Shape Change

Alteration [shape change, psionic*]

• • Level Magic-user 9

  • Components V, S, M

  • Casting Time 9 segments

  • Range Self

  • Area of Effect The caster

  • Duration 1 round per caster level

  • Save nil

The caster can take the form and all non-mental abilities of any creature type except that of a unique avatar-level being. Object forms may also be chosen.

• At the end of the casting time, the caster will change into the form as desired.

• While there is no limit on the form chosen, it must be a form the caster has studied or encountered.

• The new form has all abilities and resistances normal to the form—except for those that are "purely mental". See Limitations.

• The caster keeps all mental abilities and mental resistances of their original form.

• While the caster can select the exact features and coloration, even mimicking an individual, the form will be an average member of the race. Thus, the caster can appear as a famous fighter, but the form will be average in terms of statistics, average ability scores, and no special abilities.

• The caster is automatically proficient in any natural weapons of the form but does not gain manufactured weapon proficiencies (and the caster's non-proficiency penalty is unchanged).

• The caster can change form each round as an innate ability (minor action that takes 1 segment).

• Instead of a creature, the caster can become an object (including plants that appear to be rooted). If an object form is selected, the caster can "see" and "hear" as if in their original form. Object forms can move as per an animated object.

• The caster gains the creature sub-type (shape-changer) and the creature type or sub-type of the form selected.

Examples of Abilities Gained in the New Form. Aura, breath weapons, camouflage, continue to fight, damage resistance, gaze attacks, ferocity, resistances, immunities, multi-attack (with natural weapons), modes of movement (even magical), magic resistance, natural invisibility, senses, spell immunities, spores, venom, vulnerabilities/weaknesses (non-mental), etc.

Limitations.

• While the caster gains all abilities and powers of the form, abilities that are purely "mental" (and not instinctual) are not gained. Thus, spell casting and spell-like abilities are not gained with any new form. Likewise, psionic powers are not gained. Per the GM, any innate ability that is purely a function of mental action is not gained. Ability to speak a form's language is not gained (although if a form has no language and a speak with animals, plants, or monsters is used, it will work as appropriate). Ability to summon or call creatures is a mental ability.

• Attacks which are cursed are typically considered to be mental in nature (and not gained).

• Mental resistances are not gained (ie. immunity to ESP or immunity to charm).

• Ability to overcome damage resistance is equal to the form's damage resistance (but not hit dice).

• Creature abilities that rely on a creature's connectivity to other planes are not gained. Examples include energy drain or the ability to exist on both the Prime plane and the Ethereal plane. Thus, while the caster can become a "wraith", it won't grant the ability to move through solid objects.

• While most forms will have average statistics (particularly humanoid forms), the caster can control the size of the form, particularly for greatures with different sizes/statistics based on hit dice. In this case, the caster can choose which size creature.

• Items carried or worn will subsume into the new form unless the form can carry or wear them and the caster wills that they do not subsume.

• The caster cannot create spawn or reproduce.

• Food or liquid consumed will be transformed into digestible food stuffs of the new form and in a ratio that matches the new (or original) form. ie. a meal made in the form of a dragon, won't harm the caster upon changing into their original form.

• Object forms are limited to objects that weigh up to 400-lbs. or the weight of the caster's original form (whichever is higher). The minimum object size is that of a needle or strand of hair. An object must be considered a single object (even if made from parts). ie. A shield, a bush, a suit of armor, a door (hinged and attached; even locked), etc.

• If the shape change is due to a spell or spell-like ability, the effect can be dispelled with a successful dispel effect. If the form has magic resistance, this must be checked but immunity to magic does not protect against a dispel effect in this case. A supernatural-based shape change (lycanthropes, druids, etc.) cannot be dispelled.

Examples. The caster can turn into an iron golem to breathe on it's foes while attacking with a slam attack (caster's AAC0; 4d10 damage) then becomes a rakshasa (becoming immune to spells of less than 8th level), then becomes a flea, before turning into a shrub.

Material Components. A jade torc. The torc will not be immediately consumed and will drop to the ground adjacent to the caster when the caster changes form the first time (the torc cannot be subsumed). If the torc is broken, the spell ends immediately. Otherwise, the torc will be destroyed when the spell ends. Cost/Scarcity. At least 1,000 gp/Very rare (~1 week construction time/jeweler)

Known Additions/Substitutions. None.