D20:Alternate Form Special Ability

[top]Alternate Form (Su)

A creature with this special quality has the ability to assume one or more specific alternate forms. class="errata" |
A true seeing spell or ability reveals the creature?s natural form. A creature using alternate form reverts to its natural form when killed, but separated body parts retain their shape. A creature cannot use alternate form to take the form of a creature with a template.
 This ability works much like the polymorph spell, except that the creature is limited to the forms specified, and does not regain any hit points for changing its form. Assuming an alternate form results in the following changes to the creature:
  • The creature retains the type and subtype of its original form. It gains the size of its new form. class="errata" |
    If the new form has the aquatic subtype, the creature gains that subtype as well.
  • The creature loses the natural weapons, natural armor, class="errata" |
    and movement modes of its original form, as well as any extraordinary special attacks of its original form not derived from class levels (such as the barbarian?s rage class feature)
     movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its original form.
  • The creature gains the natural weapons, natural armor, movement modes, and extraordinary special attacks of its new form.
  • The creature retains the special qualities of its original form. It does not gain any special qualities of its new form.
  • The creature retains the spell-like abilities and supernatural attacks of its old form (except for breath weapons and gaze attacks). It does not gain the spell-like abilities or supernatural attacks of its new form.
  • The creature gains the physical ability scores (Str, Dex, Con) of its new form. It retains the mental ability scores (Int, Wis, Cha) of its original form. class="errata" |
    Apply any changed physical ability score modifiers in all appropriate areas with one exception: the creature retains the hit points of its original form despite any change to its Constitution.
  • class="errata" |
    Except as described elsewhere, the creature retains all other game statistics of its original form, including (but not necessarily limited to) HD, hit points, skill ranks, feats, base attack bonus, and base save bonuses.
     The creature retains its hit points and save bonuses, although its save modifiers may change due to a change in ability scores.
  • The creature retains any spellcasting ability it had in its original form, although it must be able to speak intelligibly to cast spells with verbal components and it must have humanlike hands to cast spells with somatic components.
  • The creature is effectively camouflaged as a creature of its new form, and it gains a +10 bonus on Disguise checks if it uses this ability to create a disguise.
  • class="errata" |
    Any gear worn or carried by the creature that can?t be worn or carried in its new form instead falls to the ground in its space. If the creature changes size, any gear it wears or carries that can be worn or carried in its new form changes size to match the new size. (Nonhumanoid-shaped creatures can?t wear armor designed for humanoid-shaped creatures, and viceversa.) Gear returns to normal size if dropped.

Back to System Reference Document -> Combat Rules -> Special Abilities
 
This article is a D20 reference page
The System Reference Document is a comprehensive toolbox consisting of rules, races, classes, feats, skills, various systems, spells, magic items, and monsters compatible with the d20 System version of Dungeons & Dragons and various other roleplaying games from Wizards of the Coast.		 
Created by , 05-19-2007 at 09:46 PM
Last edited by , 10-23-2011 at 11:56 AM
0 Comments, 9,230 Views

Tags for this Page

Similar Pages

  1. Alter Form (Divine Ability)
    By Arjan in forum D20 system reference document
    Comments: 0
    Last Post: 05-19-2007, 09:46 PM
  2. Ability Score Loss (Special Ability)
    By Arjan in forum D20 system reference document
    Comments: 0
    Last Post: 05-19-2007, 09:39 PM
  3. Spells (Special Ability)
    By Arjan in forum D20 system reference document
    Comments: 0
    Last Post: 05-16-2007, 12:27 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

Posting Permissions
  • You may not create new articles
  • You may not edit articles
  • You may not protect articles
  • You may not post comments
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your comments

Forum Rules

BIRTHRIGHT, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, the BIRTHRIGHT logo, and the D&D logo are trademarks owned by Wizards of the Coast, Inc., a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc., and are used by permission. ©2002-2010 Wizards of the Coast, Inc.