I'm piecing together a scenario where the PC's are pursued by a variety of different hunters (worshippers of Malar). I'd like them to be as exotic as possible, and I think a phasm will fit the bill nicely, probably with some levels in the Warshaper PrC (from Complete Warrior). Now I need to come up with a list of battle forms. Maybe some folks out there have had enough experience with polymorph to make some suggestions.
A phasm duplicates the polymorph self spell with a caster level of 15, so it can become anything between tiny and large size with up to 15 hit dice. It adopts the form's physical ablity scores (Str, Dex, Con) and gains any extraordinary special attacks (but no special qualities). I've picked a few good forms already;
Chuul--All of its special attacks (improved grab, constrict, and paralytic tentacles) are extraordinary. Decent AC of 22. Has a swim speed,
Cloaker--Can fly and its Moan and Engulf attacks are extraordinary.
Dragon, Young Adult White--Somewhat surprising (to me at least) is that dragons don't really make great polymorph choices on the whole. Physically they're pretty weak as monsters of their relative size category go, and their only extraordinary special attack is frightful presence, which most dragons don't get until after they've got more than 15 HD--the young adult white dragon is the exception. The white dragon form also offers a lot of movement modes: fly, burrow, and swim.
Fire Giant--Strongest form I could find, given the parameters mentioned above. However, it has a low AC without armor, which phasms are not proficient with.
Manticore--Flight plus lots of ranged attacks via spikes. Not-so-great AC of 17.
Roper--Good AC for a monster (24), and its drag, strands, and weakness attacks are extraordinary.
Rust Monster--Its rusting attack is extraordinary.
So, the purpose of this post is to A) submit these choices for review, because I might be overlooking some detail that would make one of these forms impractical, and B) to brainstorm some additional forms.
In particular, I'm looking for forms that bestow at least one of the following:
Remember to bear in mind the basic limitations of polymorph. For instance, no outsider or undead forms allowed.
A phasm duplicates the polymorph self spell with a caster level of 15, so it can become anything between tiny and large size with up to 15 hit dice. It adopts the form's physical ablity scores (Str, Dex, Con) and gains any extraordinary special attacks (but no special qualities). I've picked a few good forms already;
Chuul--All of its special attacks (improved grab, constrict, and paralytic tentacles) are extraordinary. Decent AC of 22. Has a swim speed,
Cloaker--Can fly and its Moan and Engulf attacks are extraordinary.
Dragon, Young Adult White--Somewhat surprising (to me at least) is that dragons don't really make great polymorph choices on the whole. Physically they're pretty weak as monsters of their relative size category go, and their only extraordinary special attack is frightful presence, which most dragons don't get until after they've got more than 15 HD--the young adult white dragon is the exception. The white dragon form also offers a lot of movement modes: fly, burrow, and swim.
Fire Giant--Strongest form I could find, given the parameters mentioned above. However, it has a low AC without armor, which phasms are not proficient with.
Manticore--Flight plus lots of ranged attacks via spikes. Not-so-great AC of 17.
Roper--Good AC for a monster (24), and its drag, strands, and weakness attacks are extraordinary.
Rust Monster--Its rusting attack is extraordinary.
So, the purpose of this post is to A) submit these choices for review, because I might be overlooking some detail that would make one of these forms impractical, and B) to brainstorm some additional forms.
In particular, I'm looking for forms that bestow at least one of the following:
- the best trample attack (which are by their nature extraordinary attacks)
- an awesome AC
- the best Dex available
Remember to bear in mind the basic limitations of polymorph. For instance, no outsider or undead forms allowed.
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