Main Menu

Lycanthrope Upgrades

Started by Terallis, Dec 22, 2024, 01:24 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

Terallis

So, talked about this plenty in the Discord first, but wanted to also put down a more proper proposition on ways to improve Lycanthropes to bring them more properly in line with other ECL+2 races. At present, they are woefully underpowered and admittedly one of the worst among them, to where even some ECL+1 races are more impressive.

As an overview, my idea involves giving existing Lycanthrope types a fear or two that makes sense for what they are, as well as one or two additional stat increases on top of the base +2 WIS, also with relevance to the type itself. As a baseline, I'm looking at one of the more common ECL+2 templates, Dhampyr, for a reference point on level of power. Such being as follows:

QuoteThree +2 stat increases: STR, DEX, CHA
Five +2 Skill increases: Bluff, Hide, Listen, Spot, Move Silently
+1 Regen
5/+1 DR
Three feats: Improved Initiative, Resist Energy: Cold, Resist Energy: Electrical
+2 AC

For further comparison, this is the general Lycanthrope stuff, at present:

QuoteType Change: Shapechanger
One +2 stat increase: WIS
One +4 skill increase: Animal Empathy
One +2 save increase: Will
10/+1 DR
+2 AC

And also the various forms, which will vary based on type, but all have:
Further +2 AC
+1 AB
10/+6 DR
Some temp HP that varies
Stat buffs that become useless due to +12 cap

So while the Hybrid and Animal forms themselves can be better, it's only in those forms that they get the benefits. Something that likewise is often situational, as they can't really be used around everyone from an RP point of view, without consequences. Though, I do also know that more recent lycanthrope types, like Wereraven and Werecrocodile, do have a feat or two extra over the others, so they may not need as much of a buff. But my proposition is as follows:

QuoteWIS +2 (unchanged)
One or two stats +2, depending on Lycanthrope type
One or two feats, depending on Lycanthrope type
(Also re-add the benefits of Hybrid form back to Animal form, as they were previously removed despite both being the same in PnP)
Add proper Animal language with the similar RP caveat as Tibbit, to only be used with their type.

Everything else (unchanged)

To bring forward some potential examples of more specifics, I'll toss out a few of the more well-known types with the benefits given:

QuoteWerewolf additions: +2 DEX and/or +2 CON (or STR), Feat: Dodge, Feat: Improved Initiative
Werebear additions: +2 STR and/or +2 CON, Feat: Toughness, Feat: Power Attack
Werecat additions: +2 DEX and/or +2 STR (or CON), Feat: Improved Initiative, Feat: Weapon Finesse

Of course, these aren't all the types out there, or even all that we have available, nor am I best with balance, but these are just more examples of what I mean in terms of this proposition. Alternatively, in place of a feat or similar, they could gain specific skill increases as well. But I do feel that with these sorts of changes, it should be a lot easier than some ideas, as the forms themselves wouldn't need changing up, but also still bring the power level of the Lycanthropes up to the standards of other races we have in ECL+2.
Eirik Hjartoreldr
Ulrik Dawnfall
Alaric
Hallbjorn