ''I give up this set of abilities in exchange for this one, for the moment''. Don't get me wrong, loved playing the class and it really gave me a ''Controller'' feel (even more than what I got from the Wizard), but I was expecting something... more. I know it's kinda late for them to make changes to the class right now, but hey, my suggestion is up anyways: why don't make the Shapechanging Druid something like the Beastmaster Ranger? Give them a pre-chosen set of animals to change into (bear, boar, wolf, cat... the more the better, each one with one bonus or two, just to spice thins up), and assign High-Level Utility Powers that let you assume more varied forms (a 16th-Level Utility that let you morph into a flying shape, for examplo, much in the way Skittering Sneak does). Also, I miss a lot all the friendly puppies from last edition (spontaneously convert any spell into ''Summon Nature's Ally'', plus the good ol' Animal Companion). But I guess I'll have to live with that. Maybe another class is up to the challenge? (Invoker, I'm looking at you!) Thanks you all for reading, and sorry for any grammar mistakes, English is not my mother language :P
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 8:14AM
#97
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Also, I miss a lot all the friendly puppies from last edition (spontaneously convert any spell into ''Summon Nature's Ally'', plus the good ol' Animal Companion). But I guess I'll have to live with that. Maybe another class is up to the challenge? (Invoker, I'm looking at you!)
Actually rumors have it that the shaman is the one who got the summoning abilities as there have been references to a leader with pets
I haven't lost my mind I've simply misplaced it
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 12:36PM
#98
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Date Joined:
Jun 19, 2004
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Actually rumors have it that the shaman is the one who got the summoning abilities as there have been references to a leader with pets
I am the most excited to see the Shaman out of all the 4E classes - I am hoping it is like the 3E Spirit Shaman. I think it would be cool summoning spirit animals to fight/guard you.
I am hoping they release a playtest/preview for the Shaman.
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 1:10PM
#99
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Date Joined:
Aug 14, 2002
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Personally I am hoping it is not much like the spirit shaman, not sure why but the ss never really felt quite right to me. I must admit though that I didn't get a chance to play it.
Valien, since you are the only one to admit to having played the class I would love to get some more of your thoughts on it. Also you describe it as feeling like switching one set of abilities for another, wasn't that something they had said they didn't want to have happen?
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4 years ago ::
Dec 03, 2008 - 1:26PM
#100
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Date Joined:
Jul 18, 2005
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Also you describe it as feeling like switching one set of abilities for another, wasn't that something they had said they didn't want to have happen?
Well I haven't played it, but I did create a character. From the looks of it, you end up having both melee and ranged powers depending on which form you're in, but because of how easily and often you can switch back and forth, you're never really 'stuck' in one mode if you want to use a different type of attack. This is especially true because of the free shift when switching to humanoid form, and the pounce power that lets you use it to charge in beast form.
On another note, I figured I'd throw in my opinion of the druid. This isn't really a mechanical issue, but being able to change into an aspect of the Primal Beast starting at first level seems totally wrong to me. I think it would be better for druid paragon paths to hint at getting closer to the primal beast, and having an epic destiny that really allows you to become an aspect of it. You shouldn't be able to become something so weird and extraplanar at first level. What could be cool, though, is if you had the option to have your beast form be reminiscent of the primal beast. For example, if you shift into a panther form, you might have feathers appearing and disappearing in clouds of fey dust and an extra row of teeth or something. (Of course, it would be optional in case you wanted to blend in to the wolf pack, etc.) That way the beast form would let you hint at being close to the primal beast, without actually becoming 'an indistinct shape of shadowy fur and claws'.
~
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