Shapeshifter Druid

Taking the shapeshift alternative class feature means you can focus on your actions in combat (rather than worrying about your animal companion) while still unleashing nature's fury upon your foes.

Level: 1st.

Replaces: If you select this class feature, you do not gain the wild shape class feature (or any variation of that class feature at later levels, such as the ability to wild shape into an elemental). You also lose the Wild Companion feature

Benefit: You can shapeshift at will into powerful animal or nature-oriented forms. Each time you use this ability, you can choose the exact look that your shapeshifted form takes. Druids pick animals from the terrain and climate they're most familiar with. For example, a druid from a jungle might adopt the form of a black panther in predator form, while one from the taiga might shapeshift into a white wolf. The two forms look different, but functionally, they're identical.

It requires a bonus action to shapeshift. If you can take more than one form, you can shapeshift directly between two forms without returning to your normal form. There's no limit to the number of times per day you can change forms, nor to the amount of time you can spend in a shapeshifted form.

You retain your normal Hit Dice, hit points, base attack bonus, base saving throw bonuses, and skill proficiencies regardless of your form. You also retain your normal ability scores, though each form grants a bonus to at least one of your ability scores.

All your held, carried, or worn gear melds into your new form and becomes nonfunctional until you return to your normal form. You cannot speak in shapeshifted form, and your limbs lack the precision required to wield a weapon or perform tasks requiring fine manipulation. You can't cast spells or activate magic items while in shapeshifted form, even if you have the Beast Spells feature or other ability that would allow you to cast spells while wild-shaped.

Unless otherwise noted in the descriptions below, you retain your size and space when you adopt a new form. You always retain your type and subtypes, regardless of the nature of the form assumed. You don't gain any special attacks or qualities while shapeshifting except as described below.

When you shapeshift into a form other than your own, you gain natural weapons (and reach with those weapons) as described below. These natural weapons gain the following benefits:

• An enhancement bonus on attack rolls and damage rolls equal to 1/4 your druid level
• At 4th level and higher, they are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction

You revert to your original form if knocked unconscious or slain in shapeshifted form.

Shapeshifter Forms:

Predator Form(2nd Level)

This form, traditionally that of a wolf, panther, or other predatory mammal, is the first one a shapeshifting druid learns.

While in predator form you gain:

• A primary bite attack that deals 1d8 points of damage. After hitting a target with a Bite, you can use your Bonus Action to make a Trip Attempt.
• You gain a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength, to a maximum of 20, and your natural armor bonus improves by 4.
• Your base land speed becomes 50 feet.
• At 4th level, you gain if you hit a creature on your turn, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity from that creature.
• At 8th level you gain the Pack Tactics ability. When you and an ally are both within reach of the same target you both have advantage on Attack Rolls against that target.

Aerial Form(4th Level)

At 4th level, you can shapeshift into a flying creature. Traditionally resembling an eagle, vulture, or bat, the aerial form enables fast travel and the ability to soar out of harm's way.

• While in aerial form, you gain a primary talon attack that deals 1d6 points of damage.
• You gain a +2 enhancement bonus to Strength, to a maximum of 18, and advantage on Dexterity saving throws.
• Your Natural Armor increases by +2.
• You gain a fly speed of 40 feet (good maneuverability).
• At 7th level, you gain proficiency in Perception checks; if you are already proficient in Perception checks, then you gain Expertise.

Ferocious Slayer Form(8th level)

You can shapeshift into a large, fierce, predatory form, such as a tiger, brown bear, or dire wolf.

• While in ferocious slayer form, you gain a bite attack that deals 1d8 points of damage and two claw attacks that each deal 1d6 points of damage.
• Your size increases by one category (to a maximum of Colossal).
• You gain a +6 enhancement bonus to Strength, to a maximum of 24, and advantage on Constitutiion Saving Throws.
• Your natural armor bonus improves by 4.
• Your base land speed changes to 40 feet.
• At 10th level, you score a critical hit on a 19 with your Bite and Claw attacks.

Forest Avenger Form(12th level)

You can take the form of a massive plantlike creature, similar to a shambling mound or a treant. (Druids not native to forest terrains typically rename this form to fit their environment.)

• While in Forest Avenger form, you gain 2 slam attacks that deal 2d6 points of damage each.
• Your size increases to Large, and you have a 10-foot reach.
• You gain a +8 enhancement bonus to Strength, to a maximum of 26.
• You gain advantage on Constitution and Wisdom saving throws.
• Your natural armor bonus improves by 6.
• Your base land speed becomes 20 feet.
• You gain damage reduction 5/slashing while in forest avenger form.
• At the 14th level, you gain advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks while in this form.

Elemental Fury Form(16th level)

You can shapeshift into a giant form of air, earth, fire, or water (your choice each time you shapeshift).

• While in elemental fury form, you gain a pair of primary slam attacks that deal 3d6 points of damage each.
• Your size increases to Large, and you have a 10-foot reach.
• You gain a +10 enhancement bonus to Strength to a maximum of 26
• You gain advantage on Constitution and Strength saving throw.
• Your natural armor bonus improves by 6.
• You also gain immunity to an energy type related to the element chosen (air = electricity, earth = acid, fire = fire, water = cold).
• You don't need to breathe while in elemental fury form.
• At 18th level, you become immune to critical hits while in this form.