Polymorph clarifications?

[Dingleberry]

Could someone point me to a good thread or other source discussing either/both of the following polymorph issues:

- any Ex attack routines a caster should still get, e.g., improved grab, constriction, swallow whole, trample (I kow there was a recent thread on this); and
- how DMs determine a caster to be familiar enough with a creature to polymorph into it.

Thanks.

 

[hong]

You get whatever abilities a real-life creature might conceivably get. Anything else is an empty ruling promulgated by excessively legalistic malcontents.

There is no requirement, per the rulebooks, that you need to be "familiar" with a creature to polymorph into it. Personally, I'd have no problem with any creature of a CR equal to or less than your level.

 

[Dingleberry]

Any of the other excessively legalistic malcontents care to add anything? Being one of them, I'd appreciate the input.

 

[IceBear]

I'm with hong, but by the book you only get natural abilities. Besides movement types and natural armor, there AREN'T any abilities listed in the MM that isn't EX, SU, or SP. Thus, no rake, constrict, etc.

Me, I think it's reasonable that if you can turn into a bird and fly then you could constrict as a boa. However, that's not how it is officially supposed to work.

IceBear