Beast Shape question

[thecrimsondawn]

Does http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/beast-shape change your physical scores when you change form aside from the listed bonuses the spell gives you? It says you assume the form of the animal, so I would assume that also means you get that forms physical stats, with a little extra boost from the spell.

[Malroth]

actually no it doesn't the form itself is simply fluff and you only gain the listed abilities to your own stats regardless of the stats of the creature you change into.

[Psyren]

Does http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/b/beast-shape change your physical scores when you change form aside from the listed bonuses the spell gives you? It says you assume the form of the animal, so I would assume that also means you get that forms physical stats, with a little extra boost from the spell.

No, the adjustments from the spell are applied to your basic stats. This was done to make polymorphing weaker in Pathfinder than it was in 3.5. So for example, if you are a 6 Str halfling and you use Beast Shape 2 to turn into a dire tiger, your strength in that form will only be 10, even though a dire tiger's monster entry gives it 27 Str.

Shapeshifting in Pathfinder gives you:
- the base land speed of whatever you turn into
- all the natural attacks of your chosen form (and automatic proficiency)
- whatever the spell or ability you used specifically gives you

That's it.

[Eldaran]

The polymorph subschool explains it pretty well. (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic#TOC-Transmutation-Polymorph)