Can I do this with alter self?

Stalker0

Legend
I've heard of this tactic before, but I'm finally playing a bard with alter self, and want to make sure this is nice and legal.

Alter Self lets you turn into a troglodyte and gain +6 nat armor. Now my stats don't change, and I also don't get the trogs stink ability, so I'm still party friendly. As far as I can tell, there are no mechanical drawbacks to using alter self this way...is there anything I'm missing?
 

log in or register to remove this ad


Stalker0 said:
I've heard of this tactic before, but I'm finally playing a bard with alter self, and want to make sure this is nice and legal.

Alter Self lets you turn into a troglodyte and gain +6 nat armor. Now my stats don't change, and I also don't get the trogs stink ability, so I'm still party friendly. As far as I can tell, there are no mechanical drawbacks to using alter self this way...is there anything I'm missing?

Maybe it works, but you won't feel 1) really lame 2) a bit strange looking like this stinking lizard ?
 

Stalker0 said:
I've heard of this tactic before, but I'm finally playing a bard with alter self, and want to make sure this is nice and legal.

Alter Self lets you turn into a troglodyte and gain +6 nat armor. Now my stats don't change, and I also don't get the trogs stink ability, so I'm still party friendly. As far as I can tell, there are no mechanical drawbacks to using alter self this way...is there anything I'm missing?

Other than looking like a troglodyte, there really is no drawback. (Unless you follow the questionable advice the Sage published about humans losing feats when they alter self.)

Using a Hat of Disguise or other illusion magic is a common way of avoiding problems caused by your appearance.
 

This is the guide I use for Alter Self:

FLIGHT

Avarial (Humanoid Winged Elves) (Source: Races of Faerun, pg. 31)
Description: Soft, feathered wings spanning twelve to sixteen feet, usually white but sometimes gray, bown, black, or spexkled; Pale white skin with tinges of blue or faint silver; Silver-white or black hair; Large brilliant blue, green, or scintillating violet eyes; 5’9” height; thin graceful limbs and angular features.
Racial Skills: +4 Jump, +4 Spot, +2 Listen, +2 Search
Movement: 30’ Ground; 50’ Flight (Average Maneuverability)

BURROW

Asabi (Desert-Reptilian Humanoids) (Source: Monsters of Faerun, pg. 15)
Description: 7 Feet tall; 9 Foot long tail; Brown or Gray thick pebbly skin, fading to dun or light green on the belly; Yellow, egg-shaped eyes with horizontal slits for pupils; Limbs protrude from sinuous body at odd angles; Narrow, sloping forehead w/ protruding brow on head swinging from side to side on thin neck.
Racial Skills: Good jumpers. Max jump distance is 20 ft for standing jump and 15 for standing high jump.
Movement: 50’ Ground; 20’ Burrow
Racial Feats: Combat Reflexes
Natural Attack: Bite (1d4)
Natural Armor: +2

SWIM

Locathah (Fish-like Humanoid) (Source: Monster Manual, pg. 169)
Description: 5’ Tall, 175 Pounds; Fine, yellow-green scales; Large fins on its arms and legs.
Racial Skills: +8 Swim; Can always take 10 on Swim; Can run while swimming.
Movement: 60’ Swim

CLIMB

Spirit Folk: Mountain (Humanoid) (Source: Unapproachable East, pg. 71)
Description: Humanlike; Thin eyebrows; Pale or golden complexion; No facial or body hair; Hair on their heads is thick and luxurious.
Racial Skills: +8 Climb; Can always take 10 on Climb; +2 Balance; +2 Jump; +2 Tumble
Movement: 30’ Ground; 30’ Climb

GROUND MOVEMENT

Asabi (Desert-Reptilian Humanoids) (Source: Monsters of Faerun, pg. 15), 50’ Ground Move; See above

NATURAL ARMOR

Tren (Lizard-like Humanoid) (Source: Savage Species http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20040613a&page=4 )
Description: Lizardlike, human height; Muscular limbs, long slender tail; wide jaw with razor-sharp teeth.
Racial Skills: +4 racial bonus on Hide checks; Improves to +8 underground.
Movement: 30 ft., swim 40 ft.
Natural Armor: +8
Natural Attack: 2 claws (1d4+2) and bite (1d6+1)

STEALTH

Skulk (Camouflaged Humanoid) (Source: Fiend Folio pg. 154)
Description: 5 to 6 feet tall; Devoid of all hair; Gray, leathery skin that changes colors from subdued browns to lurid reds and yellows, and even human flesh-tone; Deep blue eyes that lack pupils.
Racial Skills: +8 Move Silent; +15 Hide
Movement: 30’ Ground
 

Caliban said:
Other than looking like a troglodyte, there really is no drawback. (Unless you follow the questionable advice the Sage published about humans losing feats when they alter self.)
What he said. My bard used this tactic all the time. It helped keep him survivable.
Using a Hat of Disguise or other illusion magic is a common way of avoiding problems caused by your appearance.
I wish I'd thought of that while I played that bard. I'd just drop the spell if we returned to town before it expired.
 

Mistwell said:
Avarial (Humanoid Winged Elves) (Source: Races of Faerun, pg. 31)

Asabi (Desert-Reptilian Humanoids) (Source: Monsters of Faerun, pg. 15)

Spirit Folk: Mountain (Humanoid) (Source: Unapproachable East, pg. 71)

I think I see a pattern here.
 




Remove ads

Top