Apply template X to Y for Z, polymorph (or can i be a chimpanzee?)

[Convoluted Character]

In the bestiary I, the Gorilla stat block says to apply the young simple template for orangutans and chimpanzees.

Are these valid animals to transform into? Polymorph spells can't apply templates; Does this disqualify them because they were not given a separate entry to save space?

Is this different then the giant ant and its 3 templates (worker, Drone, Queen)?

[Purple Fluffy CatBunnyGnome]

what class/feat/"thing" are you working with. That will give people a better starting point than an obscure unspecific reference to something somewhere (see how that works).

[Mergy]

I don't think you can do it, but it's not something I've ever really considered. OP probably just wants to use beast shape to chimp it up.

[Convoluted Character]

This applies to any polymorph spell, beastshape, verminshape, wildshape. (unless the spell says otherwise to apply a template which most don't)

I basically just want to know if I can be a Chimpanzee.

[Mergy]

On one hand, we have scenarios in season 4 where players encounter enemies that are young templates of other enemies, and sometimes they're different creatures. It's odd that just because they saved space in the book that it's impossible to change into one of those creatures; there's a bit of shattered verisimilitude there.

On the other hand, no templates for polymorphing. :(

[Thorkull]

If you allowed templates for polymorphing, you'd exponentially increase the number of possible combinations that you could create.

This is good (more options!) but also bad (more ways to break things!).

Even if it weren't a limitation in the Core Rulebook, it would be a good limitation in an organized play environment.

[Atarlost]

A chimpanzee is its own animal so you should be able to. It's only a template because it's more compact to define it by template. I'm not an authority but I expect you could even in PFS if you have the source that defines the chimpanzee as a gorilla with the young template (assuming it's a pathfinder source not one of the old 3.5 APs).

[Isil-zha]

You don't have to apply the templates to yourself that there is a chimpanzee out there (which is effectively a templated gorilla but otoh a creature in its own right) lets you shape into it using beast shape. But note there are no other adjustments to your stats except those given in the spell description - DO NOT apply the template to yourself.

edit: [houseruleterritory]In my opinion whenever you are within one size category of the bestiary entry it is easily justified shaping in an exceptionally big specimen or a young (or simply stunted) version of that creature for the sake of polymorph spells. Restrictions to certain abilities may apply.[/houseruleterritory] But if the Bestiary even mentions other species whose stats are derived by applying templates you are safe to polymorph into them by RAW

[Convoluted Character]

Do you happen to know the source where there is a chimpanzee? (or similar medium ape?) I'd like to use it for PFS

[Isil-zha]

PRD - Ape wrote:

This stat block can generally be used for any of the larger types of primates, such as gorillas—for smaller apes like orangutans and chimpanzees, apply the young simple template. Even smaller primates should use the stats for monkeys.

So there are the rules to obtain a stat-block for a chimp. If you build that statblock you have a new creature that is now medium sized and you can shape into it.