Tattooed Monk Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Tattooed Monk Question [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Gumbymoto
11-17-06, 11:30 PM I have a centuar that would like to use the alter self ability the tattooed monk gives, but I have a question on this feat.

The Chameleon tattoo allows a character to alter self once per day for 1 hour per tattoo the character has in this class as part of a move action.

The alter self spell says that it has a maximum of 5 HD, 1HD/caster level to a maximum of 5HD.

How do you determine the HD for this spell like ability?

The best answer I have been given so far is that it is at 5HD forthis spell like ability.
jstorrie
11-18-06, 02:28 AM Caster level for spell-like abilities is generally equal to class level in the class that grants them, if not otherwise specified. So CL = levels of Tattooed Monk in this case.
Jay_Ibero_911
11-18-06, 09:18 PM Keep in mind that as a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid), you can only alter self into creatures of the same type, which significanly limits your worthwhile options. One interesting pick would be harpy, if you need to lose some size, or just need to fly. A gargoyle would serve a similar purpose, but with better natural armor, and slower fly speed. Sahuagin give the best available natural armor bonus (+5) as well as swim speed. Other than that, you don't have many worthwhile options...
Gumbymoto
11-20-06, 12:55 PM Yep fully aware that by being a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid) that I am limited in the forms I will be able to assume especially due to the limitation of size (Large) and 5HD max.

Here are the forms I would alter to by level:

1st Level: Abeil (MM2) - Fly at 60', medium size (prevents squeezing from centaur); racial feat of dodge

2nd Level: Kuo-Toa (MM1) - Swim at 50', medium size, natural armor 6 (3 better than centaur); racial feats of altertness, great fortitude

4th Level: Blackscale Lizardfolk (MM3) - Large size (provides reach of 10' instead of centaur 5' especially important for my spiked chain attack), natural armor 7; racial feats of multiattack, power attack

4th Level: Gargoyle (MM1) - Fly 60', medium size, natural armor 4; racial feats of toughness, multiattack

5th Level: Yak Folk (MM3) - Large size, natural armor 7, racial feats improved iniative, power attack, weapon focus (quarterstaff)

Since alter form is the only way other than polymorph for my centaur to change to large tall or medium and still use a weapon plus the fact that I can alter form as a move action and not create an AO opportunity, they last 1 hour, and I would have 3 per day at 5th level make it seem like a pretty deceint investment.

I don't like losing the BAB bonus and missing fighter feats, but I like the gain to my saves which has been this characters really achelles heal so far.

Is there any way to boost the effective level of this class such as the practised spell caster so that I would only need 1 level?

As a centaur I have 9 levels left to use before the character retires since 6 are eaten up by the centaur template. I may take only 4 levels of tattooed monk then shift to a level of bard to gain access to dragon disciple. Then take 4 levels of that for another 4 bonus to strength. With a +6 belt of giant strength, buying two manuals of gainful excercise, and all my stat boosts into strength I would have a natural strength of 40which would offset the loss of BAB.

One question, how effective would a spell resistance of 22 be at APL 10-14?

If I stayed in this class I could gain access to spell resistance of 22 at 7th level, at 5th level I could take shadow walk (could get me out of some troubles), haste at 3rd level, and alter form at 1st level.
Mommy was an Orc
11-20-06, 02:55 PM Yep fully aware that by being a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid) that I am limited in the forms I will be able to assume especially due to the limitation of size (Large) and 5HD max.

Here are the forms I would alter to by level:

1st Level: Abeil (MM2) - Fly at 60', medium size (prevents squeezing from centaur); racial feat of dodge

You can only change into creatures from Monster Manual...
Gumbymoto
11-20-06, 03:11 PM Why is this ability limited to MM1?

I don't see any limitations listed in this spell's description.
Britt
11-20-06, 03:17 PM It's an LG limitation. Limited to MM creatures without documentation.
Gumbymoto
11-20-06, 03:20 PM Thanks, that totally changes that idea on this character's build.
Iswald
11-20-06, 11:10 PM I would actually allow a centaur to use forms from Sandstorm, since they generally have access to feats and items from there.
copper_wyrmling
11-20-06, 11:18 PM I would actually allow a centaur to use forms from Sandstorm, since they generally have access to feats and items from there.

Unless the Bright Sands sourcebook says something about this, I would disagree - Bright Sands PCs have access to Sandstorm material (feats / prestige classes / spells) at about the same level that normal PCs have access to the Complete and Races books, and creatures from those aren't allowed for shapeshifting. The LGCS seems pretty clear on this: only the Monster Manual or specific AR documentation is a valid source.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Gumbymoto 11-17-06, 11:30 PM	I have a centuar that would like to use the alter self ability the tattooed monk gives, but I have a question on this feat. The Chameleon tattoo allows a character to alter self once per day for 1 hour per tattoo the character has in this class as part of a move action. The alter self spell says that it has a maximum of 5 HD, 1HD/caster level to a maximum of 5HD. How do you determine the HD for this spell like ability? The best answer I have been given so far is that it is at 5HD forthis spell like ability.
jstorrie 11-18-06, 02:28 AM	Caster level for spell-like abilities is generally equal to class level in the class that grants them, if not otherwise specified. So CL = levels of Tattooed Monk in this case.
Jay_Ibero_911 11-18-06, 09:18 PM	Keep in mind that as a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid), you can only alter self into creatures of the same type, which significanly limits your worthwhile options. One interesting pick would be harpy, if you need to lose some size, or just need to fly. A gargoyle would serve a similar purpose, but with better natural armor, and slower fly speed. Sahuagin give the best available natural armor bonus (+5) as well as swim speed. Other than that, you don't have many worthwhile options...
Gumbymoto 11-20-06, 12:55 PM	Yep fully aware that by being a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid) that I am limited in the forms I will be able to assume especially due to the limitation of size (Large) and 5HD max. Here are the forms I would alter to by level: 1st Level: Abeil (MM2) - Fly at 60', medium size (prevents squeezing from centaur); racial feat of dodge 2nd Level: Kuo-Toa (MM1) - Swim at 50', medium size, natural armor 6 (3 better than centaur); racial feats of altertness, great fortitude 4th Level: Blackscale Lizardfolk (MM3) - Large size (provides reach of 10' instead of centaur 5' especially important for my spiked chain attack), natural armor 7; racial feats of multiattack, power attack 4th Level: Gargoyle (MM1) - Fly 60', medium size, natural armor 4; racial feats of toughness, multiattack 5th Level: Yak Folk (MM3) - Large size, natural armor 7, racial feats improved iniative, power attack, weapon focus (quarterstaff) Since alter form is the only way other than polymorph for my centaur to change to large tall or medium and still use a weapon plus the fact that I can alter form as a move action and not create an AO opportunity, they last 1 hour, and I would have 3 per day at 5th level make it seem like a pretty deceint investment. I don't like losing the BAB bonus and missing fighter feats, but I like the gain to my saves which has been this characters really achelles heal so far. Is there any way to boost the effective level of this class such as the practised spell caster so that I would only need 1 level? As a centaur I have 9 levels left to use before the character retires since 6 are eaten up by the centaur template. I may take only 4 levels of tattooed monk then shift to a level of bard to gain access to dragon disciple. Then take 4 levels of that for another 4 bonus to strength. With a +6 belt of giant strength, buying two manuals of gainful excercise, and all my stat boosts into strength I would have a natural strength of 40which would offset the loss of BAB. One question, how effective would a spell resistance of 22 be at APL 10-14? If I stayed in this class I could gain access to spell resistance of 22 at 7th level, at 5th level I could take shadow walk (could get me out of some troubles), haste at 3rd level, and alter form at 1st level.
Mommy was an Orc 11-20-06, 02:55 PM	Yep fully aware that by being a Centaur (Monstrous Humanoid) that I am limited in the forms I will be able to assume especially due to the limitation of size (Large) and 5HD max. Here are the forms I would alter to by level: 1st Level: Abeil (MM2) - Fly at 60', medium size (prevents squeezing from centaur); racial feat of dodge You can only change into creatures from Monster Manual...
Gumbymoto 11-20-06, 03:11 PM	Why is this ability limited to MM1? I don't see any limitations listed in this spell's description.
Britt 11-20-06, 03:17 PM	It's an LG limitation. Limited to MM creatures without documentation.
Gumbymoto 11-20-06, 03:20 PM	Thanks, that totally changes that idea on this character's build.
Iswald 11-20-06, 11:10 PM	I would actually allow a centaur to use forms from Sandstorm, since they generally have access to feats and items from there.
copper_wyrmling 11-20-06, 11:18 PM	I would actually allow a centaur to use forms from Sandstorm, since they generally have access to feats and items from there. Unless the Bright Sands sourcebook says something about this, I would disagree - Bright Sands PCs have access to Sandstorm material (feats / prestige classes / spells) at about the same level that normal PCs have access to the Complete and Races books, and creatures from those aren't allowed for shapeshifting. The LGCS seems pretty clear on this: only the Monster Manual or specific AR documentation is a valid source.