So my 15th level halfling conjurer, Mezza, just used a Form of the Dragon III spell for the first time.
As his highest level spell, I was tempted to go for the augmented Summon Monster 8, but I really wanted to try Form of the Dragon III. Also, since evocation has been one of the forbidden schools, the idea of 12d8 of acid, cold, fire, or lightning was too good to pass up. Once I stated up everything, I was pleasantly surprised.
Mezza:
15th level wizard with Form of the Dragon III:
(and shield spell, and protection evil cast.)
HP= 156
(96 + 60 from Con enhancement)
AC= 31
+4 Dex, +8 NA, +5 armor (Specialist: conj), + 2 Def, +4 Shield, -2 Size
To hit: +10 Bite, +5 others
Base +7, +5 Str, -2 Size
Damage:
Bite (2d8+5 Str), 2 Claws (2d5+5), 2 wings (1d8+5?) , tail slapper (2d6+7)
Reach Bite: 15' Others: 10'
And the really fun stuff:
fly 120, Blindsense 60, Darkvision 120', DR 10/magic, immunity to breath energy type.
Breath Weapon:
12d8 Acid, Cold, Electric, Fire
Line 100' or Cone 50'
Reflex save for half DC=
1/2 HD + Con modifer +10= 23 - Traditional breath weapon DC
or
Spell Level + Int modifer + spell focus trans +10= 26 - Spell DC
And a real shining moment for a halfling with a 10 Str, and 8 Cha.
Frightful presence DC= 26! 150' radius! Save vs shaken for 4d6 rounds
(radius based on youngest dragon to reach huge size)
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I thought it was a very nice transformation, and worth my only 8th level spell slot. I wasn't going to hit much with my physical attacks, but I could influence large areas of the battlefield with my size and breath weapon. DR 10/magic, +8 NA, and the +60 hp and +4 Fort save from Con boost add a lot of survivability. My conjurer benefits (Armor bonus and Dimension Steps) worked in Dragon form, and thanks to Eschew Materials (Oddly, NOT a metamagic or wizard bonus feat) I was able to use most of my spells in Dragon form.
I think the breath weapon DC is probably based on the hit dice and con, not spell DC, but it doesn't really say.
Ugghhmmmm, my weasel familiar er... just roams around on the ground I guess, I hope he isn't subject to the frightful presence...
That's pretty darn cool Fergie - thanks for the write-up!
I'd say that since the Frightful Presence DC is based on the spell DC, the Breath Weapon probably is as well. However you're correct, no mention of it anywhere. And default rule would be to abide by the rules for Breath Weapons.
I might have to look into that spell soon...
...On one of the NPCs my party will face! Mwahaha!
Very cool indeed.
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So my 15th level halfling conjurer, Mezza, just used a Form of the Dragon III spell for the first time.
<snip>
Ugghhmmmm, my weasel familiar er... just roams around on the ground I guess, I hope he isn't subject to the frightful presence...
hm, did i miss something? cannot share spells with familiars anymore? some reason to not want familiar as another dragon with similar attack/breath weapon/ etc.?
-t
The whole breath weapon DC is a little subjective, and stretches the halfling-in-a-huge-dragon-suit concept that some have suggested. I can't help but think of Death to Smoochie. HALT - Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired - can't wait to tell that to the next CR 18 devil we encounter!
I was also a little confused about the radius of the Frightful Presence. It is based off age category, so I figured out that Reds are the first to reach huge (5th age category), so I used that. One could argue that it should be based off the characters age, but then you get into strange stuff where elves under the influence of the spell can project fear hundreds of feet further then humans.
I was wondering if I need to consider myself huge in terms of Dimension Steps and other magic - I think I do.
Also, there should be something that prevents me from using Enlarge Person while in dragon form, or with any of the new polymorphing type spells for that matter (My type is still humanoid -halfling.
Next transformation - Beastshape IV - The Gorgon of Dimension stepping Doom!
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Also, there should be something that prevents me from using Enlarge Person while in dragon form, or with any of the new polymorphing type spells for that matter (My type is still humanoid -halfling.
There already is: look at the polymorph subschool write-up in the Magic section (under Transmutation). You can't combine two size enhancing effects. I'm assuming that Form of the Dragon III lets you transform into a dragon of a size different than your true halfling form (i.e. FotDIII lets you transform into something bigger than small size), so you can't slap an enlarge person on top of that.
However, if you beast shape I into a small animal, then you can enlarge yourself as a medium animal.
It's more useful for medium druids using Plant Shape I, to be honest, as they go from small plant to large plant (with added reach, which is nice for many plant forms, as they already have reach...)