so i was checking the monster manual trying to get the best from monstrous physique for my alchemist, and i found that the best option is the morlock (climb speed, darkvision and scent) BUT i need a piece of the creature that i want to become into, so...how do you ppl deal with this? i know its up to my GM at last, but i want you to share some thoughts/experiences about this kind of stuff, not only from the optimization point, (getting a lizardfolk scale i guess its as difficult as getting a morlock toenail) should i expect magic stores to have this? or my only chance are random encounters or humanoid hunts? (sounds evil to me)
Just get a spell component pouch. As there is no cost for the component, it is assumed to be available in all spell component pouches, in an infinite amount.
go morlock murduring... er hunting... ur... population controlling.
Jeraa is correct; if you have a spell component pouch you are assumed to have all spell components that you need as long as their cost is negliable. Other odd material components that mages always keep on hand; and unlimited collection of live spiders (of all things to keep in your pockets), fire (both a spell component and the target, you'll notice *giggle*, just don't argue to the DM that there is always fire in you pockets), powdered silver (there has to be a way to cash in on this somehow), and dragon scales (see powdered silver).
Or just take Eschew Materials and never have to worry about it.
I think the writers, in their attempts to add "flavor," oftentimes go WAAAAAY overboard with the material components needed for a given spell.
Having the less than 1 gp rule helps protects players from getting screwed on these (drunken?) fluff binges, but it's nevertheless incredibly silly.
I still remember the 3.5 Heroics spell. It's a level 2 spell, material component is non-costly. Guess what it was? A piece/chunk/chip of gear from a 12th or 15th+ (I forget exactly) level fighter. Yes, seriously.