Post/Author/DateTime	Post
baumi 10-27-05, 01:44 AM	HiHo! I will play a Halfling Sorcerer with Alter Self, but I'm not used to the new Version (3.5), so can you please help me out with some Ideas for this spell? Good forms I know: Trogolyte: +6 natural Armor Locathah/Merfolk: Aquantic with high Swimm Speed THX & Have FUN! Baumi
smrtgmp 10-27-05, 01:50 AM	the snow goblin from frostburn gives you a climb speed.
Kallius 10-27-05, 01:55 AM	If I may add a question to this thread: From the PHB: "You acquire the physical qualities of the new form...Physical qualities include...flight with wings, to a maximum speed of 120 feet for flying..." So here is my question (2, actually): are there *any* humanoid races with flight capability, besides the Raptoran (a 5 HD Raptoran has *very* limited flying capability). Can the character simply grow wings with alter self, or does the character need to change into a race which naturally has wings?
smrtgmp 10-27-05, 01:59 AM	If you're in FR, the avariel elves have wings. Othewise, you're pretty much out of luck in the flight department as a humanoid caster. If you have a different type, such as outsider (aasimar, for instance), more options become available to you.
tennesseefats 10-27-05, 09:58 AM	HiHo! I will play a Halfling Sorcerer with Alter Self, but I'm not used to the new Version (3.5), so can you please help me out with some Ideas for this spell? Good forms I know: Trogolyte: +6 natural Armor Locathah/Merfolk: Aquantic with high Swimm Speed THX & Have FUN! Baumi Good idea, but Troglodyte form isn't allowed with Alter Self. Alter self doesn't allow you to change creature types - if you're a halfling, your type and subtype is humanoid (halfling), so you can assume the form of any other humanoid creature, such as a lizardfolk or Merfolk. Note that the monstrous humanoid type is different from the humanoid type. If you're a halfling, you can't use alter self to assume the form of a monstrous humanoid creature such as a troglodyte or minotaur. If you want a decent Nat Armor bonus, try the lizardfolk, they have a +5 NA. Check out the article, on this very site, about the spell. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20040518a
Saracen 10-27-05, 10:17 AM	Good idea, but Troglodyte form isn't allowed with Alter Self. Alter self doesn't allow you to change creature types - if you're a halfling, your type and subtype is humanoid (halfling), so you can assume the form of any other humanoid creature, such as a lizardfolk or Merfolk. Note that the monstrous humanoid type is different from the humanoid type. If you're a halfling, you can't use alter self to assume the form of a monstrous humanoid creature such as a troglodyte or minotaur. <SNIP> Um, Trogs are Medium humanoid (reptilian), so they are a perfectly vaild alter self form for another humanoid... Bryan Blumklotz
Nephlite 10-27-05, 11:15 AM	Here are the forms: http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=176246 Best one I found was Human (for non-humans humaniods obviously) bonus feat.
tarkin 10-27-05, 12:35 PM	Strict / Loose game: Humans do not get a racial bonus feat. Instead they get an extra feat of their choice. A racial bonus feat is a specific feat granted to all members of the race. See the race Satyr for an example of it. A satyr receives Alertness as a bonus feat Power Game/Anything Goes Game: Extra = Bonus, enjoy.
CaoSlayer 10-27-05, 12:40 PM	as a halfling, be aware that by changing you size you get the disadvantage that many some of your items will become useless because by example you can use small boots in a medium creature, same with gloves by example so those items will meld into the new form and become non-operatives. with that restriction I can say that the best form for a halfling would be a kobolt, so you get +1 natural armor and 30 feet movement.
Saracen 10-27-05, 03:04 PM	as a halfling, be aware that by changing you size you get the disadvantage that many some of your items will become useless because by example you can use small boots in a medium creature, same with gloves by example so those items will meld into the new form and become non-operatives. with that restriction I can say that the best form for a halfling would be a kobolt, so you get +1 natural armor and 30 feet movement. If you are speaking about magical clothing or jewlery (rings, necklesses, etc.) they resize with your alter selfing PC when the PC changes size up or down. Only none magical clothing and jewlery do not resize. So have a medium outfit handy... Check out Dragon 337, Sage Advice has a lot of info that is being covered here. The only thing that Andy Collins missed was the restriction on templates in the Alter Self spell and by extension all spells/abilities based upon it. Bryan Blumklotz
Saracen 10-27-05, 03:17 PM	Strict / Loose game: Humans do not get a racial bonus feat. Instead they get an extra feat of their choice. A racial bonus feat is a specific feat granted to all members of the race. See the race Satyr for an example of it. Power Game/Anything Goes Game: Extra = Bonus, enjoy. Sage Advice, Dragon 337, pg. 89: Paraphrased Question: When a human is polymorphed into another creature, he loses (Ex) special attacks and qualities, what about his bonus feat and skill points? Answer: "A human's bonus feat and bonus skill points-like most other racial traits-are considered extraordinary qualities, and thus are lost when the character would lose such abilities (including when polymorphed)." As for someone using Alter Self, the base spell in the Polymorph chain, here is the listings that deal with SA, SQ and Type/Subtype: "You keep all extraordinary special attacks and qualities derived from class levels, but you lose any from your normal form that are not derived from class levels." "Your creature type and subtype (if any) remain the same regardless of your new form" This means that you lose your human bonus feat and skill points when you Alter Self, but unlike Polymorph you still have your orgional type/subtype, humanoid (human). This means that if a spell targets your subtype specifically, then you are still affected even though the form you chose might be humman (goblinoid) or human (reptilan), etc. However any (Ex) abilities derived from type/subtype are gone. It actually pays to be a non-humanoid caster with this spell... My Mt. Dwarf wizard is so pleased. Bryan Blumklotz
baumi 10-28-05, 02:58 AM	Thanks for all the Tips and explainations! I think I understand the spell now, but I have to admit that I found the 3.0 Version much better (less confusion, simpler, independet of your Type and not so exploitable). Anyways I have another question: Polymorph says that it works like Alter Self ... does this mean that I cannot change into a large creature (this would weaken a small caster) with it? Have FUN! Baumi
Saracen 10-29-05, 02:51 AM	Thanks for all the Tips and explainations! I think I understand the spell now, but I have to admit that I found the 3.0 Version much better (less confusion, simpler, independet of your Type and not so exploitable). Anyways I have another question: Polymorph says that it works like Alter Self ... does this mean that I cannot change into a large creature (this would weaken a small caster) with it? Have FUN! Baumi You are welcome Baumi, The answer to your question is, that depends. As of Sage Advice in Dragon 337, you can polymorph or shapechange into any creature type allowed, sizes Fine to Colossal. In Living Greyhawk, the answer is only one size catagory larger than your base forms size. This is as of LGCS 4.2. Your home DM may house rule it some other way. Check with the DM and or campaign specific rules. Bryan Blumklotz
allenchan 10-29-05, 05:36 AM	The Rules of the Game article also states Fine -> colossal.