Still Not Done With PF1: Twelve More Revised Aspects for the Revised Shifter (Patreon)

So, I wrote the main entry for The Perfectly Reasonably Powered Shifter, a revised version of the class, back in Feb 2025. It has everything... except the aspects. I did the core rules for aspects and posted the first five here.

Now, it's time for twelve more!

My GOAL here is to try to give each aspect sets of benefits different enough that they appeal to different play styles and different shifter builds. With luck, I'll manage the remaining thirteen next week!

Deinonychus

The deinonychus is adept at racing from ambush to deliver grievous wounds with its talons. This aspect infuses the shifter with an enhanced ability to surprise foes and strike first in battle.Minor Form: You gain Improved Initiative as a bonus feat. You gain Ready for Anything as a bonus feat at 8th level. You gain Cunning Intuition as a bonus feat at 15th level.Major Form: (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a deinonychus (Bestiary84). While in this form, you gain a base speed of 60 feet, low-light vision, scent (30 feet), a bite attack (1d8 damage), and two talon attacks (1d8 damage; your talon attacks can use your shifter claws damage), and pounce. At 8th level, you gain two foreclaw attacks (1d4 damage; these attacks cannot use your shifter claws damage) and a +4 racial bonus on Acrobatics checks. At 15th level, you gain a +1 dodge bonus to AC and Spring Attack as a bonus feat.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), talon (S)

Dolphin

The aspect of the dolphin imparts clever mastery of the seas. Shifters with this aspect also embody the size and ferociousness of large dolphins, such as orcas.Minor Form: You gain a 20-foot swim speed and +4 competence bonus on Knowledge checks to identify creatures’ abilities and weaknesses. This increases to a 30-foot swim speed and +6 bonus at 8th level, and a 40-foot swim speed and +8 bonus at 15th level.Major Form(beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a Large dolphin, but your space is 10 feet instead of 5 feet. While in this form, you gain a swim speed of 60 feet, blindsense with a range of 10 feet, low-light vision, a bite attack (1d8), and the ability to hold your breath for a number of minutes equal to 6 times your Constitution score before you risk drowning. At 8th level, the range of your blindsense increases to 20 feet. At 15th level, the range of your blindsense increases to 60 feet and your swim speed increases to 80 feet.

Ability Bonus: Intelligence (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th). Bonus skill points from these increases must first be used to buy max ranks in Swim, Knowledge (nature), Acrobatics, and Survival (in that order).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), Slam (B)

Dragonfly

The aspect of the dragonfly offers the ability to make quick, darting attacks at foes.Minor Form: You gain an enhancement bonus of +10 feet to your base speed. This bonus increases to +20 feet at 8th level and +30 feet at 15th level.Major Form (vermin shape II): Your shape changes to that of a giant dragonfly. While in this form, you gain a fly speed of 60 feet (average), darkvision with a range of 60 feet, and a bite attack (2d6) with the grab ability. At 8th level, you gain Flyby Attack as a bonus feat, and your fly speed improves to 60 feet (good). At 15th level, your fly speed increases to 80 feet (perfect), and if you charge while flying, you gain a +4 bonus on grapple combat maneuver checks for 1 round.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), wing (B)

Electric Eel

The aspect of the electric eel imparts the ability to charge attacks with electricity and to slip effortlessly out of danger.Minor Form: Your melee attacks gain the shock magic weapon quality. At 8th level it instead gains the shocking burst magic weapon quality. At 15th level it gains both the shock and shocking burst magic weapon qualities (adding 2d6 electricity damage to attacks, plus the additional damage on criticals listed with shoocking busrt).Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of anelectric eel. While in this form, you gain a swim speed of 30 feet, low-light vision, electricity resistance 5, a bite attack (1d6), and a tail attack (a secondary natural touch attack that deals 1d6 points of electricity damage). At 8th level, your electricity resistance increases to 10 and you gain a +4 racial bonus on Escape Artist checks. At 15th level, on a critical hit with your tail attack, the creature struck must succeed at a Fortitude save (DC = 10 + half your shifter level + your Constitution modifier) or be stunned for 1d4 rounds.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), tail slap (B)

Elephant

The elephant is a symbol of both power and wisdom. Shifters who take this aspect learn the value of applying their strength with precision. An elephant’s alternate attacks are gore (P) and slam (B).Minor Form: You gain a +4 enhancement bonus on bull rush and overrun combat maneuver checks. At 8th level, this bonus increases to +6, and at 15th level it increases to +8.Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a Large adolescent elephant (as an elephant, but with a space of 10 feet). While in this form, you gain low-light vision, scent, a gore attack (1d6 damage), and a slam attack (1d8 damage) with a 5-foot reach. You also gain a +2 racial bonus to Strength and to natural armor. While in this form, you can carry a Medium bipedal creature on your back, allowing you to act as the creature’s mount. At 8th level, you gain trample, as the universal monster rule, dealing your shifter claw damage. At 15th level, you gain Improved Bull Rush as a bonus feat, and your racial bonus to Strength and natural armor increases to +4.

Ability Bonus: Strength (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Gore (P), slam (B)

(Like many combatant classes, shifters sometimes grab a level or fighter or, in the case of elephant shifters of barbarian, gaining access to all martial weapons. And al elephant shifter in a rage can be... impressive. Art by warmtail.)

Falcon

The falcon senses all and has the speed to hunt down even the most elusive prey. Those who take this aspect gain enhanced abilities to perceive and reconnoiter the wilderness—little escapes this shifter’s attention.Minor Form: You gain Eagle-Eyed and Wildling Senses as bonus feats. At 8th level you gain Needle in a Haystack as a bonus feat, and gain the benefits an animal companion gains from the tenacious Hunter feat. At 15th level you gain Ambush Awareness as a bonus feat, and the Tenacious Hunter benefit you receive now act as the benefits received from Greater Tenacious Hunter.Major Form: (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a Small falcon (see page 179). While in this form, you gain a base speed of 30 feet, a bite attack (1d4 damage), two claw attacks (1d3 damage), a fly speed of 60 feet (good), low-light vision, and a +4 racial bonus on vision-based Perception checks. At 8th level, you gain darkvision with a range of 120 feet, and your racial bonus on Perception checks increases to +6. At 15th level, you gain blindsense with a range of 60 feet and your fly speed increases to 90 feet (perfect).

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), talon (S)

Frog

The aspect of the frog grants great mobility in leaping through the air and swimming in water, as well surprising tactics in combat.Minor Form: You gain 30-foot fly speed, but must land on a surface that can bear your weight at the end of every 30 feet of movement, or you fall. You also gain a 10-foot swim speed. At 8th level these increase to a 40-foot fly speed (must land every 40 feet), and a 20-foot swim speed, and at 15th level to a 50-foot fly speed (must land every 50 feet), and 30-foot swim speed.Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a Large frog (as per the giant frog but with a space of 10 feet). While in this form, you gain a base speed of 30 feet, a swim speed of 30 feet, lowlight vision, scent (30 feet), a bite attack (1d6 damage) with the grab ability, and the ability to treat all jumps as if you had a running start. At 8th level, you gain a tongue attack (see below). At 15th level, your swim speed increases to 60 feet. In addition, the reach of your tongue attack increases to 30 feet, and your tongue attack deals bludgeoning damage equal to the damage dealt by your shifter claws and is considered a shifter natural attack.Tongue (Ex): Your tongue is a primary natural attack with a reach of 15 feet. Your tongue deals no damage on a hit, but can be used to grab. You do not gain the grappled condition while using your tongue in this manner.

Ability Bonus: Constitution (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S)

Giant Wasp

The aspect of the wasp grants flight and a venomous sting, as well as great mental resistance. A giant wasp’s alternate attack is sting (P).Minor Form: You gain a +4 bonus on Will saves against mind-affecting affects and to Intimidate checks. This bonus increases to +6 at 8th level, and you gain Antagonize as a bonus feat. The bonuses increase to +8 at 15th level, and you gain Dazzling Display as a bonus feat (which you can use with any natural weapon).Major Form (vermin shape II): Your shape changes to that of a giant wasp. This ability uses thevermin shapespell, rather thanbeast shape, for the purposes of wild shape. While in this form, you gain a fly speed of 40 feet (clumsy), and swarms and vermin do not attack you unless magically commanded to do so. At 8th level, this fly speed increases to 60 feet (average), and you gain a sting attack usable a number of times per day equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier, which applies the following poison.Wasp Venom (Ex)Sting—injury;saveFort DC = 10 + half your shifter level + your Constitution modifier;frequency1/round for 4 rounds;effect1d3 Dex damage;cure2 consecutive saves.At 15th level, your fly speed increases to 80 feet (good), and you can attempt to gain control of a mindless swarm as a full-round action. To gain control of the swarm, you must succeed at a Charisma check against a DC of 10 + the swarm’s CR. You can direct the swarm to disperse, remain in a designated location, or attack an opponent. This control lasts for a number of rounds equal to half your shifter level.

Ability Bonus: Charisma (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).

Alternate Natural Attacks: Sting (P)

Horse

The aspect of the horse grants speed and maneuverability. A horse’s alternate attack is hoof (B).Minor Form: You gain the Endurance feat as well as an enhancement bonus of +10 feet to your base speed. At 8th level, you gain the Run feat. and the enhancement bonus to your base speed increases to +20. At 15th level, your enhancement bonus to your base speed increases to +15, and you gain Improved Bull Rush as a bonus feat, and the benefit an animal companion gains from the Forceful Charge feat.Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a horse. While in this form, you gain a base speed of 50 feet, low-light vision, scent (30 feet), and the ability to move before and after an attack, as if you had the Ride-By Attack feat. At 8th level, you can move through threatened squares without provoking attacks of opportunity, and you gain trample, as the universal monster rule, dealing your shifter claw damage (as bludgeoning damage). At 15th level, you gain Improved Overrun as a bonus feat.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).Alternate Natural Attacks: Hoof (B)

Lion

Lions hunt in prides, cooperating to bring down large opponents and defend their territory. A lion’s alternate attack is bite (B, P, S).Minor Form: You gain a +4 competence bonus on Intimidate checks and gain Improved Grapple as a bonus feat. At 8th level the Intimidate bonus increases to +6 and you gain Greater Grapple as a bonus feat. At 15th level the Intimidate bonus increases to +8 and you gain Rake (allowing you to make two additional claw attacks when you pounce or begin a turn grappling a foe).Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of a dire lion. While in this form, you gain a base speed of 40 feet, low-light vision, and scent (30 feet). Once per day for every 2 shifter levels you have, you can utter a mighty roar, allowing you to attempt an Intimidate check with a +5 circumstance bonus to demoralize enemies within 30 feet. Allies gain a +1 morale bonus on attack and damage rolls against creatures shaken by this ability. At 8th level, you gain one of the following teamwork feats of your choice as a bonus feat: Outflank, Pack Attack, Paired Opportunists, or Shake It Off. You can grant allies within 30 feet the benefits of this feat as a swift action (or as part of a pounce) for a number of rounds equal to 3 + your Wisdom modifier. At 15th level, you provide a flanking bonus to any ally who threatens the same opponent as you do, and you can change places with an adjacent ally as a move action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity, as if using the Swap Places feat.

Ability Bonus: Charisma (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S)

Lizard

The aspect of the lizard is one of swift, graceful movement, granting the ability to dart and scurry with an astounding agility and balance.Minor Form: You gain a +4 competence bonus on Acrobatics checks and the enhancement bonus to your natural armor increases by 1 (even if your natural armor bonus and enhancement bonus to it are currently 0). This bonus increases to +6 on Acrobatics and +2 enhancement bonus to natural armor at 8th level and +8 on Acrobatics and +4 enhancement bonus to natural armor at 15th level.Major Form (beast shape II): Your shape changes to that of an agile and brightly colored giant lizard (as per the giant frilled lizard), but with the following changes). While in this form, you gain a base speed of 40 feet, low-light vision, scent (30 feet), a primary bite attack (1d8 damage) with the grab ability and a secondary tail attack (1d6 damage) with the trip ability. At 8th level, your base speed increases to 60 feet and you gain a climb speed of 30 feet. At 15th level, you gain Improved Natural Attack with your bite and your tail attacks, and the reach of your tail attack becomes 10 feet.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S), tail slap (B)

Mantis

The aspect of the mantis imparts uncanny patience and unsettling speed.Minor Form: You gain Lunge as a bonus feat. At 8th level, your reach increases by 5 feet. At 15th level you gain Nimble Striker s a bonus feat.Major Form (vermin shape II): Your shape changes to that of a . While in this form, you gain darkvision with a range of 60 feet, a +2 racial bonus on initiative checks, and two primary claw attacks (1d6) with the grab ability. At 8th level, you can always act in the surprise round, but if you fail to notice your foes, you act last, regardless of your initiative result (you act in the normal order in subsequent rounds). At 15th level, whenever you roll for initiative, you can roll three times and use any one of the results.

Ability Bonus: Dexterity (+2 enhancement bonus, +4 at 8th level, +6 at 15th level; Innate bonus of +1 (16th), +2 (17th), +3 (18th), +4 (19th), +5 (20th).Alternate Natural Attacks: Bite (B, P, S)