PDA

View Full Version : D&D 3.x Other Shapechanger template 3.5



An Amy
2017-03-14, 05:15 PM
This is a template for a type of shape changer in a setting/world without doppelgängers, changelings or the like who can use some racial SU to look like someone else. This is not meant to be truly balanced as I intend to play this in a solo game without consideration for LA. But... I'd like some help establishing what LA this would be and if there are better features to add or some qualities to remove in order to reach some semblance of being balanced. My particular character is human and acquires this template in childhood.

One area of concern is the bonuses to bluff and disguise. It's essentially a +13 as it is written... not sure how to balance it or simplify it a little if it needs to be given that a doppelgänger that does the same thing gets a +14 from the change shape.

Shapechanger Template

+2 Charisma
Size remains the same as the base creature
+4 bonus on Bluff and Disguise checks. When a Shapechanger uses its Change Shape ability, it receives a +10 circumstance bonus on disguise checks. For each round the shape changer uses its Drain Thoughts and Memories ability on an opponent, the Shapechanger gains an additional +1 circumstance bonus on bluff and disguise checks (minimum +3).
Special Attacks: Drain Thoughts and Memories
Special Qualities: Change Shape (su), immunity to sleep and charm effects
Bluff and Disguise become class skills.


Drain Thoughts and Memories (Su): This ability functions like detect thoughts except that it can only target a single person. Additionally, the shapechanger can initiate physical contact with the target of this ability and continue its effects. If the target fails their save for the 4th round, the Shapechanger begins to read the target's memories beginning with the most recent (last hour). As well, the target takes 1 point of temporary Intelligence damage. For each additional round that physical contact is maintained and the target creature continues to fail the saving throw against this ability, the Shapechanger learns more and more memories from the target creature going back a week, then a month, then a year and longer. Each round the target creature fails the will save beyond the 3rd, they take 1 additional point of temporary Intelligence damage. A successful save after the 3rd round renders the target creature immune to this particular Shapechanger's drain thoughts and memories ability for 24 hours.

Change Shape (Su): The Shapechanger can assume the shape of any small or medium humanoid or monstrous humanoid. In humanoid form, the Shapechanger loses its natural attacks. A Shapechanger can remain in its humanoid or monstrous humanoid form until it chooses to assume a new one. A change in form cannot be dispelled, and a Shapechanger does not revert to its natural form when killed. In fact, the Shapechanger loses its natural form permanently. A true seeing spell or ability therefore reveals not its natural form but does indicate that nature of the Shapechanger's ability.

In order to learn a new form, the Shapechanger must use their Drain Thoughts and Memories ability on a target creature for at least 3 rounds. They can only assume the form of an existing, specific target creature. The Shapechanger can store forms and, at-will, can change into any of those forms as a free action. It can know a number of forms equal to its Constitution bonus (if any) plus its Hit Die. When it has learned its maximum number of forms, in order to obtain a new form, the Shapechanger must chose a previous form to forget.