Type switching is an interesting final ability for a native outsider who always wanted to become a regular human (or halfling, or dwarf, etc.) but hopefully they really want to make the change, because there's apparently no going back.
Final Revelation: At 20th level, you have discovered the intrinsic secrets of life itself, granting you incredible control over your own body. Once per day, you can surround yourself with an organic cocoon as a full-round action. While enclosed in the cocoon, you are considered helpless. Eight hours later, you emerge having changed your type to plant, animal, or humanoid, gaining superficial physical characteristics as appropriate (see the Pathfinder RPG Bestiary). This change does not alter your Hit Dice, hit points, saving throws, skill points, class skills, or proficiencies. Each time the transformation is made, you are cleansed of all poisons or diseases, are restored to full hit points, and heal all ability damage. You must select a new type every time the transformation is made.
So no more darkvision and you're now a viable target for Person spells (unless you're a plant or animal that is).
Actually, now that I'm reading that again, is this meant to change the character's shape, or just his type? If it's his shape, what exactly does he turn into? Any kind of plant creature or animal? If it's just his type, then what, exactly, is the difference between an humanoid shaped animal and a humanoid?
You change type only.
The difference between a humanoid shaped animal and a humanoid is their type, duh.
A humanoid shaped animal could be affected by Animal Growth, but not Enlarge Person, while a humanoid would be the opposite. I mean, a gorilla, for example, is already a humanoid shaped animal--they work fine by the rules, don't they?
I just can't see any value in becoming a humanoid animal. Becoming a plant has some advantages at least. For a race that doesn't get stuck in a foreign type it seems like a rather weak capstone; for an outsider it seems like at an outright trap.
I just can't see any value in becoming a humanoid animal. Becoming a plant has some advantages at least. For a race that doesn't get stuck in a foreign type it seems like a rather weak capstone; for an outsider it seems like at an outright trap.
Most capstones:
1) Are flashier than they are actually powerful
2) Never matter ever because practically nobody plays at level 20
But the main advantages would be:
1) Not susceptible to "Person" spells (like Charm Person, Dominate Person, etc.), but still able to receive Morale bonuses (whereas Plant prevents that)
2) Animal Growth is pretty sweet.
I'm sure there's others, but they're minor in general. Ultimately, though, I wouldn't worry about it--Capstones don't matter.