I've been reading through the race and still haven't gotten a clear vision of it.
At first I thought they looked human, and then turned into the 'flat faced cat people' you see in the artwork. On further reading I see they always look like that, but nowhere have I read that shifters actually become more animalistic when they, you know, shift.
So is the shift more akin to a psychological thing like raging, or is it actually something?
Side note: Really disappointed that they don't do what I initially thought. Thought it would be really interesting to see a 'human' just change into this weird hybrid. Oh well.
The shifters is the alternative version between a Ninja and a Formless being. Then, I guess they carry a Flaw that makes them be scared of being chased by their true-form.
That's why they shift their own shape, to never let anyone guess what is their True form.
Then, said this, I guess they carry a low CHA stat, and also a low INT, an increased WIS, and some DEX that allows them to fast shape-shifting.
It’s not clear because it’s entirely up to the player. The details are undoubtedly dependent on which specific animal a player wants their character to be connected to, which is a player decision. Do you want to grow a snout? Congratulations, that’s what happens.
It's your character, it looks how you want. Shifters normally look humanish with fur and animal traits. Shifting makes them look even more animal-like which depends on the animal.
The shifters is the alternative version between a Ninja and a Formless being. Then, I guess they carry a Flaw that makes them be scared of being chased by their true-form.
That's why they shift their own shape, to never let anyone guess what is their True form.
Then, said this, I guess they carry a low CHA stat, and also a low INT, an increased WIS, and some DEX that allows them to fast shape-shifting.
WTF are you on about? Ninjas? Formless beings? Did you only read 1 word out of the title, skip the whole original post (about reading the race's description), and decide to start making up a new race in the "rules and game mechanics" forum? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the content of your post, it would be fine in homebrew. But the context is a question about an existing race.
Also confused by this mechanic, and the problem doesn't seem to have a clear consensus yet. I want to build a Shifter- Totem Barbarian, probably using the same animal for both the sub-race and the totem feat. If I'm, say, gaining a more bestial appearance, akin to a bear, will I still have hands to wield my equipment, or do I have paws now? Or all the way, am I Polymorphing into a bear for the next 60 seconds?
RAW leaves me second guessing myself, kinda new to the game and I don't want to assume anything.
You look different but you can still use all your equipment.
It's vague because some people want to get slightly hairier and some people want to go full-on werewolf (at least the standy-up kind... you are a hybrid form, not an animal form). Either way, the only changes to game effects are the ones listed in the power. Although be aware that there would probably be consequences to shifting during a social encounter that can't really be covered by rules text.
I've been reading through the race and still haven't gotten a clear vision of it.
At first I thought they looked human, and then turned into the 'flat faced cat people' you see in the artwork. On further reading I see they always look like that, but nowhere have I read that shifters actually become more animalistic when they, you know, shift.
So is the shift more akin to a psychological thing like raging, or is it actually something?
Side note: Really disappointed that they don't do what I initially thought. Thought it would be really interesting to see a 'human' just change into this weird hybrid. Oh well.
The very first sentence of the Shifting ability description is literally “As a bonus action, you can assume a more bestial appearance.”
The shifters is the alternative version between a Ninja and a Formless being. Then, I guess they carry a Flaw that makes them be scared of being chased by their true-form.
That's why they shift their own shape, to never let anyone guess what is their True form.
Then, said this, I guess they carry a low CHA stat, and also a low INT, an increased WIS, and some DEX that allows them to fast shape-shifting.
My Ready-to-rock&roll chars:
Dertinus Tristany // Amilcar Barca // Vicenç Sacrarius // Oriol Deulofeu // Grovtuk
Okay but what is this more bestial appearance? It’s not clear. Are they more hairy? Grow a snout?
It’s not clear because it’s entirely up to the player. The details are undoubtedly dependent on which specific animal a player wants their character to be connected to, which is a player decision. Do you want to grow a snout? Congratulations, that’s what happens.
It's your character, it looks how you want. Shifters normally look humanish with fur and animal traits. Shifting makes them look even more animal-like which depends on the animal.
Also...
WTF are you on about? Ninjas? Formless beings? Did you only read 1 word out of the title, skip the whole original post (about reading the race's description), and decide to start making up a new race in the "rules and game mechanics" forum? Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the content of your post, it would be fine in homebrew. But the context is a question about an existing race.
"assume a more bestial appearance"
Also confused by this mechanic, and the problem doesn't seem to have a clear consensus yet. I want to build a Shifter- Totem Barbarian, probably using the same animal for both the sub-race and the totem feat. If I'm, say, gaining a more bestial appearance, akin to a bear, will I still have hands to wield my equipment, or do I have paws now? Or all the way, am I Polymorphing into a bear for the next 60 seconds?
RAW leaves me second guessing myself, kinda new to the game and I don't want to assume anything.
You look different but you can still use all your equipment.
It's vague because some people want to get slightly hairier and some people want to go full-on werewolf (at least the standy-up kind... you are a hybrid form, not an animal form). Either way, the only changes to game effects are the ones listed in the power. Although be aware that there would probably be consequences to shifting during a social encounter that can't really be covered by rules text.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm