Sometimes you just want to make something that *looks* cool. After all, optimization isn't only about game mechanics, it's about MAXIMIZING what you like, and MINIMIZING what you don't. What you like includes flavor and coolness.
So we get to fun stuff like say this little build i cam up with.
Totemist2/Druid 8/X?
Shape some of the following effects: (You may want the Shape Soulmeld feat to grab incarnate melds.)
[spoiler]
Ankheg Breastplate:
A thick, chitinous breastplate forms around your torso. The green
plates of the armor glisten like the thorax of a living insect. Soft
tissue and living muscle bind the plates together, rather than the
chain and leather of conventional armor.
Behir Gorget
Incarnum forms a large, deep blue collar around your neck, like part
of a suit of plate armor. The color is darker on the back and fades
to pale blue in the front, and bands of gray-brown line the top and
bottom. The gorget tapers to a sharp point above your breastbone.
Dread Carapace:
Incarnum forms into a heavy, caramel-brown carapace covering
your back. Short spines protrude from this shell, and light gleams
from its surface. Though it has no actual protective value (unless
you bind it to your heart chakra), the carapace fills you with the
destructive power of the tarrasque.
Chakra Bind (Totem)
Two mighty horns jut from your head. Though they are useless in
combat, they alter your appearance, making your countenance quite
fearsome. When you charge, your visage suggests something utterly
inhuman, striking fear into the hearts of your foes.
Girallon Arms:
Incarnum coalesces around your arms and upper torso, forming
blue-white fur that seems to enhance your arm and chest muscles.
It also extends from your fingers to form ghostly claws that, despite
their insubstantial appearance, help you gain purchase while
climbing or grappling.
Mauling Gauntlets
Incarnum forms gauntlets that surround your hands (including any
gloves or gauntlets you already wear) and extend up your arms to
your elbows. The metal gleams a burnished blue. Spikes and blades
jut out in various places from these gauntlets, each one whispering
an ancient battle cry in your mind.
Chakra Bind (Arms)
Your mauling gauntlets extend
winding bands of blue steel
up past your elbows, almost to
your shoulders. In places, these
bands of metal seem fused with
your skin.
Pauldrons of Health
Incarnum shapes heavy plates of armor that hover above your
shoulders. They seem formed of pearly white alabaster except for a
thin band of runic carvings etched in midnight blue.
Urskan Greaves
Incarnum forms steel plates backed with white fur that fit over
your shins, covering any clothing, boots, or armor you might
wear. When you walk through ice and snow, your feet find
solid purchase.
Vitality Belt:
Incarnum forms a stout metallic belt that girds your waist. The
metal gleams silver-blue; links of azure chain bind the plates together.
Life and health well up from this belt into your body.[/spoiler]
I'd go with Urskan Greaves (pretty much obligatory for this build) for the ability to move in snow, Dread Carapace (bound to the Totem Chakra) for the fear Effect, Ankheg breastplate for AC, and Vitality Belt for HP and bonus to fort saves.
Then, Wildshape into a Polar Bear. Casting GMF helps too.
What you get:
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]
Next up: Treecats and Pikachus.
