Do the Elemental Body Spells Provide any Energy Resistance?


Rules Questions


It seems that by RAW the spells do not,
even though the dragon spells do, the
plant spells do etc.

What am I missing?


Spoiler:
Elemental Body

School transmutation (polymorph); Level alchemist 4, magus 4, sorcerer/wizard 4
CASTING

Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, M (the element you plan to assume)
EFFECT

Range personal
Target you
Duration 1 min/level (D)

[This content was created for the Pathfinder rules by Paizo Publishing LLC and is part of the Pathfinder RPG product line.]
DESCRIPTION

When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of a Small air elemental, Small earth elemental, Small fire elemental, or Small water elemental. The abilities you gain depend upon the type of elemental into which you change. Elemental abilities based on size, such as burn, vortex, and whirlwind, use the size of the elemental you transform into to determine their effect.

Air elemental: If the form you take is that of a Small air elemental, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity and a +2 natural armor bonus. You also gain fly 60 feet (perfect), darkvision 60 feet, and the ability to create a whirlwind.
Earth elemental: If the form you take is that of a Small earth elemental, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Strength and a +4 natural armor bonus. You also gain darkvision 60 feet and the ability to earth glide.
Fire elemental: If the form you take is that of a Small fire elemental, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity and a +2 natural armor bonus. You gain darkvision 60 feet, resist fire 20, vulnerability to cold, and the burn ability.
Water elemental: If the form you take is that of a Small water elemental, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Constitution and a +4 natural armor bonus. You also gain swim 60 feet, darkvision 60 feet, the ability to create a vortex, and the ability to breathe water.

I'm going to avoid making a joke here. But, yes form of the dragon gives energy resistance because it says it does. Elemental body doesn't, because it doesn't say it does (except for fire).


Weird that one does and the others not so much. It just seems wrong. I was hoping my old edition book had a correction that I did not have.

Shadow Lodge

Well, air, earth, and water elementals don't get energy resistance, so why would Elemental Body grant it? The elements are generally associated with the energy types but except for fire it's not a perfect association.


Being air subtype makes you unaffected by things like river of wind, so in a way air elementals have some immunities which I think you also get with elemental body / wild shape.

Liberty's Edge

Kyle Zimmer wrote:
Being air subtype makes you unaffected by things like river of wind, so in a way air elementals have some immunities which I think you also get with elemental body / wild shape.

1) 6 years necro.

2) A polymorph spell doesn't change your subtype, so you don't get any immunity from that.

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