[3.5] Master Transmogrifist build help

[Ryulin18]

I've decided to say, "Screw the rest of my party" and want to build a master transmogrifist.

So what's the best way to get into it? I was thinking:

Specialist wizard x/ master specialist x / Master trans 10

Seems fair? :smallamused:

[Flickerdart]

Shapechange is better than all of Master Transmogrifist.

If you're mixing it up in melee then Abjurant Champion will probably suit you better than Master Specialist.

[Mystify]

That seems like a decent way to go about it.
The master specialist is pretty nifty. Spell focus transmutation doesn'tdirectly help your polymorphing, but its not a bad choice. It also has the advantage of 4th level entry, so you can take 7 levels of it and still get all ten levels of transmogrifist, which gives you the moderate esoteria. This doesn't really help your polymorphing, but there isn't much that would. Warshaper, I guess, but unless you are gestalt you don't want to lose more caster levels. The minor esoteria can be handy for this build.

be sure to pick up practiced spellcaster to make up for the lost caster levels from transmogrifist. The lost spell levels suck, esp. since you will never get shapechange pre-epic, but if you are focused on polymorphing into things and killing them, its not as big a deal.

Also consider that arcane thesis (polymorph) can be very valuable for a build like this.

[Mystify]

Shapechange is better than all of Master Transmogrifist.

If you're mixing it up in melee then Abjurant Champion will probably suit you better than Master Specialist.

But master transmogrifist works before 17th level. And its capstone is pretty sweet. A master transmogrifist with shapechange is great fun, but would require some kind of trick to pull off pre-epic.

[Dusk Eclipse]

But master transmogrifist works before 17th level. And its capstone is pretty sweet. A master transmogrifist with shapechange is great fun, but would require some kind of trick to pull off pre-epic.

Lore Drake Dragonwrought Kobold with the Greater Draconic Rite?

I also have seen it used with Suel Arcanamach for a more gishy build, true you don't get shapechange or BAB 16; but it think it is an interesting idea and still quite powerful.

[Randomguy]

Pick up Sun Giant as a favoured form as soon as you can. 13 HD, 37 strength, 14 dex, huge size. It's in MM2 (of course). Get a sizing skilful weapon ASAP, so you get medium BAB on a weapon that can change size. Make it an exotic weapon, too since you automatically get proficiency with it anyway. I suggest a minotaur greathammer.

When you reach the master transmogrifier capstone, feel free to slap a dozen hydra heads onto it, or octopi tentacles or something. Or aboleth tentacles, which are capable of wielding weapons. Or dragon wings for their flight and the attacks.

Minor shapeshift is a good reserve feat to take: You can spam it to refresh your temporary hitpoints every round, or use it to get a few other situational, but handy bonuses. The +1 CL to polymorphing spells doesn't hurt.

Consider getting custom magic item that lets you use shapechange: a permanant 1/day item or a regular old staff, either one works.

[Venger]

Pick up Sun Giant as a favoured form as soon as you can. 13 HD, 37 strength, 14 dex, huge size. It's in MM2 (of course). Get a sizing skilful weapon ASAP, so you get medium BAB on a weapon that can change size. Make it an exotic weapon, too since you automatically get proficiency with it anyway. I suggest a minotaur greathammer.

When you reach the master transmogrifier capstone, feel free to slap a dozen hydra heads onto it, or octopi tentacles or something. Or aboleth tentacles, which are capable of wielding weapons. Or dragon wings for their flight and the attacks.

Minor shapeshift is a good reserve feat to take: You can spam it to refresh your temporary hitpoints every round, or use it to get a few other situational, but handy bonuses. The +1 CL to polymorphing spells doesn't hurt.

Consider getting custom magic item that lets you use shapechange: a permanant 1/day item or a regular old staff, either one works.

if you're staying in all the way, make use of the infinite variety ability to use the dusk giant's cannibalize ability while in whatever your favorite favored form is (12 headed pyrohydra is a perennial favorite) eat monsters, get more HD, win D&D.

[Mystify]

Magic immunity is a fun ability to combine into your form. Will o wisp is a convenient place to grab it from, and works for the basic polymoprh(golems don't since they are constructs). You can also get natural invisibility from them, which is interesting, but less useful for a caster.Obviously magic immunity is mainly useful when facing off against casters.
Minotaur's natural cunning is amusingly combinable with other forms. Find out what happens when you become immune to Maze after being trapped in it(since it can penatrate wll o wisp magic immunity)
I'd suggest finding other sources of magic immunity, and switch between them, so the DM doesn't know what spells penetrate it.
What makes it esp. effective is that other casters won't even know you have it. Everyone expects the golem to be immune and acts accordingly. They don't expect it from your other forms, and so are more likely to waste their turn on things you are immune to. It also makes a useful choice for the reflecive change ability. "I cast a really nasty spell at you!" "I become immune to magic!"