From SRD:
Languages Common (can't speak) > Ioun Wyrd
Mockingbird (Ex)
At 5th level, a decoy can speak any of its master's languages. At 7th level, it can mimic its master's voice and intonation perfectly.
Master's Guise (Sp)
At 11th level, a decoy can transform into a perfect likeness of its master, as the alter self spell. It can hold this form for up to 1 minute per caster level; upon changing back, the decoy must remain in its natural form for an equal amount of time before transforming again.
Extraordinary Abilities (Ex)
These abilities cannot be disrupted in combat, as spells can, and they generally do not provoke attacks of opportunity. Effects or areas that negate or disrupt magic have no effect on extraordinary abilities. They are not subject to dispelling, and they function normally in an antimagic field. Indeed, extraordinary abilities do not qualify as magical, though they may break the laws of physics.
From Polymorph
While under the effects of a polymorph spell, you lose all extraordinary and supernatural abilities that depend on your original form (such as keen senses, scent, and darkvision), as well as any natural attacks and movement types possessed by your original form
-So, can this little Construct Speak if it has the Decoy Archetype?
-Can it speak if subject to an Alter Self Spell?
-It is a good idea to have it as a Familiar? Wouldn't a Bat be better because it can stay alive at negative HP?
- I don't see why it wouldn't.
- Oddly enough, no. Polymorph only grants you the abilities mentioned in the spell, and alter self doesn't mention "speech." Then again, speech isn't usually considered a special ability... expect table variation, I suppose.
- Constructs have plenty of advantages to compensate for the toast-at-0-hp disadvantage. It's perfectly viable. You should always try to keep your familiar out of combat anyway (unless it's a Mauler, of course), so the difference between 0 and negative Con shouldn't really come up.
- Oddly enough, no. Polymorph only grants you the abilities mentioned in the spell, and alter self doesn't mention "speech." Then again, speech isn't usually considered a special ability... expect table variation, I suppose.
It's weird, isn't it? RAW it would seem that you lose them according to Polymorph school, but then the whole archetype doesn't make any sense!
Why grant the familiar the ability to speak, mimic your voice, and then transform into you but not be able to speak?
- Oddly enough, no. Polymorph only grants you the abilities mentioned in the spell, and alter self doesn't mention "speech." Then again, speech isn't usually considered a special ability... expect table variation, I suppose.
It's weird, isn't it? RAW it would seem that you lose them according to Polymorph school, but then the whole archetype doesn't make any sense!
Why grant the familiar the ability to speak, mimic your voice, and then transform into you but not be able to speak?
Oh! You meant "can it still speak if it uses the Decoy alter self ability." That's a definite Yes. Polymorph only takes away abilities that "depend on your original form," and since it's not using real vocal cords, its speech doesn't.
(I'd first read your question as "can a non-Decoy whose master uses the share spells feature to cast alter self on it speak.")
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- Oddly enough, no. Polymorph only grants you the abilities mentioned in the spell, and alter self doesn't mention "speech." Then again, speech isn't usually considered a special ability... expect table variation, I suppose.It's weird, isn't it? RAW it would seem that you lose them according to Polymorph school, but then the whole archetype doesn't make any sense!
Why grant the familiar the ability to speak, mimic your voice, and then transform into you but not be able to speak?
The Decoy familiar gains the ability to speak as its master at 7th level. Thus, when it gains the ability to take its master's shape at 11th level it does not need for the polymorph effect to add the ability to speak... because it already has that ability and carries it over.
A human who uses Alter Self to appear as a different human does not suddenly lose the ability to speak. An aquatic elf that uses Alter Self to appear as a different aquatic elf does not lose the ability to breath water and suddenly begin drowning. Both the old and new form had the ability, so it is retained. Same principle applies here.
- Oddly enough, no. Polymorph only grants you the abilities mentioned in the spell, and alter self doesn't mention "speech." Then again, speech isn't usually considered a special ability... expect table variation, I suppose.It's weird, isn't it? RAW it would seem that you lose them according to Polymorph school, but then the whole archetype doesn't make any sense!
Why grant the familiar the ability to speak, mimic your voice, and then transform into you but not be able to speak?The Decoy familiar gains the ability to speak as its master at 7th level. Thus, when it gains the ability to take its master's shape at 11th level it does not need for the polymorph effect to add the ability to speak... because it already has that ability and carries it over.
A human who uses Alter Self to appear as a different human does not suddenly lose the ability to speak. An aquatic elf that uses Alter Self to appear as a different aquatic elf does not lose the ability to breath water and suddenly begin drowning. Both the old and new form had the ability, so it is retained. Same principle applies here.
I was mostly confused because polymorph makes you lose your Ex abilities, and I wasn't honestly sure if Mocking Bird depended on your original form o not.