Slots, tatoos, psychoative skins, and wildshape [Archive] - Wizards Community

Slots, tatoos, psychoative skins, and wildshape [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Clawhound
04-17-07, 03:25 PM How do wildshape, tattoos, and psychoactive skin interact?

What slot does a psychoative skin use?
Tempest Stormwind
04-17-07, 03:31 PM How do wildshape, tattoos, and pschoactive skin interact?Exactly as the rules say they do. That is, gear like the tattoos and the skin are absorbed when you wild shape, but the psychoactive skins don't interfere with tattoos (as the skin rolls away from needed areas).What slot does a psychoative skin use?Technically, it's slotless, but you can only use three of them, one at a time. Effectively, you can think of it using the "psychoactive skin" slot, which is similar to rings in that you can use more than one, but different in that only one can be active at a time.
Clawhound
04-17-07, 05:20 PM Thanks. That's what I thought.
munin
04-18-07, 09:26 AM Gear/clothing is only absorbed if it's unwieldable/unwearable by the new form. Since a psychoactive skin spreads itself to cover you, I don't see why it couldn't be worn by an animal. Only if you're a Medium or smaller animal, though.

And what exactly happens to "clothing" worn by a druid in fire elemental form, anyway?
SlanderPanic
04-18-07, 09:55 AM The elemental obviously can't wear it, so it absorbs.
Rageheart
04-18-07, 10:14 AM Gear/clothing is only absorbed if it's unwieldable/unwearable by the new form.

by that token I would assume Psionic Tattoos would also remain on the surface...

"OMG we are being charged by a Tattooed Bull!"
SlanderPanic
04-18-07, 10:30 AM Psionic tattoos remaining outside when wild shaped makes sense, at least for animal forms. Depending on placement and on chosen form, they might be difficult to tap, though. A monkey or an octopus wouldn't have too much trouble, but a shark or a horse may find it nearly impossible.
Rageheart
04-18-07, 10:35 AM Activation: A psionic tattoo produces its effect when touched by its wearer and willed to do so. This activity, called “tapping” the tattoo, is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. A psionic tattoo fades away after use.

Technically if you are wearing a tattoo, you are touching it... Semantics, I know, ...it would be a DM call.
Tempest Stormwind
04-18-07, 11:43 AM Guys, the gear is absorbed when you shapeshift.

However, you can put another one on afterwards.

For instance, druid wearing monk's belt loses the belt when he shifts to a dire ape. However, you can put another one on him in ape form and it's fine.

Capische?
saidin0111
04-18-07, 12:10 PM Guys, the gear is absorbed when you shapeshift.

last time I checked the rules on polymorph/shapechange/wildshape/etc. this only happens if the new form is unable to wear the current gear, also note that magical/psionic gear will auto resize to fit the size of it's user, that is unless the gear specificly states size limitations, but if a druid(/psion?) shifted to be a wolf, they would still have the tattoos and the psychoactive skin, if they shifted into a tiger, they would keep the tattoos, but the psychoactive skin would be absorbed, and if they somehow shifted into an ooze, both the tattoos and the psychoactive skin would be absorbed
AntiDjinn
04-18-07, 12:38 PM Animals can be tattooed (and have) but even if a psionic tattoo stays on the surface it may not be functional. Remember, these are not skulls, anchors, or "MOM" with psionic power, they are specific patterns like a tribal circuit and the pattern is integral to the function. So if you morph from human to rhino, the tat on your shoulder is going to reshape to match the new topology of your form. A psionic tat that is that pulled out of shape probably won't work.

The solution: You can willingly transfer a psionic tattoo to another. So give your tat to a buddy, morph, then have it transfer back. Because it wasn't on your skin during the transformation it should transfer without issues. Then you face your next challenge: as a wolf or tortoise how do you touch the tattoo in the middle of your back to activate it?

For skins the solution has already been mentioned: Take it off, morph, then put it back on.
Rageheart
04-18-07, 01:32 PM Animals can be tattooed (and have) but even if a psionic tattoo stays on the surface it may not be functional. Remember, these are not skulls, anchors, or "MOM" with psionic power, they are specific patterns like a tribal circuit and the pattern is integral to the function. So if you morph from human to rhino, the tat on your shoulder is going to reshape to match the new topology of your form. A psionic tat that is that pulled out of shape probably won't work.

Um... if the tatto can slide around on your skin enough for you to move it from arm to arm (not to mention to another person) wouldn't it make sense that the tattoo could retain it's shape, allowing the skin to stretch underneath it, enough to still function?

Then you face your next challenge: as a wolf or tortoise how do you touch the tattoo in the middle of your back to activate it?

Will it to move to a place you can touch easier. A tortise can wipe it's face, and a wolf can clean himself ...tappin a tattoo on his butt would work too! (tappin that... nevermind.)
Tempest Stormwind
04-18-07, 02:18 PM last time I checked the rules on polymorph/shapechange/wildshape/etc. this only happens if the new form is unable to wear the current gear, also note that magical/psionic gear will auto resize to fit the size of it's user, that is unless the gear specificly states size limitations, but if a druid(/psion?) shifted to be a wolf, they would still have the tattoos and the psychoactive skin, if they shifted into a tiger, they would keep the tattoos, but the psychoactive skin would be absorbed, and if they somehow shifted into an ooze, both the tattoos and the psychoactive skin would be absorbed

The last polymorph errata made it clear that Wild Shape does NOT function like Polymorph, and in fact did not touch Polymorph at all (it's been abandoned like a sinking ship.)

All the new shapechangers (Alternate Form, Animal Shapes, Baleful Polymorph, Change Shape, the Polymorph subschool with all relevant spells and Wild Shape), except two, say that if you can't use the gear, it falls off (though Baleful Polymorph drops it even if you COULD use it), but if you could use it, it stays.

Those exceptions? Polymorph Subschool and Wild Shape. In both cases, all gear, whether you could use it or not, is absorbed.

Conclusion: The druid wearing the tattoos and the skins absorbs those items when she wild shapes, and they return when she's back.

Exactly as I said in the first reply.
Lycanthromancer
04-18-07, 04:55 PM Bleh. Polymorph. I'm glad I've redone Metamorphosis to undo the brokenness of it all.
saidin0111
04-19-07, 01:56 AM Those exceptions? Polymorph Subschool and Wild Shape. In both cases, all gear, whether you could use it or not, is absorbed.

So, the armor special quality in Complete Adventurer that allows an armor to reshape for a druid's wildshape form has now been rendered useless, since the druid absorbs the armor whether or not it was made for the purpose of aiding them in wildshape, wow, now that is great errata, not to mention that it makes little sense for a form to absorb all the gear that it could actually use, that kinda nerfs a lot of in combat shapechanging, or rapidly shapechanging while on the run to avoid detection, since you'd now be a naked whatever you turned into, kinda throws up a red flag for pursuers. I'm glad WotC likes to make sense. :banghead:

EDIT: before someone flames me if I'm wrong, I have yet to actually read the errata myself yet, it's been a while since I've looked over the errata page, I'll read over it, and if I'm wrong on this post, I'll post again
saidin0111
04-19-07, 02:33 AM well, it seems that this is correct after consulting the PHB errata, the Complete Scoundrel definition of the Polymorph subscool, and the PHB entries for Wild Shape and Polymorph.

It seems absurd that if you are human and assume the shape of an elf, elan, maenad, orc, half-orc, xeph, etc. that you are now naked. I can see a naked wyvern, dragon, etc. as being acceptable, but if you are humanoid, nudity in public is usually not going to be good for you, unless you are the scaly kind.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Clawhound 04-17-07, 03:25 PM	How do wildshape, tattoos, and psychoactive skin interact? What slot does a psychoative skin use?
Tempest Stormwind 04-17-07, 03:31 PM	How do wildshape, tattoos, and pschoactive skin interact?Exactly as the rules say they do. That is, gear like the tattoos and the skin are absorbed when you wild shape, but the psychoactive skins don't interfere with tattoos (as the skin rolls away from needed areas).What slot does a psychoative skin use?Technically, it's slotless, but you can only use three of them, one at a time. Effectively, you can think of it using the "psychoactive skin" slot, which is similar to rings in that you can use more than one, but different in that only one can be active at a time.
Clawhound 04-17-07, 05:20 PM	Thanks. That's what I thought.
munin 04-18-07, 09:26 AM	Gear/clothing is only absorbed if it's unwieldable/unwearable by the new form. Since a psychoactive skin spreads itself to cover you, I don't see why it couldn't be worn by an animal. Only if you're a Medium or smaller animal, though. And what exactly happens to "clothing" worn by a druid in fire elemental form, anyway?
SlanderPanic 04-18-07, 09:55 AM	The elemental obviously can't wear it, so it absorbs.
Rageheart 04-18-07, 10:14 AM	Gear/clothing is only absorbed if it's unwieldable/unwearable by the new form. by that token I would assume Psionic Tattoos would also remain on the surface... "OMG we are being charged by a Tattooed Bull!"
SlanderPanic 04-18-07, 10:30 AM	Psionic tattoos remaining outside when wild shaped makes sense, at least for animal forms. Depending on placement and on chosen form, they might be difficult to tap, though. A monkey or an octopus wouldn't have too much trouble, but a shark or a horse may find it nearly impossible.
Rageheart 04-18-07, 10:35 AM	Activation: A psionic tattoo produces its effect when touched by its wearer and willed to do so. This activity, called “tapping” the tattoo, is a standard action that provokes attacks of opportunity. A psionic tattoo fades away after use. Technically if you are wearing a tattoo, you are touching it... Semantics, I know, ...it would be a DM call.
Tempest Stormwind 04-18-07, 11:43 AM	Guys, the gear is absorbed when you shapeshift. However, you can put another one on afterwards. For instance, druid wearing monk's belt loses the belt when he shifts to a dire ape. However, you can put another one on him in ape form and it's fine. Capische?
saidin0111 04-18-07, 12:10 PM	Guys, the gear is absorbed when you shapeshift. last time I checked the rules on polymorph/shapechange/wildshape/etc. this only happens if the new form is unable to wear the current gear, also note that magical/psionic gear will auto resize to fit the size of it's user, that is unless the gear specificly states size limitations, but if a druid(/psion?) shifted to be a wolf, they would still have the tattoos and the psychoactive skin, if they shifted into a tiger, they would keep the tattoos, but the psychoactive skin would be absorbed, and if they somehow shifted into an ooze, both the tattoos and the psychoactive skin would be absorbed
AntiDjinn 04-18-07, 12:38 PM	Animals can be tattooed (and have) but even if a psionic tattoo stays on the surface it may not be functional. Remember, these are not skulls, anchors, or "MOM" with psionic power, they are specific patterns like a tribal circuit and the pattern is integral to the function. So if you morph from human to rhino, the tat on your shoulder is going to reshape to match the new topology of your form. A psionic tat that is that pulled out of shape probably won't work. The solution: You can willingly transfer a psionic tattoo to another. So give your tat to a buddy, morph, then have it transfer back. Because it wasn't on your skin during the transformation it should transfer without issues. Then you face your next challenge: as a wolf or tortoise how do you touch the tattoo in the middle of your back to activate it? For skins the solution has already been mentioned: Take it off, morph, then put it back on.
Rageheart 04-18-07, 01:32 PM	Animals can be tattooed (and have) but even if a psionic tattoo stays on the surface it may not be functional. Remember, these are not skulls, anchors, or "MOM" with psionic power, they are specific patterns like a tribal circuit and the pattern is integral to the function. So if you morph from human to rhino, the tat on your shoulder is going to reshape to match the new topology of your form. A psionic tat that is that pulled out of shape probably won't work. Um... if the tatto can slide around on your skin enough for you to move it from arm to arm (not to mention to another person) wouldn't it make sense that the tattoo could retain it's shape, allowing the skin to stretch underneath it, enough to still function? Then you face your next challenge: as a wolf or tortoise how do you touch the tattoo in the middle of your back to activate it? Will it to move to a place you can touch easier. A tortise can wipe it's face, and a wolf can clean himself ...tappin a tattoo on his butt would work too! (tappin that... nevermind.)
Tempest Stormwind 04-18-07, 02:18 PM	last time I checked the rules on polymorph/shapechange/wildshape/etc. this only happens if the new form is unable to wear the current gear, also note that magical/psionic gear will auto resize to fit the size of it's user, that is unless the gear specificly states size limitations, but if a druid(/psion?) shifted to be a wolf, they would still have the tattoos and the psychoactive skin, if they shifted into a tiger, they would keep the tattoos, but the psychoactive skin would be absorbed, and if they somehow shifted into an ooze, both the tattoos and the psychoactive skin would be absorbed The last polymorph errata made it clear that Wild Shape does NOT function like Polymorph, and in fact did not touch Polymorph at all (it's been abandoned like a sinking ship.) All the new shapechangers (Alternate Form, Animal Shapes, Baleful Polymorph, Change Shape, the Polymorph subschool with all relevant spells and Wild Shape), except two, say that if you can't use the gear, it falls off (though Baleful Polymorph drops it even if you COULD use it), but if you could use it, it stays. Those exceptions? Polymorph Subschool and Wild Shape. In both cases, all gear, whether you could use it or not, is absorbed. Conclusion: The druid wearing the tattoos and the skins absorbs those items when she wild shapes, and they return when she's back. Exactly as I said in the first reply.
Lycanthromancer 04-18-07, 04:55 PM	Bleh. Polymorph. I'm glad I've redone Metamorphosis to undo the brokenness of it all.
saidin0111 04-19-07, 01:56 AM	Those exceptions? Polymorph Subschool and Wild Shape. In both cases, all gear, whether you could use it or not, is absorbed. So, the armor special quality in Complete Adventurer that allows an armor to reshape for a druid's wildshape form has now been rendered useless, since the druid absorbs the armor whether or not it was made for the purpose of aiding them in wildshape, wow, now that is great errata, not to mention that it makes little sense for a form to absorb all the gear that it could actually use, that kinda nerfs a lot of in combat shapechanging, or rapidly shapechanging while on the run to avoid detection, since you'd now be a naked whatever you turned into, kinda throws up a red flag for pursuers. I'm glad WotC likes to make sense. :banghead: EDIT: before someone flames me if I'm wrong, I have yet to actually read the errata myself yet, it's been a while since I've looked over the errata page, I'll read over it, and if I'm wrong on this post, I'll post again
saidin0111 04-19-07, 02:33 AM	well, it seems that this is correct after consulting the PHB errata, the Complete Scoundrel definition of the Polymorph subscool, and the PHB entries for Wild Shape and Polymorph. It seems absurd that if you are human and assume the shape of an elf, elan, maenad, orc, half-orc, xeph, etc. that you are now naked. I can see a naked wyvern, dragon, etc. as being acceptable, but if you are humanoid, nudity in public is usually not going to be good for you, unless you are the scaly kind.