>suppose they steamroll 20% of the chars, while getting steamrolled by the other 80%.

Wrong. And again it is not about the class now. An experienced player will steamroll a newbie with almost any class, not only shifter

>They just can be a major pain in the butt if they hit you at the wrong time.
Yep! But imagine getting blinded by a shaman in a cursed area? Getting caught in the Underdark by cavedweller ranger? Getting gaunted by a wicked conjie while you are gushing blood. It's the same.