Magic Jar and Types / Subtypes

[Tyger]

When you use Magic Jar to possess another creature, do you keep your types / subtypes, or assume the type / subtype of the host body, or some combination of the two?

Case in point - you are a lich, you use Magic Jar to possess a living body. Do you still have the undead traits??? Some, obviously, can't transfer over (no CON score, d12 HP, etc as they are explicitly laid out in the spell) but what about using its CHA score for Concentration checks? Immunity to mind effecting spells?

Thoughts?

[derfenrirwolv]

When you use Magic Jar to possess another creature, do you keep your types / subtypes, or assume the type / subtype of the host body, or some combination of the two?

Case in point - you are a lich, you use Magic Jar to possess a living body. Do you still have the undead traits??? Some, obviously, can't transfer over (no CON score, d12 HP, etc as they are explicitly laid out in the spell) but what about using its CHA score for Concentration checks? Immunity to mind effecting spells?

Thoughts?

From the srd.

The body retains its Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, hit points, natural abilities, and automatic abilities. A body with extra limbs does not allow you to make more attacks (or more advantageous two-weapon attacks) than normal. You can’t choose to activate the body’s extraordinary or supernatural abilities. The creature’s spells and spell-like abilities do not stay with the body.

I would say that it has the possessed creatures type, not its old one, as the mere act of being a certain thing is about as much of an automatic ability as you can get.

Most of a lich's power comes from the unholy energy that keeps its skeletal remains going, energy that isn't available when the soul isn't bound in said skeletal remains. Likewise, it was immune to mind affecting spells because it lacked a functioning brain but its now stuck with that annoying fleshy appendage for good or ill.

[tundrawalker1]

Most of a lich's power comes from the unholy energy that keeps its skeletal remains going, energy that isn't available when the soul isn't bound in said skeletal remains. Likewise, it was immune to mind affecting spells because it lacked a functioning brain but its now stuck with that annoying fleshy appendage for good or ill.

Where did you get that from? It is immune to mind affecting spells because it is undead, not because of a brain. Where are you drawing your information from?

[Tyger]

Indeed tundra, but its no longer undead. It also has its immunity to poison and no need for sleep because of the type, but you would obviously lose that when you are in a living body.

[tundrawalker1]

Indeed tundra, but its no longer undead. It also has its immunity to poison and no need for sleep because of the type, but you would obviously lose that when you are in a living body.

Ah but is the soul undead? I would say not as you acquire the CON score which you cannot have as an undead so I would suggest the undead immunities and any templates that require you to be undead would not be accessable. But when said lich reforms via the phylactery, all would be good. But that damn Cleric of Pelor is going to be dead long before he gets within 60' anyway! lol