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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Patryn of Elvenshae" data-source="post: 5657364" data-attributes="member: 23094">I think I've got it; maybe.No.  I am saying that, generally speaking, IME, YMMV, etc., when you need a disguise, either 1 of 2 things is true:1) You need a disguise that makes you look like something that is not you, and you need it right now.  It doesn't matter what you make yourself look like, as long as it isn't you.2) You know well in advance what, exactly, you need to look like.  You know that when trying to sneak into the Underhalls, that you need to look like a dwarf.  You know, when trying to weasel your way into the Count's party, that you need to look like Sir Stephan.In case 1, a spell that makes you (a human) look like a dwarf is just as good as one that makes you look like a lizardman.*  Therefore, there's no particular benefit to being able to cast a spell that lets you pick from a hundred humanoid races (Disguise Self) - the specific one (Lizardskin Coat) will work just as well with a much longer duration.In case 2, you know well in advance whether you need to look like a lizardman or a human or an orc.  Accordingly, there's no need for you to memorize the flexible spell (Disguise Self) if the specific one (Lizardskin Coat) is available.  The specific one gets you exactly what you want with a much longer duration.  Therefore, there's no meaningful drawback to the specific spell.In total, I am arguing that the "drawbacks" of the spell are not meaningful enough, in play, to justify the increased power.  Therefore, this specific disguise spell is more powerful than Disguise Self.  I don't think it's unbalanced, but I do think it is an upgrade - and therefore should be carefully watched / allowed.This, in my opinion, makes the specific spell a stronger spell, overall, than the general - especially when we are discussing wizards, who have no particular problem putting half-a-dozen specific spells in their spellbooks.  Sorcerers (and Bards**) will likely still stick with the general purpose spell because of their hard limit on spells known.* Note, we're talking about Ptolus here, where lizardman does not mean "kill on sight."  It could just as easily be "Eberron" and "orc."  The point stands.** Minor quibble with the original spell: This should probably also be a Bard 1spell.</blockquote>

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