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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jeremy E Grenemyer" data-source="post: 1843418" data-attributes="member: 12388">Long post, be warned....Hello FrankinLondon,I have two Wizard PCs in my campaign that can cast Shapechage (both are now 20th level).  Despite this, we (including myself as DM) still have a lot of fun --and Shapechange makes it funner for everyone.Here are some of the clarifications, house-rules and ways in which I handle Shapechange IM3.5C: <ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The caster’s total Hit Dice (from all classes) count as “creature Hit Dice” for determining the DCs of all Su and Ex abilities gained by Shapechange (in addition to the caster’s ability scores).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Changes to a Constitution score via Shapechange always affect HP.  (The Alter Self wording doesn't contradict this).</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The expiration of limited use abilities (such as 1/day and 3/day Supernatural and Extraordinary abilities), limited resource abilities (like a Guardinal’s Lay On Hands ability) and timed resource abilities (i.e. a Dragon’s Breath Weapon) lasts for the duration of each casting of Shapechange. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Thus, if a Shapechanged PC becomes an Avoral (a kind of Guardinal) and uses up its Lay on Hands ability to save a fellow PC, he can’t use an Avoral’s LoH ability again –even if the PC changes into something else and then changes back into an Avoral– until the PC recasts Shapechange.  Similarly, a Shapechanged PC using a Red Dragon’s Breath Weapon must wait 1d4 rounds to use it again.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> A Balor grants the Vorpal Quality to whatever slashing weapon it wields, much like a Cornugon (Horned Devil) grants the Stun ability to any Spiked Chain it wields.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> In order for a PC to use Shapechange to assume the form of a creature the PC hasn’t encountered before, that PC must make a Knowledge Check against a DC of 20+HD of the form as appropriate.  Thus, the DC for a Knowledge: Planes check to become a Cornugon would be (20+15) 35.  The Knowledge: Dungeoneering DC to become a Beholder would be (20+11) 31.  The player can make one attempt per specific creature per level, and can only retry the check if he spends time learning and studying about the creature in a suitable library, for at least a number of days equal to half the original DC.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> I allow players to assume advanced forms of a creature, but I don’t allow players to bog the game down figuring out an advanced forms stats (they do this ahead of time or they can’t become that creature). </li> </ul>Lastly, anticipate and be ready to get used to the concept of Shapechanged PCs always being at full hit points (Twelve-Headed Hydra form for Fast Healing 22), using bizarre and time consuming tactics (Beholder form to use all its eye rays, including a Telekinesis disarm attempt on your BBEG, or an Air Elemental’s Whirlwind attack), being healers (the aforementioned Guardinal forms), having complete battlefield mobility (Imp form while Hasted for 80’ Fly speed at perfect maneuverability) and access to all energy types (a different Dragon Breath Weapon every round).The trick I’ve found most useful when planning is to simply imagine how I would use Shapechange to overcome an encounter.  It’s also not that hard to bait Shapechanged PCs into overextending themselves (like doing so much damage to a Shapechanged PC --preferably when they’re in a form that can’t cast spells-- that they can’t shapechange into any other form with a low Con score or they’ll die from loss of HP).Finally, make Shapechanging PCs do all their stat-work (for the forms they’re likely to take) well ahead of time and encourage them to understand how those form’s abilities work.Good luck with your game!J. Grenemyerps:  What module are you running, if you don't mind my asking?</blockquote>

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