Board Thread:Off Topic/@comment-27082610-20170729051211/@comment-294840-20170729184658

Name: Shapeshifting

Introduction: The ability to become another living thing down to the genetic level.

Description: As said the ability to become another living thing down to the genetic level. It should be noted that while aura is needed to transform into a form, or to to change back to normal, no aura is needed to sustain a form. One more thing that should be noted is that just like aura bosts the basic abilities of a huntuman or huntress so does it boost the ability of the transformation. For example, you don't just transform into into a tiger, you transform into a tiger with aura. Given how much aura boosts the ability of a normal huntsman/huntress if this wasn't the case the transformation would actually decrease your abilities in most cases.

Range: Personal. This may change depending on what direction I decide to take higher tiers. I am leaving those blank for now.

Type: Uncertain

Purpose: Multi-Purpose

Physical Cue: Actual Physical Changes when changing form.

Tiers: None for now. Might add some later.

General Limitations: OK this first one is more of what I'd call a double-edged sword then a straight out limitation. As while it does cause massive drawbacks, it also brings some advantages as well. First off since you are becoming an animal (ok technically you can become any living thing but I am just going to say animal from now because its simpler, and I am having trouble thinking of many advantages to becoming a plant or a fungus at the moment. I know they exist but again typing animal is simpler then living thing is the other reason for switching) down to the genetic code you don't just get the body of the animal you also get the instincts. While that may not be too big a deal in a tough predatory animal like a tiger, in smaller animals that can be prey you have to deal with the fight or flight instincts, some animals can be surprisingly agrresive like hippos and african buffalo, etc. Don't think there may be no need to become a small animal either. While they may have little use in combat, they are quite adapt at gathering information. The downside of these insticts, as you can likely gues is that at times you may have to fight the animal for cor control of the body, the flipside is that are times when it is better to relax and let the animal instincts take control. What I mean by that is birds know how to fly on an instinctive level and you don't if you try to fight the bird on it flying will be much harder for you.

Birds "learning" to fly in the wild is often less a case of learning and more a case of their bodies developing to the degree that they physically capable of doing so. That being said if a behavior IS taught and not instintive don't assume you will be able to do so just be taking the shape of said animal. For example you won't be able to fish for termites JUST by taking the form of a Chimpanzee. That is a skill they are taught. You would euther have to be taught it or somehow figure it out yourself.

The otherlimitation has to do with stamina. Specifically stamina NOT related to aura after completing a transformation even though aurela is NOT depleted it still wears on the user and will be a bit before they can do it again, although this can improve some what with practice.

Applications: A possible application would be partial transformations. For example if they wanted to hide their semblance and keep it a secret they could start to transform into a gorilla. Transforming their arms just enough to give them extra muscle mass and range, while at the same time being misleading about what their semblance really is. Other partial transformations could include transforming sense organs to get a boost to a sensory capacity while still keeping humanoid shape in order to be able to wield a weapon.

Trivia: Took inspiration from Animorphs.