Forums » RP Discussion » Limits for a shapeshifter?

So I'm planning on making a shapeshifter character. But those can get awfully over powered if youre not careful, and I'm trying to find some limits for this character. Any suggestions?

Shapeshifter, like into many things, or something like a werewolf?

Into many things. I honestly tend not to consider things like werewolves shapeshifters.

I wanted to confirm. The many things was where my mind went first.

Shifting would take a lot of energy so the character would probably need to eat a fair amount. Maybe they had quirks like they couldn't change something- like the color of their eyes. Or maybe they have trouble getting the colors right with some animals or something.

Try shapeshifting body parts into weapons, or self transmutation into difference substances and elements, maybe they are just super elastic, flexible and malleable, or maybe they can only mirror what they see?

I actually had something similar to the 'eye color' thing. She's always got a similar color scheme, regardless of form. I might actually work the energy issue into their abilities. That's actually a pretty interesting idea that I think could work with the character. Thanks

I was considering something similar to the Body part weapons thing. Dunno about the other things. I do like the mirroring thing though :U thanks for the suggestion M8

One of the easiest balances is a size/mass limitation. It makes natural sense when considering the principle of conservation of mass, but by itself isn't really limiting. Another limitation that makes natural sense is a restriction to organic materials - unless the base state is inorganic to begin with, and is instead something like the Transformers or a creature made of movable minerals, like a sand creature.

You can also limit the abilities of the forms. For example, if your character shapeshifted into a fairy, they would look and be able to fly like one, but wouldn't possess any of their magical powers.

I do like the limit to organic creatures. I think I may use that.

I think I might use this as well.

Thanks for the suggestions

I have a kitsune character who can only transform in to things she is fairly familiar with or has a visual reference for. My thinking behind this is that it would be hard to turn into something you don't remember all of the details about; while she could certainly try, there would likely be something off about it! Kind of like Ditto from the Pokémon anime.

So, my character Claire is actually a shape-shifter. Although she can only shift into animals rather than objects.
Normally the way she shifts is by creating a 'magic skin' or a 'charter skin' (like from Garth Nix's Abhorsen Trilogy) of the animal and then wearing that skin until she is accustomed to changing. Kind of like training wheels for a bike.
And usually she only gains the natural strengths/weaknesses of each animal she can shift into, sometimes their traits even carry over slightly when she's human again.

And it does take a lot of energy to pull off these shifts but i hope this maybe provides some ideas? o:

These are specifically shifters, but I have two dragons that scan transform between two main forms. Their dragon forms are the not most impressive compared to the more classic ideas of a dragon, but are potentially much more dangerous than their humanoid ones in battle. I limit there abilities with a sense of "realism" and downsides that make sense. First, changing can take a while and uses a lot of energy, so much that they often have to stop midway to get a breather and regain burnt calories, possibly nap if there is no time constraints. Next, there tongues and vocal chords are much different, and written word is near impossible with talon/claws, so communication is limited. Finally, having no single "true" form, they are susceptible to magic that might change them in some way; just as their bodies can adapt to a situation or environment there are things in there world that can force this ability to work against them.

Another thing, which not related to being physically overpowered, people may be wary to trust anything with he ability to change so easily. If someone saw a dragon, wolf, or any creature change into a person, their first impression of that person is the assumed to be mindless creature. Sorry for this, but they may end up thinking your character is... shifty. (I'm not sorry)

You saw your chance, and you swooped in like a frig'n Eagle and snatched it. That was beautiful.

I do like the idea of certain magics being able to mess with her powers.

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions you guys. I appreciate all the help X3

There's a lot of ways to limit a shapeshifter. Many of these have been suggested already. May I propose the Time Limit shapeshifter, as used in Animorphs and Harry Potter? They can only keep a form that is not their base-form/normal body for a certain length of time (two hours in Animorphs, between ten minutes and twelve hours depending on how well the potion is brewed in Harry Potter).

Both series provide further 'rules' -- in Harry Potter, the Polyjuice Potion can be used to take on a specific other's appearance or sex, but cannot change species successfully. It is also very difficult to produce and may take weeks or more of preparation, and its ingredients are hard to find. You also have to get a sample of DNA from your target. Morphing clothing is not a huge concern, but you ought to have a change of clothes to suit your target's appearance.

In Animorphs, the morpher similarly has to get DNA, by touching their subject and concentrating on drawing their DNA into themself. This means they can morph into anything they've acquired, but this also means that to acquire a deadly animal morph, you have to touch a deadly animal! (Touching dead animals doesn't work.) The morphed-time limit is two hours, and exceeding the time limit traps the morpher permanently. It is also physically tiring to morph back and forth, requiring excess caloric intake, and you cannot morph ordinary clothing -- so when you morph back to human, you'll probably be naked.

In both series, the main excitement associated with shapeshifting is of secrets -- both keeping your capability to shift shapes secret, and of nobody knowing it's you once you've shifted. This is the tricky part in roleplay, a lot of shapeshifter characters I've seen, whether they have one extra form or a thousand, are pretty bad at keeping either thing secret IC. I feel like a lot of the fun's in the secrecy.

Not to mention Animorphs' trippy and somewhat terrifying way they worked around the matter and mass issue - the excess is stored in Zero Space (a dimension without time or space) when the kids morph smaller, and additional matter is retrieved from there when they morph larger.

But that gets a little hairy when mulled over, too much!

Hahahaha, I love that I keep finding Animorphs fans... I wish my boyfriend saw how many of you there were, he likes to joke there's only 16 of us in the world. (He is not a fan.)

Actually, there's 17


Thank you guys for the suggestions, but I don't think that kind of limit would work all that well with the character.