Doppleganger / change shape question

[Zub]

A doppleganger can change shape.
THe change shape ability description in MM says I gain the extra-ordinary attacks of the new shape, plus I get the movement modes.

I believe a doppleganger is further restricted that it can only assume humonoid shapes, size small or Medium.

If there exists a humanoid that could fly via wings, and had the movement mode of fly (whatever) - the doppleganger gets that also - correct?
If another humanoid exists that has a poisonous bite the the doppleganger gains that as well?

What if there is a humanoid that had the swim movement mode and also had gils. would the doppleganger gain the swim movement mode and functioning gills?

What happens if the doppleganger is wearing clothes but uses his ability to disguise himself as a specific person? Will the appearance of his clothes change if he desires?

Also, is there any information out there about doppleganger culture or life? Something like the slayer's guide to trolls - that kind of material.

Thanks,
Zub

Thanks,
Zub

 

[Zub]

weekend bump

 

[Wee Jas]

Great questions....

I had the same. Can a doppel.. mimic clothing? What about weapons?

 

[Simulacrum]

NO (possibly ligh tight fitting clothes) and NO.

Doppelgangers like in the Monsters Manual are A JOKE.
LA 4? LOL LOL LOL. Thats is the most overblown LA for a crappy monster race like the Doppelganger ever.
If at all its LA 2. I have proven that once and it still bugs me how badly designed the doppelganger is.

Its only lousy two powers it has is reading other creatures minds (with a very low DC) and that can be detected with Detect Magic and even revealed with Arcane Sight, and the more than cheap "change self" ability that is more or less a joke too, because it can also be spotted with detect magic and arcane sight.

Doppelgangers = crap

for very low level campaigns they can do the bad guy, but thinking about that the Doppelganger is ECL 8 makes me LAUGH loud.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

The DC for Detect Thoughts is indeed easy, but the Doppleganger can try as many times as it wants. Eventually, everyone misses a save.

Only True seeing can reveal the real appearance of the creature. Sure, Detect Magic will detect some transmutation magic on the creature, but that could be practically anything

IMO (I'll admit I don't have that much experience with monstrous characters), the LA seems fine. They get a lot of stuff, bonuses on all abilities, armor bonus, Change shape ability, Detect thoughts... Such a character probably won't do that much in a battle-intensive campaign, but can do barrels in a city campaign.

AR

 

[Viktyr Gehrig]

They get really ugly with the Mindspy and Warshaper PrCs, too. They're one of the few critters in the MM that qualify for both automatically, and they can be scary in an urban campaign.

 

[ciaran00]

Doppelgangers = crap

Which is why, if you really love your players you will stick a greater doppleganger in their midst.

ciaran