Shapeshifter - Revision history

imported>Draconius at 06:55, 20 October 2026

2026-10-20T06:55:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:55, 20 October 2026
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	==Racial restrictions==		==Racial restrictions==
	[[Poltergeist]]s and [[Revenant]]s are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.		[[Poltergeist]], [[Mummy]], and [[Revenant]] are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.

	==Starting Equipment==		==Starting Equipment==

imported>Hordes at 20:27, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T20:27:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 21 January 2026
(No difference)

imported>Hordes at 20:27, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T20:27:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 21 January 2026
(No difference)

imported>Hordes at 20:27, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T20:27:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:27, 21 January 2026
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	{{version033}}		{{version033}}
	''For the monster, see [[shapeshifter (monster)]].''		''For the stat known as SH, see [[Shield (stat)]]. For the monster, see [[shapeshifter (monster)]].''
	{{flavour\|Shapeshifters use talismans to shift their body into different forms, granting them uncanny power but making them unable to use some items. They enter the dungeon with a beast talisman and a potion of lignification.}}		{{flavour\|Shapeshifters use talismans to shift their body into different forms, granting them uncanny power but making them unable to use some items. They enter the dungeon with a beast talisman and a potion of lignification.}}

imported>Ge0ff: /* Racial restrictions */ ghouls are no more

2025-10-22T23:39:22Z

Racial restrictions: ghouls are no more

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:39, 22 October 2025
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	==Racial restrictions==		==Racial restrictions==
	~~[[Ghoul]]s,~~ [[Poltergeist]]s, and [[Revenant]]s are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.		[[Poltergeist]]s and [[Revenant]]s are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.

	==Starting Equipment==		==Starting Equipment==

Hordes: /* Skill investment */

2025-10-20T17:37:06Z

Skill investment

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:37, 20 October 2025
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	In the early game, players have to decide whether to invest skill points into Unarmed, a weapon skill, or Shapeshifting itself.		In the early game, players have to decide whether to invest skill points into Unarmed, a weapon skill, or Shapeshifting itself.
	*Unarmed: Shapeshifters start with 3 Unarmed Skill, making UC better than plain [[dagger]]s, [[spear]]s, and other simple weapons. While you are limited to Quill Form, UC has a stronger immediate benefit than Shapeshifting.		*Unarmed: Shapeshifters start with 3 Unarmed Skill, making UC better than plain [[dagger]]s, [[spear]]s, and other simple weapons. While you are limited to Quill Form, UC has a stronger immediate benefit than Shapeshifting.
	*Weapons: Weapons of a strong [[brand]], such as [[short sword]]s and [[whip]]s of either [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are very strong early, generally better than unarmed. The lower investment weapons can be switched to (at least for the early game), and if a good enough weapon for the medium term is found, it may be worth ~~switching~~.		*Weapons: Weapons of a strong [[brand]], such as [[short sword]]s and [[whip]]s of either [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are very strong early, generally better than unarmed. The lower investment weapons can be switched to (at least for the early game), and if a good enough weapon for the medium term is found, it may be worth investing in.
	*Shapeshifting: Quill Form has relatively poor skill scaling, so ~~it's~~ not the best in the early game. After you can comfortably fight, it can be good to train the skill 'all at once' to level 5-6, in order to access flux baubbles and reveal the protean talisman.		*Shapeshifting: Quill Form has relatively poor skill scaling, so the skill is not the best in the early game. After you can comfortably fight, it can be good to train the skill 'all at once' to level 5-6, in order to access flux baubbles and reveal the protean talisman.

	==History==		==History==

Hordes: /* Skill investment */

2025-10-20T17:36:29Z

Skill investment

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 20 October 2025
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	In the early game, players have to decide whether to invest skill points into Unarmed, a weapon skill, or Shapeshifting itself.		In the early game, players have to decide whether to invest skill points into Unarmed, a weapon skill, or Shapeshifting itself.
	*Unarmed: Shapeshifters start with 3 Unarmed Skill, making UC better than plain [[dagger]]s, [[spear]]s, and other simple weapons. While you are limited to Quill Form, UC has a stronger immediate benefit than Shapeshifting.		*Unarmed: Shapeshifters start with 3 Unarmed Skill, making UC better than plain [[dagger]]s, [[spear]]s, and other simple weapons. While you are limited to Quill Form, UC has a stronger immediate benefit than Shapeshifting.
	*Weapons: Weapons of a strong [[brand]], such as [[short sword]]s and [[whip]]s of either [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are very strong early. The lower investment weapons can be switched to (at least for the early game), and if a good enough weapon for the medium term is found, it may be worth switching.		*Weapons: Weapons of a strong [[brand]], such as [[short sword]]s and [[whip]]s of either [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are very strong early, generally better than unarmed. The lower investment weapons can be switched to (at least for the early game), and if a good enough weapon for the medium term is found, it may be worth switching.
	*Shapeshifting: Quill Form has relatively poor skill scaling, so it's not the best in the early game. After you can comfortably fight, it can be good to train the skill 'all at once' to level 5-6, in order to access flux baubbles and reveal the protean talisman.		*Shapeshifting: Quill Form has relatively poor skill scaling, so it's not the best in the early game. After you can comfortably fight, it can be good to train the skill 'all at once' to level 5-6, in order to access flux baubbles and reveal the protean talisman.

Hordes at 20:41, 18 October 2025

2025-10-18T20:41:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:41, 18 October 2025
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	==Racial restrictions==		==Racial restrictions==
	[[Ghoul]]s and [[~~Mummies~~]] are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.		[[Ghoul]]s, [[Poltergeist]]s, and [[Revenant]]s are forbidden from becoming Shapeshifters, as they cannot use talismans to transform themselves.

	==Starting Equipment==		==Starting Equipment==

Hordes: /* Strategy */

2025-10-18T20:40:14Z

Strategy

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 18 October 2025
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	Strategy may diverge significantly after you're able to stabilize your [[protean talisman]] by reaching [[Shapeshifting]] 6: [[Yak Form]] and [[Scarab Form]] give incentives to learn [[Ice Magic\|Ice]] or [[Fire Magic]], respectively, meld all [[weapons]] and [[armour]], and enable new tactical options; while [[Medusa Form]] and [[Maw Form]] are less polarizing and easier to pilot as conventional melee characters, though not without their upsides. [[Skill]] investment is heavily influenced by what the [[protean talisman]] has the potential to give you, what it actually becomes once you level your [[Shapeshifting]], and what other talismans (if any) you've found in the [[Dungeon]].		Strategy may diverge significantly after you're able to stabilize your [[protean talisman]] by reaching [[Shapeshifting]] 6: [[Yak Form]] and [[Scarab Form]] give incentives to learn [[Ice Magic\|Ice]] or [[Fire Magic]], respectively, meld all [[weapons]] and [[armour]], and enable new tactical options; while [[Medusa Form]] and [[Maw Form]] are less polarizing and easier to pilot as conventional melee characters, though not without their upsides. [[Skill]] investment is heavily influenced by what the [[protean talisman]] has the potential to give you, what it actually becomes once you level your [[Shapeshifting]], and what other talismans (if any) you've found in the [[Dungeon]].

	===~~Skilling~~===		===Skill investment===
	In the ~~very~~ early game, ~~Shapeshifters~~ have ~~more complex~~ skill ~~decisions than most~~ weapon ~~starts. What you find on D:1 - D:2 can influence the best thing to train to increase early game survival~~.		In the early game, players have to decide whether to invest skill points into Unarmed, a weapon skill, or Shapeshifting itself.
			*Unarmed: Shapeshifters start with 3 Unarmed Skill, making UC better than plain [[dagger]]s, [[spear]]s, and other simple weapons. While you are limited to Quill Form, UC has a stronger immediate benefit than Shapeshifting.
	*At 3 Unarmed ~~skill~~, ~~your fists will be stronger~~ than ~~any~~ plain [[~~short sword~~]]s or [[spear]]s ~~on the ground~~. ~~However~~, ~~weapons with~~ a strong [[brand]] - such as short ~~swords~~ and [[whip]]s of [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are ~~better than your unbranded fists~~.		*Weapons: Weapons of a strong [[brand]], such as [[short sword]]s and [[whip]]s of either [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are very strong early. The lower investment weapons can be switched to (at least for the early game), and if a good enough weapon for the medium term is found, it may be worth switching.
	*Generally, investing [[XP]] into weapon skills is a decision with multiple possible ramifications — you're likely to ~~outscale [[unarmed combat]]~~ for a good ~~while, but many forms across several tiers (including [[Yak Form]] and [[Scarab Form]] from~~ the ~~[[protean talisman]]) will disable weapon use~~, ~~making you less effective while in these forms, while characters that invest in [[unarmed combat]] keep their options more open~~.		*Shapeshifting: Quill Form has relatively poor skill scaling, so it's not the best in the early game. After you can comfortably fight, it can be good to train the skill 'all at once' to level 5-6, in order to access flux baubbles and reveal the protean talisman.
	**Note that the first few levels of any [[skill~~]] are cheap. For [[Human]]~~s~~, going from 3 -> 4 Shapeshifting would take~~ the ~~same XP as 0 -> 3~~ in ~~any other [[aptitude]] 0 skill~~. ~~So once a skill becomes a lot more expensive than the others~~, ~~you~~ can train ~~another useful~~ skill - ~~especially important when amassing multiple [[talisman]]s that incentivize you~~ to ~~train multiple disparate skills.~~

	~~Depending on what you find~~ and ~~what you've trained, you may want to upgrade to a different form (usually the form you get from~~ the [[protean talisman~~]]), stay in Quill Form, or stay formless~~.

	==History==		==History==

imported>Serenity: would like the Strategy and Skilling sections checked by someone good at the game, otherwise just an update

2025-07-24T05:52:02Z

would like the Strategy and Skilling sections checked by someone good at the game, otherwise just an update

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:52, 24 July 2025
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	{{~~version032~~}}		{{version033}}
	''For the monster, see [[shapeshifter (monster)]].''		''For the monster, see [[shapeshifter (monster)]].''
	{{flavour\|Shapeshifters use talismans to shift their body into different forms, granting them uncanny power but making them unable to use some items. They enter the dungeon with a beast talisman and a potion of lignification.}}		{{flavour\|Shapeshifters use talismans to shift their body into different forms, granting them uncanny power but making them unable to use some items. They enter the dungeon with a beast talisman and a potion of lignification.}}
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	*+0 [[animal skin]]		*+0 [[animal skin]]
	*[[Potion of lignification]]		*[[Potion of lignification]]
	*[[~~Beast~~ talisman]]		*[[Quill talisman]]
	*[[~~Flux~~ talisman]]		*[[Protean talisman]]
			*3 [[flux bauble]]s

	Shapeshifters start the game in [[~~Beast~~ Form]].		Shapeshifters start the game in [[Quill Form]].

	==Starting Skills and Stats==		==Starting Skills and Stats==
	These are adjusted by your species' [[aptitude]]s.		These are adjusted by your species' [[aptitude]]s.
	*[[Fighting]]: 1		*[[Fighting]]: 2
	*[[Unarmed Combat]]: 3		*[[Unarmed Combat]]: 3
	*[[Dodging]]: 2		*[[Dodging]]: 2
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	==Strategy==		==Strategy==
	[[~~Beast~~ Form]] ~~does~~ '~~'not'' give~~ a ~~special boost to Unarmed Combat; it boosts all~~ melee ~~and ranged damage~~, ~~affecting even~~ [[~~stone~~]]s ~~and~~ [[~~dart~~]]s you ~~throw. If you find a great weapon in~~ the ~~early Dungeon~~, ~~don't be afraid~~ to use it. ~~Note~~, ~~however~~, ~~that~~ [[~~Flux~~ Form]] ~~forces~~ you ~~into Unarmed Combat~~, and other talismans ~~do boost Unarmed damage~~.		[[Quill Form]] is a very balanced form — it doesn't put restrictions on [[weapon]] use and helps a decent amount against melee enemies, which comprise the brunt of early game threats). [[Flux bauble]]s can be a lifesaver against early dangerous encounters, such as with threatening [[unique]]s or bands of enemies; and will last for multiple encounters afterwards (or until you use the [[ability]] End Transformation), allowing you to mostly steamroll early floors after a single use.

			Strategy may diverge significantly after you're able to stabilize your [[protean talisman]] by reaching [[Shapeshifting]] 6: [[Yak Form]] and [[Scarab Form]] give incentives to learn [[Ice Magic\|Ice]] or [[Fire Magic]], respectively, meld all [[weapons]] and [[armour]], and enable new tactical options; while [[Medusa Form]] and [[Maw Form]] are less polarizing and easier to pilot as conventional melee characters, though not without their upsides. [[Skill]] investment is heavily influenced by what the [[protean talisman]] has the potential to give you, what it actually becomes once you level your [[Shapeshifting]], and what other talismans (if any) you've found in the [[Dungeon]].

	===Skilling===		===Skilling===
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	*At 3 Unarmed skill, your fists will be stronger than any plain [[short sword]]s or [[spear]]s on the ground. However, weapons with a strong [[brand]] - such as short swords and [[whip]]s of [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are better than your unbranded fists.		*At 3 Unarmed skill, your fists will be stronger than any plain [[short sword]]s or [[spear]]s on the ground. However, weapons with a strong [[brand]] - such as short swords and [[whip]]s of [[venom]] or [[electrocution]], are better than your unbranded fists.
	*~~When in Beast Form~~, ~~each level in Unarmed Combat gives more benefit than Shapeshifting. Shapeshifting, in turn, gives more benefit than~~ weapon skills~~, and lets you advance to Flux Form.~~		*Generally, investing [[XP]] into weapon skills is a decision with multiple possible ramifications — you're likely to outscale [[unarmed combat]] for a good while, but many forms across several tiers (including [[Yak Form]] and [[Scarab Form]] from the [[protean talisman]]) will disable weapon use, making you less effective while in these forms, while characters that invest in [[unarmed combat]] keep their options more open.
	**If you don't find a ~~better weapon on D:1,~~ you'~~ll want~~ to ~~train UC~~ for a ~~bit~~ (~~not training Shapeshifting ''at all''~~), ~~to make~~ combat ~~easier~~.		**Note that the first few levels of any [[skill]] are cheap. For [[Human]]s, going from 3 -> 4 Shapeshifting would take the same XP as 0 -> 3 in any other [[aptitude]] 0 skill. So once a skill becomes a lot more expensive than the others, you can train another useful skill - especially important when amassing multiple [[talisman]]s that incentivize you to train multiple disparate skills.
	**Note that the first few levels of any skill are cheap. For [[Human]]s, going from 3 -> 4 Shapeshifting would take the same XP as 0 -> 3 ~~weapon~~ skill. So once a skill becomes a lot more expensive than the others, you can train another useful skill.
	**If you decide to abandon Shapeshifting entirely, then a weapon skill has better long-term prospects. E.g. a weapon-~~wielder can find a great +2~~ [[~~cloak~~]]~~, which Beast Form prevents~~ you ~~from wearing, and decide~~ to ~~never use a form again~~.

	Depending on what you find and what you've trained, you may want to upgrade to a different form (usually ~~Flux Form~~), stay in ~~Beast~~ Form, or ~~use~~ formless ~~Unarmed Combat~~.		Depending on what you find and what you've trained, you may want to upgrade to a different form (usually the form you get from the [[protean talisman]]), stay in Quill Form, or stay formless.

	==History==		==History==
	~~{{CBA\|~~0.33\|Shapeshifters ~~will start~~ in [[~~quill~~ talisman\|~~Quill~~ Form]]~~. They'll have three~~ [[flux ~~bauble~~]]s, a [[~~potion of lignification~~]], ~~and a~~ [[protean talisman]]~~. Also~~, their Fighting skill ~~will be 2 instead of~~ 1.}}		*Prior to [[0.33]], Shapeshifters started in [[beast talisman\|Beast Form]], had the [[flux talisman]] instead of a stack of [[flux bauble]]s, did not have the [[protean talisman]], and their Fighting skill was 1.
	*Shapeshifters was introduced in [[0.31]], replacing the [[Transmuter]] background.		*Shapeshifters was introduced in [[0.31]], replacing the [[Transmuter]] background.

	{{backgrounds}}		{{backgrounds}}
	[[Category:Backgrounds]]		[[Category:Backgrounds]]