What and why, in your opinion, are the best combat forms for the beast shape IV spell?
I'm really liking the Catoblepas for its power and versatility. :)
*bump*
I've always been a fan of the Girallon, simply because of the large number of natural attacks it gets, but I'm very interested in seeing what else people post here.
I'm really liking the Catoblepas for its power and versatility. :)
*bump*
What can you do as a catoblepas?
It seems you just get a tail slap.
And a breath weapon!
Catoblepas nets you (in order of stat-block appearance):
- darkvision 60 ft.
- low-light vision
- Speed 40
- Swim 20
- 4 attacks (bite, gore, 2 hooves)
- space/reach 15 feet (at least until errata fixes it)
- a poisonous breath weapon that does ongoing CONSTITUTION DAMAGE and requires THREE CONSECUTIVE saves to stop!
- trample
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Two of the Catoblepas' attacks are secondary which kind of hurts if you are just going to be a slugger something like the Girallon is probably better. Girallon can also handle objects a lot easier... The breath weapon is pretty cool though.
I think it depends quite a bit on the specific situation.
Edit: Also, worth noting, the DC for the Catoblepas' poison is CON based, so the DC is likely far lower for your polymorphed PC. Hmm, how exactly do DCs on powers like that work? I would assume based on character HD and CON.... so for a 15th level character with a 16 CON it would be DC 20?
Two of the Catoblepas' attacks are secondary which kind of hurts if you are just going to be a slugger something like the Girallon is probably better. Girallon can also handle objects a lot easier... The breath weapon is pretty cool though.
I think it depends quite a bit on the specific situation.
Edit: Also, worth noting, the DC for the Catoblepas' poison is CON based, so the DC is likely far lower for your polymorphed PC. Hmm, how exactly do DCs on powers like that work? I would assume based on character HD and CON.... so for a 15th level character with a 16 CON it would be DC 20?
For all polymorph spells the DCs are based off the spell used. So the breath weapon DC for Beast Shape IV for a wizard with 30 Intelligence would be 26 (10 base + 10 Int + 6 spell level).
Spell Focus (transmutation) actually has some use in Pathfinder. :)
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Contributor, RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
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Oh yes, makes a lot of sense, I should have known that one.
Yeah, if you are playing a wizard Catoblepas is going to be hard to beat because you don't have the strength to get into slugfests. I was thinking in other terms.
Polymorph is a tough road for wizards because once polymorphed they don't have the strength or BAB to really kick but and they can't cast spells. The breath weapon is a neat trick though.
Polymorph is a tough road for wizards because once polymorphed they don't have the strength or BAB to really kick but and they can't cast spells. The breath weapon is a neat trick though.
Actually, that is only sometimes true. Polymorphing into a beast can mess with your spellcasting, but changing into a dragon, elemental, or giant wouldn't effect your spellcasting abilities at all (since they can all speak and have "hands").
I personally favor elemental body for the defensive and maneuverability boosts it can grant. Earth gliding into the ground as an earth elemental or flying away 150 feet as a hasted air elemental to escape can be pretty awesome.
Being able to buff from total safety (earth glide) or gaining an effective +7 AC bonus (+4 natural armor and +6 Dex from huge air elemental form) are just icing on the cake.
My master dispeller, for example, can boost his AC up to 42 or thereabouts in only one round, and still have a move action left (to move that 150 feet).