Boevis

I think you're missing the point, it's not about shifting after every shred, that would be stupid. It's about shifting after a cycle and gaining 32-40 free energy by shifting between energy tics.

As far as Natural Shifter and the Staff goes, it's amazing for this tactic. With a 6k Mana pool you'd normally get maybe 6 shifts in, with Natural Shifter and Staff you'll get 11-12 (depending on which reduces the mana first) Throw in the Moonglade set bonus for 14 shifts. For me, that would be ~30k more damage per fight. Rather significant.

Edit to the below: No, it's not including the lost white damage, but even if they all crit it would still total less than a quarter of the yellow damage gain. I'm still debating the validity of letting the 2H swing in between shifts, you likely lose 20 energy and another catform auto, but for something like the Gladiator Maul you gain a 700 hit (1500 crit) And then there's the old debates about macroing a weapon swap with your shifting to a big slow 2H (The other Gladiator Mace hits ~200 more than the feral one)