Wolf Shifter

Wolf shifters usually trace their powers from a distant lycanthrope ancestor, though some gain their powers through totem worship. These warriors tap into the power and skill of the wolf, an animal feared and worshiped by many barbaric tribes. Their connection with this animal comes with a deep respect and kinship at times, though some shifters may turn their back on this fundamental connection. Just like the wolf, shifters often travel great distances, partly from a keen wanderlust, and partly from unwelcoming treatment by common folk.

While some that become wolf shifters are looking for a way to both control and hone their animalistic urges, others partake in them at every chance they get. These shifters become terrors of the forest, often dominating lycanthropes and packs of wolves to raid and pillage nearby settlements. Delighting in fear and carnage, these monsters reinforce the common stereotype that shifters are crazed animals that need to be put down, no different than their lycanthropic ancestors or the animal that they seek to emulate.

Role: The shifter travels at the front of the party, always ready to confront any threat that would harm her allies. Thanks to her wolf form, the shifter can travel faster than most of the party and can be a proficient scout. In battle, she is always at the front line, tearing through the enemies with snapping jaw and swinging weapon.

Alignment: Any nonlawful.

Hit Die: d12

Class Skills

The wolf shifter’s class skills are Acrobatics (Dex), Climb (Str), Craft (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (nature) (Int), Perception (Wis), Stealth (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim (Str).

Skill Ranks per Level: 4 + Int modifier.

Table: Wolf Shifter
Level Base Attack Bonus Fort Save Ref Save Will Save Special
1st +1 +2 +0 +0 Hybrid transformation, wolf transformation
2nd +2 +3 +0 +0 Rage power, shifting resistance
3rd +3 +3 +1 +1 Wolf empathy
4th +4 +4 +1 +1 Rage power
5th +5 +4 +1 +1 Lunar link +1
6th +6 +5 +2 +2 Rage power
7th +7/+2 +5 +2 +2 Fast transformation
8th +8/+3 +6 +2 +2 Rage power
9th +9/+4 +6 +3 +3 Lunar link +2
10th +10/+5 +7 +3 +3 Rage power
11th +11/+6/+1 +7 +3 +3 Greater transformation
12th +12/+7/+2 +8 +4 +4 Rage power
13th +13/+8/+3 +8 +4 +4 Lunar link +3
14th +14/+9/+4 +9 +4 +4 Rage power
15th +15/+10/+5 +9 +5 +5 Improved fast transformation
16th +16/+11/+6/+1 +10 +5 +5 Rage power
17th +17/+12/+7/+2 +10 +5 +5 Lunar link +4, tireless transformation
18th +18/+13/+8/+3 +11 +6 +6 Rage power
19th +19/+14/+9/+4 +11 +6 +6 Shifting forms
20th +20/+15/+10/+5 +12 +6 +6 Mighty transformation, rage power

Class Features

All of the following are class features of the wolf shifter.

Weapon and Armor Proficiency

A wolf shifter is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, light armor, medium armor, and shields (except tower shields).

Hybrid Transformation (Su)

A wolf shifter can change into a hybrid wolf-humanoid form. A wolf shifter can transform for a number of rounds per day equal to 4 + her Constitution modifier. At each level after 1st, she can transform for 2 additional rounds. Temporary increases to Constitution, such as those gained from transformation and spells like bear’s endurance, do not increase the total number of rounds that a wolf shifter can transform per day. A wolf shifter can start a transformation as a full-round action. Using a full-round action to start a transformation does not count towards the number of rounds a wolf shifter can stay transformed in a day. The wolf shifter can also start a transformation as an immediate action after taking damage from an attack. The total number of rounds of transformation per day is renewed after resting for 8 hours, although these hours do not need to be consecutive.

While in hybrid form, a wolf shifter gains a +2 morale bonus to her Strength and a + 4 morale bonus to her Constitution. She also gains low-light vision and a natural bite attack that deals 1d6 points of damage. While transformed, a wolf shifter cannot use any Charisma-, Dexterity-, or Intelligence-based skills (except Acrobatics, Fly, Intimidate, and Stealth) or any ability that requires patience or concentration.

A wolf shifter can end her transformation as a free action and is fatigued after the transformation for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of rounds spent in the transformation. A wolf shifter cannot start a new transformation while fatigued or exhausted but can otherwise start a transformation multiple times during a single encounter or combat. If a wolf shifter falls unconscious, her transformation immediately ends, placing her in peril of death. A wolf shifter must stay in one of her two forms (see wolf transformation) during transformation and can only switch between the two forms when she starts a new transformation.

Wolf Transformation (Su)

A wolf shifter can take on wolf form. Wolf transformation works like hybrid transformation except spending a round of transformation grants the wolf shifter the ability to be in wolf transformation for one minute (a fraction of a minute rounds up to one round). In addition to the benefits of hybrid form, in wolf form the wolf shifter has a speed of 50 feet and gains the trip creature ability. A wolf shifter loses her ability to speak while in wolf form. All items the wolf shifter carries meld into her body in this form. When in wolf transformation the wolf shifter cannot use rage powers. The wolf shifter cannot use wolf transformation when wearing heavy armor or carrying a heavy load. A wolf shifter is fatigued after the transformation for a number of rounds equal to 2 times the number of minutes spent in the transformation.

Rage Powers (Ex)

As a wolf shifter gains levels, she learns to use her transformation in new ways. Starting at 2nd level, a wolf shifter gains a barbarian rage power and gains another rage power for every two levels of wolf shifter attained after 2nd level. A wolf shifter gains the benefits of rage powers only while in hybrid transformation (not wolf transformation), and some of these powers require the wolf shifter to take an action first. Unless otherwise noted, a wolf shifter cannot select an individual power more than once.

Shifting Resistance (Ex)

At 2nd level, the wolf shifter gains DR/silver equal to half her wolf shifter level when in hybrid or wolf transformation. The wolf shifter also gains immunity to lycanthropy. At 11th level the DR/silver becomes DR/silver and magic.

Wolf Empathy (Ex)

At 3rd level, a wolf shifter can improve the attitude of wolves and dire wolves. This ability acts as wild empathy (use the wolf shifter’s level as her druid level) except it affects only lupine animals. The wolf shifter can use this ability while transformed.

Lunar Link (Ex)

At 5th level, the wolf shifter gains a +1 insight bonus on Perception, Stealth, and Survival checks while under direct moon light and during the entire day of the full moon, including the two days before and after the full moon (during this phase, the wolf shifter gains the bonus during night and day, regardless of being under moonlight). This bonus increases by +1 every four levels beyond 5th.

Fast Transformation (Ex)

At 7th level, a wolf shifter can transform as a standard action instead of a full-round action. Transforming in this way spends a round of transformation.

Greater Transformation (Su)

At 11th level, when a wolf shifter transforms into a hybrid or wolf transformation she gains a + 2 natural armor bonus. In hybrid and wolf transformation the natural bite attack’s damage increases to 1d10.

When transforming into the wolf transformation the wolf shifter can choose a dire wolf form instead. The wolf shifter must choose which wolf form she is becoming when starting a transformation. The dire wolf form causes the wolf shifter to increase her size by one size category. This size increase grants the wolf shifter a +2 size bonus to Strength, a –2 size penalty to Dexterity (to a minimum of 1), and a –1 penalty on attack rolls and AC due to her increased size. The wolf shifter’s bite attack also increases by one size category.

Improved Fast Transformation (Ex)

At 15th level, a wolf shifter can transform as a move action. Transforming in this way spends a round of transformation.

Tireless Transformation (Ex)

Starting at 17th level, a wolf shifter no longer becomes fatigued at the end of her transformation.

Shifting Forms (Su)

At 19th level when a wolf shifter is transformed she can change between hybrid and wolf transformation as a swift action without ending the transformation.

Mighty Transformation (Su)

At 20th level when a wolf shifter transforms into a hybrid or wolf transformation she gains a + 4 natural armor bonus (instead of +2). In hybrid and wolf transformation the natural bite attack’s damage increases to 2d6.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Wayfinder #5. © 2011, Paizo Fans United; Authors: Ryan Costello, Jr., Liz Courts, Paris Crenshaw, Darrick Dahl, Adam Daigle, Blake Davis, Jess Door, Jeffrey Erwin, J. Russell Estes, Charles Evans, Dawn Fischer, Christoph Gimmler, Robert Gresham, Jesper Haglund, Eric Hindley, Michael Kelley, Michael Kortes, Michael Lane, Thomas LeBlanc, Jeffrey Lee, Tom McQueen, Kevin Andrew Murphy, Tom Phillips, Dane Pitchford, Marc Radle, John C. Rock, Carl Rossi, Joseph Scott, K. Neil Shackleton, Justin Sluder, Neil Spicer, David Schwartz, Ian Turner, Brandon Waldenberg, and Mike Welham.

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