Shifter and Templates...

[Dwarmaj]

Can Shifters change into Template creatures?

I don't see anything in the description of Greater Wildshape that would prevent it. Looking at the decription of a Half-Dragon in the Monster Manual, it has a type of Large Dragon, which a Shifter can change into.

Thoughts...

Dwarmaj

 

[Dwarmaj]

Bump...

As long as the Shifter has seen/studied an individual templated creature I don't see what prevents him from assuming a particular form that he has access to within size and type limitations.

Thoughts appreciated...

Dwarmaj

 

[Galfridus]

The MotW Wild Shape text says that you can only turn into an "average" creature of a given form: no strong humans, etc. The Sage has interpreted this language (prior to MotW being released) as meaning that templates are also out. I approve of this ruling for balance reasons; however, I would probably allow certain templates. For example, I would let a Shifter become a ghost -- but it would be a ghost of their base type, and they couldn't pick new ghost abilities each time.

IMO, allowing characters free access to all possible combinations of templates is asking for trouble.

 

[Dwarmaj]

Why not an "average" Half-Dragon/Half-Human? Half-Elf/Half-Human are permissable.

Sorry, I missed the Sages ruling. Any official errata on the subject?

Dwarmaj

 

[Mahali]

I'd allow the shifter to get templates (as long as it keeps within HD limits) of template-creatures it's familiar with.

So you can be a half-dragon something or dire-something if you're familiar with that something but not half-dragon something else because you're not familiar with it.

This means you're familiar with the creature not the template.

 

[thundershot]

That's how I'll be doing it. When the character reaches the appropriate level, I'll have him make a list of things that he wants to turn into, and if I can confirm that he saw it, then it's fine. The only half-dragons any of the characters have seen are the one in the party (half-blue/half-elf) and the half-red/half-squirrels... <evil grin> neither of which was Large. Should be interesting.


Chris