so questions about shape shifting and beastform 1


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


does that mean if i change into a tiger i can't do the things that a tiger can do as in raking and pouncing? did pathfinder debuff druids and other shape shifters?

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

You don't get any abilities of the new form unless the polymorph rules or the spell in question says so. So no, turning into a tiger using Beast Shape I does not give you pounce and rake.

Pathfinder nerfed shapeshifters, but they're still quite strong.


so what can a low level shapeshifter do that makes them strong?

RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16

Depends on what you call "low level" as beast shape I is a 5th level spell. A polymorph spell is basically a swiss army knife of combat buffs. You can fly, swim, get natural attacks, get ability score bonuses, increase or decrease in size, and gain other useful abilities all with a single spell effect.


but what if i already got natural attacks? what are these other things?
umm useful abilities?


zainale wrote:

but what if i already got natural attacks? what are these other things?

umm useful abilities?

If you already have natural attacks, you lose them and gain the natural attacks of the form assumed.

Other things and useful abilities depend on the spell used and the form assumed. For example, Beast Shape I says:

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

While Beast Shape IV can grant:

Quote:
If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: burrow 60 feet, climb 90 feet, fly 120 feet (good maneuverability), swim 120 feet, blindsense 60 feet, darkvision 90 feet, low-light vision, scent, tremorsense 60 feet, breath weapon, constrict, ferocity, grab, jet, poison, pounce, rake, rend, roar, spikes, trample, trip, and web. If the creature has immunity or resistance to any elements, you gain resistance 20 to those elements. If the creature has vulnerability to an element, you gain that vulnerability.

So transforming into a tiger can grant pounce. It requires at least Beast Shape II, as that is the first spell that grants pounce if the form you take has it. (Also, tigers are Large sized creatures, so you couldn't turn into one with Beast Shape I anyway.) You would have to use at least Beast Shape III to get rake, however.


So it depends on what kind of shapeshifter we're talking about. There's partial versions (Aspect of the Beast, Beastmorph Alchemist), but since you mention Druid and Beast Shape I'm guessing you mean the full-body polymorph kind. If you just want to make a natural attacking martial character, Beast Shape doesn't help much at low levels. It's pretty easy to pick up two claws and a bite, that's all you really need.

Now, that being said, Beast Shape is awesome, just not exclusively as a combat buff. It can be used that way, but it's like using your smartphone exclusively to make phone calls. It can do that, but you're wasting like 95% of its potential. Here's what all polymorph spells do:


  • Lose everything that depends on your original form (including natural attacks and movement modes).
  • Replace your land speed with your new form.
  • Gain the natural attacks of your new form.
  • Gain any special abilities allowed by the specific spell (take the worst of the creature and the spell).
  • If you gain a swim or burrow speed, you maintain the ability to breathe while doing that.

Now, how to use that varies on what you want. Need to scout ahead or spy on someone? +10 to Disguise yourself as a housecat/dog/bird/whatever fits in. Slow base land speed? Now you're a cheetah, enjoy 50 feet of movement. Want to kill something? Get pounce and a bunch of attacks (tiger) and maul away. Enemies start flying? Choose something with flight. Need to go underwater? Pick anything with a swim speed (even if it doesn't normally breathe underwater). It's the ultimate swiss army buff. Pick what you need right then.


oh okay


thanks

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / General Discussion / so questions about shape shifting and beastform 1 All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.