Alter self: Please Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alter self: Please Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Schwarg
11-10-04, 03:06 PM The spell states "you assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form (such as humanoid or magical beast).

With that said, I can't find any humanoids with wings nor humanoids that are large. The book states these possibilities as if common but I see it not common(with humanoids being the only races represented in the PHB--- why focus on the subject).

Can someone please clarify? Is my assumption correct in that this spell is very limited to the "A" typical player, that is humanoid?

Thanks, Schwarg
calypso
11-10-04, 03:11 PM Well... there are Avariel Elves from Races of Faerun... basically, winged elves. If that helps.

I like 3.0 Alter Self much better. I can just say "K, I grow wings."

Calypso
Schwarg
11-10-04, 03:15 PM thanks. that does. I didn't loot at the forggotten realms book of races and that happens to be the world we're playing in.
hovnarr
11-10-04, 03:17 PM Schwarg, you are correct. In the 3.5 SRD, there are no valid Alter Self forms with a flying speed if we consider a humanoid caster. That is one of the few reasons that it "pays" (some would say) to play an aasimar sorceror etc. since it gives you access to outsider forms with perfect flying movement etc.

Back in 2e there used to be a winged elf called the Avariel. Perhaps there is an equivalent in 3.x and you could ask your DM if he would allow it. As for large forms, I can't think of any, but I haven't confirmed that there are infact none in the 3.5 SRD.

Even though this might strike you as limited, I still think Alter Self is a prime 2nd level spell and it would be my first choice as a sorceror. As a troglodyte you get +6 natural armor and 3 attacks on a full attack plus several amfibic qualities. There are many other forms that all give you their racial skill bonuses and feats, meaning that the alter self spell is a toolbox that you will find useful in many situations.

There is an alter self thread in the character optimization forum that might interest you. Cheers!
PhaedrusXY
11-10-04, 06:40 PM There is an alter self thread in the character optimization forum that might interest you. Cheers!That would be found right HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=176246).
sampi
11-10-04, 07:53 PM Humans who become Dragon Diciples eventually grow wings and have a speed equal to their normal land speed, with average maneuverability and its still your same type :D
calypso
11-10-04, 08:15 PM Dragon Disciples eventually apply the half-dragon template. You can't alter self (or polymorph even) into something with a template. It has to be an average representation of a given species, and half-dragon isn't a species. So... no alter-selfing into a half-dragon human. Sorry.

Calypso
PhaedrusXY
11-10-04, 09:39 PM Humans who become Dragon Diciples eventually grow wings and have a speed equal to their normal land speed, with average maneuverability and its still your same type :DA half-dragon's type is dragon. So is a 10th level dragon disciple's. If you were a dragon disciple or half-dragon, you could use alter self to turn into a full dragon. But a normal human can't Alter Self into one both because it is a template, and because they don't have the same type.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Schwarg 11-10-04, 03:06 PM	The spell states "you assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form (such as humanoid or magical beast). With that said, I can't find any humanoids with wings nor humanoids that are large. The book states these possibilities as if common but I see it not common(with humanoids being the only races represented in the PHB--- why focus on the subject). Can someone please clarify? Is my assumption correct in that this spell is very limited to the "A" typical player, that is humanoid? Thanks, Schwarg
calypso 11-10-04, 03:11 PM	Well... there are Avariel Elves from Races of Faerun... basically, winged elves. If that helps. I like 3.0 Alter Self much better. I can just say "K, I grow wings." Calypso
Schwarg 11-10-04, 03:15 PM	thanks. that does. I didn't loot at the forggotten realms book of races and that happens to be the world we're playing in.
hovnarr 11-10-04, 03:17 PM	Schwarg, you are correct. In the 3.5 SRD, there are no valid Alter Self forms with a flying speed if we consider a humanoid caster. That is one of the few reasons that it "pays" (some would say) to play an aasimar sorceror etc. since it gives you access to outsider forms with perfect flying movement etc. Back in 2e there used to be a winged elf called the Avariel. Perhaps there is an equivalent in 3.x and you could ask your DM if he would allow it. As for large forms, I can't think of any, but I haven't confirmed that there are infact none in the 3.5 SRD. Even though this might strike you as limited, I still think Alter Self is a prime 2nd level spell and it would be my first choice as a sorceror. As a troglodyte you get +6 natural armor and 3 attacks on a full attack plus several amfibic qualities. There are many other forms that all give you their racial skill bonuses and feats, meaning that the alter self spell is a toolbox that you will find useful in many situations. There is an alter self thread in the character optimization forum that might interest you. Cheers!
PhaedrusXY 11-10-04, 06:40 PM	There is an alter self thread in the character optimization forum that might interest you. Cheers!That would be found right HERE (http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=176246).
sampi 11-10-04, 07:53 PM	Humans who become Dragon Diciples eventually grow wings and have a speed equal to their normal land speed, with average maneuverability and its still your same type :D
calypso 11-10-04, 08:15 PM	Dragon Disciples eventually apply the half-dragon template. You can't alter self (or polymorph even) into something with a template. It has to be an average representation of a given species, and half-dragon isn't a species. So... no alter-selfing into a half-dragon human. Sorry. Calypso
PhaedrusXY 11-10-04, 09:39 PM	Humans who become Dragon Diciples eventually grow wings and have a speed equal to their normal land speed, with average maneuverability and its still your same type :DA half-dragon's type is dragon. So is a 10th level dragon disciple's. If you were a dragon disciple or half-dragon, you could use alter self to turn into a full dragon. But a normal human can't Alter Self into one both because it is a template, and because they don't have the same type.