Character's "type"

[atomn]

Many PrCs have a final ability that changes their type. What benefits are given from the change? Does it just protect against spells where the target is a humanoid? Or are there other benefits (maybe a template or something) that goes along with it too? Thanks!

 

[Moon-Lancer]

when your type changes, you do tend to not be harmed by humanoid spells, but then again, you cant be enlarged as well (via enlarge person). You also sometimes get darkvision or other things listed under the type. If you get the elemental type, you may get immunity to criticals and such. It really depends on the type. if the type doesent eat or sleep you also dont need to eat or sleep. those are some examples i guess.

 

[moritheil]

Immunity to dominate person and charm person is often helpful.

Becoming undead makes you immune to a whole slew of things; becoming aberration qualifies you for weird feats; becoming dragon makes you immune to paralysis; becoming a construct makes you immune to lots of things; the list goes on.

 

[andargor]

And you also get drawbacks, positive energy harms instead of heals, sunlight becomes a problem, you can be hedged out by a magic circle, a slaying arrow might have your name on it, and so on.

 

[moritheil]

True. In particular, many alignment-based spells deal more damage or effects to outsiders, so becoming a natural outsider is not quite the boon that people often think it is.

 

[atomn]

Where could I find the associated benefits/detriments for the different types? Monster Manual perhaps?

 

[mikebr99]

Where could I find the associated benefits/detriments for the different types? Monster Manual perhaps?

Or here.

Mike

 

[Archade]

Good question!

I was playing a Sorcerer/Bonded Summoner, and I looked at what would happen if I became an Elemental - it's not all sunshine and lollypops ... although no longer having to sleep, eat, or breathe is pretty cool.

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Elemental Traits: An elemental possesses the following traits (unless otherwise noted in a creature’s entry).

Darkvision out to 60 feet.

Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning.

Not subject to critical hits or flanking.

Unlike most other living creatures, an elemental does not have a dual nature—its soul and body form one unit. When an elemental is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don’t work on an elemental. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection, to restore it to life.

Proficient with natural weapons only, unless generally humanoid in form, in which case proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry.

Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) that it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Elementals not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Elementals are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.

Elementals do not eat, sleep, or breathe.

 

[moritheil]

Good question!

I was playing a Sorcerer/Bonded Summoner, and I looked at what would happen if I became an Elemental - it's not all sunshine and lollypops ... although no longer having to sleep, eat, or breathe is pretty cool.

Elementals also have to worry about being commanded/destroyed by elemental priests. I should probably mention this, since you seem to have glossed it over.

 

[Len]

Many PrCs have a final ability that changes their type. What benefits are given from the change? Does it just protect against spells where the target is a humanoid? Or are there other benefits (maybe a template or something) that goes along with it too? Thanks!

Different classes work differently, so you have to look at each class description. For example, Dragon Disciple gets the half-dragon template, which changes your type to dragon and has other effects too. Monks become outsiders "for the purpose of spells and magical effects" but, unlike outsiders, they can still be resurrected.