Scent and Shapechange

[GodOfCheese]

Are there any rules on how Scent works with a shapechanging creature?

For example, could a creature with Scent tell the difference between character A and, say, a character polymorphed or shapechanged into that character's likeness?

Further, could such a creature track a shapechanging character effectively despite changes of shape in the interim?

This is tough because there are lots of spells that affect vision and/or hearing, but very few that deal with smell. Right now I'm thinking that you can disguise your scent using mundane means so long as you (or your disguiser) can tell the difference, and magical disguises automatically include this. To tell the difference it's like penetrating a regular disguise, except that the Disguise roll is opposed by the victim's Survival instead of his spot.

Has anyone else encountered this problem?

 

[kreynolds]

I have always assumed that shapechange and polymorph cover the scent factor (so a human shapechanged/polymorphed into a bear is going to smell like a bear).

 

[The Blow Leprechaun]

I have always assumed that shapechange and polymorph cover the scent factor (so a human shapechanged/polymorphed into a bear is going to smell like a bear).

The Bad Moon Waning adventure module states that normally, werewolves smell the same in all forms. Not sure how much water that holds, but it's an officially published adventure that takes a position. I'd probably rule that if the shift is to an alternate form (like a werewolf), it retains enough similarity of scent to be recognized, but polymorph effectively changes it.

 

[kreynolds]

I could see that working for hybrid form. If a werewolf in human form smelled like a dog, then everyone could go assuming people smelling like dogs were werewolves, which would just be crazy and ugly, and particularly mean for dog lovers.

Actually, I just don't want to overcomplicate things. First its lycanthropes, but then what? Nah, I prefer to leave the can of worms on the shelf and go for the corn.

 

[The Blow Leprechaun]

I could see that working for hybrid form. If a werewolf in human form smelled like a dog, then everyone could go assuming people smelling like dogs were werewolves, which would just be crazy and ugly, and particularly mean for dog lovers.

Actually, I just don't want to overcomplicate things. First its lycanthropes, but then what? Nah, I prefer to leave the can of worms on the shelf and go for the corn.

I think the Scent ability implies a little bit more keen sense of smell than the average person has at their disposal

That said, yeah, there's no need for this to be a complicated thing. Barring someone finding an arcane rule out of nowhere (I'm looking at you, Hypersmurf!), I'd say go with whatever advances the story in the direction you want.

 

[kreynolds]

I think the Scent ability implies a little bit more keen sense of smell than the average person has at their disposal

Hogwash. I can pinpoint by scent the exact location of anyone, even with a hot bowl of Campbell's soup in my face. Okay, so I can't. But what can you do? Huh? That's right...

...I'd say go with whatever advances the story in the direction you want.

Can't argue with that.