I was just reading through the Witch's spell list, in preparation for converting my wizard into one, and was very surprised to see that Witches don't get any shapeshifting spells at all, aside from alter self. This seemed very strange to me, because I see shapeshifting as one of the archetypal witch abilities. Cursing, healing, flying on brooms, enchantment, and shapeshifting are the archetypal witch abilities.
Even stranger, some of the familiars give access to beast shape, animal shapes, and shapechange, even though none of those spells are on the witch's spell list.
Was this an intentional design decision, or an oversight?
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I was just reading through the Witch's spell list, in preparation for converting my wizard into one, and was very surprised to see that Witches don't get any shapeshifting spells at all, aside from alter self. This seemed very strange to me, because I see shapeshifting as one of the archetypal witch abilities. Cursing, healing, flying on brooms, enchantment, and shapeshifting are the archetypal witch abilities.
Even stranger, some of the familiars give access to beast shape, animal shapes, and shapechange, even though none of those spells are on the witch's spell list.
Was this an intentional design decision, or an oversight?
I would suspect design. The bonus spells are spells the witch knows and has on her spell list, even if a witch with a different familiar doesn't. In that respect it works the same as Domains which also include spells not on the typical Cleric's spell list.
The archetype of the witch involves cursing others with shapechange, not shapeshifting themselves for the most part. Think Circe... she never changes shape but she turns legions of men into the beasts that she believes suits thier natures.
At most you might see a witch in stories taking on a minor glamour to appear as another person, for this the alter self spell suits sufficiently.
Really?The archetype of the witch involves cursing others with shapechange, not shapeshifting themselves for the most part. Think Circe... she never changes shape but she turns legions of men into the beasts that she believes suits thier natures.
At most you might see a witch in stories taking on a minor glamour to appear as another person, for this the alter self spell suits sufficiently.
Many of the witch's familiars give polymorphing spells as bonus spells, especially the toad. Buhlman's got ya covered mate!
Huh. I should have taken a closer look at the familiar spell lists.
Baleful polymorph should definitely be a lower level spell for witches, though! Each class gets a few spells that are one or two spell levels lower for it than for other classes. Flamestrike for druids, and hold person for clerics immediately come to mind, and there are many more. Baleful polymorph is a signature spell for witches, so it should at the very least be 4th level, and IMO it wouldn't be out of place at 3rd level.
There should also be a Mass Baleful Polymorph spell. Circe turned Odysseus' entire crew into pigs with one spell, and there are similar stories of mass-transformation in folklore.
Really?
So, you say witches should be able to enchant swords that they fly true to an enemy's heart and kill it instantly? ;-P
They get Baleful Polymorph. I think that's the one that really matters for playing a witch.
Seconded. Have you ever heard of a witch threaten anyone: "Do what I say or I'll turn myself into a newt!"
Even stranger, some of the familiars give access to beast shape, animal shapes, and shapechange, even though none of those spells are on the witch's spell list.
That's the whole point of the familiar lists. They extend the witch, specialise her.
Thank you Hogarth..I wonder where Mad Madam Mim lives in Golarion...evil DM chuckle.
And I'm pretty sure the Sword of Truth is one of the reasons for Paladins getting smite evil against Dragons at higher damage...
Many of the witch's familiars give polymorphing spells as bonus spells, especially the toad. Buhlman's got ya covered mate!Huh. I should have taken a closer look at the familiar spell lists.
Baleful polymorph should definitely be a lower level spell for witches, though! Each class gets a few spells that are one or two spell levels lower for it than for other classes. Flamestrike for druids, and hold person for clerics immediately come to mind, and there are many more. Baleful polymorph is a signature spell for witches, so it should at the very least be 4th level, and IMO it wouldn't be out of place at 3rd level.
There should also be a Mass Baleful Polymorph spell. Circe turned Odysseus' entire crew into pigs with one spell, and there are similar stories of mass-transformation in folklore.
And even in popular fantasy movies, the "You're all pigs!" trick is popular:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH69fKaWUyk
Mass Baleful Polymorph definitely needs to be added as a higher level Witch spell.
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Many of the witch's familiars give polymorphing spells as bonus spells, especially the toad. Buhlman's got ya covered mate!Huh. I should have taken a closer look at the familiar spell lists.
Baleful polymorph should definitely be a lower level spell for witches, though! Each class gets a few spells that are one or two spell levels lower for it than for other classes. Flamestrike for druids, and hold person for clerics immediately come to mind, and there are many more. Baleful polymorph is a signature spell for witches, so it should at the very least be 4th level, and IMO it wouldn't be out of place at 3rd level.
There should also be a Mass Baleful Polymorph spell. Circe turned Odysseus' entire crew into pigs with one spell, and there are similar stories of mass-transformation in folklore.
And even in popular fantasy movies, the "You're all pigs!" trick is popular:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH69fKaWUyk
Mass Baleful Polymorph definitely needs to be added as a higher level Witch spell.
damn...you beat me to that one. I was about to use the Willow reference. Oh well. So yeah, my guess if you don't see one a mass baleful polymorph would look something like a 8th level spell.
when I think of the Pathfinder witch I can't help but think of the Dragon Age character who can polymorph into a giant butt kicking spider