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Beast Shape into Giant Creature?

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Silver Crusade

I believe this has been asked before, but I wanted to get a fresh perspective: can I use Beast Shape III to turn into, say, a Huge Dire Ape? I see no reason in the rules that I can't, it says nothing about not allowing a templated version of the creature in the Pathfinder polymorph rules, while it did in 3.5 D&D, furthermore, a number of creatures that are presented in the various Bestiaries are given no stats beyond "apply such-and-so template to this creature", such as the King Cobra is simply a Giant viper. Does anyone have any rules quotes to argue for or against this?
The Exchange Owner - D20 Hobbies

You can't polymorph into a template unless the ability says so or there is FAQ saying you can't normally but you can with that ability (like the Eagle Shaman druid FAQ).
Sczarni
Val'bryn2 wrote:
I see no reason in the rules that I can't, it says nothing about not allowing a templated version of the creature in the Pathfinder polymorph rules, while it did in 3.5 D&D
The Magic Chapter of the CRB wrote:
Polymorph spells cannot be used to assume the form of a creature with a template or an advanced version of a creature.
Silver Crusade

But like I said, that means that, despite being able to turn into most snakes, one could never turn into a king cobra because the game designers decided to just make it a regular snake with a template. Makes no real sense.
Sczarni

May I suggest the Emperor Cobra?

My Saurian Shaman spent quite a bit of time Wildshaped as one.

The King Cobra does present an interesting question though. I would personally allow it.

Basically, I think the idea is you can polymorph into a generic version of a creature, but not a specific/special one.

So I would rule that if the campaign world had 'Kongs' as an animal type, whose stats were generated by adding the gigantic template to a dire ape, it would be allowable, but if there isn't a species of animal like that in the world (whether there are a few unique special examples of gigantic dire apes or not) you couldn't polymorph into it.
The Exchange Owner - D20 Hobbies
Val'bryn2 wrote:
Makes no real sense.

Then ask your GM to deviate from the rules!

;-)
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