Okay, i tried to search the boards for an answer to these two questions, but came up empty, so I'm hoping some of you messageboard guru's can help a guy out.
A couple questions I ran into when thinking through a transmuter character. The answers are probably obvious, but I could use some clarification.
1) When casting Alter Self, can you take on the form of a Were-wolf and get scent? The spell says you have to choose a creature with the Humanoid subtype, and the were-wolf entry is definitely listed as a humanoid, but it's the template applied to that humanoid that gives it the scent ability… so, is it viable?
2) When delivering a touch attack, can you natively use your dex instead of strength modifier? Or do you need to pick up Weapon Finesse to do so?
Templates may not be added with polymorph spells. This is in the polymorph subschool explanation area of the magic section.
Only with weapon finesse.
EDIT for proofs:
"Unless otherwise noted, polymorph spells cannot be used to change into specific individuals. Although many of the fine details can be controlled, your appearance is always that of a generic member of that creature's type. Polymorph spells cannot be used to assume the form of a creature with a template or an advanced version of a creature."
"Some attacks completely disregard armor, including shields and natural armor—the aggressor need only touch a foe for such an attack to take full effect. In these cases, the attacker makes a touch attack roll (either ranged or melee). When you are the target of a touch attack, your AC doesn't include any armor bonus, shield bonus, or natural armor bonus. All other modifiers, such as your size modifier, Dexterity modifier, and deflection bonus (if any) apply normally. Some creatures have the ability to make incorporeal touch attacks. These attacks bypass solid objects, such as armor and shields, by passing through them. Incorporeal touch attacks work similarly to normal touch attacks except that they also ignore cover bonuses. Incorporeal touch attacks do not ignore armor bonuses granted by force effects, such as mage armor and bracers of armor."
The attack rolls for touch attacks simply ignore certain types of AC bonuses.
Those were pretty much the answers I thought I would get, but wasn't able to find in the book explicitly. Thanks for the quick reply.