Slyth and their type...

[Perun]

Slyth and their tpe...

[I posted the same question on the WotC boards. Sorry if you read this twice ]

The FR accessory "Underdark" introduces a new PC race, the slyth (LA +2, no racial HD). Basically, these creatures, in their natural form, resemble oozes (it says they look like a puddle of mud). However, they have alternate forms resembling bald humans with rather bland , more roundedfeatures (IIRC). However, it appears the designers forgot to list their type (and, possibly, subtype) in the race description... It does not give any information, it only offers vague hints (descentants of humans and both water and earth genasi, aboleth experiments on humans and derro, created by Shar, etc.).

Aberration and ooze (both with shapechanger subtype) seem appropriate. I don't see any strong indications of an outsider (native, shapechanger) type. The (shapechanger) subtype seems appropriate for all options.

Was there any official comment?

Thanks in advance.

P.S. Also, if a slyth gains the (shapechanger) subtype, doesn't he seem like a prime candidate for the warshaper PrC from the Complete Warrior, given that his natural form is that of an oozelike creature? Lovely!

 

[Hypersmurf]

Moved to Rules.

-Hyp.
(Moderator)

 

[MrFilthyIke]

P.S. Also, if a slyth gains the (shapechanger) subtype, doesn't he seem like a prime candidate for the warshaper PrC from the Complete Warrior, given that his natural form is that of an oozelike creature? Lovely!

Good call!

I remember the race, but don't own the book.

I'd say either Shapechanger or Aberration, leaning more towards Aberration. They just don't seem...natural. Maybe Outsider? Elemental type?

 

[Camarath]

I have not seen any official word on this subject but here are my thoughts.

I believe the defualt type if no type is listed is normally Humanoid. But I assume that is not correct since no Darkvision is listed and almost every other Underdark race has a Darkvision enrty other than non-Humanoids who have Darkvision as a racial trait. I think the Slyth is type should be one that gives it Darkvision.

I think that the Slyth's type is probably not Outsider because the other Outsider in Underdark with no HD (the Gloomling) has an entry explaining that it is a Native Outsider. I do not think Elemental or Ooze work since the Slyth gains Immunity to Critical Hits and can not be flanked in its Alternate Form and those types have those properties innately.

I think that Slyth should have the Shapechanger subtype regardless of what type you decide on because of its unlimited Alternate Form ability.

So I think I would go with Aberration (Shapechanger) or Monstrous Humanoid (Shapechanger).

 

[Perun]

I have not seen any official word on this subject but here are my thoughts.

I believe the defualt type if no type is listed is normally Humanoid. But I assume that is not correct since no Darkvision is listed and almost every other Underdark race has a Darkvision enrty other than non-Humanoids who have Darkvision as a racial trait. I think the Slyth is type should be one that gives it Darkvision.

I think that the Slyth's type is probably not Outsider because the other Outsider in Underdark with no HD (the Gloomling) has an entry explaining that it is a Native Outsider. I do not think Elemental or Ooze work since the Slyth gains Immunity to Critical Hits and can not be flanked in its Alternate Form and those types have those properties innately.

I think that Slyth should have the Shapechanger subtype regardless of what type you decide on because of its unlimited Alternate Form ability.

So I think I would go with Aberration (Shapechanger) or Monstrous Humanoid (Shapechanger).

That's basically what I was thinking. I'd personally go with Aberration (shapechanger), since they mention in the Physical Description entry its natural shape is that of an ooze-like creature. That's the simplest answer, IMO, since it doesn't involve any guesswork.

Ooze would also work, but then one'd have to determine whether he gets immunities to mind-affecting effects, is he blind but with blindsight ability, etc.

Monstrous humanoid, IMHO, does not work, since it's natural form is not humanoid in any way, monstrous or not.

If there's no official reference somewhere, I'll go with Aberration.

Thanks for the input.

Regards.

 

[Camarath]

Monstrous humanoid, IMHO, does not work, since it's natural form is not humanoid in any way, monstrous or not.

You are right in light of the ooze-like form being its natural form, Aberration fits a good deal better than Monstrous Humanoid.

 

[RedShirtNo5]

I would definitely go with Humanoid (Shapechanger).

First, the very first line of description actually states "... slyths are humanoid shapechangers."

Second, note that the Alternate Form ability states "As a standard action, a slyth can change schape, assuming an amorphous form. ... Resuming her normal form is a full-round action ... A slyth an remain in amorphous form for up to 10 minutes per class level." Thus, despite the the flavor text in the physical description section, the rules text defines the humanoid form as the "normal" form.

Third, if the slyth were meant to be gain the benefits of not being Humanoid (and thus immune to charm person, etc.), this would be mentioned in the racial traits block, as was done for for the gloaming.

-RedShirt