I'm still on the fence as far as the utility of shape shifting... at first I mostly saw little point, since being unable to use either spells or equipment seems like a big tradeoff. Some speed and stealth for scouting, I guess.
On the other hand, playing a druid, I did just get access to Pukel-man form, and thought I'd try it out. Slow; I ended up in an open room completely surrounded on all sides by forest trolls, a baby gold dragon, and a druid of some flavor. But---it turned out that they were very nearly unable to harm me at all! Slow fight, but I could pretty much stand there forever with impunity, at full HP.
Might have to give the shape shifting another look...
On the other hand, playing a druid, I did just get access to Pukel-man form, and thought I'd try it out. Slow; I ended up in an open room completely surrounded on all sides by forest trolls, a baby gold dragon, and a druid of some flavor. But---it turned out that they were very nearly unable to harm me at all! Slow fight, but I could pretty much stand there forever with impunity, at full HP.
Might have to give the shape shifting another look...