Even though I've DM'ed for years, I am still somewhat new adjudicating rules for pathfinder and frequently find myself at a loss for certain interpretations for how some indirectly-linked rules should apply.
For example, for one game I'm running, one player is playing an Elemental Fire bloodlined Eldritch Knight. His plan will eventually pick up Elemental Body I from his bloodline, which seems to come with a host of rule issues that I'd like to keep within scope before he gets it and starts that discussion.
This in mind, there's no real question that he would be able to continue to use spells (within confines of Eschew). However, there are two surprising gaps. First, the spell effect text explicitly lays out "size" modifications to Dexterity and Natural Armor (which seems racial, not size), and omits many other gained features of the 'Small Elemental' like would be seen in a true Polymorph effect anywhere else. In later iterations of the spell, they are expicitely mentioned, but omitted from earlier ones, which isn't enough to prepare a proper argument.
I'm left holding in my hands two options, to either rule a 'true polymorph' where the caster gains Elemental Traits and incidental modifications due to size, or an 'Imitation Polymorph' where only the spell effect and Polymorph-subschool rules apply, the players size is shifted to Small with no change in Attack, AC, CMB/CMD, or Sneak as appropriate, and does not qualify for the Elemental Traits block.
The second awkward ruling is whether or not armor and weapons would transition to still be usable, since an elemental (as per subtype, the only mention of any equipment proficiency) indicates he would be capable of using armor and weapons, thus may invoke the 'adaptation' rule rather than the 'absorption'.
Am I missing anything or have any insights into an 'appropriate' ruling that would best keep things 'by the book'?
For example, for one game I'm running, one player is playing an Elemental Fire bloodlined Eldritch Knight. His plan will eventually pick up Elemental Body I from his bloodline, which seems to come with a host of rule issues that I'd like to keep within scope before he gets it and starts that discussion.
This in mind, there's no real question that he would be able to continue to use spells (within confines of Eschew). However, there are two surprising gaps. First, the spell effect text explicitly lays out "size" modifications to Dexterity and Natural Armor (which seems racial, not size), and omits many other gained features of the 'Small Elemental' like would be seen in a true Polymorph effect anywhere else. In later iterations of the spell, they are expicitely mentioned, but omitted from earlier ones, which isn't enough to prepare a proper argument.
I'm left holding in my hands two options, to either rule a 'true polymorph' where the caster gains Elemental Traits and incidental modifications due to size, or an 'Imitation Polymorph' where only the spell effect and Polymorph-subschool rules apply, the players size is shifted to Small with no change in Attack, AC, CMB/CMD, or Sneak as appropriate, and does not qualify for the Elemental Traits block.
The second awkward ruling is whether or not armor and weapons would transition to still be usable, since an elemental (as per subtype, the only mention of any equipment proficiency) indicates he would be capable of using armor and weapons, thus may invoke the 'adaptation' rule rather than the 'absorption'.
Am I missing anything or have any insights into an 'appropriate' ruling that would best keep things 'by the book'?
