Best Outsiders for Alter Self and Metamorphosis

[Persiflage]

So, I've got my Cerebremancer up and running. I've managed to get a +0 LA Outsider past the DM (YES!) and now I'm looking for ways to abuse it horribly

I'm familiar with the Psion Handbook so I'm up with all the suggestions around Hags, Cloakers, Hydras and whatnot. However, now I've got access to the Outsider type, I wondered if anyone had any ideas about useful forms to take not mentioned in the handbook (which doesn't cover Outsiders).

I'll have access to Polymorph at 10th level as an arcane spell (months away from that at the moment), Metamorphosis at 8th (and I'll be taking Metamorphic Transfer of course, and possibly Assume Supernatural Ability for all-day-long Beholder shenanigans) but RIGHT NOW I have Alter Self.

The best 5HD Outsider form I'm found so far is probably a Medium Air Elemental. Does anyone have any better ideas?

 

[StreamOfTheSky]

How about Rast? Would you get the gaze attack and blood drain? Not sure you'd get the flight, it's listed under movement speed, but also as a special quality.

 

[Dandu]

Forms for Alter Self

 

[Persiflage]

You're right about the rast, StreamOfTheSky - you wouldn't get any of the extraordinary qualities and the flight is explicitly supernatural so no dice.

Thanks Dandu; I had run across that alter self thread and got all excited for a minute, but there are only five Outsiders listed... and one of those (Howler) is illegal for the spell as it has 6HD.

Any more recommendations? I'm certain there has to be something cheesy out there to keep me going until Metamorphosis

 

[krupintupple]

i'm hesitant about this, because you made it seem like he was already not really for it "...managed to get an XYZ past the DM!" i know you already know this, but DMs don't generally like being surprised and unprepared. maybe try to work out what is acceptable and what is not, so you won't have to "sneak" stuff past him in the future?

however, as far as outsiders do, isn't the Dwarven Ancestor a pretty nice boost for someone who wants some added oomph? 5HD, but it has a wicked boost to natural AC and some adamantine-based DR too! although, this might be the thing that makes him overrule your Outsider-type PC.

 

[Persiflage]

maybe try to work out what is acceptable and what is not, so you won't have to "sneak" stuff past him in the future?

I said "get", not "sneak". It was persuasion, not stealth; and the persuasion was involved in "allowing a +0 LA Outsider", not "allowing the Outsider type".

The DM is expecting cheese - we have an appetite for high power levels - SHE just doesn't know exactly where it's going to come from.

however, as far as outsiders do, isn't the Dwarven Ancestor a pretty nice boost for someone who wants some added oomph? 5HD, but it has a wicked boost to natural AC and some adamantine-based DR too!

I'm not at all sure about getting the DR with alter self, although it's not listed as a "special quality" so maybe... +18 natural armor is very nice though, thanks

Are there any Outsider forms (5HD or less) with useful racial bonus feats or skill bonuses? Obviously there's Track from a couple of doggy forms and Improved Initiative from Air Elemental, but can I add anything else to my arsenal?

 

[Persiflage]

On a related note (related from my point of view, anyway!) does anybody have any good suggestions for feats for a Psicrystal to take? Unfortunately it's not really gaining Hit Dice, but I've got a couple of feats to give him and I was wondering if anyone had any bright ideas

 

[Dandu]

Leadership.

 

[Persiflage]

Brilliant suggestion... Unfortunately, I'm a Cerebremancer. My Psicrystal is never going to have sufficient Hit Dice to take Leadership. I've got exactly two feats to take, and it's going to stay that way, worse luck