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Suppose an imp with the ability to cast Beast Shape I uses it to transform into a Small-size creature. The spell description says this causes a gain of a +2 size bonus to Dex and a +1 NA bonus. (I'm going to assume the NA bonus is racial, as I do for Form of the Dragon.)
Does a Tiny-size creature like the imp gain an additional +2 to Dex? Per RAW it would appear it does. This seems counter-intuitive -- I bet the spell was meant for a Medium-size creature to cast.
However, changing into a Medium-size creature grants a +2 size bonus to Str and a +2 NA bonus!
I think my imps may change to Small size. They lose two points of AC but gain it back by the change. And they can now attack without provoking (since they no longer need to enter the target creature's square).
Or maybe it's good enough to just go invisible, then enter the target's square before attacking. But they'd need to go invisible again to get away without provoking.
Hm...
Edit: The change shape special ability says the imp can't change to size Medium anyway. It also says the ability scores don't change, but the statblock for the imp specifically references Beast Shape I??
Edit2: Okay, so now the change shape appears to contradict the Polymorph subschool of transmutation somewhat. The Polymorph description says one thing and the change shape says another, but the change shape references the Beast Shape I spell. I think I'm going to have my imps retain their natural form. ;)
Normal polymorph effects work differently for creatures that are not medium or small.
Creature's Original Size; Str; Dex; Con; Adjusted Size
Fine; +6; –6; —; Small
Diminutive; +6; –4; —; Small
Tiny; +4; –2; —; Small
Large; –4; +2; –2; Medium
Huge; –8; +4; –4; Medium
Gargantuan; –12; +4; –6; Medium
Colossal; –16; +4; –8; Medium
This of course, does not apply to Change Shape, since ability scores don't change.
RD got the main part.
The spell description says this causes a gain of a +2 size bonus to Dex and a +1 NA bonus.
(I'm going to assume the NA bonus is racial, as I do for Form of the Dragon.)
You gain a +1 NA Bonus, just like you gain a +3 Armor Bonus when donning Studded Leather Armor.
There is no ´Racial´ bonus to Natural Armor per Core.If there was some Racial Bonus to NA in the current game, it would be something that stacked on top of whatever NA Bonus you had, like an Enhancement Bonus to NA works... Which isn´t what you mean by it, I´m sure.
Some Races naturally have a NA bonus, but it is not typed as Racial, it is simply a +X Natural Armor Bonus.
A Natural Armor Bonus already is ´natural´.
The current rules don´t need Natural Armor Bonuses to be classed as anything different because it works as is.
I do think it would be nice for a FAQ explaining all the different variations of Natural Armor bonus BESIDES the standard bonus classes, i.e. as seen in Draconic Bloodline, Draconic Disciple, new APG Barbarian Templates, etc. Some of these stack while some don´t, but it´s essentially an orthogonal system to the normal bonus type stacking rules.... so that´s why a FAQ could be nice.
Edit: The change shape special ability says the imp can't change to size Medium anyway. It also says the ability scores don't change, but the statblock for the imp specifically references Beast Shape I??Edit2: Okay, so now the change shape appears to contradict the Polymorph subschool of transmutation somewhat. The Polymorph description says one thing and the change shape says another, but the change shape references the Beast Shape I spell. I think I'm going to have my imps retain their natural form. ;)
Polymorph sub school provides the general rule. The spells provide additional rules which may contradict or modify the polymorph sub school, an exception to the rule. The ability that refers you to the spell may also apply modifications to the spell, an additional exception to the rules.
ekkkk lawyer speak again
Just to make it explicit, a tiny creature who polymorphs into a small creature using Beast Shape I gains +4 Strength and no change to Dex.
ekkkk lawyer speak again
No lawyer speak! Logical break down of the ability in text form!
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Just to make it explicit, a tiny creature who polymorphs into a small creature using Beast Shape I gains +4 Strength and no change to Dex.
Good point - if actually using the spell rather than the Change Shape ability, it would first adjust its size to Small, then apply the bonuses granted by the spell.
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Just to make it explicit, a tiny creature who polymorphs into a small creature using Beast Shape I gains +4 Strength and no change to Dex.Good point - if actually using the spell rather than the Change Shape ability, it would first adjust its size to Small, then apply the bonuses granted by the spell.
Ah, I think I see now.
So if the imp uses its Change Shape ability (not the spell) which says their stats don't change, they neither gain nor lose any Str or Dex. But because the Tiny creature changes to Small, it does need an updated Size modifier to AC, right? From Tiny's +2 to Small's +1...
Okay, so if the imp does this it loses one point of AC but gains the ability to attack without entering the target's square. Hm, something to think about then.
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Just to make it explicit, a tiny creature who polymorphs into a small creature using Beast Shape I gains +4 Strength and no change to Dex.Good point - if actually using the spell rather than the Change Shape ability, it would first adjust its size to Small, then apply the bonuses granted by the spell.Ah, I think I see now.
So if the imp uses its Change Shape ability (not the spell) which says their stats don't change, they neither gain nor lose any Str or Dex. But because the Tiny creature changes to Small, it does need an updated Size modifier to AC, right? From Tiny's +2 to Small's +1...
Okay, so if the imp does this it loses one point of AC but gains the ability to attack without entering the target's square. Hm, something to think about then.
Its ability scores don't change, but it still gets the +1 natural armour from the spell, so its AC remains the same. Touch AC goes down, if that comes into play. Its size modifier to attacks reduces from +2 to +1.