How does Alter Self really work?


Rules Questions

Shadow Lodge

Alter Self wrote:

Alter Self

School transmutation (polymorph); Level bard 2, sorcerer/wizard 2

Casting Time 1 standard action

Components V, S, M (a piece of the creature whose form you plan to assume)

Range personal

Target you

Duration 1 min./level (D)

When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of any Small or Medium creature of the humanoid type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, scent, and swim 30 feet.

Small creature: If the form you take is that of a Small humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity.

Medium creature: If the form you take is that of a Medium humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Strength.

Exactly how far does "assume the form" go?

Since it doesn't specify that any of your own abilities are lost nor do your base attributes change, what exactly happens if the size you assume is larger or smaller than your own? The way this reads, a large caster could become medium and actually gain a size bonus to strength for taking on a smaller size.


While under the effects of a polymorph spell, you lose all extraordinary and supernatural abilities that depend on your original form (such as keen senses, scent, and darkvision), as well as any natural attacks and movement types possessed by your original form. You also lose any class features that depend upon form, but those that allow you to add features (such as sorcerers that can grow claws) still function. While most of these should be obvious, the GM is the final arbiter of what abilities depend on form and are lost when a new form is assumed. Your new form might restore a number of these abilities if they are possessed by the new form.

AND

If a polymorph spell is cast on a creature that is smaller than Small or larger than Medium, first adjust its ability scores to one of these two sizes using the following table before applying the bonuses granted by the polymorph spell. (see Table: Ability Adjustments from Size Changes)

But a medium character can change to a medium for the str bonus.


What's funny is that a Dragon can cast this to turn into a medium humanoid and still get a str buff.

Shadow Lodge

Chesspwn thanks, I can't remember the last time I read the polymorph subschool. I should have known to look there.


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Insain Dragoon wrote:
What's funny is that a Dragon can cast this to turn into a medium humanoid and still get a str buff.

Only if it is size Medium or smaller. If the Dragon starts out at size Large or larger, there is a net loss of strength as the strength loss from reducing its size is greater than the +2 for assuming a size Medium form.

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