[3.5] Build Help for Transmuter/Master Transmogrofist

[Nautilust]

Alright so the whole Dragonwrought Kobold Loredrake thing didn't hold up after my GM did some research. SO here goes plan #4. A Transmuter X/ Master Transmogrofist X. I know it's not the most optimized build in that it loses 4 caster levels. Ouch! But it bulks up some of my most favorite spells and makes them even more awesome.

So what feats should I take, other than Able learner to swing the prerequisites better. And Practiced Spellcaster to make up for the loss of CL. Maybe Minor Shifter i read about that over on the Gish handbook when I was making a Gish.

Also what race should I play. I was thinking about Changeling. More shapeshifting fun and access to Able Learner. . . I think?

Plus I don't have to figure out the soulmelding system, i mean it's easy enough I just don't feel like doing much more reading than I have to.

[bahamut920]

Ironically, despite being half-human/half-doppelganger, changelings have neither of those subtypes and thus by RAW technically don't qualify for Able Learner. But that's dumb, because the feat is exclusive to not one but both of their parent races, so it's a perfectly reasonable houserule to give them the human subtype and allow them to qualify for the feat. However, if your DM is a stickler for RAW, he might refuse to do that.

You might want to just say screw it on caster levels and go wizard 3/master specialist 4/master transmogrifist 10/warshaper 3 (order of MT and warshaper levels TBD; taking warshaper 1 quickly for immunity to stunning and crits is a solid idea). 3 levels of warshaper give you immunity to stunning and crits, bigger (or more) natural weapons, +4 Str and Con, and +5 ft reach (all abilities only when polymorphed).

[Thurbane]

Ironically, despite being half-human/half-doppelganger, changelings have neither of those subtypes and thus by RAW technically don't qualify for Able Learner.

RoD (p.116) does make a recommendation regarding adapting Chameleon to be open to Changelings, and by extension, allowing them to take Able Learner.

[Venger]

changeling is a great idea, since it allows you to enter via changeling wizard (best wizard)

it's advisable to delay entry by one level, taking your first level of mt at 9, getting the largest number of 15HD forms.

Here are my notes on playing master transmogrifists including suggested favored forms and other useful abilities.


Great! Here's all my notes:


• Replace the base form’s natural armor bonus with that of
the second form.

Gray Linnorm (MM2 141): +19

• Add the second form’s movement modes.
Earth Glide
Swim
Fly: 90 perfect (ocularon FF 132), 120 average (dragonhawk 5N 46)
Burrow (leaves tunnel):
Climb: Perfect climbing (stone drake RoS 190)
Running: 60ft varag

• Add one of the second form’s natural attack types (with
the appropriate reach), if the base form doesn’t have that
attack type already.

• Add an extraordinary special attack of the second form.

Pounce
Imp Grab
Swallow Whole
Mind Feed: Phthisic (XPH 206)
Trample

POISON
STR: Darkweaver 2d4 (FF 39)
DEX:
CON: Guardian Naga 1d10

STATUS
BLIND: Poison spray (swindlespitter MM3 41) secondary 1d4 con
PARALYZE: 1d8+5 weeks Spider eater
ABILITY DAMAGE
Vitality Drain (Dolgaunt ECS 285)


• Add an extraordinary special quality of the second form.

SENSES
Keen Sight (kuo-toa mm 164)

MORPHY STUFF
Mimic shape (mimic)
Lightning strike (dire tortoise sandstorm 152)
Capsize (dragon turtle)
Airy (snowflake ooze mm3 161)
Increased Damage (fang dragon draconomicon 160)
Rusting Bite (rust dragon draconomicon 187)


REGENERATION

Acid 9: war troll
Sonic 5: crystalline troll

FAST HEALING
15: Steelwling (MM5 168)

IMMUNITIES

ENERGY
Fire: Fire Troll
Acid: Crystalline Troll
Sonic: Destruchan
Cold: Frost Giant
Electric: Shambling Mound

Magic immunity: will o’ wisp

Fort saves: Xern MM4 195

Gaze attacks, illusions, visual effects, etc: Grimlock


• Replace one of the base form’s physical ability scores, if
both the base form and the second form are the same size
Category

STRENGTH
Fine:
Diminutive:
Tiny:
Small:
Medium:
Large: Firbolg 36 (MM2 101)
Huge: 35 Mountain Troll (MM3 180)


DEXTERITY
Fine:
Diminutive:
Tiny:
Small: 29 Will o’ Wisp
Medium: 26 Verdant Prince (MM4 172)
Large: 28 Jungle Giant (SoX 77)
Huge:


CONSTITUTION
Fine:
Diminutive:
Tiny:
Small:
Medium:
Large: 29 dissolution ooze (moI)
Huge: 31 Mountain Troll (MM3 180)


1: cave troll, will o wisp, tendriculos
2: same
3: cave troll, will o wisp, tendriculos, chuul
4: cave troll, will o wisp, chuul, ironmaw
5: cave troll, will o wisp, ironmaw, ocularon, gray linnorm
6: same
7: mountain troll, will o wisp, ironmaw, ocularon, gray linnorm, arcane ooze
8: same
9: mountain troll, will o wisp, ironmaw, ocularon, gray linnorm, arcane ooze, kuo-toa leviathan
10: same

Ocularon 12HD (ff 132)
War troll 12HD mm3 181
Chuul 11HD mm1 36
Bloodfire ooze 12HD MM4 18
Steelwing 15hd mm5 168
Cave troll 9 HD (MM3 177)
mountain troll 15HD (MM3 180)
will o wisp 9HD (mm1 255)

for the rest of your build, I highly suggest paragnostic apostle. it's full casting and gives some goodies including a boost to transmutation magic.