Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The_Shaman 07-20-07, 12:03 PM	While it might not be counted as among the greatest spells, I think Alter Self is incredibly versatile, and I wanted to know what forms you can recommend for the typical subtypes. Just to remind you, the spell allows you to morph into and get some abilities of any creature of your own type with up to 5 racial Hit Dice - and I guess that since LA is not mentioned, it does not matter. Hence, any race with different size, good natural armor, nice movement modes, or interesting natural weaponry can be handy. Here is what I have so far: Humanoid: - Lizardfolk: great NA, natural weapons, iirc even have a bonus to swim, balance and jump because of the tail. - Troglodyte: likewise, although except the tail goodies. Nice bonus to hide checks, though. - Avariel elf (Races of Faerun) - flight is a rare trait among humanoids. The Raptoran could work, but the relation between flight and HD is a bit weird, so the DM might object. - anything with swim or climb speed - merfolk, Locathah, the Stormwrack races, Vanara, Spirit folk (if they are humanoids)... is there a humanoid with burrow speed? I think the Asherati from Sandstorm had some, but maybe it was only for sand. - anything with a good racial bonus feat. If the neraphim (Manual of the Planes) are humanoids, their special combat tricks would make them a decent form. I think they were outsiders, though. - Fey - the main issue is whether DR would be a "physical state." If it is, you are golden. The wording seems to suggest otherwise - but there are still a few useful forms - Grig - only for small pixies due to the 1-step size change. Still, tiny size, racial bonuses to some useful skills and even a minor fly speed sound like useful things to have in a pinch. 2 bonus feats - dodge and weapon finesse - Pixie - similar, only for up to medium characters. Better fly speed, bonus feats, minor bonuses to sensory skills - not half bad - Uldra - cold resistance helps when you need to survive in cold weather - Satyr - kinda meh, but the slightly improved speed, natural weaponry, and a bit of NA can help if you want to fight or run. - Shadar-Kai (Fiend Folio): I need to check it out, but iirc they worked, and have some pretty good racial abilities. Outsiders (aasimars, tieflings, and the like) - Lantern Archon - if the spell gives you the DR and the light ray attacks, good. Otherwise not so much, although flight is a useful trait. You can not cast spells in that form, though - at least, not without specific feats. - mephits - all have fly speeds, some have swim speeds, and can cast spells. Arrowhawks, tojanidas and the like are more specialized. - Xorn - burrow speed, can't be flanked (racial ability), natural weapons, and +12 to NA sound nice to me. You might need something to allow you to cast spells in that form, though. - Quasit - tiny size, poison and NA could be nice, but you need to be small to use this form. - Xill - natural attacks, improved grap, poison-like bite, good NA and speed can make it a decent form if you have to fight. It depends on the DM whether s/he will allow you the multiattack feat, at least.
tarkin 07-20-07, 12:12 PM	I have often found simply taking any creature one size smaller is worth it. +1 to hit, +1 to AC alone is nice. It also tends to let you get into/out of places you otherwise could not. If you are say handcuffed, or perhaps stuck in rock (Transmute Rock to Mud + Dispell Magic trick), it can be very handy. Yeah, it is an 2nd level Reduce Person spell, but you get it for 10 minutes/level instead of 1.
Magetastic 07-20-07, 03:46 PM	There is already a thread for this here. (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=176246) Good list there
The_Shaman 07-21-07, 03:55 PM	Ah, quite good. I think there should be a compendium of guides for spells, imo.