Currently, these edges require that you've never shapeshifted into the form before. That means it's impossible for a single player to know anything about the form before making the decision.

That's fine for vets or people who are comfortable believing rumors, but it makes it impossible for a new player to make an informed decision.

Santa request: Allow those edges to be taken as long as the form skill remains "Adequate". Once the form hits "Competent", the edges are no longer available.

That would allow the player to shift and look at the skills, and have one or two fights to see how it does so they could make a more informed decision. It still wouldn't allow them to use the form extensively or develop a reputation as having that form.


PS. I expect a guaranteed present, since I didn't ask about paladins this year.

To quote Umi: "No - the point of the edges was always for when you ALREADY know you hate it and dont want it AGAIN".

And I agree with him. The edge was meant to be a "I already had this so I'd like to reroll the form without rerolling my character". We aren't interested in expanding it to "I haven't had this but I want to experiment and then change my mind." I get the idea, but that's a no-go for this one.

you know how when you reach level 11 and you get forced info and help file direction?

Could a shifter learning tier 1 form at that level just be forced to 'help roll the spin' or 'help wheel the bones'.

You already get a message when getting your final forms though. That's a lot less jarring than throwing a full page of a helpfile up in the midst of combat when leveling up and gaining those forms:

You receive 888 experience points (100% bonus).
You raise a level!!  Your gain is: 9/526 hp, 20/851 m, 7/506 mv 3/81 prac.
You are focusing your skill learning on scrolls.
You have learned 2% of your water breathing ability.

You have learned how to shapeshift into the form of giant wasp.
  See 'help roll the bones' about changing your major form.

You receive 761 experience points (38% bonus).
You raise a level!!  Your gain is: 9/843 hp, 19/1029 m, 6/548 mv 6/75 prac.
You are focusing your skill learning on scrolls.
You have learned 2% of your spellcraft ability.

You have learned how to shapeshift into the form of dire wolf.
  See 'help spin the wheel' about changing your minor form.

   

I am a moron but that's exactly what I was referring to do. And it's already done!

You think after 3 shifters in October I would have noticed at least once.... but i is dim

That doesn't solve the problem I'm trying to address. As it currently stands, those edges are only actually helpful for vets or people with OOC knowledge on each form (or more likely, people believing half-true rumors about them).

I'm asking for a way for people to actually shift into the form to see what it can do before making the decision to swap it.