Alterself and Familiars [Archive] - Wizards Community

Alterself and Familiars [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Ramble
11-08-06, 04:45 AM The description of the alterself spell spell allows you to assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form, and though it only affects the caster, however by the ability of shared spell it could be cast on the familiar at the same time (ending if the familiar moves more than 5' from the caster) or cast the spell as a touch spell on the familiar.

When cast on a familiar, is the familiar limited to:

A) Magical Beast as the familiar is classified as such.

B) Humanoid forms as the caster is humanoid.

C) A normal animal, as a familiar is a normal animal with the 'magic' of being a familiar.

RAW seems to be A, but I have heard posts on the forums of familiars becoming halflings like this, & C seem to have some logical standing (at least compared to fluffy the cat becoming a cockatrice and pecking chill touch at the enemy).

Ramble.
MagicJuggler
11-08-06, 08:02 AM I think Wizards answered this in an article of theirs before. Despite the fact the Familiar is now technically a Magic Creature, it counts as an animal for regular shapeshifting.

So my new question is what if you're using the Improved Familiar Feat and you decided to get an outsider (like a mephit) or magic creature (like a Worg) as a familiar.
Seeker95
11-08-06, 10:44 AM The answer depends on your DM. The familiar is a [magical beast] (the animal companion of a druid is an [animal]), making option A or B both valid for familiars and B or C vaild for animal companions. As long as your DM is consistent, it matters not.

I use option A (for familiars) or C (for animal companions).

All spell restrictions and requirements apply to the familiar as if cast on the familiar, even when used in a share spell environment. I basically treat all share spells as two separate castings.

Yes, this does mean a curative spell cast by a druid will fully affect both the druid and the companion, rather than split between the two.
Ramble
11-08-06, 06:42 PM Thanks guys, sounds about right.

So my new question is what if you're using the Improved Familiar Feat and you decided to get an outsider (like a mephit) or magic creature (like a Worg) as a familiar.

Actually the problem that brought this up was a psudodragon turning into a burrowing dragon hatchling.

Ramble.
malignor
11-08-06, 07:12 PM My DM has it so that it's treated as an animal, whether by proximity sharing or Self-to-touch spell sharing.

My games? Unsure. I'm thinking as-caster via proximity sharing, and animal by self-to-touch spell sharing.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ramble 11-08-06, 04:45 AM	The description of the alterself spell spell allows you to assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form, and though it only affects the caster, however by the ability of shared spell it could be cast on the familiar at the same time (ending if the familiar moves more than 5' from the caster) or cast the spell as a touch spell on the familiar. When cast on a familiar, is the familiar limited to: A) Magical Beast as the familiar is classified as such. B) Humanoid forms as the caster is humanoid. C) A normal animal, as a familiar is a normal animal with the 'magic' of being a familiar. RAW seems to be A, but I have heard posts on the forums of familiars becoming halflings like this, & C seem to have some logical standing (at least compared to fluffy the cat becoming a cockatrice and pecking chill touch at the enemy). Ramble.
MagicJuggler 11-08-06, 08:02 AM	I think Wizards answered this in an article of theirs before. Despite the fact the Familiar is now technically a Magic Creature, it counts as an animal for regular shapeshifting. So my new question is what if you're using the Improved Familiar Feat and you decided to get an outsider (like a mephit) or magic creature (like a Worg) as a familiar.
Seeker95 11-08-06, 10:44 AM	The answer depends on your DM. The familiar is a [magical beast] (the animal companion of a druid is an [animal]), making option A or B both valid for familiars and B or C vaild for animal companions. As long as your DM is consistent, it matters not. I use option A (for familiars) or C (for animal companions). All spell restrictions and requirements apply to the familiar as if cast on the familiar, even when used in a share spell environment. I basically treat all share spells as two separate castings. Yes, this does mean a curative spell cast by a druid will fully affect both the druid and the companion, rather than split between the two.
Ramble 11-08-06, 06:42 PM	Thanks guys, sounds about right. So my new question is what if you're using the Improved Familiar Feat and you decided to get an outsider (like a mephit) or magic creature (like a Worg) as a familiar. Actually the problem that brought this up was a psudodragon turning into a burrowing dragon hatchling. Ramble.
malignor 11-08-06, 07:12 PM	My DM has it so that it's treated as an animal, whether by proximity sharing or Self-to-touch spell sharing. My games? Unsure. I'm thinking as-caster via proximity sharing, and animal by self-to-touch spell sharing.