Changeling and Shifter Subtypes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Changeling and Shifter Subtypes [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Sledged
01-06-08, 12:14 AM As best as I can tell humanoids always have a subtype, and that subtype can only be applied to humanoids (with a few exceptions like templates and other effects that change type). So it says changelings and shifters have the shapechanger subtype which is not specific to any type. Do these races have any other subtypes? Are there "changeling" and "shifter" subtypes like elf, gnome, human, and other racial subtypes?
SMDVogrin
01-13-08, 02:32 PM As best as I can tell humanoids always have a subtype, and that subtype can only be applied to humanoids (with a few exceptions like templates and other effects that change type). So it says changelings and shifters have the shapechanger subtype which is not specific to any type. Do these races have any other subtypes? Are there "changeling" and "shifter" subtypes like elf, gnome, human, and other racial subtypes?

Example changelings in the books (looking at Races of Eberron right now, sample characters of the Cabinet Trickster and Recaster) are listed as "Humanoid (Shapechanger)". Thus, I conclude that Shapechanger is the only subtype.
Edymnion
01-14-08, 09:02 AM Some subtypes are specific to certain types. You'll never have a Humanoid (Living Construct), for example. But some are not restricted to types, Shapechanger is one of them.

Think of it like the Healing subschool of magic. You can have healing spells from multiple schools with the healing subschool (and can even have some psionic powers with the healing subschool).
Sledged
01-14-08, 01:03 PM Some subtypes are specific to certain types. [snip] But some are not restricted to types, Shapechanger is one of them.I'm not sure you understand my question. I'm not asking why they have the shapechanger subtype. I'm asking why don't they have a subtype that specific to humanoids.

Example: Elves have the elf subtype, halflings have the halfling subtype, kobolds have the reptilian subtype, illumians have the human subtype, azurin have incarnum subtype.

With a few exceptions, all the subtypes I just listed (elf, halfling, reptilian, human, and incarnum; obviously not a comprehensive list) are only applied to the humanoid type. And with the exception of the changeling and shifter races, every humanoid race has one of the humanoid-only subtypes (some instances more than one), regardless of what other subtypes that race may have.

My question is, "Do changeling and shifter races have a humanoid-only subtype?" And if not, why are they the exception?
Siberys
01-14-08, 10:47 PM No, they do not.

IC Answer - They're mutts, so to speak. Blends of different races, and, especially in these cases, monsters.

Snarky answer - 'cause they decided it'd be that way when they wrote the mechanics.

Also, the Incarnum subtype is used for any creature with the ability to use Incarnum effects, like soulmelds, essentia, etc. In that way its similar to the Psionic subtype. Incidentally, Kalashtar have no specific subtype, though they get the psionic subtype for having a PP pool and psi-like abilities.

EDIT - Just realized you noted that not all of those subtypes were exclusively humanoid. Sorry!
Edymnion
01-15-08, 08:57 AM My question is, "Do changeling and shifter races have a humanoid-only subtype?" And if not, why are they the exception?No, they do not. There is no magical reason why not, they just weren't.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sledged 01-06-08, 12:14 AM	As best as I can tell humanoids always have a subtype, and that subtype can only be applied to humanoids (with a few exceptions like templates and other effects that change type). So it says changelings and shifters have the shapechanger subtype which is not specific to any type. Do these races have any other subtypes? Are there "changeling" and "shifter" subtypes like elf, gnome, human, and other racial subtypes?
SMDVogrin 01-13-08, 02:32 PM	As best as I can tell humanoids always have a subtype, and that subtype can only be applied to humanoids (with a few exceptions like templates and other effects that change type). So it says changelings and shifters have the shapechanger subtype which is not specific to any type. Do these races have any other subtypes? Are there "changeling" and "shifter" subtypes like elf, gnome, human, and other racial subtypes? Example changelings in the books (looking at Races of Eberron right now, sample characters of the Cabinet Trickster and Recaster) are listed as "Humanoid (Shapechanger)". Thus, I conclude that Shapechanger is the only subtype.
Edymnion 01-14-08, 09:02 AM	Some subtypes are specific to certain types. You'll never have a Humanoid (Living Construct), for example. But some are not restricted to types, Shapechanger is one of them. Think of it like the Healing subschool of magic. You can have healing spells from multiple schools with the healing subschool (and can even have some psionic powers with the healing subschool).
Sledged 01-14-08, 01:03 PM	Some subtypes are specific to certain types. [snip] But some are not restricted to types, Shapechanger is one of them.I'm not sure you understand my question. I'm not asking why they have the shapechanger subtype. I'm asking why don't they have a subtype that specific to humanoids. Example: Elves have the elf subtype, halflings have the halfling subtype, kobolds have the reptilian subtype, illumians have the human subtype, azurin have incarnum subtype. With a few exceptions, all the subtypes I just listed (elf, halfling, reptilian, human, and incarnum; obviously not a comprehensive list) are only applied to the humanoid type. And with the exception of the changeling and shifter races, every humanoid race has one of the humanoid-only subtypes (some instances more than one), regardless of what other subtypes that race may have. My question is, "Do changeling and shifter races have a humanoid-only subtype?" And if not, why are they the exception?
Siberys 01-14-08, 10:47 PM	No, they do not. IC Answer - They're mutts, so to speak. Blends of different races, and, especially in these cases, monsters. Snarky answer - 'cause they decided it'd be that way when they wrote the mechanics. Also, the Incarnum subtype is used for any creature with the ability to use Incarnum effects, like soulmelds, essentia, etc. In that way its similar to the Psionic subtype. Incidentally, Kalashtar have no specific subtype, though they get the psionic subtype for having a PP pool and psi-like abilities. EDIT - Just realized you noted that not all of those subtypes were exclusively humanoid. Sorry!
Edymnion 01-15-08, 08:57 AM	My question is, "Do changeling and shifter races have a humanoid-only subtype?" And if not, why are they the exception?No, they do not. There is no magical reason why not, they just weren't.