Paldaris wrote:
Two forms only? Then up to 3 at 5th level? This seems low.
I would suggest at least double. Or it might be better to have a number equal to your level, since you don't get many prof bonus bumps.
Starting off with your proficiency bonus (from character creation) is what we mean. It didn't imply a Skinchanger automatically gained another once their PB raised in levels, because (according to the class) the Skinchanger has to have actually slain and skinned a beast in order to use the Honor the Beast and subsequent class features. In other words, you have to earn it the hard way - go kill schstuff.
This does, however, present a unique scenario. For regular, non-living campaigns, the above solution is fine. But for Living arcs where actually facing "beast" creatures is not common at all (even more limiting for Jeggal Sag Ss'ressen Shaman), maybe starting off with double their PB at character creation could be an option. The remaining question is: How to gain more without making it unbalanced? Pedro's 4th level suggestion (posted above) wouldn't be a bad example were there a decent number of beasts. As is, between all 8 intro adventures, there are only three creatures with the 'beast' tag, of which only two can be chosen by Skin Dancers (only one by Ss'ressen Skin Dancers).
Infernal Hyena (CR 1, 200xp)
Large Beast
AC: 12 HP: 45 (6d10+12) Speed: 50ft.
Str: 16 (+3)
Dex: 14 (+2)
Con: 14 (+2)
Int: 4 (-3)
Wis: 12 (+1)
Cha: 7 (-2)
Skills: Perception +3 (Passive Perception: 13)
Darkvision 60ft.
Rampage: When the hyena reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the hyena can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.
Pack Tactics: The hyena has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of its allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Ravage: Once per day, on a successful bite attack the Infernal hyena may deal one extra die of its damage with its massive jaws. – Hit: 9 (2d6+3) piercing damage.
ActionsBite – Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6+3) piercing damage.
*
Mor'let (CR 1/2, 200 xp)
Large Beast
AC: 12 (Natural) HP: 23 (3d10+6) Speed: 40ft
Str: 17 (+3
Dex: 15 (+2)
Con: 14 (+2)
Int: 3 (-4)
Wis: 12 (+1)
Cha: 8 (-1)
Skills: Perception +3 (Passive: 13), Stealth +5
Darkvision 60ft
Cold Susceptibility: When exposed to temperatures below 40°F for more than 1 minute the Cyclura suffers disadvantage on all Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability checks and saving throws. It continues to do so until it spends 1 minute in warmer temperatures.
Keen Smell: A Mor’let has advantage on Wis (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics: A Mor’let has advantage on attacks rolls against a creature if at least one of the Mor’let’s allies is within 5ft of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
ActionsBite - Melee Weapon Atk: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 8 (1d10+3) piercing damage.
Claw - Melee Weapon Atk: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 7 (1d8+3) slashing damage.
NOTE!: The Mor'let posted above is the updated version printed in the recently released source book: Codex Geographica vol II - The Ssethregoran Empire (pg. 229) and these stats should be used over that of the one found on pg. 407 of the 5e ACS (Arcanis Campaign Setting) book.
*
Cyclura (CR 1, 200xp)
Huge Beast
AC: 14 (Natural) HP: 30 (4d10+8) Speed: 60ft
Str: 17 (+3)
Dex: 15 (+2)
Con: 15 (+2)
Int: 3 (-4)
Wis: 12 (+1)
Cha: 7 (-2)
Skills: Athletics +5, Perception +3 (Passive: 13)
Trample: may use its stomp action as a bonus action on any prone opponent within 5ft of it.
ActionsGore (Nasal horn) - Melee Weapon Atk: +5 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 7 (d8+3) piercing damage.
Tail Swipe - Melee Weapon Atk: +5 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 6 (d6+3) bludgeon damage. One a successful hit, target must make a DC 13 Dex save or be knocked prone.
Stomp - Melee Weapon Atk: +5 to hit, 5ft reach, one target. Hit: 8 (d10+3) bludgeon damage.
NOTE!: The Cyclura received an update (posted below) in the latest source book: Encyclopedia Geographica vol II - The Ssethregoran Empire (pg. 216). It is no longer an eligible creature for beginning level characters (unless the PCI team rules the outdated CR 1 version as an exception).
*
Cyclura (CR: 8, 3900xp)
Huge Beast
AC: 13 (Natural) HP: 150 (13d12+65) Speed: 50ft, Climb 30ft
Str: 24 (+7)
Dex: 12 (+1)
Con: 20 (5)
Int: 2 (-4)
Wis: 13 (+1)
Cha: 8 (-1)
Skills: Athletics +10, Perception +4 (Passive: 14)
Charge: If the Cyclura moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Cold Susceptibility: When exposed to temperatures below 40°F for more than 1 minute the Cyclura suffers disadvantage on all Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution ability checks and saving throws. It continues to do so until it spends 1 minute in warmer temperatures.
ActionsMultiattack: The Cyclura makes two melee attacks, any combination of bites and gores.
Bite - Weapon Atk: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 25 (4d8+7) piercing damage. If the Cyclura is not already grappling a creature, the creature is grappled (escape DC 16) and the creature is restrained until this grapple ends.
Gore - Weapon Atk: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: 23 (3d10+7) piercing damage.
Spiked Tail (Recharge 5-6) - The Cyclura sweeps its tail in a wide arc, attacking all creatures in a 15 foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Dex saving throw, taking 10 (2d10) piercing damage and 18 (2d10+7) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Swallow - If the Cyclura starts its turn with a medium or smaller creature grappled in its mouth (see
Bite above) it may attempt to swallow the creature whole as a bonus action. The creature grappled suffers 25 (4d8+7) piercing damage and must make a successful DC 16 escape check or be swallowed whole.
While swallowed, the target is blinded and restrained. It has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the Cyclura, and it takes 18 (4d8) acid damage at the start of each of the Cyclura’s turns.
If the Cyclura takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from the swallowed creature, the Cyclura must succeed on a DC 14 Con saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the creature, which falls prone in a space within 10 feet of the Cyclura. If the Cyclura dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from.
* = legal creature for Ss'ressen Skin Dancer