...this is essentially removing the random factor from shapeshifters without the benefit (trials?) of Immteraction. Shapeshifters are PCs who can roam the world freely and do in a general sense what they set out to do with the character... whilst completely naked.
A warrior/ranger/invoker/necromancer/bard/thief/assassin/etc. has to roam Thera, seeking out new gear and new civilizations before becoming effective in their role, whether that be PvE or PvP. The shifters' ability to ignore this time-sink limitation is already what I believe makes the class so popular. If then, on top of that luxury, shifters are able to DESIGN their stats and endgame, then warriors should have a level-based gear forge in their guild, and necromancers should have a cemetery built in each guildhall with fresh corpses being delivered daily, etc.
It's certainly a wet-dream for a PC, but as with virtues, paths, and such, it should be a reward for consistent roleplay, valor in battle, or similar.
