Alter self

[Macbrea]

I got to reading alter self today and am trying to figure out if its more then just a spell to add a few things to yourself. From the reading of it you can polymorph into any creature with 1/2 your body weight. The duration makes it a limited polymorph spell because its 10/minutes per level instead of 1/hour per level. Am I misreading this spell?


Example: I have a human male 160 lbs. can he transform into the following?

1. An orc
2. A dwarf
3. A Doberman pincher (100lbs)
4. A tuna
5. A bear
6. A Griffon
7. A Sauhagin
8. A giant eagle
   [/list=1]

 

[Bonedagger]

I got to reading alter self today and am trying to figure out if its more then just a spell to add a few things to yourself. From the reading of it you can polymorph into any creature with 1/2 your body weight. The duration makes it a limited polymorph spell because its 10/minutes per level instead of 1/hour per level. Am I misreading this spell?


Example: I have a human male 160 lbs. can he transform into the following?

1. An orc
2. A dwarf
3. A Doberman pincher (100lbs)
4. A tuna
5. A bear
6. A Griffon
7. A Sauhagin
8. A giant eagle
   [/list=1]

1. 
   
   It isn't a polymorph per definition.
   
   Giving yourself wings is a nice idea but trying to become none-humanoid will probably give a very clumsy result. You might be able to appear to be a griffon (To a none-expert) but you will only be able to carry yourself (poorly) when flying. You will miss then natural armor of a griffon. Your ability scores will not change (So no strong bear here either). Your cloth may be altered but it doesn't become a part of you.
   
   Edit: And you don't get the attack routine of the new form (That means normal penalties for attacking with more than one weapon/claw).

 

[Madfox]

I also though that with alter self you should remain a humanoid.

 

[Bonedagger]

I also though that with alter self you should remain a humanoid.

Well. If your arms look like legs there's nothing preventing you from dropping down on all four. It's like a disguise. You will technically still be humanoid but you will appear to be something else. (You can alter your joints)