A shapeshifting race with no level adjustment?!

[Stargate525]

Impossible? That's what they said about my flux capacitor!!!

*ahem* Enough of the random quotes. Sorry.

I'm trying to develop a race whose strength is their shapeshifting ability, but I'm not entirely certain how to balance this. Below is what I've got so far, after some help already on the Wizards boards. Only the best for my friends at the CBG. :)

-2 STR, -2 CON (I figure the lack of internal structure would do this.)

The race (We'll call them 'Tim') begins at first level knowing 3 forms, 1 living form, 1 object, and his 'base' form (what he looks like when not concentrating). The other two can be anything he chooses (see the restrictions below).

As he advances in level, he gains more forms. Tim gains a new living form at every odd level (to a maximum of ten at level 20), and an object form every level (to a maximum of 15 at 15th level). Tim doesn't have to choose a form right away, instead waiting for more powerful of varied options. Tim also receives a number of bonus forms equal to his wisdom BONUS. These forms are gained immediately and can be held off as normal.

The restrictions for choosing forms are as follows;

* A form cannot have more hit dice, a higher level adjustment, or CR greater than Tim. (living only)
    * The form can be at most 2 size categories larger or smaller than Tim's base size.
    * Tim can not change into something expendable, such as a torch or wand (object only).
    * Tim cannot become a magic item.

For living forms, such as an eagle or an elf, treat it as a polymorph except that instead of replacing your physical stats, apply the form's physical attribute bonuses to your scores.

For objects, such as a hammer or a torch, treat him functionally as the object, but with a hardness equal to Tim's character level, up to a maximum of what the material would normally be. The form's AC is equal to 10+Tim's armor and shield bonus. Non-moving plants, such as bushes or trees, count as objects (but not creatures with the plant type). Tim can still see and hear in object form, but takes a -5 to those skills.

Holding a form takes concentration and practice. Tim gets the skill Control Shape as a class skill automatically, and can take 10 on this check at any time.

Assuming a known form other than his normal form requires a DC 20 check. Failure by less than five means that the form was assumed, but the cosmetics of the form are off (lips are undefined, no fingernails, etc.), and that you are still obviously a shapeshifter. Failure by more than five means that you failed to assume the form.

Assuming an unknown form has a base check DC of 30, modified by the following;

* -4 if the form is very similar to a known form (a brass and silver candlestick, for instance).
    * -2 if the form is somewhat similar to a known form (an eagle and a sparrow).
    * +4 if Tim has not been able to examine the form (includes touch and close observation for at least an hour). This is never applied to similar forms.
    * +6 if the form is a mixture of two or more objects (a normal brick, but with legs).
    * +10 if you are breaking one of the restrictions above. This penalty is cumulative for each restriction broken.

Like I said above, please critique this honestly. Any help you can give me is appreciated, even if it requires that I start over.

[Higgs Boson]

Sounds good so far, although you may want to require some sort of training from other shapeshifters when he learns new forms.

[Numinous]

I'm sure there's a way for you to balance this at LA 0, but the way you have it right now, this feels more like a class than a race.  I recommend looking at changelings and Shifters for examples of LA 0 shape-shifter races that have been made successfully.

[Stargate525]

I'm sure there's a way for you to balance this at LA 0, but the way you have it right now, this feels more like a class than a race.  I recommend looking at changelings and Shifters for examples of LA 0 shape-shifter races that have been made successfully.

I know it feels like a class, but I can't really think of a way to balance it to a more normal race progression without losing the flavor of my concept.

changelings and shifters... aren't those both Eberron?

[Higgs Boson]

yes they are, and the changeling is a very basic shapeshifter, and the shifter is more of a half-lycanthrope thingy

[Numinous]

I've played around with the shifters, and read them carefully.  Fun concept, and fun to put a spin on.

[MittenNinja]

instead of using class level as an advancement, we should use feats (much like the shifter). That  way if the player wants to expand on the races abilities he has to invest in it.

[Stargate525]

yes they are, and the changeling is a very basic shapeshifter, and the shifter is more of a half-lycanthrope thingy

Unfortunately, I can't get access to the crunch; I don't have Eberron.

instead of using class level as an advancement, we should use feats (much like the shifter). That  way if the player wants to expand on the races abilities he has to invest in it.

We?  :?:

Feat-based does sound good. I was also thinking that I could turn the entire morphing system into a specific ability (giving the added bonus of opening the system up for other uses easier) and just giving them the ability at will. The problem I see with that is the lack of any real ability to control the number of forms he can take.

If someone can think of a way to balance out an unlimited number of possible forms, I'd be more than happy to incorporate it.

In fact, pulling the actual mechanics of the morph into its own would suit my purposes, as I was thinking about building a class around this same system.