It is mostly skill... I suspect that even without raising your stats, you'll see you'll improve as you learn more transference.
Meanwhile, get stamina to at least 20 then raise discipline. In the shifting topic there is some discussion of stats you might want to see, too. Also, www.arcanewolf.com will have a lot of good information about starting out, training stats, etc.
Amo
to borrow from Kythryn, That's my stance and I'm sticking to it
_____________________________________________ "Can you even dye my eyes to match my gown?" ~Dorothy
For more information on empaths who shift, go to:
http://www.coalition.fairmount.nu