'shifter' class suggestion.

[Ryu-star!]

well after talking about it with nascent, i decided that i might as well attempt to come up with what could be a working base for a 'shifter' form, otherwise a character that can change their shape. now, this is by no means a finished thing, and i'm sure you guys will want to make changes to it. this is just a prototype kinda thing, and i hope that it at least ends up being something you guys can work with. ^.^

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. shifter . class

As characters that are able to change their shapes, be it changing into an animal, or some type of demon, a class such as this would most likely be high in demand, no?

A shifter, when made, begins with 6 AP of their own, and can only have a total of two abilities. That's it. As I'm sure you've noticed, that's like... nothing, but there's a reason for it. When created, a Shifter begins with TWO alternate forms, each of which has ten AP.

Much like summons, additional forms can be bought, up to a total of FIVE. Shifters are the only characters who can purchase forms, and forms could cost... say... 1500 munny? That seems fair. Also like summons, alternate forms have an elemental affinity, and, in turn, a weakness.

Shifters, as they are so powerful on their own, are not allowed to have any summon slots. At all. They are, however, allowed to have a single minion spot, which can be purchased at DOUBLE the normal price, and said minion can never be upgraded higher than B quality.

It should be noted that Shifters are not able to shift directly between forms. They must pass through their human form first, and there is a THREE POST cooldown time in between shifts. During this time, the Shifter must remain in their human form.

Shifters can purchase equips for HALF PRICE, due to their lack of skills in their human form, but equips do not work when a character is 'shifted'. They can also purchase additional AP for their alternate forms, for HALF of the regular price. However, they can never have more than 16 AP.

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so, there it is. it's kinda... not complete, i know, and i'm sure that i'm missing something, so... like i said, changes are obviously going to need to be made. as far as a template would go, i think something along these lines would work.

[blockquote][size=1][b]Name:[/b]

[b]Appearance:[/b]

[b]Weapons:[/b]

[Weapon Name]:
[In this space please give a brief, physical description of any weapons this form may have. An entirely optional portion.]

[b]Abilities:[/b]

[b]AP:[/b]

[Insert Ability One name here]:
[Description of ability]

[i]Strength[/i]:
[i]Uses[/i]:

[Insert Ability Two name here]:
[Description of ability]

[i]Strength[/i]:
[i]Uses[/i]:

[b]Elemental Resistance:[/b]

[b]Elemental Weakness:[/b]

[b]Origin:[/b]
[/size][/blockquote]

it's obviously the same thing as the summon template, pretty much, but hey, it works. so here's an example:

Name: Nurinth.

Appearance: Nurinth is a demon with an obvious affinity for darkness. If one were to take away the tendrils of darkness, which seem to seep from every inch of his skin, he bears a striking resemblance to a dragon, albeit one that walks on two legs. His head is reptilian, with burning red eyes, and a mouth the stretches out several inches from his person, filled with sharp, snarling teeth. The rest of his body has a purplish tinge to it, and has well-defined muscles on every visible portion. A dark, tattered cloak hangs off his body, dragging along the ground behind him wherever he moves, often causing people to take him as a ghost of sorts.

Weapons:

[Weapon Name]: ---
Not applicable.

Abilities:

AP:

[Reaper]:
The tendrils that line Nurinth's body lash out, taking hold of his foe, and sending dark energy coursing into them. However, the tendrils can reach no further than thirty feet in any direction, and should the foe move out of the way, the attack would miss, as the tendrils only move in a straight line. It also leaves Nurinth vulnerable for several seconds, as he must draw his tendrils back in.

Strength:
Moderate.

Uses:
1 post cooldown.

Elemental Resistance: Darkness.

Elemental Weakness: Light.

Origin: ---

that is, of course, a very basic example, but an example nonetheless. with that... i honestly can't think of much else to post, and i'm really just rambling on and on. so... yeah! enjoy! ^.^.

[nascent]

Though still a bit rough around the edges, I see a good deal of potential with this. Not only would having a Shifter class put to rest questions like these which, given the popularity of transformation powers in fictional media, would help to answer a desire of RPers, but it also creates an additional point of balance amongst our special classes. Summoners and Tamers fill the role of 'troop-leaders' and indirect combat specialists, Techs serve as specialists and an experiment for how far the Munny system can take a character, and with the addition of Shifters we provide a venue for those wanting to be elementals or have "dynamic" character traits.

The fact that a fair number of members seem interested in a transformation system means it might be worth taking a look at and experimenting with, right?

[Beaver Dude]

This. Sounds. Pretty. Freaking. Awesome.

It's balanced, has a fair chance at progression and pretty much rawks. I'd add the caveat that equips purchased with a shifter cannot be transferred to other characters, much like the tech class so as to keep things fair.

....

Hmm, all things considered, I might be a *bit* iffy about equips being half off for shifters, but I do see the point. I think. XD

[Ryu-star!]

well the point of the equips being half off was because, since shifters in human form have so few abilities, they can still kick ass.

that's also why i said that the equips don't work in the shifted forms. that way, they don't get too overpowered.

[angelous]

I like the idea, and if it passes, my next character will be a shifter. *evil cackle*

So, question.

The techs get credit to spend in the shop for equips and such to purchase when the character is created, would shifters?

[Ryu-star!]

i personally don't think they would. i mean, by starting off with two forms, with 10 AP each, they already get the liberty of having double the regular AP of a normal character. And with equips possibly being half off, giving them munny to start with for equips would be a little overkill in my opinion. obviously, it's not my choice, but that's just my opinion on the matter.

[Beaver Dude]

Personally, I don't think so. While the delivery is unique, they do get what amounts to 26 AP in total which, I think, is more than enough for a starting character.

In fact, I'd probably add a note on cool-downs and such between 'shifts'. 3 maybe?

Edit: I am slow. XD

[Ryu-star!]

i meant to add in a cooldown time, but i just forgot to get around to it, cause i fail. XD.

but yeah, three posts between forms sounds just about right. i'll add it in.

and yes, you are slow. XD.

[Heroic Bilby]

My immediate, unmeditated thoughts:

1. The thing that defines all special classes, in my own opinion, is that not a single one of them offers a character the ability to do something that a normal character can't. They aren't special because they have a unique power, but because they specialIZE, pumping up one aspect of a 'normal" character in exchange for others based on the player/characters' theme and preferences. So, for me to personally accept a "Shifter" class, their "Shifts" would NEED to be something accessible to normal characters. Otherwise this trend is broken and now special classes really do have unique and awesome powers... or at least one would. This was one major reason I never truly supported the "Thief" class idea as it was suggested, for those who recall that one.

2. If "Shifting" is added as another thing normal characters can do... is it even needed? One strong ability would allow you to change your form and have 1 or 2 tough form-related abilities with it. The only reason to create a new type of upgrade would be so they could have even more easily... but even then a character could have multiple abilities, some for a specific form and their basics, and a number of others each one specifically usable only while in that form while not in others. Nothing technically prevents this, it just takes up slots and munny.

3. There are plenty of people who would probably really like this.

4. They probably don't want to have to bother with a lot of slots and munny.

5. Our abilities system and template will become yet more complicated. Not an issue for me personally, but I wonder on its long-term effects on the forum.

6. Is it that related to Kingdom Hearts' ability themes beyond Sora's Drives?

7. There are plenty of people who would probably REALLY like this.

That is all. Please continue.

[Ryu-star!]

Oh yeah, Bilby, I totally get where you're coming from. I mean, it's very possible to just use the already established ability system for this, but I just thought it was an idea to put forward.

And while it doesn't really fit anything other than Sora's drive forms, there are other examples that it could be used for, no? Take... Marluxia, for example. Maybe his crazy robot-looking thing could be a form. Or Saix. His berserker form would count as another form, right?

...I can't think of any more at the moment, but you see my point. While not 'mainstream' examples, per se, there are other examples where this would fit.

And isn't the whole point of having the extra classes to put a bit of variety into the RP? If people want to be a 'Shifter', surely they would be willing to put up with the extra bit on the template, or the extra bit of munny. People seemingly have no problem with playing summoners, and this template would be no longer than that, right?

I dunno. As I said, it was just an idea. =P.

[/size]

[Heroic Bilby]

This thread has been silent since I left on my sick leave, it seems. Did I kill the mood? o.o