To add to the versatility I'd propose one of two things.

1. Make third tier forms functional at hero. As it stands, you have to get lucky (nearly all offensive, defensive and air forms are useless, a lot of the utility look strong however and water shifters have amazing forms all the way). The lottery system can work but the fact that shifters are also inherently boring doesn't help when you only really end up using 2 (three if you're lucky!!) forms. Variety is the spice of life, lets at least throw that much in. Maybe give 3rd tier offensive forms more defense (so if you're low on hp, but want to keep some damage output, you could switch.) and something similar for defensive. More varied abilities would be nice as well. Utility forms seem to get a wide variety, why not let offensive forms do maledicts (something along the lines of weak panther maledicts, or one-time shots for -3 dex/strength). Defensive forms can be given a bit more offense at third tear (tortoise bash!! Concuss your foe) without really ruining them. Switching to use a single ability still takes 1 round of combat. A lot longer if you've been maledicted. This sounds like a handy change. As it'd make shifter pk start before 42/43.

2. Give people a third focus, and if it sounds like overpowering then arrange it that their third choice is weaker. (for example, third choice offensive gives you a jaguar! Or Anaconda for defensives The weakest flyer with only average combat ability - A water form that isn't the super-pounce dolphin, etc.) This way they'll be very nearly be the shifters they are now. But with a weaker ability from another path. I know I'm being cynical with 'what forms are weak' but they can always be tweaked to the new system. This is likely true for all my posts concerning shifters.

If you want to put in precautions against overpoweredness, what you might end up with is three catagories of forms. Major, intermediate and minor. This could end up with nearly being able to 'choose' your forms once the number crunchy people figure out which forms go where. If so, simply have each catagory increase the chance of getting certain forms. Picked major offense? Its 30% lion, 30% tiger, 30% ram and 10% panther. Intermediate? Forget the lion, 30%tiger, 30% panther, 30% jaguar and 10% Alligator. Picked the weak one? Alligator 40% Jaguar 40% Panther 20%. Along those lines. Maybe forms will need tweaking, but its an idea. I like 1. better.

More ideas! Yay!


Yhorian.