And shifters are a-ok as is. Lore learning rate still sucks btw.

You can consider this a troll if you like, but if a number of your more experienced players are telling you that shapeshifters are lacking, perhaps you should look a little deeper. I personally haven't played a shifter in quite a while, and my last one was an exploring type character, but I fear shapeshifters about as much as I fear being assassinated.... Sure, if I'm a complete moron or the person on the other end is leagues better I'll get assassinated/killed by a shifter, but day in and day out I ignore the possibility of it happening because I know I'll come out ahead 95%+ of the time.