Is this legal? (MotW- Savage Species)

[Cheiromancer]

Ok. So the Assume Supernatural Ability feat could not be taken by a third level wizard who knows alter self.

So the conclusion, once again, is that Mandy has to use her 9th and 12th level feat slots before she can emulate a medusa.

 

[Malin Genie]

Whatever the requirements for Assume Supernatural Ability (I do not own SavS) it has been confirmed that the ability to CAST alter self is sufficient for entry into the Shifter PrC.

 

[LokiDR]

Whatever the requirements for Assume Supernatural Ability (I do not own SavS) it has been confirmed that the ability to CAST alter self is sufficient for entry into the Shifter PrC.

Are you refering to some FAQ, because that is not how I read it.

 

[Cyraneth]

Well, Mandy could just be a hengeyokai from Oriental Adventures, then... They've got a +1 level adjustment, but they have the alternate form ability. Thus, Mandy could become a full-fledged medusa at 8th level. Still rather appealing, isn't it..?

- Cyraneth

 

[Cheiromancer]

From the FAQ for Masters of the Wild:

Q: Does a character have to be able to cast a spell to meet
the shifter's alternate form requirement?

A: You can meet the requirement with any spell from the list
on page 69 of Masters of the Wild. You also meet the
requirement if you have a spell-like ability or supernatural
ability that mimics one of the spells on that list.

One hopes they consulted with the designer(s) of the class. The special requirement could be better worded.

Anyways... if being able to cast alter self meets the requirement for shifter, it should meet the requirement for Assume Supernatural Form. Which means that Mandy is legal... isn't she?

 

[Caliber]

Aren't Savage Species abilities supposed to be at least partially limited to Monsters only? I don't have my books so ...

Either way though, I'd still say no to the Assume Supernatural Ability. Just because Alter Self qualifies you for Shifter and having an Alternate Form qualifies you for Shifter in no way means Alter Self = Alternate Form.

I'd say Polymorph and Shapechange would qualify, but Alter Self just doesn't have the oomph. In my opinion of course.

 

[Kraedin]

Prerequisite: Wis 13, ability to assume a new form magically.

I would say that alter self fulfils the "new form" prerequisite. It allows you to assume a form that is new, after all.

 

[Cheiromancer]

Assume Supernatural Ability is a general feat, not a monstrous one.

But it seems odd, doesn't it; with a 17 Wisdom and two general feats, a 3rd level wizard or a 5th level druid can have any supernatural ability they want.

Is there something obvious I'm missing?

 

[LokiDR]

I find it strange that you do not need to change into (or even be able to change into) the form of the creature whose supernatural ability you want. Just because you can wildshape doesn't mean you can have the medusa's gaze. But, by the errta already published, this looks possible.

I see lots of problems in Savage Species. Girallon's Blessing has already started showing up in smackdowns. Blindsight can be abused, as seen in FR campaigns. Some would call half-ogre over-powered. The book, by and large, doesn't fit well with powergamers.

 

[Kraedin]

The feat that allows Huge creatures to throw smaller ones is rather overpowering. (Actually, I'm amazed that made it through playtest -- you can deal 40d6+ in one round at a rather low level.)

Also, many feats have even ability score prerequisites -- feats are supposed to always require odd ability scores so that there is a reason to have them.