I can't find FAQ for this (please direct me to the official ruling):
What does the basic "assume the form" do?
Do I get all of the creature's basic stats?
For example:
AC
hp
Melee damage (example lion doing 1d8 instead of my transmuter's measly fists doing 1d2)
I understand that I don't get the "special" abilities, but what is the "basic assumption?"
Official reference please :)
jh
You get exactly what it says you get, and nothing more. You get the abilities the spell says you get and you look like the beast you polymorph into. No FAQ is needed, because it is unambiguous.
If you haven't read it already, check out the polymorph subschool rules. They explain quite a bit, making for a solid "basic assumption." You get what's shown there, and what's in the spell, nothing more--as Isplore would say. If anything in particular is in doubt, ask your GM.
You get exactly what it says you get, and nothing more. You get the abilities the spell says you get and you look like the beast you polymorph into. No FAQ is needed, because it is unambiguous.
So, to clarify, it is nothing more than a DISGUISE spell that increases my movement rate (or maybe some of those other abilities)?
All this for a 3rd+ level spell? Oh goodie!
So, to clarify, it is nothing more than a DISGUISE spell that increases my movement rate (or maybe some of those other abilities)?
All this for a 3rd+ level spell? Oh goodie!
Nope, if you cast Beast Shape II to turn into a lion, you get the lion's general appearance, space and reach, number of limbs, all its natural attacks (and their base damage using your strength), land speed, low-light vision, scent, grab, and pounce. You also get a +4 size bonus to your Strength, a –2 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.
With Beast Shape III, you would also get it's rake attacks.
All, in all a pretty good spell considering the versatility it gives you.
Isn't Polymorph as 5th level spell? The reference on p211 is for polymorph.
All of the "Form" spells have "School: Transmutation (Polymorph)" in them -- so the Polymorph rules do apply to them.
Doh! How did I miss that!
[slps head]
thx,
jh
One more question:
I had my transmuter turn himself into a YETI using monstrous physique II. Do I gain the natural armor bonus ON TOP of my current AC?
E.g. The yeti is +7 to his AC. I'm already AC 19. Do I now have a 26?
19 is
+2 leather
+5 from dex
+2 amulet ac bonus
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You get whatever natural armor Monstrous Physique II gives, not what is on the creature's stat block.
This means you get +4 nat armor
Large monstrous humanoid: If the form you take is that of a Large monstrous humanoid, you gain a +4 size bonus to your Strength, a –2 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.
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So, to clarify, it is nothing more than a DISGUISE spell that increases my movement rate (or maybe some of those other abilities)?
All this for a 3rd+ level spell? Oh goodie!
Nope, if you cast Beast Shape II to turn into a lion, you get the lion's general appearance, space and reach, number of limbs, all its natural attacks (and their base damage using your strength), land speed, low-light vision, scent, grab, and pounce. You also get a +4 size bonus to your Strength, a –2 penalty to your Dexterity, and a +4 natural armor bonus.
With Beast Shape III, you would also get it's rake attacks.
All, in all a pretty good spell considering the versatility it gives you.
I agree that it's a pretty good spell. But it has its limitations.
You get the lion's general appearance, but others can penetrate your disguise to determine that you are not in fact a real lion. As the rules for polymorph spells state: "While these spells make you appear to be the creature, granting you a +10 bonus on Disguise skill checks, they do not grant you all of the abilities and powers of the creature."
You might look like a lion, but you are not in fact a lion and may give yourself away. I find most GMs ignore this (either out of ignorance or simply because they can't be bothered), but it is the rule. If enforced, it gives Druids and anyone else who changes shape incentive to pick up disguise as a class skill and invest at least a few points in the skill.
This is one way to balance the "I make my rogue a small creature, run up to an opponent, and sneak attack him" tactic. Yes, your 5th level rogue polymorphs into a Rat and runs up to the 9th level Ranger intending to gut him, but the Ranger makes his perception roll and decides there is something unusual about that rat arrowing in on him and decides to pin it to the floor with his sword... In a world where many creatures can assume different forms (e.g. mimic, druids, etc.) and polymorph magic is known to exist, I think it likely that people will key on the unusual and defend themselves accordingly.
As a side note, I'd be inclined to let a character use the appropriate knowledge skill in place of disguise, like a Druid using K/Nature to pass as a lion. Likewise, I'd be inclined to let an observer use the higher of perception or an appropriate knowledge skill to penetrate the disguise.