Non-Monk Shifter

[helbrax]

In my opinion, no forms special abilities can offset losing somewhere around 25+ AC.

[Trazik]

And air elementals don't get huge AC bonuses? Slap on some light armour and get some good dex and that ought to be a step in the right direction.

One very popular set of builds on "my old server" was dex-based Fighter-druids and fighter-shifters.

Think harder

[helbrax]

I thought DEX while shifted was set, and didn't stack? Or was that changed on this server?

[lala]

You still need to take into account that if you play a shifter for their abilities your going at least 28 shifter.

You could go rogue, but you will not have enough unlock for hells so doesnt work well.
You can go SD for Hips, but thats not viable higher lvls.
Or as pointed out you go for uncanny dodge, however AA do fine without rogue and their uncanny dodge.

It comes down to that players want higher ac for builds that have less shifter so they can do builds that in most cases are melee focused.
Would this be the point of extra ac for shifters?
Would be interesting to see what Funky's view is on this.

Lala

[helbrax]

It comes down to that players want higher ac for builds that have less shifter so they can do builds that in most cases are melee focused.

I think that's a fair statement. From what I can tell, the only real melee form that is any good(at least later) is the Dragon shape. Without it, your left with stoning, spikes, spit, and mindrays. The rest of the shapes seem to have more defensive value than offensive(Rakshasa comes to mind).
I don't know. Perhaps I'm not seeing the bigger picture, but it seems to me that a class based on variety should have a little bit more variety. I think finding a way to somehow offset the AC loss from taking a more offensive class like fighter or blackguard while bringing a stronger melee presence to your shapes would be welcome. I'm not sure how melee shapes AB is calculated and how it applies to your shifte forms, so I may be asking too much.

Of course, then you make the non-melee shapes more usless, by lowering the DC for lower shifter levels. So it seems like the choice would be stronger melee vs strong form abilities, rather than good AC vs crap AC

[dodrudon]

I guess in many respects shifters on HG are like caster builds, they're all pretty much the same, just the feat choices are different.