An idea to make this form better/on par with other offensive forms.

The Jaguar is a form with what is termed 'average' dodging ability (in reality, you'll dodge 1/3 of hits. A nice bonus), a handy bite that will bleed foes (sometimes, for a short while. Kinda nice.) and hit with slowly incrimented strength loss (which is only useful in very long fights - ie, the ones an offense form with 'average dodge' isn't likely to win/stick about for)

As an example of the strength loss, the only person who dropped any weapons due to it was a shaman. He had a big axe, little str+ gear and we'd been fighting for over 11 rounds. I'd estimate -4 str over that time, assuming I got in the full 11 bites.

Its main skill, the forestblend/ambush, is very inappropriate for a shifter form with no sneak becase:

a) Its limited to foresty areas.

b) Forestblend is 2 rounds of lag.

This tactically means that ambushing is a starter move only. If you are lying in wait in a forested area for your foe to walk past. While waiting, you burn mana per hour. Protections drop. Once you get the drop, the foe is not lagged and will likely flee immediately when they see that annihilate (assuming you actually hit the ambush). This is also assuming they didn't see you placing yourself (making ambushes likely only on the edges of areas). You also move slow, so a paraplegic gnome can afford to both run and taunt you using 'yell'. 2 round lag on ambush to hinders chasing/shifting as well.

Suggestion: Limited form of creeping.
The Jaguar can creep slowly through forest(y) areas. A-la real life cats that 'stalk'. This creep could come with lag, but considering the jaguars normal move speed I would don't think it even needs any additions. This allows you just that little bit more freedom in engineering a drop with the jaguar. Considering previous stealth issues, many stubborn players might claim this actually makes ambushing possible at all. Since the jaguar is very badly matched to a ranger in the forest, is generally mocked for its offense and is currently as exciting tactically as 'bite, bite, bite' - I propose this change would raise the bar without trying to make it a Liger in disguise. Combined with other stealth forms or even with an airform, you and your 'new' jaguar could be making hell anywhere that isn't a cabal raid/the eastern road.

In general, I hope shifters gain ways to be more interesting once your opponent figures out what forms you have/your forms obvious weakness. I tried wanding every which way, and while it sometimes worked it required constant defensive wand supplies (to survive more than 2 seconds out of form) and to constantly invent new ways to trick people that wasn't even using my main spec. In short, stuff I could have done with a conjurer/enigma warrior.

Thanks for letting me waste your time


Yhorian.

At this point in time there are few differances in major/minor choices to your shifter class. Perhaps entertain the idea to make them that take major forms make that part stronger.

Example: Im a major defense, minor offense.
My major defense form is lets say something "crazy" like the armadillo. It allready has high resist/very high dam redux. As it is the shifters major form, he or she could spend points in its form to improve one of its abilities. Much like the invoker class. Playing its strengths.

For the Minor form you would get no such option.

At any rate, much cudos to the work around quests. Impressive reading.

Much regards from an old timer visiting.

LH

Jaguar should gain ability to see camo. Give it Creep and less damn lag. Maybe not the fast creep, but please nothing so SLOW as the wildcat creep. Get rid of the bleeding and strength loss on the bites to even things out. Make it like an OFFENSIVE ranger in the forests. Out of forests, it should fight the same but with no real benefit such as bleeding. Hell this would make the choice candidate for Outlander shifters. It would be deadly instead of laughed at. Hell, when Im playing ANY Utility major or most Defensive majors, I just walk over Jaguars.

It still isnt going to have the added defense of a ranger, but it should at least dominate a bit in its natural domain.

As it stands now, you forestblend. The person sees you are camoed and walks off...if you are lucky you ambush and see mediocre damage. Then you are lagged. Which is why most people delete when they get the form.

If each Offensive form was kind of specialized it would really diversify the way people play shifters. Jaguar- forests. Panther-maybe hides in shadows. So many diferent things can diferentiate the forms. Dont get me started on the Dozen 3rd tier offensive forms, and the choice of four defensive, ect. So many cool options could be done to really make the class fun.

Few other forms need some looking at too. Osprey Divebomb over water is pretty weak too. Flyto/Swimto Murder lag sucks!! Nepenthe for president!

Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torment of man.

>b) Forestblend is 2 rounds of lag.

This is only situationally true; that said, it's probably true most of the time for most shifters.

It's also something on my to-adjust list.

Probably I'll see that tinkered with first and go from there.

Is this 2 rounds of lag for all forms, or just the jaguar. Assume most of the time for most shifters if that makes a difference.

Currently, all. (Given your assumption.)

For anyone that is too subtle for, think camo. You're slipping Nep, that wasn't even remotely vague.

"Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens." - Jimi Hendrix