Ok, this is probably going to be one of the more "Out there" concepts in Pathfinder, BUT.. I'd love to get people's opinion on how to make up a race of magical constructs that transform as my beloved hasbro toys do.
Anyone have any bright ideas?
Ok, this is probably going to be one of the more "Out there" concepts in Pathfinder, BUT.. I'd love to get people's opinion on how to make up a race of magical constructs that transform as my beloved hasbro toys do.
Anyone have any bright ideas?
I would just have them as outsiders made of metal instead of constructs. As to actual creation I am at a loss though.
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Ok, this is probably going to be one of the more "Out there" concepts in Pathfinder, BUT.. I'd love to get people's opinion on how to make up a race of magical constructs that transform as my beloved hasbro toys do.
Anyone have any bright ideas?
3.5 had the Maug race in fiend folio ( a race of constructs)
use the lycanthropy template or an at will "Form of the X"
i like using warforged lycanthops as beast wars type characters.
There was a template for this in the old green ronin advanced bestiary, I think. I'll try to find it.
The new race building playtest had several versions of 'shapechanging'. A single alternate form was the equivalent of a feat, iirc.
The new race building playtest had several versions of 'shapechanging'. A single alternate form was the equivalent of a feat, iirc.
I believe that is only "Alter Self". To change form into another creature would be different I think
There was a template for this in the old green ronin advanced bestiary, I think. I'll try to find it.Transforming Construct, page 241.
Challenge Rating: Same as the base creature with one alternate
form; same as the base creature +1 with two or three
alternate forms; same as the base creature +2 with four to six
alternate forms.
Level Adjustment: Same as the base creature +2 for each
application of the template.
Ok, I've always had problems converting CRs and LA's. Does this mean I can have a warforged with 1 alternate form for no CR cost?
I won't lie, this thread has my interest. (Big transformers fan, that is, fan of everything from G1 to Prime).
If you are going for something less BeastWars/Dinobots/Predacons and more G1/Bayverse/Prime/etc, I would reccomend looking at the options for animated objects. A medium animated object has 2 construction points.
Granted, with such a baseline, we are going to have some silly Transformers, but hey, "Its magic I don't gotta explain s--t." Not to mention 30' tall metal robots with energy weapons isn't exactly Level 1 material, if you know what I mean.
Heres a pair of basic statblocks, followed by my ideas/explanations of them.
Rollout, NG Medium Formshifter Fighter 1.
Construct (Restricted Shapechanger)
Alternate form: Wheelbarrow.
Construction Points (2): Faster, Trample.
Interrorgater, LE Medium Formshifter Rogue 1.
Construct (Restricted Shapechanger)
Alternate Form: Iron Maiden
Construction Points(2+2) Metal, Grab, Constrict
Construction Flaws: Slower x2
I think a subtype of Restricted Shapechanger is needed. The full shapechanger subtype gives a large and, frankly, bizzare advantage to an animated object. Specifically, the ability to restore one's own shape if it is manipulated by magic, such as polymorph, etc. I can see a wooden Formshifter perhaps being able to undo the effects of being shifted into some other wooden form, but not from being turned into a rabbit. Also, special attention and decision must be made regarding spells like Warp Wood, Wood Shape, Stone Shape, etc.
Construction flaws are from Ultimate Magic, as are several other Construction Point options.
If I were to fully implement this (especially as a race that might have larger versions) I would design a feat tree for size increase and extra Construction Points. With the expanded options in Ultimate Magic, just about any design can be executed with sufficient points. Want to be a tank? Metal, Ranged Attack, Trample, maybe allow Fire Damage added to the ranged attack. (Personally, some of the restrictions on which options can and can't be added to others annoy me, so I lift them).
I would say for a Formshifter to be large, there should be a Character level (aka HD) requirement, along with at least one feat leading up to it. Here's a basic idea.
Bulk. Your body is much larger than normal. You gain +2 size bonus to Str, -2 size penalty to Dex, +1 bonus to Natural Armor, and take a -1 size penalty as if you were one size category larger. Additionally, you weigh 4x as much as normal. If you take Massive, these benefits and penalties are ignored (they do not stack).
Massive. Prerequisite: Bulk. You become 1 size category larger, permanently. You receive all the normal benefits of being the new size. This does not stack with the benefits from Bulk.
Improved Bulk, Improved Massive, Greater Bulk, Greater Massive, etc.
Thats how I'd start on this.
Hmm...I think I do need to start on this....
Try to find a copy of Mechamorphosis, from Fantasy Flight Games. It was a nice little (64 page) run at transformer mechanics for d20 and had some good ideas/mechanics for handling different sizes of transforming robots. Their Sorcery & Steam also might be a good fit with it's focus on steampunk mechanics. Finally, DragonMech from Goodman Games was a very interesting setting that works very well for large-scale transformers.
Mechamorphosis is decent, but it really hits a wall when put with other material. It can stand on its own just fine, or in D20 Modern, but it gets wonky in a fantasy world or with the complexity of spellcasting. It is a good idea fountain though.
I need to find some Sorcery & Steam. Haven't browsed it.
Dragonmech has decent stuff too, and its more fantasy-incorporated. The clockwork aspect is a big deal though, and it has a lot of critical hit tables and such. Also, pretty much nothing besides DM fiat when you try to make a sentient DragonMech.
If others want to use them for their ideas and conversions, that's cool, I just prefer to take something already within the system and expand/modify it, rather than try to shoehorn in something from outside, already shoehorned for its original purpose by 3PP.
A medium animated object has 2 construction points.
Easy enough to add CP if you wanted to give a bit more variety.
I wanted to make a Warforged type that could change into both a flying "jet" or "metal eagle" as well as a horse sized cat with weapons.And what if I did want to make a bunch of Medium sized, magic transformers. Give them wands of Magic Missile, or Firepuff (1d6 fire per level, max 5d6) and that sure sounds like lasers to me :)
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A medium animated object has 2 construction points.Easy enough to add CP if you wanted to give a bit more variety.
I wanted to make a Warforged type that could change into both a flying "jet" or "metal eagle" as well as a horse sized cat with weapons.And what if I did want to make a bunch of Medium sized, magic transformers. Give them wands of Magic Missile, or Firepuff (1d6 fire per level, max 5d6) and that sure sounds like lasers to me :)
eberron had 2 (artifact)belts for warforged, 1 let you turn in to a half lion, the other a scorpion
also had the wings of flying, and a handful of other things that work perfectly
Vehicle with animated object stats, transforming template, and BLAM!!!
I think it could work.