D&D 3.x Creature Catalog 3.5 Overhaul Project

[BOZ]

This passage is pretty telling:

They also have the innate ability of shape change once in every 30 days; after 7 days in the changed shape, they must resume normal form. Particularly adventurous kenku have been known to use this power to assume the form of a god and accept offerings from credulous worshippers, and this is but one example of the bizarre uses to which kenku, and particularly the younger of the species, have put this power.

 

[Shade]

Yep, definitely. Time to add the Shapechanger subtype, eh?

 

[BOZ]

you think so? they can only use shape change (spell-like ability?) once a month. most of the rest of the time, they'll be using the disguise skill with a bunch of ranks.

 

[Shade]

Good point. I just looked at the eladrin, which all have alternate form and can use it more frequently, and none of them have the Shapechanger subtype.

 

[BOZ]

but, at least we have something to rewrite that power to. 1E recommends making it like the shape change spell.

when not using that power, i've always been under the impression that they use disguise to appear as human(oid)s.

 

[Shade]

Which ability do you think works better for these guys (with adjusted text, of course)?

Alternate Form (Su): A phasm can assume any form of Large size or smaller as a standard action. This ability functions as a polymorph spell cast on itself (caster level 15th), except that the phasm does not regain hit points for changing form. A phasm can remain in its alternate form until it chooses to assume a new one or return to its natural form.

-or-

Change Shape (Su): A doppelganger can assume the shape of any Small or Medium humanoid. In humanoid form, the doppelganger loses its natural attacks. A doppelganger can remain in its humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, but a doppelganger reverts to its natural form when killed. A true seeing spell or ability reveals its natural form.

 

[BOZ]

hmm, tough call. depends on if we want to limit them to humanoid form. if so, i'd say like the doppelganger, if not i'd say like the phasm.

 

[Shade]

Well, the original text doesn't seem to imply any limitations to humanoid forms.

Here's a better explanation of the two abilities (I never noticed this before!):

Alternate Form (Su): A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume one or more specific alternate forms. This ability works much like the polymorph spell, except that the creature is limited to the forms specified, and does not regain any hit points for changing its form. Assuming an alternate form results in the following changes to the creature:

• The creature retains the type and subtype of its original form. It gains the size of its new form.
• The creature loses the natural weapons, natural armor, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its original form.
• The creature gains the natural weapons, natural armor, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its new form.
• The creature retains the special qualities of its original form. It does not gain any special qualities of its new form.
• The creature retains the spell-like abilities and supernatural attacks of its old form (except for breath weapons and gaze attacks). It does not gain the spell-like abilities or supernatural attacks of its new form.
• The creature gains the physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con) of its new form. It retains the mental ability scores (Int, Wis, Cha) of its original form.
• The creature retains its hit points and save bonuses, although its save modifiers may change due to a change in ability scores.
• The creature retains any spellcasting ability it had in its original form, although it must be able to speak intelligibly to cast spells with verbal components and it must have humanlike hands to cast spells with somatic components.
• The creature is effectively camouflaged as a creature of its new form, and it gains a +10 bonus on Disguise checks if it uses this ability to create a disguise.

Change Shape (Su): A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume the appearance of a specific creature or type of creature (usually a humanoid), but retains most of its own physical qualities. A creature cannot change shape to a form more than one size category smaller or larger than its original form. Changing shape results in the following changes to the creature:

• The creature retains the type and subtype of its original form. It gains the size of its new form.
• The creature loses the natural weapons, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its original form.
• The creature gains the natural weapons, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its new form.
• The creature retains all other special attacks and qualities of its original form, except for breath weapons and gaze attacks.
• The creature retains the ability scores of its original form.
• The creature retains its hit points and saves.
• The creature retains any spellcasting ability it had in its original form, although it must be able to speak intelligibly to cast spells with verbal components and it must have humanlike hands to cast spells with somatic components.
• The creature is effectively camouflaged as a creature of its new form, and gains a +10 bonus on Disguise checks if it uses this ability to create a disguise.

 

[BOZ]

yeah, i'd take the first one.

 

[Shade]

So, something like...

Alternate Form (Su): A kenku can assume any form of Large size or smaller as a standard action. This ability functions as a polymorph spell cast on itself (caster level Xth), except that the kenku does not regain hit points for changing form. A kenku can remain in its alternate form until it chooses to return to its natural form, or after seven days have passed, whichever comes first. It may only use this ability once every 30 days.