Implications of the Aberrate spell

[RUMBLETiGER]

I recently came across the Aberrate spell (Book of Vile Darkness p. 84) which reads, in part,
"The caster transforms one creature into an aberration..."
I'm trying to understand the potential applications of this. First, does this mean the creature's type changes to Aberration?
If so, does this expand options for the Alter Self spell?
If so, can this make creatures like Oozes, Plants, Constructs, Undead into Sneak Attackable creatures?
Does it grant a CON score when Undead and Constructs are now Aberrations?
Can a Construct now be healed?
Is an Undead no longer affected by negative energy?

How much does this level 1 spell really do?

 

[dragonfriend7738]

I don't remember- is this a permanent effect?

Edit:
After looking up the spell, I'd say that while a target is under the spells influence, it is treated exactly the same way you would treat any other aberration- including criticals, healing, and turn abilities. As for Alter Self, the same limitations apply. If you cast Abberate on yourself, you cannot use Alter Self to become a human, because you must stay within your own character type.

Whether or not you should allow this spell to be cast in conjunction with Permanency, is another matter entirely.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

I don't remember- is this a permanent effect?

Edit:
After looking up the spell, I'd say that while a target is under the spells influence, it is treated exactly the same way you would treat any other aberration- including criticals, healing, and turn abilities. As for Alter Self, the same limitations apply. If you cast Abberate on yourself, you cannot use Alter Self to become a human, because you must stay within your own character type.

Whether or not you should allow this spell to be cast in conjunction with Permanency, is another matter entirely.

I hadn't considered making the spell permenent. Duration is 10 minutes.

I'm not asking if the Alter Self would allow you to turn human, I'm asking if while under the effect of this spell, can I become aberration forms?

 

[dragonfriend7738]

I hadn't considered making the spell permenent. Duration is 10 minutes.

I'm not asking if the Alter Self would allow you to turn human, I'm asking if while under the effect of this spell, can I become aberration forms?

Depends on if you want to go by RAW or not. Alter Self states "You assume the form of a creature of the same type as your normal form."

So, if you're targeted by the Aberrate spell, but you're normally a human, then you can only become humanoid using alter self- regardless of what other magical effect you are currently under.

Unless you (and your DM) interperet the 'normal form' to mean your base creature type, which in this case has temporarily changed to aberration.

I personally would go with the second option, simply because it opens up more possibilities for the player.