Alter Self Spell Rulings (potential for great misuse) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alter Self Spell Rulings (potential for great misuse) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
nekotori
06-16-04, 02:57 PM The Alter Self spell states that you assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form (within one size category of your normal size). You gain movement capabilities, natural armor bonus, natural weapons, racial skill bonuses, racial bonus feats, and any gross physical qualities (i.e. you look like it).

It's a good spell for a human wizard who wants to turn into a lizardman for 10 minutes/level and get a +5 natural armor bonus that stacks with the spell Mage Armor.

While some may see this +9 bonus to armor class (+4 armor, +5 natural) as somewhat unbalancing at 3rd level, that's not my concern with the spell...

A player of mine has taken the savage progression class to become a half-fiend. By the wording of the spell, she (or an evil Teifling) may use the spell to take the form of any (evil) outsider of small, medium, or large size. This includes a Pit Fiend (+23 armor bonus, claw 2d8 + str bonus, bite 4d6 + 1/2 str bonus).

I consider that a bit overpowered for a 2nd level spell.

I think I'm going to just say that she can use it to take the form of her previous form (humanoid) despite the wording of the spell to avoid some potentially bad situations.

What does everyone think about this spell/ruling?
Beamup
06-16-04, 03:01 PM Note this restriction:

PHB page 197
The maximum HD of an assumed form is equal to your caster level, to a maximum of 5 HD at 5th level.

Pit Fiends have 18 HD, so no dice. This restriction keeps it from getting that out of hand.
nekotori
06-16-04, 03:08 PM Yipe.

Looks like I missed that every single time iI've read it.

Thanks.

So the worst thing that she can really become is a Xill (+7 natural armor bonus).

I still think that's slightly better than it should be, but it doesn't seems quite as unbalancing (since that would probably make diplomacy a bit tougher).

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
nekotori 06-16-04, 02:57 PM	The Alter Self spell states that you assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form (within one size category of your normal size). You gain movement capabilities, natural armor bonus, natural weapons, racial skill bonuses, racial bonus feats, and any gross physical qualities (i.e. you look like it). It's a good spell for a human wizard who wants to turn into a lizardman for 10 minutes/level and get a +5 natural armor bonus that stacks with the spell Mage Armor. While some may see this +9 bonus to armor class (+4 armor, +5 natural) as somewhat unbalancing at 3rd level, that's not my concern with the spell... A player of mine has taken the savage progression class to become a half-fiend. By the wording of the spell, she (or an evil Teifling) may use the spell to take the form of any (evil) outsider of small, medium, or large size. This includes a Pit Fiend (+23 armor bonus, claw 2d8 + str bonus, bite 4d6 + 1/2 str bonus). I consider that a bit overpowered for a 2nd level spell. I think I'm going to just say that she can use it to take the form of her previous form (humanoid) despite the wording of the spell to avoid some potentially bad situations. What does everyone think about this spell/ruling?
Beamup 06-16-04, 03:01 PM	Note this restriction: PHB page 197 The maximum HD of an assumed form is equal to your caster level, to a maximum of 5 HD at 5th level. Pit Fiends have 18 HD, so no dice. This restriction keeps it from getting that out of hand.
nekotori 06-16-04, 03:08 PM	Yipe. Looks like I missed that every single time iI've read it. Thanks. So the worst thing that she can really become is a Xill (+7 natural armor bonus). I still think that's slightly better than it should be, but it doesn't seems quite as unbalancing (since that would probably make diplomacy a bit tougher).