Alter Self any good?.. plus best race choices

[Dennis da Ogre]

I'm not curious what people think of the Alpha Alter Self. Comparable to other 2nd level spells? Better worse?

I think it's on the better end of 2nd level spells because it gives a little flexibility. The bonuses are slightly less than Bulls Strength/ Cat's Grace but the spell gives other abilities also and you can choose what abilities to take on the fly.

So without further ado...

Small Critters (+2 Dex, 20' move unless noted)
Goblin, Kobold: Darkvision, 30' move
Gnome: Low Light Vision
Halfling: --
Svirfneblin: Darkvision
*Wererat: 30' move, Low Light Vision, Scent

Medium Critters (+2 Str, 30' move unless noted)
Bugbear: Darkvision, Scent
Dwarf/ Duergar: Darkvision, 20' move
Elf, Half-Elf: Low Light Vision
Drow, Hobgoblin, Orc, Gnoll, Troglodyte: Darkvision
Lizardfolk: 3 Natural Attacks
Locathah: Move 10', Swim 30'
Merfolk: Move 5', Swim 30', Low Light Vision
Human, Maenad, Xeph : --

So it's pretty clear for the Small creatures either the goblin or kobold are the prime choices. No good swimmers in the Small creatures though. Small creatures are a good choice for casters though because the dex bonus and the small size means they get +2 to their AC and +1 to hit with all attacks.

The medium creatures it's a little more mixed. Bugbears seem to have the edge with Darkvision and scent but in daylight you might pick the lizardfolk for the 3 natural attacks. Neither of the swimmers are really amphibious so they are about tied.

Hmm... not much more commentary, seems like a decent second level spell but not the must have it used to be.

* Wererat is listed but I really don't think it should be, however when I searched for small humanoids it comes up. Also Werewolf, bear, boar come up. With the limitations on Alter Self you can probably allow those forms also.

[hogarth]

You came up with the same conclusions that I did. Note that each effect may not be worth a 2nd level spell in isolation (except possibly for Scent), the ability to choose which effect you want on the fly is handy.

Note that Alter Self causes equipment to resize, so it's a decent substitute for Enlarge Person (for small casters) or Reduce Person (for medium casters).

You neglected to mention the 3 natural attacks for a troglodyte as well.

[Dennis da Ogre]

hogarth wrote:

You came up with the same conclusions that I did. Note that each effect may not be worth a 2nd level spell in isolation (except possibly for Scent), the ability to choose which effect you want on the fly is handy.

I'm digging around for spells for my sorcerer so I gotta be picky. I like alter self because it gives a bit of flexibility.

[Matthew Morris]

Dennis da Ogre wrote:

hogarth wrote:

You came up with the same conclusions that I did. Note that each effect may not be worth a 2nd level spell in isolation (except possibly for Scent), the ability to choose which effect you want on the fly is handy.

I'm digging around for spells for my sorcerer so I gotta be picky. I like alter self because it gives a bit of flexibility.

Alter self is indeed a life saver just for that reason.

[Mark J]

You cannot turn into a templated creature, so werecreatures are out.