Shapechange questions

[Grant_Stoom]

Ok, finally got to level 17 with my wizard in a campaign that started with the release of 3.0. And I'm deciding which 9th level spells to take.

Shapechange - Looks very cool. Lots of variety. Also - lots of confusion. It's clear on which stats change and which stay yours. But on the abilities - am I right in thinking you do not get Spell-like abilities?

For attacks - let's say I change into a Pit Fiend. How do I figure up the attack bonus?

Do I use the stats/numbers right from the MM or do I use my own BaB + the Str of the monster?

What about multi-attack? Do I put a -3 on all of my attacks because I do not have the feat?

What about the other feats? If I don't gain those, do I retain my old ones?

Lastly - any suggestions for good shapechange forms? Solar has great resistances, Auras. Dragons have nice breath weapons, AC, Str, and attacks, Pit Fiends are all around nice - as are Titans.

 

[kreynolds]

But on the abilities - am I right in thinking you do not get Spell-like abilities?

AFAIK, yes.

 

[gfunk]

1. But on the abilities - am I right in thinking you do not get Spell-like abilities?

2. For attacks - let's say I change into a Pit Fiend. How do I figure up the attack bonus?

3. Do I use the stats/numbers right from the MM or do I use my own BaB + the Str of the monster?

4. What about multi-attack? Do I put a -3 on all of my attacks because I do not have the feat?

5. What about the other feats? If I don't gain those, do I retain my old ones?

6. Lastly - any suggestions for good shapechange forms? Solar has great resistances, Auras. Dragons have nice breath weapons, AC, Str, and attacks, Pit Fiends are all around nice - as are Titans.

1. Right, you get Ex and Su abilities but not Sp abilities.

2/3/4 Correct, you use your own BAB and the Str of the monster. In Pit Fiend form, you gain all of its attacks. You gain full BAB + Str on its main attack and a -5 penalty on all other attacks.

5. You retain all your old feats, don't think you gain new ones.

6. Solar/Pit Fiend are probably the top 2. Nightshade Nightwalker is also quite powerful. If you have a high Cha, then turn into a Bodak as your Death Gaze DC will be truly impressive (it was DC 28 Fort for my Sor 20!).

 

[ThirdWizard]

Do you get bonus feats that the creature gets? Not sure if that's considered Ex or racial or what...

 

[Velmont]

I just get lately trought the same questions and read all the three spells (Shapechange, Polymorphg and Alter Self).

1-2-3-4 You are right.

5 You win any bonus feats the race win. I can't tell any creature who have bonus feat by memories, but it does not include the human bonus feat (it must be the same feat for the whole race) and none win by the HD of the creature.

6 Personnaly, I favor the Solar, you just become invulnerable, at least at 17th. Do you know many creature with the Epic damage resistance or can cast a lot of evil spells? Moreover, when you shapechange, you can retain all the magic items that you could normally wear in your new form, so you lost almost all when you turn in a dragon, but a solar is humanoid, so can wear all except a robe/armor because of his wings, and because you can manipulate with his hands and can talk, you still can cast.

 

[kreynolds]

5 You win any bonus feats the race win.

You "win"? What is this? Bingo? Just kidding.

 

[Xarls Taunzund]

I'd suggest Balor as well, as an extraordinary ability they get a vorpal longsword. Mind you, vorpal got changed, thankfully, to only beheading if you crit by rolling a natural 20.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Lastly - any suggestions for good shapechange forms? Solar has great resistances, Auras. Dragons have nice breath weapons, AC, Str, and attacks, Pit Fiends are all around nice - as are Titans.

Choker, for two spells per round.

Anything Incorporeal, for... well, incorporeality.

Ethereal Marauder, for a quick escape.

Will-o-wisp, for natural invisibility and virtual immunity to magic.

Choker, for two spells per round.

Kraken, for 60 foot reach. (Although I doubt a sorcerer has Whirlwind Attack )

Kobold, for Light Sensitivity.

And there's always the Choker. Don't overlook him

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Hey, what happens if you Shapechange into a Black Pudding, Split into four identical puddings with a quarter of your hit points each, and then Shapechange back?

Four identical sorcerers with a quarter of your hit points each?

Or four quarters of a sorcerer?

-Hyp.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Hey, what happens if you Shapechange into a Black Pudding, Split into four identical puddings with a quarter of your hit points each, and then Shapechange back?

Four identical sorcerers with a quarter of your hit points each?

Or four quarters of a sorcerer?

-Hyp.

I THINK they'd become independant black puddings when seperated, and then wouldn't revert when the spell expired.

I think.

At least that'd stop the wizard splitting himself repeatedly and then casting still, silent, material-free spells at the rate of 1 a round for every hitpoint he has...