anyone know how to play a shifter really well?
i seem to be having an incredably hard time playing as one compared to when i play as a more standard type class.

cant imagine the shifter being able to take on the big boss at the end either since he has huge damage resist and damage dealing capabilities. Or is there a way to make myself use my own blade instead of the one that i get stuck with when i morph? if not, the +2 ish weapons just arent gona cut it.

You are dead right they aren't. I played a cleric/archer though and it was still hard enough. My friend however played a mage and it was terrible lol. His character couldn't hurt him, spells just bounced right off. I'd pick carefully as this OC is not designed fairly IMHO.

You might try reading what I've done here:

http://www.ironworksforum.com/ubb/cg...c;f=7;t=002299

Of course the best melee'er is the drow and you can always use like weapons to obtain the added effects of those weapons (of course longsword isn't a prof. of a druid or a shapeshifter so you'll have to spend a feat for it - or work the feat into another item you are wearing).