Shape Changing

Shape Changing Descriptor
Some monsters and characters have the ability to change form through various abilities and spells. Spells with this effect are noted with the [Shape Changing] descriptor. Unless stated otherwise in the spell's description, the target of a spell with the [Shape Changing] descriptor takes on all the statistics and special abilities of an average member of the new form in place of its own except as follows:

The target retains:

• Its own personality
• Type and subtype as well as gaining the shapechanger subtype for the duration of the effect.
• Class abilities
• HD and hit points
• Mental (Int, Wis, Con) Ability scores
• And weakness, vulnerabilities it possesses not related to type
• Its own damage reduction except damage reduction overcome by slashing, piercing, bludgeoning or adamantine or any combination of the four
• If the new form is capable of speaking or writing, the target is still able to speak and write languages it knows.
• Spellcasting abilities, though the new form may hinder ability to cast spells.

The target loses:

• Extraordinary abilities
• Enhanced sensory abilities (blindsight, darkvision, keen senses, etc.)
• All racial bonuses to Strength, Dexterity and Constitution and gains a bonus equal to the appropriate ability score of the new form -10 (if the new score is even) or eleven (if odd) or caster level, whichever is lower (minimum 2).
• All racial bonuses to natural armor. The new natural armor bonus is equal to the natural armor bonus or half the caster’s level, whichever is higher.

In all other ways, the target's normal game statistics are effectively replaced by those of the new form Except as noted below:

The target does not gain:

• Supernatural abilities
• Spellcasting or Spell-like abilities.
• Damage reduction except damage reduction overcome by slashing, piercing, bludgeoning or adamantine or any combination of the four

Items resize if new form is capable of using said items in the new form. Otherwise, it melds into the new form and becomes non-functional. When the target reverts to its true form, any melded items return to the location they previously occupied. Items worm by a form that is not the same type as the target fall to the target’s feet when they revert to their true form.

The target of a [shape changing] effect is effectively camouflaged as a creature of its new form, and gains a +10 bonus on Disguise checks if it uses this ability to create a disguise.

If the target is slain or rendered unconscious, the spell ends. Any part of the body that is separated from the whole remains in the new form until the effect ends.

Incorporeal or gaseous creatures, and swarms are immune to [shape changing] spells creature with the shapechanger subtype can revert to its natural form as a standard action.

Spells and abilities that use Shape Changing

All spells and abilities that involve changing shape now reference the spell shapeshifting III instead of polymorph. Polymorph, baneful polymorph, change self, alter self and polymorph any object should be removed from games using the new Shape Changing Rules.

Below are specific changes to abilities used by specific classes and monsters:

Alternate Form: Creatures with the alternate form Supernatural ability or similar abilities such as Change Self retain any spellcasting, supernatural abilities or spell-like abilities they posses when using their Alternate Form ability.

Druid: Wild Shape now references shapeshifting II and the druid must have had contact with the specified animal in game as per the shapeshifting II spell.

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