A hybrid form equipped with claws and keen tracking abilities due to its lycanthropic nature. The Prince of Wolves[1] starts as a Werewolf with a strong physical presence. This character benefits from damage reduction and is adept at unarmed strikes and power attacks due to its formidable physical attributes.
Stat Block Level 1:
Prince of Wolves: male, Human Werewolf 1; CR 11; Medium humanoid (shapechanger[2]); HD 10d8+10; hp 50; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13, touch 10, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +1; Grp +3; Atk claws +0 melee (1d6); Full Atk 2 claws +0 melee (1d6) and bite +0 melee (1d8); SA bite, claws, Improved Unarmed Strike, Power Attack; SQ damage reduction 10/silver, lycanthrope abilities; AL Neutral; SV Fort +6, Ref +2, Will +2; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal +4, Survival +4; Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Werewolf transformations allow assuming hybrid form with full capability of claw and bite attacks.
Possessions: shortsword, chainshirt.
The level 5 Prince of Wolves is a formidable hybrid werewolf focusing on physical prowess. With Damage Reduction and abilities enhanced by lycanthropy, they excel in melee combat. Their Attack starts with their primary weapon – potentially unarmed strikes given their feats. Capable of dealing significant claw and bite damage, they are positioned as a strong frontline fighter.
Stat Block Level 5:
Prince of Wolves: male, Human Werewolf Lord 6; CR 8; Medium Shapechanger[2] (Human); HD 5d8+10; hp 40; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18; Base Atk +5; Grp +9; Atk Bite +9 melee (1d6+2) or Claw +9 melee (1d4+2); Full Atk Bite +9 melee (1d6+2) and 2 Claws +7 melee (1d4+1); SA Lycanthropy, Power Attack; SQ Damage Reduction 10/silver, Scent, Lycanthropic Empathy; AL Neutral Good; SV Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +9; Str 14, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal +4, Survival +4; Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Scent allows tracking by smell, and natural attacks in hybrid form provide strong melee options.
Possessions: Shortsword, Chainshirt.
At level 10, the Prince of Wolves[1] excels with formidable natural attacks and solid defensive abilities. The combination of Warshaper’s Morphic Weapons and Fist of the Forest’s Primal Living increases survivability and offensive capability, making them a fast, dangerous opponent. Their Strength and Constitution boosts make them a powerhouse in any melee engagement.
Stat Block Level 10:
Prince of Wolves: male, Human Werewolf Lord 6/Swordsage 2/Warshaper 2; CR 10; Medium Humanoid (Shapechanger[2]); HD 10d8+40; hp 92; Init +2; Spd 40 ft.; AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +10; Grp +14; Atk Claw +15 melee (2d6+4) or Shortsword +15 melee (1d6+4/19-20); Full Atk 2 Claws +15 melee (2d6+4) and Bite +13 melee (2d8+2); SA Feral Trance 1/day, Improved Natural Attack; SQ Lycanthrope traits, Damage Reduction 10/Silver, Morphic Immunities, Morphic Weapons, Scent; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +10, Ref +10, Will +10; Str 19, Dex 14, Con 18, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal 4, Survival 4; Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner, Multiattack.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Feral Trance – boosts physical stats temporarily; Morphic Weapons – can alter shape to increase damage.
Possessions: Shortsword, Chainshirt.
At level 15, the Prince of Wolves[1] balances physical prowess and mystical disciplines. With enhanced Strength and Wisdom, this Dire Werewolf Lord is a force to be reckoned with. The character can execute devastating attacks with improved natural weapons. Special abilities such as Morphic Immunities increase survivability, while quick reflexes and armor class enhanced by Wisdom allow it to dodge many attacks. The Adaptive Style feat adds flexibility to adapt maneuvers in battle.
Stat Block Level 15:
Prince of Wolves: male, Human Werewolf Swordsage 9; CR 15; Large Humanoid (Shapechanger[2]); HD 1d8+2 plus 9d8+36; hp 76; Init +2; Spd 50 ft.; AC 23, touch 16, flat-footed 21; Base Atk +11; Grp +17; Atk Claw +13 melee (2d6+3) or bite +12; Full Atk Bite +12 melee (2d8+1) and 2 claws +13 melee (2d6+3); SA Shadow Hand maneuvers, Tiger Claw maneuvers; SQ Lycanthrope, Morphic Immunities, AC Bonus (Wis), Discipline Focus (Weapon Focus), Evasion, Quick to Act +2; AL Neutral; SV Fort +11, Ref +10, Will +12; Str 18, Dex 14, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal 4, Survival 4; Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner, Adaptive Style, Improved Natural Attack, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
Capability to deal increased damage with Shadow Hand and Tiger Claw maneuvers; ability to shift forms with Morphic Immunities; high AC from Quick to Act and Wisdom bonuses.
Possessions: A shortsword, a Chainshirt.
The Prince of Wolves[1] is a formidable werewolf lord utilizing a combination of combat prowess and unique abilities from various classes. This build features impressive physical attacks, utilizing Swordsage disciplines for enhanced damage and special effects. With a towering hybrid form, natural attacks include claws dealing 2d6 damage and bites dealing 2d8. Key feats like Improved Unarmed Strike and Power Attack enhance combat versatility.
Stat Block Level 20:
Prince of Wolves: male, Human Werewolf Lord 6/Swordsage 9/Warshaper 2/Fist of the Forest 3; CR 20; Large Humanoid (Shapechanger[2]); HD 20d8+72; hp 212; Init +7; Spd 40 ft; AC 32, touch 18, flat-footed 28; Base Atk +19; Grp +35; Atk Claw +33 melee (2d6+10) or Bite +33 melee (2d8+10); Full Atk 2 Claws +33 melee (2d6+10) and Bite +31 melee (2d8+5); SA Disciplines (Shadow Hand, Tiger Claws, Diamond Mind); SQ Lycanthrope traits, DR 10/silver, Morphic Immunities, Morphic Weapons, Feral Trance 2/day, Evasion, Scent, Primal Living; AL Chaotic Neutral; SV Fort +21, Ref +19, Will +17; Str 30, Dex 18, Con 22, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 14.
Skills, Abilities, and Feats:
Handle Animal +23, Survival +23; Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner, Multiattack, Adaptive Style, Improved Natural Attack, Improved Initiative.
Special Attacks and Qualities:
The Prince’s claw and bite attacks are enhanced with maneuvers from the Swordsage disciplines, offering devastating strikes and potential ability drains. Its AC is augmented by Dexterity, Constitution, and Wisdom, providing a strong defensive stance.
Possessions: A shortsword, Chainshirt.
Milestones Of Character Development
Levels 1-5: Begin as a Werewolf with formidable base abilities like Lycanthrope and Damage Reduction (DR 10/Silver). Focus on gaining feats like Track and Power Attack, laying the foundation for combat prowess.
Levels 6-10: Transition into Warshaper, capitalizing on Morphic Immutabilities and Morphic Weapons. Becoming a Fist of the Forest enhances natural combat abilities with benefits like Primal Living and Feral Trance, focusing on Constitution-based defense boosts.
Levels 11-15: Further develop as Fist of the Forest unlocking Uncanny Dodge and further Unarmed Strike potential. Enter into Swordsage advancements with benefits from Adaptive Style and Discipline Focus, bolstering weapon skills and gaining AC bonuses from Wisdom.
Levels 16-20: Deepen Swordsage expertise with maneuvers that include Evasion and defensive Discipline Focus. Prioritize quickness with Quick to Act bonuses and utilize Improved Initiative to get the jump in combat. Enhanced natural strength caps off this powerful hybrid build.
Core Abilities & Features
Werewolf Transformation: As a Human Werewolf, you gain the robust physical attributes of lycanthropy. Your hybrid form stands over 7 feet tall, granting you natural armor, powerful claws dealing 2d6 damage, and a devastating bite at 2d8. With the level of Dire Werewolf, you possess Damage Reduction 10/Silver, emphasizing your resilience against non-silvered weapons.
Class Synergy: The combination of Swordsage and Fist of the Forest enhances your primal spirit. As a Swordsage (levels 12-20), you gain access to Maneuvers such as Shadow Hand, Tiger Claw, and Diamond Mind. These boost your physical strikes, add effects like ability drain, and enhance your strategic options in battle. Your AC benefits from Wisdom, Constitution and Dexterity, making you a hard target to hit. The Discipline Focus gives Weapon Focus, Insightful Strike, and Defensive bonuses in combat.
Feat Selection and Progression: The feats like Track and Power Attack suggest mastery over terrain and leveraging brutal strength in skirmishes. Improved Unarmed Strike and Great Fortitude enhance your agility and resilience. The inclusion of Warshaper levels grants Morphic Immunities and Weapons, adding flexibility and survivability in confrontations. Fist of the Forest levels contributes to primal connections: Unarmed Strike improvement and Feral Trance aid your savage assault capabilities.
Equipment Progression
Level Range
Equipment
Details
L1-5
+1 Chain Shirt
Provides light armor with minimal hindrance to Dexterity. Enhances stealth and speed, offering basic protection without sacrificing maneuverability.
L1-5
Masterwork Shortsword
Grants a +1 bonus on attack rolls and serves as a reliable weapon for early combat encounters, complementing the Swordsage’s mobility.
L6-10
Cloak of Resistance +1
Increases all saving throws, crucial for surviving magic-heavy encounters and traps. Essential for a Werewolf Lord who is often targeted.
L6-10
Amulet of Mighty Fists +1
Boosts unarmed attack and damage rolls, enhancing the Werewolf’s natural weapon capabilities, aligning with the Warshaper class benefits.
L11-15
Belt of Giant Strength +2
Augments Strength, crucial for increasing melee attack effectiveness and damage output. Supports the high physical demands of the Fist of the Forest class features.
L11-15
Ring of Protection +1
Provides an additional deflection bonus to AC, stacking with other defensive bonuses and aiding in combat survivability.
L16-20
Boots of Haste
Grants extra attacks and increased movement speed per day, complementing the Swordsage’s Quick to Act feature and enhancing overall battle performance.
L16-20
Cloak of Displacement, Minor
Provides a 20% miss chance on attacks against the wearer, making the Werewolf Lord significantly harder to hit in battle.
Combat Scenarios
Dungeon Crawls:
While traversing these tight, dark corridors, maximize the Swordsage’s mobility and stealth. Utilize abilities like Shadow Hand maneuvers to move unseen or surprise enemies with sudden strikes. With high AC and DR, frontline engagements allow for soaking damage while launching powerful counterattacks.
Open Fields:
Your Werewolf form shines in open areas. Exploit speed and enhanced senses to outmaneuver foes. Use Tiger Claw maneuvers for devastating charges, and employ Warshaper’s Morphic Weapons for extra reach. Stay mobile, hit hard, and avoid getting surrounded by superior numbers.
Ambushes:
Initiate combat on your terms by striking from the shadows. Leverage your high Dexterity and Wis-based AC bonuses to dodge retaliations. Diamond Mind maneuvers can turn stealth into high-damage attacks, leaving foes off-balance and ripe for a follow-up flurry.
Defensive Stands:
Hold the line with your tank-like endurance and AC. Use Fist of the Forest’s AC bonus and feral resilience to withstand assaults. As foes tire themselves out against your defenses, use Warshaper’s Morphic Immunities to avoid debilitating conditions, then counter with Forceful Adjurations.
Urban Encounters:
Blend into the crowd and leverage buildings for cover. Utilize your Swordsage adaptability to fight in narrow alleyways or crowded markets. Shadow Hand assists in closing distances unnoticed, setting up a Wolfish ambush, while your heightened Survival skills can track marked targets through the maze-like streets.
Weaknesses & Counters
Weakness
Counter
Vulnerability to Silver
Equip protective items like Amulet of Natural Armor to enhance AC, or use Displacement to avoid attacks.
Low Intelligence
Use magic items providing Intelligence bonuses such as Headband of Intellect to boost skill checks and spell save DCs.
Heavy reliance on melee attacks
Utilize maneuvers with ranged options, like Shadow Jaunt, to reposition and gain terrain advantage.
Limited skill versatility
Select the Able Learner feat to expand skill points allocation and invest in cross-class skills like Use Magic Device for utility.
High-threat but low resilience to crowd control
Anticipate control effects by equipping items like the Ring of Freedom of Movement, ensuring consistent mobility.
Small hit dice for certain classes
Improve survivability with items boosting Constitution, such as Belt of Health, enhancing hit points and Fortitude saves.
Ability dependency (Str, Dex, Con, Wis)
Utilize magical enhancement items for each key ability score like Gloves of Dexterity and Periapt of Wisdom to ensure balanced growth.
Roleplaying
Moonlit Predator in the Shadows
When embodying the Prince of Wolves[1], embrace the allure of mystery. Enter scenes with hushed steps, utilizing your werewolf form to influence the surroundings silently. Your character is one of lethal grace, not brutality, so finesse in action and speech reveals your keen intellect.
Engage with the environment; use your enhanced senses to detect subtle changes, reacting to scents and noises others might miss. Practice using physical cues like lifting your head to sniff the air or pausing mid-sentence to listen.
Wisdom and Beastly Honor
Players often overlook the wisdom of werewolves, but your character’s profundity should shine. Speak with measured words, carefully contemplating after listening to others. This approach builds an aura of respect and intrigue among allies, showcasing your wisdom (Wis 16) as more than mere combat prowess.
Honor is paramount; show loyalty to allies like a pack leader. Your hybrid form reflects your dual nature—beast and human. Harness this duality to explore internal conflicts or moral high ground in quests. Your character is not just a predator but a protector, guided by a unique code of ethics.
The Prince of Wolves[1] combines Swordsage maneuvers with the raw power of lycanthropy. This build focuses on battlefield control and striking hard with natural attacks. You gain maneuvers from Shadow Hand and Tiger Claw, enhancing combat versatility. A hybrid form grants resilience through damage reduction and improved physical abilities.
Track and Power Attack strengthen your combat effectiveness in various terrains. Morphic Immunities from Warshaper aid in surviving harsh conditions. Swordsage maneuvers like Adaptive Style increase attack power and adaptability. Combining feats improves your overall combat and survival skills.
Are there specific weaknesses as a Prince of Wolves to be aware of?
The Prince of Wolves[1] is vulnerable to silver weapons, impacting durability. A focus on melee can limit the build’s range, needing strategic positioning. Intelligence is a lesser trait, affecting skill versatility. Address these weaknesses with magic items and strategic planning for better resilience.
The build excels in open fields and close-quarters combat. Use Tiger Claw for crushing charges in open spaces. Employ Shadow Hand for stealth in dungeon crawls. In defensive scenarios, leverage warshaper abilities to withstand prolonged assaults.
Embrace the character’s dual nature and mystery with grace, not brutality. Use the werewolf form to influence surroundings, engaging with finesse. Integrate wisdom and beastly honor into social interactions. This adds a rich, layered persona to your roleplaying experience.
Join us at Stellar Dragons!
Consider incorporating the Prince of Wolves[1] into your next campaign for a unique strategic experience. Explore the role of a werewolf swordsman and test its strength. Share your thoughts and join comrades at the Stellar Dragons Discord server: https://discord.gg/uAPvgEq6Z7.
Writer, Editor, GM, Technologist – Andrew’s been playing TTRPGs since as far back as he can recall… at least sometime in the nineties… or was it the early 2000s?
The two sisters, as they traversed the slick slopes and ridges of the cavern tunnels, couldn’t help but feel the prickles of fear spreading across the back of their necks. They were inside the domain of a predator much bigger, and likely stronger than the both of them.
–“Hello? Is there someone?” The younger sister timidly called out into the dark, She brought up her torch to illuminate the cavern before them. Her white garb shimmered softly in the light of the fire.
A distance away from the two, a wooden table was set up, simple, yet elegant. Another woman sat, similar in age to the sisters in appearance. She was tall, but lithe, and dressed in simple artisan’s attire. The woman busied her hands by shining a tin cup.
–“No need to be afraid, I know what the two of you are.” She said, he eyes focused on the cup, “sit. We have much to discuss, I imagine…”
Race
Human Werewolf
Class
Lord 6/Swordsage 9/Warshaper 2/Fist of the Forest 3 (2 LA Buyback)
Ability Scores
Str 14/Dex 14/Con 14/Int 10/Wis 16/Cha 14
Skills
Handle Animal 4, Survival 4
Equipment
A shortsword, a Chainshirt.
Goal
You are not just a Werewolf, you are a Werewolf Lord, a Dire Werewolf, an your hybrid form stand 7+feet tall, a true monster from the nightmares of men. Your claws deal tremendous damage and coupled with high level Disciplines as a Swordsage, along with an immense AC boosted by three stats, you are an enemy not to be underestimated. Your claws deal some 2d6 and your bite 2d8, which boosted by say Shadow Hand, Tiger Claws or Diamond Mind Maneuvers, can mean ability drain too, or other stupid shit like 4x Concentration check to damage…
Level
Class
HD
Feat
Special
1
Werewolf
10
Track, Improved Unarmed Strike, Great Fortitude, Power Attack, Able Learner
Lycanthrope, DR 10/Silver
2
Werewolf
1d8+2
–
–
3
Werewolf
1d8+2
–
–
4
Werewolf
1d8+2
–
+1 Str
5
Werewolf
1d8+2
–
–
6
Werewolf
1d8+2
–
–
7
Warshaper
1d8+2
–
Morphic Immunities, Morphic Weapons
8
Warshaper
1d8+18
–
+5 Str, +4 Con
9
Fist of the Forest
1d10+4
Multiattack
AC Bonus(Con), Primal Living, Feral Trance 1/Day, Fast Movements, Unarmed 1d8
10
Fist of the Forest
1d10+4
–
Uncanny Dodge, Untamed Strike
11
Fist of the Forest
1d10+4
–
Feral Trance 2/Day, Scent, Unarmed Strike
1d10
12
Swordsage
1d8+4
Adaptive Style
Quick to Act +1, Discipline Focus(Weapon Focus), +1 Str
-“What happened to her after you defeated the beast?” Asked one of the kids, the old man across from them gave a mild chuckle, their curiosity always bringing a smile to him. He scratched his chin slowly, collecting his thoughts as the fire cracked in the fireplace. The whole inn was listening to the half-elf’s story now.
-“Well, as well traveled as I am, there were many things I could teach her, I could teach everything about listening to nature, how to hunt beasts and how to recognize plants and prints. Though, as with all teachers, there were some things I could never teach her. How to be a beast, as she already was, being a werewolf and all. She wanted to learn to better control and use that part of her. So she left too, eventually, in search of the Lady of the Woods.”
There were whispers in the inn when that name came out of the storyteller’s mouth. The traveling woman pulled out a smoke pipe and started cleaning it, and prepared some dried herbs.The half-elf continued unfazed.
-“The Lady is said to be as old as the forest, and its most ancient guardian, capable of taking the form of all the beasts who walk its depths. From the smallest insect to the most majestic dragon, she is one with each of these forms. If someone could teach our young wolf lady how to control her inner beast, it was the Lady.”
Race
Changeling
Class
Wildshaping Ranger 5(Variant)/Master of Many Forms 10/Nature’s Warrior 3/Warshaper 2
You are a ranger capable of Wildshaping like the druid. But you take that ability and crank it to eleven. You have more than ten uses per day, can change your form in the same use of wild shape, and can take nearly any form in the monster manual. This makes you a fantastic swiss army knife of a character, with a form for every situation, and by gaining the Extraordinary abilities of your forms, your toolset only expands even more. Take the form of a fly to spy on a conversation or the form of a friggin’ Dragon to fight virtually any enemy as two examples.
And they say only Tier 1 characters have a backpocket plan for any situation…
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