2nd level Polymorph Kalo form abilities

[ellindsey]

I'm trying to pick out some forms to use with Polymorph 2, and the examples in the Alien Archive book have me confused as to what I actually get.

On page 145, the rulebook says that Polymorph 2 can grant land speed of 40 feet, climb of 20, or swim speed of 30 feet.

However, the pre-built 2nd level Kalo form on page 146 lists a swim speed of 40 feet.

Which is it? If I take the prebuilt form, do I get swim of 40 feet, or am I limited to the 30 feet specified under the Polymorph 2 rules?

The Polymorph rules are confusing enough, when the pre-built forms contradict the rules on what forms can have it's even harder to figure out.

[Xenocrat]

The prebuilds don't seem to follow the rules very well. I'd suggest ignoring them as a guide and ask specific questions about what you want to do with a given level of spell, or what spell level you need to accomplish a specific set of abilities.

Some basic googling along the lines of "Starfinder paizo polymorph" should bring up several threads hashing out how we collectively think this spell works.

[ellindsey]

So I'm trying to figure out a good choice of forms for my 5th level Mystic when I take Polymorph for my new 2nd level spell known. I am not looking to be a melee combatant, more looking for utility and enhanced movement forms. I've picked out the following so far:

Tashtari
Size and type: Medium Magical Beast (Str +1)
Defense: Resist 5 Fire
Special abilities: Muzzle beam , Bristle flash, Bite
Sense: Darkvision 60 feet
Movement: Climb 20 feet

Skittermander
Size and type: Small Humanoid (Dex +1)
Special abilities: Hyper, Six arms
Racial trait: +2 to Grapple Maneuver
Sense: Low-light vision

Kalo
Size and type: Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Aquatic) (Str +1)
Defense: Cold resist 5
Racial trait: Stealthy Swimmers
Sense: Low-light vision
Movement: Swim 30 feet

Nuar
Size and type: Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Str +1)
Special abilities: Maze Mind, Gore
Racial trait: Horn attack
Sense: Darkvision 60 feet
Movement: 40 feet base move

Are these legal choices for Polymorph 2? The rules are somewhat confusing, and several of the pre-built forms appear to be illegal.

I am also under the impression that I also get 4 first-level forms to choose from, since knowing Polymorph 2 also allows me to cast Polymorph 1. I'm having a real problem actually finding anything worth polymorphing into at that level, as the rules restrict what abilities you can pick up really severely.

The one good option that sticks out to me is the Squox, although I'll have to be Small instead of Tiny. That looks like it gets me Climb 20, Low-light Vision, and Squox tricks, and I think a bite attack too?

Other than that, it looks like I just have to take Medium Predator and slap subtypes on it. Is there a list of what abilities I can choose? Is there a CR1 creature that has anything interesting like Compression or a Poison attack? Those would both be useful things to get through Polymorph.

[Malk_Content]

One thing to note is that prebuilt stuff often doesn't conform to generic rules presented. Nor should it. This isn't a bug or a glitch but lets devs create certain things they feel as balanced, but giving it as a generic option combinable with the other generic options could be over powered.

[Xenocrat]

ellindsey wrote:

So I'm trying to figure out a good choice of forms for my 5th level Mystic when I take Polymorph for my new 2nd level spell known. I am not looking to be a melee combatant, more looking for utility and enhanced movement forms. I've picked out the following so far:

Tashtari
Size and type: Medium Magical Beast (Str +1)
Defense: Resist 5 Fire
Special abilities: Muzzle beam , Bristle flash, Bite
Sense: Darkvision 60 feet
Movement: Climb 20 feet

Too many abilities. A specific form at level 2 can only have three abilities that cost (the bite, size, and movement are free). You have four: resist fire, darkvision, bristle flash, and muzzle beam. Drop one.

ellindsey wrote:

Skittermander
Size and type: Small Humanoid (Dex +1)
Special abilities: Hyper, Six arms
Racial trait: +2 to Grapple Maneuver
Sense: Low-light vision

Same, all four of these (hyper, six arms, grapple, low light) cost.

ellindsey wrote:

Kalo
Size and type: Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Aquatic) (Str +1)
Defense: Cold resist 5
Racial trait: Stealthy Swimmers
Sense: Low-light vision
Movement: Swim 30 feet

This is legal.

ellindsey wrote:

S

Nuar
Size and type: Medium Monstrous Humanoid (Str +1)
Special abilities: Maze Mind, Gore
Racial trait: Horn attack
Sense: Darkvision 60 feet
Movement: 40 feet base move

What is "horn attack"? If you mean a free natural weapon by the spell stats, this is legal. If you mean the natural attack racial ability, you have too many abilities that cost (maze mind, gore, "horn attack," and darkvision) and need to drop one.