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The most current version of Polymorph Self is in the Psionics Handbook errata at http://www.wizards.com/dnd/article.asp?x=dnd/er/er20010819a A couple points: You can polymorph into yourself -- from the 9th or 10th paragraph, "You can be changed into a member of your species or even into...

Actually, there is no reason you can't take 20 on opening a trapped lock -- the "penalty" is not for failing the open lock check, it's for failing the disable device check. If a PC doesn't successfully find a trap and then wants to take 20 on the open lock check, he would probably automatically...

You use your BAB, modified by your new Str or Dex (as appropriate. You use the monster's attack routine -- typically primary attack(s) at normal attack bonus, secondary attacks at -5. So if your BAB is +3 and you wildshape into a black bear (Str 19), you'd make 2 claw attacks at +7 and 1 bite...

Well, I know some will disagree with me, but I feel that the "enlargement" is actually a disadvantage if you don't give the stat increases. The DD player in my campaign agreed, and so we dropped that "feature" altogether (but still give wings).

Well, MOTW is actually a little more ambiguous on that point. While the shifter does gain extraordinary abilities, he does NOT gain the type -- there is no indication that subtype would be any different. Moreover, MOTW specifically mentions gaining the abilities of the incorporeal subtype of...

I'll agree that a shifter is "underpowered" compared to a 17th-level spell caster with Shapechange. However, I don't think that the difference is really that significant. Not all class combinations (particularly prestige classes) are equal. The shifter is an interesting "niche" class and I...

Reach is not an automatic function of size. Check the creature advancement rules in the MM -- reach is not listed as a ability granted by size change. Moreover, there are many Large creatures in the MM who have only 5 ft reach. Giving 10 ft reach would make the enlargement feature much more...

Actually, 10' reach is NOT one of the abilities granted by the enlargement effect at 5th level. According to the (2nd) ruling by the sage, you only gain the effects listed in the class description: adjusted claw and bite damage and -1 to AC and attacks. All-in-all, more of a penalty than a...

Depends on what you mean by "is it worth it". The class, as written, is definitely NOT a good choice for a straight sorceror. I actually altered the class in my game (dropped enlargement at 5th level, dropped the bonus spells, added +1 spell progression level at every odd level) for the...

Remember, the shifter can only assume the forms of creatures with which he is familiar . According to the sage, combat with a creature or a few hours of actual contact (visual study, etc.) would suffice -- not simply reading about the creature in a book. Thus the forms a shifter can take are...

How would someone get an "elder dragon" form in a non-epic game? Even the weakest dragon (white) has 18 HD as an adult (age category 6) -- it's even higher for the other species. Thus even at 20th level, only adult dragon forms would be available....

Unfortunately, until MM errata comes out (who knows when?), you'll have to use your best judgement. Remember, although the Sage provides useful clarfications, all statements are simply his opinion unless marked as "official errata" -- and even if it is "errata", you are not obligated to use that...

Actually, even the ring's description in the DMG states that it stacks with existing "animal friendship" abilities...

Arneson at convention For those who are interested, Dave Arneson will be the gaming guest of honor at the Trinoc-con sci-fi convention this year (Oct 4-6 in Durham, NC). Check out http://www.trinoc-con.org/

Actually, the OA Shifter's abilities progress more SLOWLY than a Druid's; they gain 9 levels of Druid Wildshape over 10 levels. The only real advantage is that they initially get Wildshape 3/day, instead of 1/day.

IMHO, the "charm" spells are far more evil than the "negative energy" spells. Certainly villagers would fear the necromancer that animates corpses -- but I think they'd fear even more the enchanter who can seize control of their minds. It's the unknown that people tend to fear; it's awfully...

IMHO, dropping psionic combat goes a long way towards making psionics viable (I would also suggest using the Bruce Cordell's revisions in If Thoughts Could Kill). This topic been beaten to death on the WOTC boards, but I feel that psionic combat is an uneccesary detriment -- displays and...

I don't know if this has been brought up, but I'd definitely recommend adapting Star Wars vitality/wound points and "defense bonus" systems, as "standard" D&D assumes an easy availability of curative and defensive magics.

By the PHB, Str applies to touch attacks and Dex to ranged touch attacks. One of my house rules, however, is that Dex applies to touch attacks instead of Str.

I still dislike the idea of so limiting the shifter -- after all, shapeshifting is ALL they can do. Even using familiarity=seen once can greatly limit the PC -- the power is completely in the DM's hands. If you plan to use one (or more) knowledge skills, I would hope that you would then boost...