Alright Fenris. It's been a while since I've thought much about polymorph, but I think I have a few answers.
Fenris2 said:
1) I see its CL 7th which means 7hd max. But, if you create an item, you can set the level. How does that effect cost? Linearly, I presume?
Using the standard item rules for costs, linear would follow, yes.
However, in the initial post in this thread, I say
no custom items. Changing the level is a custom item. This is not the exact type of thing I was targeting with this, but close enough.
So, my first inclination is to let you get away with the hydra thing if you want to earn it by giving your character the power. With the caveat that you have sufficient ranks in the knowledge skill identifying the creature (I forget what it is for magical beasts.) I am contemplating a house rule governing this... stand by.
2) The power talks about no more advantageous than normal attacks, but what is normal? What you turn into, or you? That gets a bit messy with the "natural" attacks and iterative attacks. I.e. say a AB 6/1 and you turn into a tiger with 3 attacks + (maybe) 2 rakes. So, do you get 2 iterative atacks as per your AB, or do you get to make all 3 + (maybe) 2 of the tiger, but with a BAB of 6 in this case an no iteration?
You normally choose to do iterative attacks or an attack form, not both. What that line refers to is giving you multi-weapon fighting feat, I believe.
3) No size limit expressed in power? Unlike, polymorph, that leaves hydra open. A really ouchie, depending on answer to #2 and #1 above...
The FAQ suggests polymorph WILL do a hydra.
4) The power says each time you change back and forth you get a days rest in HP. Well, the abuse here should be danged obvious. Someone not thinking here I assume? Seems that needs a HR
That it may.
I'm not going to work terribly hard to nerf you here, as I feel you guys are in for a tough fight as it is. I may let the healing stand so long as you don't pass it around the party and the errata doesn't address that.