I’m creating a shape shifting feat I’m planning to have all the PCs start with in an upcoming campaign. The basic idea is that you choose one creature with CR 1 or lower, and then as an action you can change into that creature or back into your true form. However, I feel that the CR restriction means that it will lose its viability at higher levels. However, making the CR limit relative to the player’s level means that since you choose the creature when you take the feat, it will be a lot more worth it taking it at higher levels, and that won’t even help in my scenario, since all the PCs will start with it at level 1. Do you have any ideas that could help?
It would only lose viability a higher levels if you intend it to be used in combat, and if you do intend it to be used in combat... what is the point of them having class levels etc... if they are going to be fighting as animals using monster statblocks rather than their own?
I'd suggest capping it at CR 1/4 or lower and having it be a utility feature rather than a combat one. CR 1/4 beasts would still give them the potential for on-demand: Flight & Flyby Advantage on Perception checks Swim speed 20ft Jumping Burrowing 50ft run speed Blindsight Climbing / Spider Climb Decent Stealth Darkvision
I’m creating a shape shifting feat I’m planning to have all the PCs start with in an upcoming campaign. The basic idea is that you choose one creature with CR 1 or lower, and then as an action you can change into that creature or back into your true form. However, I feel that the CR restriction means that it will lose its viability at higher levels. However, making the CR limit relative to the player’s level means that since you choose the creature when you take the feat, it will be a lot more worth it taking it at higher levels, and that won’t even help in my scenario, since all the PCs will start with it at level 1. Do you have any ideas that could help?
It would only lose viability a higher levels if you intend it to be used in combat, and if you do intend it to be used in combat... what is the point of them having class levels etc... if they are going to be fighting as animals using monster statblocks rather than their own?
I'd suggest capping it at CR 1/4 or lower and having it be a utility feature rather than a combat one.
CR 1/4 beasts would still give them the potential for on-demand:
Flight & Flyby
Advantage on Perception checks
Swim speed
20ft Jumping
Burrowing
50ft run speed
Blindsight
Climbing / Spider Climb
Decent Stealth
Darkvision
In addition to Agilemind’s suggestion, I would also limit the number of uses of the feat to 1/short rest.
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