the shifter prestige class; they seem to have removed it /sigh

I also miss wizards/sorcerers spells hitting just enemies instead of everyone...
It sure would be nice if they implemented baldurs gate style spells like contingencies and spell sequencers.

they also seem to have added a timer to the hide in plain sight feat making my favorite form of attack not work as well.

I never played as a shifter, so I can't relate to that aspect of your thread, but since I normally play as a Monk with at least one level of Shadowdancer, I can definately relate to your comments about hiding in plain sight.
Since I am still relatively new to the game, I haven't explored fully micromanaging my henchman, and I find that putting skill points into hide and move silently seems to be a complete waste because when I try to scout ahead in hiding, my henchman always rush up behind me and spring the triggers anyway.
I didn't even know about the timer since I haven't bothered trying to hide since then. But according to the "Patch 1.04" thread, it seems the NWN communications menu is going to be implemented, so that should make hiding and scouting ahead, as well as a hidden stunning fist or improved knockdown blow viable again. We'll have to wait and see.