Alright, I'm posting a couple of the shapes I've spent some time on and help the discussion progress. I hesitate for a few reasons. I haven't addressed everything I'd like to, the AC for shapes is still a *huge* something I need to work on. Also, when I really look at it, it doesn't seem like much despite the amount of time I've put into it
DIRE TIGER:
Increased base str from 27-->30
CON 15-->16
DEX 17-->20
Added skills to the creature hide that I feel are representative of a tiger:
+15 spot/listen/ms, +1d6 sneak, +3reflex
Added two abilities:
Expedious retreat - edited to have 5 + 1 round/shifterlvl. I think cats should be fast. Originally did shifterlvl/2 but then it's short to the point that it's annoying to use until much later.
Ferocity - +3STR/DEX. Duration = CON modifier + shifterlvl/2 At lvl14 shifter it becomes +5 to stats and +2ab and at lvl20 become +7 to stats and +3ab (thinking of higher like 4 or 5).
Improved claws and bite:
Normal is 2d4/2d4/2d6 --> 2d8/2d8/4d6 put monster wounding4 and +6ab bonus on the bite.
Notes:
Earliest level you can take Dire Tiger is lvl15. If it's AC were about 10-15 higher (depending on monk levels) it would be competitive with other lvl15's. I still think Keen sense is an appropriate feat for this shape but don't know for sure if that's doable. Until then, be an elf.
AZER CHIEFTAN:
STR20-->28
CON21-->26
Skills/feats:
Divine 5/- + 25%divine immune, 100% fire immune, 50% cold vulnerability, +5 disc, +15 spot, 20SR
Azer Dwaraxe: +6enh, keen, 2d10fire, DC22blindness 50%/2rounds, cleave, KD, PA
Abilities:
Hellfire Inferno - is a firestream that always hits like the default fire stream ability. Lasts 10-11rounds. Does 2d10fire+1d10divine/round and *I think* gives a -4ab/dmg penalty.
Aura of Hellfire - 2d10 fire dmg aura, duration is casterlvl + shifterlevel/2, can't remember if there was a DC for the aura but it gives you a fire dmg shield as well. Don't think you can dispel it but it's damage isn't that high and it's fixed.
Divine Power - just added this at base casting level of 7rounds. It does take slightly from clerics but gosh, I just don't feel bad about it. If you're a cleric it should incorporate your cleric levels into it's use. You can say that's too uber but then again it's not much different than a lvl25cleric casting ext'd DP then shifting.