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I currently have an Operative (Spy) with the Master of Disguise Exploit (which functions as disguise self). I want to purchase Doppelganger Morphic Skin, but I'm not sure whether the +10 from Master of Disguise and the +10 from Morphic Skin stack.
Both are typed as circumstance bonuses. Both reference "altering your form". But one is an illusion, and the other is transmutation.
I'm basically trying to parse this explanation: "Circumstance bonuses stack with other circumstance bonuses unless they arise from essentially the same source, in which case they do not stack".
Is "altering your form" the "same source" in this case? Or is one source the illusion, and the other source the transmutation? Given the DC mods for Disguise, I would probably need both to stack to be an effective spy, but the similarities in these two sources is making me hesitate in believing they work together.
One is an (EX) class ability that functions similar to a spell despite being non-magical.
The other is a hybrid augmentation that functions via transmutation magic.
Personally, I'm not sure how they don't stack. You alter your skin and face with the augment, then put on your Groucho Marx glasses. If you surprised a GM with it they might balk at the sudden +20 to a skill check, but they should stack.
I agree with Garretmander, they should stack.
I also find it quite extreme, +20 to a skill check makes an autosuccess even without being trained.
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Thank you for your responses.
It's definitely not extreme when you look at the Disguise DCs. For my Halfling Operative, disguising herself as a medium-sized nonhumanoid can easily impose over a -30 to her check.
I agree with what both of you are saying, but I think you missed why I'm asking. Here's what made me hesitate:
you gain a +10 circumstance bonus to the Disguise check (since it counts as altering your form)
you gain a +10 circumstance bonus to your Disguise check to alter your form
If both abilities simply gave me +10 to Disguise, I wouldn't question it. But they both grant specific bonuses to one aspect of Disguise, and that's what makes me pause.
Technically:
See Quick DisguiseSee Disguise selfYou make yourself—and any clothing, armor, weapons, and
equipment on you—look different. You can seem up to 1 foot
shorter or taller, thin, fat, or in between. You can’t change your
creature type (although you can appear as another subtype).
Otherwise, the extent of the apparent change is up to you. You
could merely add or obscure a minor feature, or you could look
like an entirely different person or gender......If you use this spell to create a disguise, you gain a +10
circumstance bonus to the Disguise check (since it counts
as altering your form).Alternatively, for 1 minute per operative level, you can take
on the appearance of a specific individual that you have seen
before. If you have heard the individual talk and can speak her
language, you can also modulate your speech to match hers.
This disguise is so convincing that creatures familiar with the
individual must succeed at a Will saving throw before they can
attempt a Perception check to pierce the disguise. You must
have the quick disguise exploit to learn this exploit.
And
Advanced morphic skin ofers the same options as the basic
model, as well as the ability to change your apparent sex and
age, alter your height by up to 1 foot, and gain features of
another species of the same creature type (although you don’t
gain or lose abilities as a result).
Doppelganger morphic skin ofers the same options as the
advanced model, as well as the ability to assume a specifc
individual’s appearance within the augmentation’s limits. When
mimicking an individual this way, you gain a +10 circumstance
bonus to your Disguise check to alter your form and to skill
checks to bypass biometric security keyed to that individual.
Some awkward language here. Disguise self gives you a bonus because you've altered your form. Morphic skin gives you a bonus to your checks to appear as an altered form.
Since they are both circumstance bonuses, I think they can stack, but it's up to the GM in each specific case if they do stack.
I would run it as:
Master of disguise and morphic skin's bonus to disguise yourself as a specific person do not stack. However, quick disguise (and disguise self) can stack with morphic skin under the right circumstances. Such as changing your armor to look like a khalo encounter suit, then using morphic skin to appear as a specific khalo. You should get +20 to appear as a khalo, but only +10 to appear as that individual.
But expect table variation.
Without further clarifications, I would probably rule in the player's favor. More fun that way.