Hi
I've read a bit into different mosnters (example gold dragons) and also races (like kitsune) that have spelllike abilities like polymorph, alter self, ...
And I'm wondering there. Do these spelllike abilities still have the same duration limiations as the spells they are based upon?
I'm asking there as then a very young gold dragon could "only" take on a humanoid form for about 30 minutes per day (and older ones up to 1-2 hours) which doesn't sound very good if they want to enter a village for example. Thus I'm wondering if I interpret there something wrong with the spellike abilities (as the above durations are based upon the times per day they can use this ability and the typical duration of it).
Do these spelllike abilities still have the same duration limiations as the spells they are based upon?
If it's actually a spell-like ability, yes. However:
Metallic Dragon, Gold: "Change Shape (Su)"
Change Shape (Su): "A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume the appearance of a specific creature or type of creature (usually a humanoid), but retains most of its own physical qualities. A creature cannot change shape to a form more than one size category smaller or larger than its original form. This ability functions as a polymorph spell, the type of which is listed in the creature's description, but the creature does not adjust its ability scores (although it gains any other abilities of the creature it mimics). Unless otherwise stated, it can remain in an alternate form indefinitely. Some creatures, such as lycanthropes, can transform into unique forms with special modifiers and abilities. These creatures do adjust their ability scores, as noted in their description."
Ah tnx.
Thus creatures like gold dragons that have "cahnge shape (Su)" use that rule while others like kitsune have the normal spelllike ability that has the normal alter self duration?
Thus creatures like gold dragons that have "cahnge shape (Su)" use that rule while others like kitsune have the normal spelllike ability that has the normal alter self duration?
The ability tells you what it is.
Kitsune Change Shape (Su): "A kitsune can assume the appearance of a specific single human form of the same sex. The kitsune always takes this specific form when she uses this ability. A kitsune in human form cannot use her bite attack, but gains a +10 racial bonus on Disguise checks made to appear human. Changing shape is a standard action. This ability otherwise functions as alter self, except that the kitsune does not adjust her ability scores."
Exactly that is what I meant thus it has the 1min/lvl limitation for the change?
I was wondering there as as a spell ok I can see that. But as a spelllike ability it looked like a very short timespan to me that they can have a fully human shape for example. That is how I became unsure if I overread or misinterpreted something.
The bit about "otherwise functions as alter self" means it will have the duration of alter self where level uses the character's level.
The important note is that the Kitsune can do it as many times as it wants per day, as a standard action each time, for the normal duration.
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But as a spelllike ability it looked like a very short timespan to me that they can have a fully human shape for example.
Neither the gold dragon nor the kitsune Change Shape are spell-like abilities.
Spell-Like Abilities are noted as "(Sp)"
Supernatural Abilities are noted as "(Su)"
The Change Shape supernatural ability of both of them will work according to the description in universal monster rules, except as specifically mentioned in the description of each creature.
Change Shape says "Unless otherwise stated, it can remain in an alternate form indefinitely" and since neither of them state otherwise, both gold dragons and kitsune can remain in their respective animal/human form indefinitely.
The bit about "otherwise functions as alter self" means it will have the duration of alter self where level uses the character's level.
"This ability functions as a polymorph spell, the type of which is listed in the creature's description"
Alter self is the polymorph spell listed in the kitsune description (just as polymorph is the one listed for gold dragons). That doesn't change the duration.
Ah now I understand. Thanks a lot there. I knew I overread something there the whole time.
Thanks again.