elemental body 3 -do i have to be large?


Rules Questions


Ok, I admit, I have sort of a thing against being large. I just don't like it. I don't like my characters to be big.

I kinda was working on a character who buffs with the Elemental Body line of spells and Elemental Body-3 in particular is really good because you get to be immune to crits and such.

But it comes with the tag of being large. MUST I be large? Can I get the bonuses listed in the spell (obviously not the bonuses for being large) and retain medium size?

The spell says it functions as elemental body-2 and also [emphasis added] allows you to take the form of a large elemental.

So.... just asking, any way to retain medium size? I really don't want to be big.


Yes, you can remain medium. You get the expanded list of benefits, but you get the stat increases for the medium sizes instead of the large ones.

E.g. If you use Elemental Body III to turn into a medium air elemental, you would get:[list]

  • +4 size bonus to your Dexterity
  • a +3 natural armor bonus
  • fly 60 feet (perfect)
  • darkvision 60 feet
  • the ability to create a whirlwind.
  • immunity to bleed damage, critical hits, and sneak attacks

    You would not get +2 Size bonus to Strength, or +4 natural armor, like a large air elemental form does.


  • Yes, you can use the spell elemental body 3 to become a medium elemental. However, the bonuses listed under the elemental body 3 spell are the bonuses you get for assuming the shape of a large elemental. If you assume the shape of a medium elemental, then you get the bonuses for becoming a medium elemental, which are listed under the elemental body 2 spell.

    This isn't one hundred percent cut and dry from the way the spells are presented, but it's the only interpretation that really makes sense to me from a RAW, RAI, and common sense perspective.


    thank you all, I think that only getting the stat bonuses from the medium size chart is more than a fair price to pay for what I want. =)


    As written I do not think you get the benefits but I do not know of any single GM that plays it that way.


    Pathfinder Rulebook Subscriber
    Quote:
    This spell functions as elemental body II, except that it also allows you to assume the form of a Large air, earth, fire, or water elemental. The abilities you gain depend upon the type of elemental into which you change.You are also immune to bleed damage, critical hits, and sneak attacks while in elemental form.

    Seems pretty cut-and-dry to me.


    RJGrady wrote:
    Quote:
    This spell functions as elemental body II, except that it also allows you to assume the form of a Large air, earth, fire, or water elemental. The abilities you gain depend upon the type of elemental into which you change.You are also immune to bleed damage, critical hits, and sneak attacks while in elemental form.
    Seems pretty cut-and-dry to me.

    The operative word here is type. Type ≠ size. Type = air, fire, earth, or water. Size is not mentioned. That's why it's not one hundred percent cut and dry.

    Really, that's just splitting hairs though. As per my previous post, I agree with the general consensus of this thread.

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