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shapeshifter - fighter?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:36 pm
by chickenhed
I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not dualing a shapeshifter to a fighter will enhance the werewolf combat abilities at all? Will the werewolf get any extra attacks per round, for example?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:23 pm
by Crenshinibon
The werewolf will be able to get extra attacks per round and a better THAC0. Also, you are able to improve your AC in your shapeshifted form by equipping a shield in the off hand.

More obvious enhancements are the ability to use some of the items open to the fighter class as well as the high level abilities that are gained later on, all of which affect the form.

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:13 pm
by chickenhed
Well interesting indeed. I honestly didnt expect that. Has anyone tried it? Does it make the unmodded shapeshifter at least a little bit powerful?

Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:58 pm
by Tricky
Hm. If it's AC you want, what about a Shapeshifter/Thief + use any item? I don't really know if this is possible.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 1:49 am
by dzidek1983
the shifter is powerfull even without these exploits... you just have to run him the propoer way

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 5:27 am
by Crenshinibon
A Shapeshifter/Thief is not possible.

Yes, I've tried that class combination.

(SPOILER):[SPOILER]If you're feeling like it, while you're shapeshifted, you can dispell the claws and use your normal weapons instead. This makes the shapeshifter a great deal more powerful, though is considered cheating or taking advantage of bugs.[/SPOILER]

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 7:40 am
by dzidek1983
Ok first of all you have to remember that the shifter despite what the description says can wear very decent armour.
Next all the bonuses from rings, weapons, armour apply to the shifted form. So if your wepon does fire damage your claws will to, if the weapon has extra attack your claws will also.

If a ring gives you resistances they will merge with your natural resistances in wolf form.
The same is with spell effects.
It takes a lot of thinking but you could easily make a powerfull character without cheese like the one in post above.

F.ex. a greater wolf has 50% immunity to magic damage... with one belt you make yoursel totally immune to magic missiles, skull traps, and many other pesky spells

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:25 am
by chickenhed
Thank you for the replies, everyone.

to the above poster, are you sure of this? I had heard that magic resistance was locked at 50% regardless of additional bonuses?

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:45 am
by Crenshinibon
That is untrue. Magic resistance is not capped at 50% as many characters can surpass even one hundred.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:57 am
by chickenhed
My apologies, I should have been more clear. I meant I thought the Shapeshifter class shapechanged to a G. Werewolf was capped at 50% specifically.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:01 am
by Crenshinibon
While the Greater Werewolf form may have only 50% magic resistance, you can use magical items to stack on top of it and increase it.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:39 pm
by Gorlam
Crenshinibon wrote:While the Greater Werewolf form may have only 50% magic resistance, you can use magical items to stack on top of it and increase it.


also there is a bug ingame that lets shifters wear some dragon scale armor, like shadow, blue, and white. Not sure about red.

Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 4:30 pm
by Crenshinibon
Yes, but equipping that would force you to remove the Cloak of Protection +2 that you are currently using. Also, at this point, you should have enough AC for it to not make a difference.

Shapeshifters can also wear Valygar's armor.

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:06 am
by dzidek1983
werewolf form can't have more resistance by it's own... a help from items is not included in the descrition

the armor fact is true...

Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 7:16 am
by Crenshinibon
If an item grants additional resistances and is equipped by a shapeshifter prior to changing form, the resistances WILL stack.

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 11:53 am
by chickenhed
I know I am resurrecting an old thread of mine here, so please forgive me :) But my question still relates to it, so I hope it is justified.

Will weapon bonuses (not damage) apply to the werewolf in shapeshifted form? For example, if I equip belm, will I get another attack per round on TOP of the standard 3 apr the greater werewolf gets, granting a total of 4 apr?

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:24 pm
by Crenshinibon
If I remember correctly then yes, Belm will affect attacks per round of any form, just as dual wielding will as well. However, somewhere along the line, you'll be able to perform five attacks per round without Belm, using something like Spectral Brand, so you might as well use a shield for the extra defense and resistances.

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:49 pm
by chickenhed
Crenshinibon wrote:If I remember correctly then yes, Belm will affect attacks per round of any form, just as dual wielding will as well. However, somewhere along the line, you'll be able to perform five attacks per round without Belm, using something like Spectral Brand, so you might as well use a shield for the extra defense and resistances.


Hmm. That is interesting indeed. I did not think dual wielding would affect forms. So if I dual wield two scimitars that do NOT inherently give a bonus to attacks per round (say just two non magical scimitars), will I have 4 apr in greater werewolf form? (3 for the form, 1 for the off hand attack of dual wielding).

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:57 pm
by Crenshinibon
Yes, that's correct.

Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 4:02 pm
by chickenhed
Crenshinibon wrote:Yes, that's correct.


*mental gears whirring.......

Many builds spring to mind. All revolving around 13 shapeshifter / x fighter. Thank you for the info, Crenshinibon!