Alter Self and Scent

[lordjulius]

So Alter Self says that if the humanoid form you turn into has abilities then you get them. It lists scent as an example.

So what are humanoid creatures that actually have scent? I always chose Rat Folk but then I realized that scent is an alternate trait for them. Orcs can also take scent as an alternate.

While it sounds fun to cherry pick through the alternate racial traits I am worried that a DM might not like that idea.

So what humanoid creatures have scent as a standard ability and I guess which ones have it as an alternate option would be useful as well.

I know there are plenty of ways to get scent but I liked the idea of changing a variety of different humanoids that specialize in different situations.

[avr]

Polymorphamory. Alter self with notes as to what gets scent are right at the start.

[lordjulius]

Thanks! That is an excellent guide. So it looks like my go-to form for scent tracking will be a Charau-Ka. If I wear a little red jacket and a fez people will think I am someones ugly pet monkey.

Nothing weird about that at all.

If I want to look cool and maybe command some respect I can go with the Adlet which is kind of a humanoid white wolf.

[Ghostwheel]

Bugbear has scent. As a medium creature you also get the +2 to strength.

[Derklord]

lordjulius wrote:

So it looks like my go-to form for scent tracking will be a Charau-Ka.

AP 116 (Ironfang Invasion book 2) also has the Canopy Troll, which is a bit slow, but pretty good in combat (4 natural attacks, includign one with reach o.O). For some reason, it also looks a bit like a monkey (one from a horror movie, that is).

And because trolls are apparently the best humanoids, if you want a combat-suited medium form with scent, the Sewer Troll from Monster Codex sports three primary natural attacks, two of which have reach.

Full list of humanoids with scent:

Small:
Charau-Ka (ISWG)
Canopy Troll (AP 116)

Medium:
Bugbear (B1)
Adlet (B3)
Sasquatch (B3)
Wikkawak (B4)
Sewer Troll (MC)
Astomoi (B5)
Rougarou (B6)

lordjulius wrote:

That is an excellent guide.

I wouldn't overrate it - it's not always complete, and it makes some questionable statements (Thriae Queen "Best combat form at this level"? Seriously?). I recomment making a copy of this spreadsheet and using filters.