Polymorph question

[Popinjay]

When one polymorphs or uses wild shapein 3.5 does one maintain ones feats and spell like abilities etc?

For example, if one was a warlock or had fey damage resistance x/cold-iron would that stay in poly form? Or if one had a telepathic SU ability in their normal form, etc?

Or if one had the feeble flaw---does that stick around in poly form?

Pop

[cbaidchris]

also always wanted to know the answer to this. the feats in particular. any answers?

[TuggyNE]

This could have been in Simple Q&A, y'know.


When one polymorphs or uses wild shapein 3.5 does one maintain ones feats and spell like abilities etc?

Generally, yes; polymorph is based on alter self, which states
You retain all supernatural and spell-like special attacks and qualities of your normal form […]

You keep all extraordinary special attacks and qualities derived from class levels, but you lose any from your normal form that are not derived from class levels.

Most feats are Ex, though some are Su, and feats acquired at level 1, 3, 6, etc are acquired by virtue of having that many class levels (and are therefore "derived from" accordingly).


For example, if one was a warlock or had fey damage resistance x/cold-iron would that stay in poly form? Or if one had a telepathic SU ability in their normal form, etc?

DR from e.g. Pixie or other Fey creatures would not be retained. DR from class levels would be. Telepathy from race would not, but telepathy from class levels (Mindbender, anyone? Or Telepathic Communication Psion ACF?) would be.


Or if one had the feeble flaw---does that stick around in poly form?

It might or might not (it probably does), but it doesn't matter.
Your class and level, hit points, alignment, base attack bonus, and base save bonuses all remain the same.

Approximately the same applies to Wild Shape, which is based on Alternate Form:
The creature retains the spell-like abilities and supernatural attacks of its old form […]
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.

[bekeleven]

Yes. You keep feats, skill ranks, any anything related to your Hit Dice - including your health total, your base saves (although you abilities may change to modify them), as well as all extraordinary, supernatural and spell-like abilities of your race that do not rely on a physical feature, and class abilities, including spellcasting.

Note that you may or may not be able to cast spells or use all abilities, depending on your form.

Complete Rules (http://community.wizards.com/forum/previous-editions-general/threads/1060931)

Edit: Just noticed that Wild Shape allows the user to retain Extraordinary racial special qualities but polymorph does not. The more you know! For those wondering what falls into this category, well, elven druids can be longbow bears. There is actually a pretty small list of Ex racial abilities that aren't special attacks, natural attacks, natural armor or movement modes...

[killem2]

polymorph only restricts su and slas if your new form doesn't have the same physical capabilities such as eyes for gaze attacks or mouth for breath weapons