Shapeshifting 101

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Scythe, wow, this write has certainly come a long way since the original. There is some really insightful stuff here. I might just have to explore Morrigan more fully as a shapeshifter on a future runthrough. Well done!

 

Whoa thanks guys. Didn't expect that sticky.
No problem. My fall session just ended so I just had a lot of time in my hands.

 

Been working on making the guide more objective. For now I think I've weeded out most of the inconsistencies/repetitive stuff.
I've also been cross-checking everything to make sure it sounds more guide-worthy.
Also deleted a lot of stuff not important to Shapeshifting. I'll be adding specific tactics/examples last, double-checking everything as I go along.

 

Added the Overwhelm bug. I swear, I didn't mean to "discover" it on purpose. I think I just broke the "overpowered" (late game) barrier, heh.

Seriously though. It's only as cheesy as using the mana=stamina regen bug, and it allows a Shapeshifter to do plenty of physical damage as soon as he gets Master Shapeshifter. Who knows, it might even be intended. Certainly not game-breaking (by itself at least), but it does put form DPS on level with a fighter's.

 

Added the true Overwhelm bug. Renamed the previous one the Overwhelm exploit.

 

Thanks for the guide.

I actually had a fun shapeshift run as an arcane warrior/shapeshifter. The synergy is that you can equip weapons and armor for the bonuses without increasing strength once you take Combat Magic.

I never activated Combat Magic the entire game, but enjoyed all the specials (such as Wade's low fatigue armor sets, and runed weapons). Everything else went into Magic.

BTW - I now swear by Swarm. Almost archer proof and so fast that melee animations sometimes don't even fire, so you don't get hit (poor bandits). The key is flybys - never attack (you will stop), and keep passing through and then away from opponents. It made the Deep Roads easy (including Branka who literally chased the Swarm all the way to the Anvil and back, twice ). Only problems I had were areas where there is no room for manueverability. (hello, Gaxkang). And for real fun, try a hasted Swarm - it is ridiculously fast.

 

Your welcome. Thanks for the input.

I'm still working to make it as objective as possible. It's not really a guide, just a collection of info that people can read if they want. Good to see you're enjoying the Swarm.

I tried using the Arcane Warrior simply as a supporting class to the Shapeshifter, but the problem is it ends up being vastly inferior to a Shapeshifter/Spirit Healer or Shapeshifter/Blood Mage (this is not a good thing, since the Arcane Warrior, by itself, is a pretty powerful spec).
I guess since it's more item dependent it can be pretty powerful with the right equipment instead of the right spells, or maybe I just need to change how I play it. I'll try making one again after I find an optimum damage build for a magic Shapeshifter.

---------- Added 4 hours, 40 minutes and 35 seconds later... ----------

Possible workaround added for weapon switch bug.

 

Sorry for the delay, will finish and submit the guide by this weekend. I've been trying out various builds in Awakenings and reading up on other people's experiences. Reason I haven't been updating is because what I currently have is already too much to fit into a single post, so I've been working on the guide offline.

 

No worries! You've been doing an awesome job on this, btw!

 

Does anyone have a suggestion for exactly what talents to spec Morrigan with and use some shapeshifting? I played this game a long time ago but never really read/discovered what the best talents were.

 

I recalling using Arcane Warrior and Shape Shifter with Morrigan but sorry I don't remember the details.