Shapechange - Too powerful?

[Will]

I also just found out that I missed the errata ... Shapechange was errata'd to only be up to caster level, not twice caster level.

That makes me feel MUUUCH better about it.

Thanks for the feedback, it's helped me feel more confidant about trying to run a game with Shapechange.

 

[Piratecat]

If he's getting out of line, sick a few Purivusits(sp) on him. That ought make him less cocky.

One line. Smiley. Obscure Scarred Lands reference. Hmmm... No backsliding, you!

 

[Nightfall]

PC,

Hey I figured since Will is a freelancer for S&SS/Scarred Lands, he'd appreciate the reference. Besides I could always try some Blood Sea reference instead.

 

[Count Arioch the 28t]

I also just found out that I missed the errata ... Shapechange was errata'd to only be up to caster level, not twice caster level.

That makes me feel MUUUCH better about it.

Wrong.

That "fix" was putting a bandaid on a sucking chest wound, that fixes nothing, the worst offenders of the lot have less than 17 HD (The earliest you will see this cast.)

the fix does nothing at all to curb the abuses on the spell.

 

[Will]

Arioch, would you care to, er, actually lay out a case for the abuse?

This is a request for info thread...

 

[Bauglir]

To be fair, I think just about the worst offender was the Dream Larva, when used by a 20th level caster. Nothing in the <17HD category can really compete with a mid 40's DC fort save or die effect, just for seeing the creature...

 

[SinisterMinister]

In the SRD's description of the spell it states: "...You can become just about anything you are familiar with..."

A druid shouldn't be able to change into a dream larva (or any of the other creatures you all are talking about) unless he or she has seen one and lived to tell the tale.

 

[Will]

Here's another one... how about a templated creature?

I threw a vampire air elemental against the party... that was fun. But now... well, it stands to reason Shapechanging into such a creature is appropriate.

I guess the rule would be 'template, but only if you encountered that specific templated creature.'

 

[EricNoah]

Hmm, if they encountered it I would allow them to choose a templated creature, but only if they do the stats homework ahead of time.

 

[Treebore]

I am sorry, but I am of the opinion if you have presumably played the character all the way up from first level there is absolutely nothing "broken" about shapechange or any other 9th level spell. You have payed your dues, now reap the rewards.

Any "broken" aspects of this spell is supposed to be balanced by the fact you took so long to earn it.

Now, because a few DM's consider it too overwhelming it needs to be "balanced". I am the DM, it is as balanced as I need it to be.

As to the flea going into a mouth and becoming a Collossus, you cannot shapechange or polymorph into something when you are in an area that is not big enough for it. That is in the books somewhere. In 3.0 it may actually be in a splatbook or an errata. In 3.5 it is in the books. This is because you do not assume the shape, size, and powers of what you are turning into until you actually complete the change. If you can't get there you simply cannot do it. Nothing in the Shapechange spell says you can overcome limitations of space available.

As for all the other horrible abilities of shapechange. They are fighting CR 17+ opponents. If the DM is worthy of the title the PC's need every advantage they can get.

9th level spells should make your jaw drop. They aren't supposed to be "ho-hum" after "x" levels of adventuring to earn them.