Not sure if I'm reading this correctly...


Advice


Monstrous Physique says "If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability" Does that mean if I have one of those abilities from the list, I gain all of them?


The definite article refers to a singular object.

"the house" does not refer to all houses.
"the listed ability" does not refer to all listed abilities.

Though at times, we may be bewitched by the illusions of our language, this is not one of those.

Liberty's Edge

No, it means that if the form you are shifting into has an ability on that list, you gain that ability, but only up to the limits of what is listed in the spell description.

So with Monstrous Physique I

Monstrous Physique I wrote:

When you cast this spell, you can assume the form of any Small or Medium creature of the monstrous humanoid type. If the form you assume has any of the following abilities, you gain the listed ability: climb 30 feet, fly 30 feet (average maneuverability), swim 30 feet, darkvision 60 feet, low-light vision, and scent. If the form you assume has the aquatic subtype, you gain the aquatic and amphibious subtypes.

Small monstrous humanoid: If the form you take is that of a Small monstrous humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Dexterity and a +1 natural armor bonus.
Medium monstrous humanoid: If the form you take is that of a Medium monstrous humanoid, you gain a +2 size bonus to your Strength and a +2 natural armor bonus.

If you changed into a creature that was Medium sized and had darkvision, flight and regeneration, you would gain the +2 Size modifier to your strength, +2 natural armor bonus, darkvision (up to the maximum of 60' granted by the spell), flight (up to the 30' maximum speed granted by the spell), but no regeneration because it is not on the list for that level of spell.

You also do not gain any abilities not possessed by the creature you are becoming, in this case the Climb or Low-light Vision or Scent, for example.

Each higher version of the spell grants more abilities that you can take on when you shift forms.

Additionally, you always gain the natural attacks of the form you assume as per the general Polymorph rules:

Polymorph wrote:

Polymorph: a polymorph spell transforms your physical body to take on the shape of another creature. 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. Each polymorph spell allows you to assume the form of a creature of a specific type, granting you a number of bonuses to your ability scores and a bonus to your natural armor. In addition, each polymorph spell can grant you a number of other benefits, including movement types, resistances, and senses. If the form you choose grants these benefits, or a greater ability of the same type, you gain the listed benefit. If the form grants a lesser ability of the same type, you gain the lesser ability instead. Your base speed changes to match that of the form you assume. If the form grants a swim or burrow speed, you maintain the ability to breathe if you are swimming or burrowing. The DC for any of these abilities equals your DC for the polymorph spell used to change you into that form.

In addition to these benefits, you gain any of the natural attacks of the base creature, including proficiency in those attacks. These attacks are based on your base attack bonus, modified by your Strength or Dexterity as appropriate, and use your Strength modifier for determining damage bonuses.


Thank you for the assuring answer. Appreciate it. :)

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