Shapeshifters gain the ability Shapeshift: Werewolf once per day starting at level 1, and acquire additional uses every two levels thereafter (levels 3, 5, 7, etc.) until level 11, capping out at 6 uses per day. They lose access to the normal Shapeshift forms.
At level 13, they gain the ability Shapeshift: Greater Werewolf once per day, and acquire additional uses every two levels thereafter (levels 15, 17, 18, etc.). This page covers both abilities.
Many of the shapeshifting descriptions (only added in the Enhanced Editions) are incorrect; this page will only list the correct traits.
Effects[]
Both forms have the following effects:
- Shapeshift has an infinite duration; the caster gains the ability "Shapeshift: Natural Form" to return to normal.
- Forms may equip/remove items normally except for weapons which can be removed but not equipped again.
- Forms may move between areas, open doors, loot containers, and bash locks. They may not initiate dialog, however.
- Forms may use charged equipment (such as the The One Gift Lost), quick items (such as potions), and special abilities. They may not cast spells, however.
- In the Enhanced Editions, only Strength and Dexterity are modified by the form (in the original Shadows of Amn, Constitution was modified as well); all other ability scores are unchanged.
Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign. Equipment that sets STR/DEX (such as the Hands of Takkok or Gauntlets of Dexterity) will not apply their effects.
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. Equipment that sets STR/DEX will apply their effects, but only if they are equipped while shapeshifted.- Equipment that modifies STR/DEX (such as Kiel's Buckler) will apply their effects normally.
- Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign. Potions and spells that set or modify STR/DEX (such as Strength of One or a Potion of Agility) will apply their effects normally, as long as they are used after shapeshifting. 
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. Potions and spells that set or modify STR/DEX (such as Strength of One or a Potion of Agility) will apply their effects normally. If used before shapeshifting, their effects will persist.
- Base THAC0 is set to the caster's base; i.e., a 7th level Shapeshifter will have 16 base THAC0 when shapeshifted. The STR bonus still applies.
- Base Armor Class is set by the ability overriding equipped bracers such as Bracers of Defense AC 7 (the Shapeshifter kit cannot wear armor) The DEX bonus still applies.
- Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign. Spells and potions that modify AC (such as a Potion of Defense) will apply their effects normally, as long as they are used after shapeshifting. - Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition. Spells and potions that modify AC (such as a Potion of Defense) will apply their effects normally. If used before shapeshifting, their effects will persist.
Statistics[]
All values were obtained from the Enhanced Editions.
At low levels the Werewolf form is very powerful, possessing equal or better APR to fighters with great STR bonuses and AC. At high levels the weaknesses of the forms are more apparent as the +2 enchantment level is not able to hit many of the tougher enemies; however, the Greater Werewolf's AC and innate regeneration is still very good. In Enhanced Editions, Enchanted Weapon may be cast on a shapeshifted character in order to bolster the enchantment level of the claws to +3 which should allow them to hit almost every enemy in the game.
Baldur's Gate:
Enhanced Edition (2012)
This icon indicates content from the Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition campaign. Both forms allow offhand weapons and shields to be used as normal. They both benefit from Sword and Shield Style while using shields and Single Weapon Style otherwise (even while equipped with an offhand weapon).
Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition – Shadows of Amn (2013)
This icon indicates content from the Shadows of Amn campaign of the Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition.Shields may be used as normal (if equipped before transforming), but offhand weapons cannot attack, they only provide bonuses (eg +1 APR from Belm or +50% Fire Resistance from Icingdeath) and charge abilities (eg 1x/day Summon Spectral Blade from the Spectral Brand). Both forms benefit from Sword and Shield style while equipped with a shield, Single Weapon Style while the offhand is empty and no weapon style while the offhand has a weapon.
| Form | STR | DEX | CON1 | Adjusted AC2 |
Adjusted Damage3 |
Ench. Level |
APR | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Werewolf | 19 | 16 | 15 | -1 | 1d6+9 (Slashing) |
+2 | 2 |
|
| Greater Werewolf | 21 | 20 | 25 | -10 | 1d8+9 (Slashing) |
+2 | 3 |
|
1 - The CON stat only applies in the original Shadows of Amn, not in the Enhanced Editions. 25 CON grants very slow regeneration to the Greater Werewolf form.
2 - Includes bonus from Dexterity; base AC set to 1 for Werewolf and -6 for Greater Werewolf. Does not include the potential -1 or -2 AC from Single Weapon Style.
3 - Includes bonus damage from Strength; base claw damage is 1d6+2 for Werewolf and 1d8 for Greater Werewolf.
4 - This regeneration is EE-only, starting from version 2.6.5.0.
5 - In case of Magic Resistance gained from equipment you need to re-equip the items after shapeshifting to receive their bonus.