Reincarnate questions

[Liminal Syzygy]

1) Can reincarnate be cast with only a portion of the body? I assume yes since the spell says the "materials at hand" and needing an intact body as per raise dead is not mentioned.

2) Do most DMs whose players are reincarnated as high ECL creatures (i.e. centaur, satyr) apply the ECL to the PC, thus telling them they won't be gaining a level for a long, long time?

3) How would armor, etc. need to be refitted for a centaur or other monsterous humainoid? It is mentioned that magical armor adapts size but maybe it is going too far to have it adapt to form.

 

[Tom Cashel]

1. In my opinion, yes. The spell creates an entirely new body to house the soul. Keep in mind, though, that Reincarnate is not a bargain bin Raise Dead. It creates a whole new creature with a whole new life (and possibly a quite different personality!). The new creature has memories of "the majority" of its past life/lives, but it is a new entity for all intents and purposes.

2. Personally, no. Dying is bad enough--coming back as a bear/boar/badger/etc. and losing all kinds of spells and feats is enough of a penalty to add on. Most players will attempt to regain a humanoid form anyway.

3. Magical armor doesn't adapt to size, it "refits" itself. It won't change itself into barding to fit a centaur, but a chain shirt will "refit" itself for a humanoid, pixie, or even a bear.

 

[Liminal Syzygy]

2. Yes but those reincarnated as centaurs/satyrs don't lose much, in fighting or spell casting ability, and can potentially gain quite a bit. I guess you take your chances...

3. How would you adjudicate a player who has magical hide armor for instance, and was reincarnated as a centaur. Would they no longer be able to use it? Have to pay to have it "adapted"?

 

[Saeviomagy]

I'd suggest that a player should be penalised in some way via ECL, HOWEVER:

Note that a reincarnated individual does not gain hitpoints, BAB, or saves. AKA - any ECL which is attributed solely due to extra hit dice should simply not apply. This means that ECL for most animal forms will be minimal - It's based purely on the stats the animal has. If the player doesn't make use of the physical stats (ie - he is immediately polymorphed into a human, and stays that way), no ECL.

Most other forms will need some higher ECL. I can't imagine allowing the 9th-level druid spellcasting of a dryad for free.

You cannot use the standard ECL charts for this. It's purely a DM's call.

Finally: Note that the stats on some of the animals are just plain wrong. A wolverine should not have +10 str, +8 dex and +8 con - according to it's MM entry it should be closer to +4/+4/+8. A badger should be -2/+6/+4, not +4/+8/+4. Most of the animal entries are wrong like this.

 

[Lucius Foxhound]

Finally: Note that the stats on some of the animals are just plain wrong. A wolverine should not have +10 str, +8 dex and +8 con - according to it's MM entry it should be closer to +4/+4/+8. A badger should be -2/+6/+4, not +4/+8/+4. Most of the animal entries are wrong like this.

I think you're mistaken on this one. Remember, he's not being reincarnated as a badger, rather a magic animal who's a badger. So the stats you're quoting in the MM just don't apply.

Besides, how long would a character last as a regularly old talking badger? The spell adds the bonuses in to make the character playable .. otherwise, if you get reincarnated as an animal, it'd just be time to roll a new character.

 

[Tom Cashel]

Finally: Note that the stats on some of the animals are just plain wrong. A wolverine should not have +10 str, +8 dex and +8 con - according to it's MM entry it should be closer to +4/+4/+8. A badger should be -2/+6/+4, not +4/+8/+4. Most of the animal entries are wrong like this.

I have to agree with Lucius...the spell clearly states that you return as a Magical Beast, not an animal.