User talk:Askewnotion/Feral Spirit

(a) Needs playtesting, but from the text it doesn't feel off. (b) It *feels* more like a replacement to Wild Shape than to Animal Companion. --Mqs 13:59, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

(b) It seems that way in the early levels but the change is in the upper lvls when you get the spirit guardian abilities. Animal companion is an extra combatant but spirit guardian is an extra caster - wholely seperate from wild shape. --Arz 14:41, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

(b²) Mike knows my love of shifters and my playing of all things shifter related. Having used the shifter druid substitute levels before (along with the sight based shifter ability), it brought a whole new dimension to the druid. As opposed to the bonuses granted to natural shifting I just shifted some of the bonuses and compliments of a shifters natural race to the substitute class feature. Also agree with Mike above; trades improved casting and natural abilities with the usual (and quite effective), expendable meat shield companion. Can also be used and talk the animal that needs the biggest nerf ever; the dog! Long live Ko! --Askewnotion 14:47, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Interesting start. I agree with Daryl, it feels like a Wild Shape replacement. I'm concerned about ability bonuses and natural armor bonuses stacking with Wild Shape. Two combatants replaced with a super combatant. Consider either formally making this a wild shape replacement or differentiate it more. --Randy (Talk) 15:10, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Stat bonus can easily be changed to 1 stat if felt too strong. --Askewnotion 15:28, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

Change and questions:

Mark of the Beast — Spend 24hours communing with nature to switch.

Spirit Guardian — Is the swift action counted as the Druid's swift action for the round?

Unleash Spirit — Seems potent, but hell, it is 18th level.

--Randy (Talk) 15:38, 27 September 2010 (UTC)

My intent was to make Mark of the Beast a permanent decision that helps define the specific spirit that is bonded to the character (tiger spirit would have claws, wolf spirit for bite, cheetah spirit for mobility, etc). The switch ability would be up to all of you if you feel it should be included. The swift action for Spirit Guardian is the druid's swift action for the round. Unleash Spirit is potent, but then again, it is 18th like you said. Also, it requires you to actually have the metamagic feats so that seems to balance it a little. --Askewnotion 16:47, 27 September 2010 (UTC)