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Message: <blockquote data-quote="allenw" data-source="post: 1493183" data-attributes="member: 12992">Here's a case that's come up in both of my last sessions,which is prompting me to rule that you *can't* become an advanced creature:  11th-level Druid is fighting Big Bad Spellcaster.  Druid Wild Shapes to a Constrictor Snake (normally Medium)... advanced to 10 HD (Large).  Druid grapples.  Apart from any STR increase, the Constrictor Snake's +4 STR mod, plus the Druid's +8 BAB, *plus* the +4 to grapple from being a Large creature, means that even a Cleric will be hard-pressed to escape if they didn't have the time and foresight to cast Freedom of Movement beforehand.  (Yes, lacking Improved Grapple the Druid is still subject to grapple-denying AoO's, but casters often don't threaten a hex, and when they do the Druid/Snake can still bite-attack normally and then use the Snake's "Improved Grab" on a hit.)  Unlike Vipers, Constrictor Snakes only come in two "standard" sizes: Medium ("Constrictor Snake"), and Huge ("Giant Constrictor Snake") .  Eventually the Druid will be able to manage a Huge constrictor, but not until 15th level; until then, I think he'll be limited to Medium.  This does, of course, raise the question of what age categories of Dragons are allowable Polymorph results.  If only "Adult" forms were possible, then even the White would be disallowed for Polymorph (though not Shapechange) due to the 15-HD cap.</blockquote>