Polymorph question

[Wycen]

I was reading something that triggered a query in my brain. Polymorph.

Here is the text from the spell: This spell functions like alter self, except that you change the willing subject into another form of living creature. The new form may be of the same type as the subject or any of the following types: aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, ooze, plant, or vermin. The assumed form can’t have more Hit Dice than your caster level (or the subject’s HD, whichever is lower), to a maximum of 15 HD at 15th level.

Here is the issue. Aer is an aasimar monk character who has been changing into the archon form. Archons are outsiders. You cannot polymorph into the archon or any demon/devil/angel form unless you are an outsider already.

Can a native outsider polymorph into an outsider?

 

[Hypersmurf]

Can a native outsider polymorph into an outsider?

Let's take a look at the Monster Manual.

AASIMAR
Medium Outsider (Native)

ORC
Medium Humanoid (Orc)

HOBGOBLIN
Medium Humanoid (Goblinoid)

Can an Orc use Alter Self to become a Hobgoblin? They're both the same type - Humanoid - but they have a different subtype.

The key point is type.

An Aasimar is an Outsider, with the (Native) subtype. An Outsider can Polymorph into an Archon; an Aasimar fits that criterion.

-Hyp.

 

[Wycen]

What about an aasimar trying to polymorph into an air elemental? See, I don't see that happening.

 

[ruleslawyer]

Er, why not?

An elemental is not an outsider, meaning that the answer to this question has nothing to do with your original question. So no, an aasimar cannot polymorph into an air elemental.

Incidentally, why wouldn't an air elemental be either incorporeal or gaseous, anyway? I'm trying to figure out what they're made of...

 

[Wycen]

Whoops. I recently worked on a template that lumped elementals and outsiders together, so I wasn't thinking clearly.

As for what air elementals are made of. Dare I say it? Elements!
Really, incoporeal is meant for ghosts and gaseous form is an ability. I can see the arguement for both, however, you then have to ask, what is a water or fire elemental made from. You technically can't hurt a fire with a sword, can you?

So expediency plays a role.