School transmutation (polymorph); Level druid 5, magus 5, sorcerer/wizard 5, summoner 4, witch 5
CASTING
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S
EFFECT
Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one creature
Duration permanent
Saving Throw: Fortitude negates, Will partial, see text; Spell Resistance: yes
DESCRIPTION
As beast shape III, except that you change the subject into a Small or smaller animal of no more than 1 HD. If the new form would prove fatal to the creature, such as an aquatic creature not in water, the subject gets a +4 bonus on the save.
If the spell succeeds, the subject must also make a Will save. If this second save fails, the creature loses its extraordinary, supernatural, and spell-like abilities, loses its ability to cast spells (if it had the ability), and gains the alignment, special abilities, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores of its new form in place of its own. It still retains its class and level (or HD), as well as all benefits deriving therefrom (such as base attack bonus, base save bonuses, and hit points). It retains any class features (other than spellcasting) that aren't extraordinary, supernatural, or spell-like abilities.
Any polymorph effects on the target are automatically dispelled when a target fails to resist the effects of baleful polymorph, and as long as baleful polymorph remains in effect, the target cannot use other polymorph spells or effects to assume a new form. Incorporeal or gaseous creatures are immune to baleful polymorph, and a creature with the shapechanger subtype can revert to its natural form as a standard action.
So if I independently researched a new spell based off of baleful polymorph would it go up or down if it remained the same, but:
1)Removed the will save and effects thereof
2)Removed the will save and effects thereof and for the duration of the spell gave the subject the shape changer subtype (or some other way to cancel the effect)
3) As #2, but allowed any use of Beast shape III. Effectively shapechanged until ended. Keep in mind limitations of being polymorphed.
4) As #2 and/or #3, but but Self only.
What relative levels should #1-4 be?
I'm trying to make a beneficial, but limited shapechange spell.
Well, we can consider the fact that druid wildshape class ability starts at level 4 with Beast Shape 1 and it takes until 8th to get Beast Shape 3. The druid has the benefit of also, at 8, choosing Elemental Body 1, of doing it 3 times a day, and lasting up to 8 hours a day (canceled at any time).
If we start with that as a base comparison, we can get some feel for appropriate spell level.
So #1 and #2 get rid of the 'baleful' part of the spell (where-in you make the target as stupid as the animal) and #2 also allows the target to cancel the spell at any time. #3 removes the "except that you change the subject into a [fluffy, cute, harmless bunny or kitten]" and lets you instead pick any animal of Small to Large size range. Basically a permanent Beast Shape 3. #4 gives you the wildshape capabilities of a level 8 druid.
Beast Shape 3 is a level 3 spell for a number of classes, lasts 1 minute a CL, and range Personal. How does this differ from what is intended by #4? Just the fact that this new spell is permanent until canceled?
1) I'd say it would go down to 3 or so. It would be a way to make someone a permanent baby pygmy goat.
2) At least 4 since it gives the target the ability to end the spell instead of leaving that to the caster.
3) 7th - It is a permanent Beast Shape 3 (level 5 spell) that can be cast on others.
4) 6th - It is a beefed up version of Beast Shape 3 and emulates much of a level 8 Druid class feature.
One major trouble here is the bit about making the target immune to other polymorphic abilities/spells/etc. Combined with #2 or #3, you have a way to give someone immunity to enforced shape changing, yet allow them the pleasure to shift back whenever they want. Seems powerful. In fact, I'd reverse that entire last paragraph - make it so this spell only works on targets not already polymorphed and can be superseded by another polymorph spell.
Well, we can consider the fact that druid wildshape class ability starts at level 4 with Beast Shape 1 and it takes until 8th to get Beast Shape 3. The druid has the benefit of also, at 8, choosing Elemental Body 1, of doing it 3 times a day, and lasting up to 8 hours a day (canceled at any time).
If we start with that as a base comparison, we can get some feel for appropriate spell level.
So #1 and #2 get rid of the 'baleful' part of the spell (where-in you make the target as stupid as the animal) and #2 also allows the target to cancel the spell at any time. #3 removes the "except that you change the subject into a [fluffy, cute, harmless bunny or kitten]" and lets you instead pick any animal of Small to Large size range. Basically a permanent Beast Shape 3. #4 gives you the wildshape capabilities of a level 8 druid.
Beast Shape 3 is a level 3 spell for a number of classes, lasts 1 minute a CL, and range Personal. How does this differ from what is intended by #4? Just the fact that this new spell is permanent until canceled?
The intent of #4 being caster only would limit it's usage significantly. So one couldn't turn the party into ravens to have them spread out and look around. Only self and familiars. Also means that if it's somehow a level 3 spell or less that it can't be made into a potion.
1) I'd say it would go down to 3 or so. It would be a way to make someone a permanent baby pygmy goat.
But with all their mental capacities, yes. Also note this version is not dispellable by the caster wither. You'd have to use break enchantment or similar means to end it.
2) At least 4 since it gives the target the ability to end the spell instead of leaving that to the caster.
3) 7th - It is a permanent Beast Shape 3 (level 5 spell) that can be cast on others.
Beast shape 3 is a level 3 spell not level 5, but I see your point.
4) 6th - It is a beefed up version of Beast Shape 3 and emulates much of a level 8 Druid class feature.
One major trouble here is the bit about making the target immune to other polymorphic abilities/spells/etc. Combined with #2 or #3, you have a way to give someone immunity to enforced shape changing, yet allow them the pleasure to shift back whenever they want. Seems powerful. In fact, I'd reverse that entire last paragraph - make it so this spell only works on targets not already polymorphed and can be superseded by another polymorph spell.
If you're polymprphed you're already immune to polymorph spells. So someone under this effect is only as immune as someone under any other polymorph effect.
I think the #2 option as a level 4 spell is very fair. That's a minimum 7th level caster and by that time people have a lot of other options. If it's a 7th level spell that's a 13th level caster. By that time in play the point is mostly moot.
On a related note, are any of the base races considered shape changers?