Added:
Dragons
Divine Minion
Initiate of Horus-Re
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Many character optimizations involve, in one way or another, use of the Alternate Form ability. Whether it's Polymorph, Alter Self, Wild Shape, or just the ability to change shape, player's are always looking for the optimal ways to rearrange their molecular structure.
In its initial incarnation, this thread serves to ask one question:
What races/base classes/prestige classes give you access to Alternate Form and/or its variants?
This is an extremely important matter for optimizers, many of whom want to enter into a class as early as possible, or benefit from an ability with as little investment as possible. To this end, I am posting those options that I have found. If anyone should find ones not on these lists, please post them so they can be added.
The ultimate goal of this thread could be a catch-all for Alternate Form lore; both the optimizations themselves, and the races and classes that enable those optimizations.
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Races with transformation abilities
Slyth (Underdark): Alternate Form, amorphous mass. LA+2
Yuan-Ti Pureblood (Monster Manual): Alternate Form. LA+2, 4 racial HD
Hengeyokai (Oriental Adventures): Alternate Form, small animal. LA+0
Changeling (Monster Manual 3): Disguise Self as a transformation effect. LA +0
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Dragons with Alternate Form
Steel, Wyrmling (Dragons of Faerun). 5/day. ECL 6
Yu Lung, Wyrmling (Oriental Adventures) ECL 7
Song, Wyrmling (Monsters of Faerun). Specific human female only. ECL 10
Iron, Wyrmling (Dragon 356). ECL 11
Silver, Wyrmling (Monster Manual) ECL 11
Gold, Wyrmling (Monster Manual) ECL 12
Deep, Young (Monsters of Faeerun). Snake Form 3/day, Humanoid form 3/day. ECL 17
Pan Lung, Juvenile (Oriental Adventures) ECL 17
Bronze, Young (Monster Manual) ECL 18
Li Lung, Juvenile (Oriental Adventures) ECL 20
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Races with the "Shapechanger" subtype
Changeling (Monster Manual 3): Disguise Self as a transformation effect. LA +0
Shifter (Monster Manual 3): Shifting (Not an Alternate Form effect)
Slyth (Underdark): Alternate Form
Hengeyokai (Oriental Adventures): Alternate Form, small animal. LA+0
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Templates
Lycanthrope (Monster Manual): Alternate Form, LA +2 (Afflicted), LA +3 (Natural)
Divine Minion (Magic Books of Faerun): Wild Shape, LA +1
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Feats
Initiate of Horus-Re (Champions of Valor 30). 1/day Wild Shape (Hawk only), Level 4.
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Base Classes
Druid: Wild Shape, Level 5
Totem Druid (Dragon 335): Totem Shape (Wild Shape), Level 1
Wildshape Ranger (Unearthed Arcana): Wild Shape, Level 6
Wild Monk (Dragon 324): Wild Shape, Level 5
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Prestige Classes
Bear Warrior (Complete Warrior): Polymorph, Min. Lvl. 8
Tattooed Monk (Complete Warrior): Alter Self, Min. Lvl. 6
Swanmay (Book of Exalted Deeds): Wild Shape, Min. Lvl. 5
Arcane Hierophant (Races of the Wild); Wild Shape, Min. Lvl. 6
Lion of Talisid (Book of Exalted Deeds): Wild Shape, Min. Lvl. 10
Sentinel of Bharrai (Book of Exalted Deeds): Bear Shape, functions like Polymorph, Min. Lvl. 9
Mortal Hunter (Book of Vile Darkness): Mortal Skin, functions like Polymorph, Min. Lvl 6
Thrall of Jubilex (Book of Vile Darkness): Alter Self, Min. Lvl 8
Abolisher (Lords of Madness): Wild Shape, Min. Lvl. 7
Soul Eater (Book of Vile Darkness): Shapechange, functions like Polymorph, Min. Lvl. 12
Primeval (Frostburn): Primeval Form, functions similar to Wild Shape, Min. Lvl. 9
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Items
Phylactery of Change (Arms and Equipment)
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As a new section to the thread, so as to increase its utility, here is a compilation of links that lead to CO's involving Wild Shape/Alternate Form/Polymorph/etc. Using the above information, players can both figure out how to best enter the below CO's, make their own using the below as inspiration, or even improve upon those listed below.
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Wild Shape Optimizations
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Polymorph Optimizations
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Alternate Form Optimizations
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And finally, a few handy links to indexes of shapes and forms that a player might want to take and should consider in their builds.
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Shapechanging Indexes
Alter Self Forms by PhaedrusXY
Polymorph Forms by Funny Slaughter
Complete (Su) Abilities for Shapechangers by TaisharMalkier
The Complete Polymorph Thread by MegaPlex
That is all I can think of right now. I intentionally left out Master of Many Forms. Why? It gives you Wild Shape, but in order to get into the class, you already need Wild Shape. How is this different from, say, Shapeshifter? The latter gives you Wild Shape, yes, but you do not need Wild Shape to enter the class. You only need some Alternate Form ability.
Any additions to this list?
-ktkenshinx-
Phylactery of Change A&E.
the changeling ability is just disguise self. not real shapechange.
It's not an illusion, though, and so qualifies you for Warshaper, which is handy.
Shapeshifter (Oriental Adventures): Wild Shape, Min Lvl. 8
Shapeshifter officially doesn't exist any more, it was renamed to Master of Many Forms in the 3.5 release/update.
It's not an illusion, though, and so qualifies you for Warshaper, which is handy.
All changeling does is grant you the shapechanger subtype. while i very much agree that it is handy, it hardly qualifies as alternate form.
All changeling does is grant you the shapechanger subtype. while i very much agree that it is handy, it hardly qualifies as alternate form.
Neither does most of the stuff in the list in the OP, if you're being literal and specific. Wild Shape and Polymorph aren't Alternate Form, either.
Neither does most of the stuff in the list in the OP, if you're being literal and specific. Wild Shape and Polymorph aren't Alternate Form, either.
Polymorph is not Alternate Form. Wild Shape functions LIKE alternate form, although with some qualifications. If a Prestige Class had the "alternate form" ability (Su) as a prerequisite, only a mean DM would not allow your Wild Shape (Su) as a qualification for that prerequisite.
Polymorph and Alter Self are another story, but most classes that want Alternate Form will also settle for these spells. Hence, its inclusion in the above list.
Above list updated accordingly with all changes. Also, a qualification added to account for PhaedrusXY's observation.
-ktkenshinx
If a Prestige Class had the "alternate form" ability (Su) as a prerequisite,
Are there any PrC that say Alternate Form (Su) explicitly? I thought most were either "Wild Shape" (explicitly) or amorphous "a way to alter your form" blob.
I always like the Abolisher from LoM
Soul Radiance(SU): If a 6th level soul eater completely drains a creature of energy, it may adopt the creature's soul radiance, taking the victim's form, appearance, and abilities (as the Shapechange spell) for 24 hours
Are there any PrC that say Alternate Form (Su) explicitly? I thought most were either "Wild Shape" (explicitly) or amorphous "a way to alter your form" blob.
This is the initial purpose, which admittedly is quite limited. As I state in the first post...
The ultimate goal of this thread could be a catch-all for Alternate Form lore; not as much builds and CO's themselves, but the races and classes that enable those optimizations.
Alternate Form (Su) and its many variants (Wild Shape, Polymorph, Alter Self, etc.) are not necessarily prerequisites for that many Prestige Classes. They are, however, integral to many builds. This thread is to serve as a depot for information regarding this ability; anyone that wants to optimize a character using these abilities will have resources to do so here.
-ktkenshinx-
Neither does most of the stuff in the list in the OP, if you're being literal and specific. Wild Shape and Polymorph aren't Alternate Form, either.
Let me clarify my meaning:
Changeling doesn't grant ANYTHING that changes our abilities. The ONLY thing it does is let us use an effect that functions as a nonmagical disguise self. If that's form-changing, then i'm khan the destroyer.
it gives us the shapechanger type. handy, yes, allows us to change our form, no.
All changeling does is grant you the shapechanger subtype. while i very much agree that it is handy, it hardly qualifies as alternate form.
Except, of course, shapechanger subtype qualifies you for Warshaper and only that was stated.
Primeval(frostburn) offers an alternate form doesn't it?
yes it does -- as well as a healthy dose of other goodies. definitely one of the more powerful martial-only classes -- falls somewhere between Bear Warrior (meh) and FrBer (friggin' awesome).
I think it should be noted that shifters and hengeyokai also get the shapechanger subtype, therefore qualifying for Warshaper.
Their alternate forms are much more limited than a changelings though, which I believe is why changeling is used so often-- they can stay in their alternate forms all day long getting Warshaper bonuses. Changelings are actually shifting their form physically when they make their changes-- it just doesn't usually have much impact other than appearance. Shifters only get them while shifting and hengeyokai really don't benefit much at all, since their alternate forms aren't really combat worthy. Both do qualify for warshaper though.
Their alternate forms are much more limited than a shapechangers though, which I believe is why changeling is used so often-- they can stay in their alternate forms all day long getting Warshaper bonuses. Changelings are actually shifting their form physically when they make their changes-- it just doesn't usually have much impact other than appearance. Shifters only get them while shifting and hengeyokai really don't benefit much at all, since their alternate forms aren't really combat worthy. Both do qualify for warshaper though.
Hengeyokai's hybrid form are usually a lot more combat worthy than a changeling's, specially badger hengeyokai with their burrow speed, making them the ultimate moles.
Point taken with shifters, though - I only mentioned both classes for completeness sake anyway.
Hengeyokai's hybrid form are usually a lot more combat worthy than a changeling's, specially badger hengeyokai with their burrow speed, making them the ultimate moles.
Point taken with shifters, though - I only mentioned both classes for completeness sake anyway.
I had forgotten Hengeyokai had a hybrid form for some reason-- that does actually make them good candidates for Warshaper. Racoon Dog is actually nice as well-- +2 Str with fewer negatives than half-orc. Plus you're a tanuki. That's fun just in itself.
Except, of course, shapechanger subtype qualifies you for Warshaper and only that was stated.
Warshaper, being an important part of many CO's, certainly falls under the jurisdiction of this thread. Therefore, I am adding a special category in the index just for races with the Shapechanger subtype.
Also, as this is to act as a catch-all for Wild Shape/Polymorph/Alternate Form lore, people could also provide builds that involve these abilities. Links to these will appear in the opening post so players have both the building blocks and the final construction, so to speak.
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In an effort to promote discussion, here is a Hulking Hurler build of mine that uses both Primeval and Warshaper to deal massive damage.
Mighty Morphing Hulking Hurler
Half-Ogre
Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hulking Hurler 2 / Primeval 6 / Frenzied Berserker 1 / Warshaper 2
STATS: Str 24, Dex 10, Con 15, Int 9, Wis 14, Cha 11
1. Psychic Warrior 1
Power Points: 1
Power Attack (Lvl 1 feat), Weapon Focus (Thrown Weapon) (PsyWar Bonus)
2. Psychic Warrior 2
Power Points: 3
Point Blank Shot (PsyWar Bonus)
3. Psychic Warrior 2 / Fighter 1
Power Attack (Ftr Bonus), Self-Sufficiency (Lvl 3 feat)
4. Psychic Warrior 2 / Fighter 2
Cleave (Ftr Bonus), +1 Strength (25)
5. Psychic Warrior 3 / Fighter 2
Power Points 6
6. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2
Power Points 9
Endurance (Lvl 6 feat)
7. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 (UA Variant)
Toughness (UA Variant Feat), Rage (Str +4)
8. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 1
+1 Strength (26), Really Throw Anything
9. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2
Intimidating Rage (Lvl 9 feat), Overburdened Heave
10. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 1
Dire Ape form (Str +12)
11. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 2
Regression 1 (Str 27) (Wis 15)
12. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 3
Destructive Rage (Lvl 12 feat), Feral Power 2 (Ape +14), +1 Strength (Str 28)
13. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 4
14. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 5
Regression 2 (Str 29) (Wis 16)
Power Points: 11
15. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 6
Brutal Throw (Lvl 15 feat), Feral Power 4 (Ape +16)
16. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 6 / Frenzy 1
+1 Strength (Str 30)
17. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 6 / Frenzy 1 / Warshaper 1
18. Psychic Warrior 4 / Fighter 2 / Barbarian 1 / Hurler 2 / Primeval 6 / Frenzy 1 / Warshaper 2
Natural Heavyweight (Lvl 18 feat), Morphic Body (Str 34)
This is not AS ridiculous as some of the ones that appear on the Hulking Hurler thread, but it is one that is actually playable without too many strange rules interpretations. If your DM doesn't think Apes can throw rocks, laugh at him, give him some Bio books and an internet connection, and wait until he admits he is wrong.
11 Power Points allows you to use the mighty Expansion to get your size to Gargantuan proportions. It also lets you use Animal Affinity to boost your Strength by an additional 4.
Strength
Lvl 18 Base: 28
Morphic Body: 32
Dire Ape Form: 44
Animal Affinity (Power): 48
Feral Power 2: 52
Regression 2: 54
Expansion (Doubled Power): 58
Rage: 62
Frenzy: 68
Let's calculate the medium load for 68 Strength
401-800 lbs (28 strength)
800 lbs x (4 x 4 x 4 x 4) (Times 4 for every 10 points Str is above 28 str)
=204,800 lbs as a Medium Load for a Medium Creature with 68 Str.
Base size: Large
Dire Ape form: Large
Expansion (Doubled): Huge --> Gargantuan
Now for the clever part: Examples abound in D&D where Claws are used as both arms and legs. As such, we will use Warshaper to shape our monster claws to act as legs. This makes him a Quadruped.
204,800 x 12 (Gargantuan Quadruped) = 2,457,000 lbs for medium load
Natural Heavyweight doubles the value
2,457,000 x 2 = 4,915,200 lbs for medium load
And using Complete Warrior, we can calculate the damage
(4,915,200 - 400)/200 = 24,574d6 + 5d6 damage
AVERAGE = 73,795 damage for one rock.
Our Hurler will get 5 Rocks to throw each round (4 for BAB, 1 for Frenzy). His attacks will be at:
BAB +18
Str +29
+47/+47/+42/+37/+32
Averaging each round for damage:
AVERAGE DAMAGE PER ROUND = 368,975
Now, to make a dense enough rock...
-ktkenshinx-
Warshaper, being an important part of many CO's, certainly falls under the jurisdiction of this thread. Therefore, I am adding a special category in the index just for races with the Shapechanger subtype.
Lycanthropes and araneas also get shapechanger subtype. Weirdly enough, I believe aranea's are mentioned as 'can't be warshapers' or something on the class description ^^
Wow. Lycanthropes have been mentioned, and subsequently missed, three times so far.
I apologize for that; I thought I added them earlier this morning.
Problem amended; Lycanthrope added under the new "Templates" section.
-ktkenshinx-
(Animal or Humanoid type, medium or smaller, 3/day) except as noted.
I'm only going to include the ones with listed ECL, and they'll be listed at their lowest age/ECL where Alternate Form is available.
Dragon #356
Iron, Wyrmling, ECL 11
Dragons of Faerun
Steel, Wyrmling, ECL 6 - 5/day
Monsters of Faerûn (Level adjustment info from Draconomicon)
Deep, Young, ECL 17 - (not Alternate Form, but Snake Form 3/day and Humanoid Form 3/day. Humanoid Form is basically worded the same as the 3.0 version of Alternate Form.)
Song, Wyrmling, ECL 10 - (into a specific human female only.)
Oriental Adventures (Level adjustment info from Draconomicon)
Every Lung dragon has Alternate Form into a small to large humanoid (with apparently unlimited uses). Also, every Lung dragon starts as a Yu Lung, then ages into a different type.
Yu Lung, Wyrmling, ECL 7 - (notable for having only 1 level adjustment and 6 dragon hit dice, which are pretty good.)
Pan Lung, Juvenile, ECL 17
Li Lung, Juvenile, ECL 20
SRD
Bronze, Young, ECL 18
Gold, Wyrmling, ECL 12
Silver, Wyrmling, ECL 11
If I missed any true dragons with Alternate Form, let me know.
Initiate of Horus-Re (Champions of Valor 30)
You need to be a level 4 ranger, cleric, or paladin. In addition to other stuff, it allows you to "use wild shape (as the druid ability)" to become a hawk.
This is a fairly uncontroversial method for entering any Wild Shape prerequisite class early. Certainly, this lets you become a Master of Many Forms at level 5 in such a way that not even the most crotchety DM could disagree.
Adding all this to the first post.
-ktkenshinx-