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Dec 31, 2012 -- 10:50AM, Scatterbrained wrote:

Well the optimal answer is probably Staff of the Traveler + teleport boosters.

We considered that, but 1) another member of the party is already doing something similar (with Evermeet Warlock, no less), so we don't want to step on any toes, and 2) we're specifically optimizing shifts, since she wants to take Dispossessed Champion for her ED. Sure, the lack of a stat boost sucks, but the idea of a speed-opped (both init and movement) Druid going first, leaping something like 7-9 squares with Pouncing Form as a free action, and letting the whole party get into position in the process (screw you, turn 1 killbox!) is, simply put, damned compelling.

That said, I remembered an obvious shift boost: Mark of Passage. Wild Shape is a power, so MoP applies to its shift. MoP + Long Step = a 3-square shift on returning to humanoid form, and that's not shabby, even if it looks a little weak next to the 9-square shift into beast form she'd get with the same feat load and Pouncing Form.

I only recall one feat, that increases the shift distance, which is "risky shift", but that requires MC rogue and you grant CA, after using it. But whenever you shift, it allows you to shift an additional square. I think There isn't much to shift opimization, teleport is the only way to go. There's two paragon paths (one for dragon born and one for wizard "arcane wayfarer) which grant a teleport speed at LV 16. So whenever a power allows you to move (including shift), you can use your teleport speed instead. Most teleport boosting items (like eladrin armor, ring and boots) add 1 to max distance, so they always get added, even if a power says "shift 1 square", like wild shape.

You should also advise your friend with the staff of the traveler to get an Orb of nimble thoughts, for an encouter teleport (int mod squares).

Apologies if this has been brought up (as I'm almost positive it has but I don't want to slog through 95 pages of conversation), but this has me a bit confused:

Ironbreaker's Claws (PrP):  An AoE that does decent damage, and if you hit and then switch to beast form before your turn ends, any enemy that hits or misses you takes 5 damage.  Disincentive for every enemy on the board (even ranged) to attack you is nice (especially for Predators who don't normally get these kinds of powers), but the damage doesn't scale.  Useless for Sentinels, who lack Wild Shape. 

The last line of that entry implies that Sentinels have a way to get other powers besides Combined Attack, and if they do I'm not familiar with it. Would anyone be able to enlighten me? 

Actually both assumptions only partially correct.

1. Hybrid Sentinels can choose among all encounter powers of both classes, including combined attack (or additional uses on higher levels).

2. Sentinels can get wild shape, although it costs 2 feats, which have virtually no other benefit, except wild shape. Theres also the 3 were themes (wererat, werebear and werewolf), that allow you to use beastform powers, although they don't give you the wild shape power.
Call to the Wild: grants "Nature's ally" daily power.
Beastwalker Circle: Requires "Nature's ally". Gain Wildshape and may replace "Nature's ally" with normal druid daily power.

Jan 3, 2013 -- 9:06AM, Dzance wrote:

As a side thought, would an optimized shift (say shift +1 via risky shift) stack with an optimized teleport (say teleport +1 with eladrin chain) to grant a teleport 3 via Staff of the Traveler?

Generally speaking it depends on the wording of the related items/effects.

In this case you can shift 2 squares, so the staff replaces it with teleport. Eladrin items increase the max. distance of any teleport you make, so this is also ok.