Part Two covered some fundamental aspects of polymorphing by examining the alter self spell in detail. This time, we'll look at the polymorph spell. As noted in the Player's Handbook,polymorph works much like alter self, with a few changes. The polymorph spell allows for a much greater degree of change than alter self, and it also introduces a few new twists and complications. Here's an overview of the polymorph spell:

• Touch range spell with a target entry of "willing living creature touched."

You can use polymorph to change yourself or another living creature you touch. The creature must be willing to receive the spell. The recipient can declare a willing target any time (even when flat-footed or during another creature's turn). Unconscious creatures are automatically considered willing, but a creature that is conscious but immobile or helpless (such as one who is bound, cowering, grappling, paralyzed, pinned, or stunned) is not automatically willing.

You can share a polymorph effect you cast with a familiar, mount, or other companion with the share spells ability, as noted in Part Two.

• You choose the form the subject assumes.

Unlike in earlier versions of the game, the spell allows only one change in form. As with alter self, the subject remains in the assumed form until the spell ends.

The spell is dismissible; if you are the spell caster, you can end the spell during your turn with a standard action that does not provoke an attack of opportunity. If you place the spell on another creature, it cannot dismiss the effect and it must remain in the assumed form until the spell ends.

As with alter self, you can't use the polymorph spell to make the subject assume the form of an object. Unlike alter self, you can choose almost any kind of living creature for the assumed form. You can choose any of the following creature types: aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, ooze, plant, or vermin.

As with alter self, there's no limit to the subtypes the subject can assume, so long as the base type is on the list given above.

The subject cannot assume an incorporeal or gaseous form.

• The form the subject assumes can't have Hit Dice of more than your caster level, or the subject's own Hit Dice (whichever is lower) to a maximum of 15 Hit Dice.

A form's Hit Dice refers to its racial Hit Dice, as noted in Part Two.

• The assumed form's size can be anything from Fine to Colossal.

The kind of creature you choose for the assumed form determines the size. The subject becomes the same size as an average member of its kind. For example, if you turn the subject into a troll, the subject becomes size Large, which is the standard size for a troll.

• The subject temporarily gains the type and subtypes of the assumed form.

The subject also temporarily gains the augmented subtype for its original type. The subject loses any subtypes it has in favor of the assumed form's subtypes. For example, a human turned into a troll gains the giant type and the augmented humanoid subtype. The subject retains the features of its own type. It gains the traits of the assumed type -- except for any extraordinary qualities included in those traits. If you're having trouble deciding which type of traits you gain, here's a list of what you get and what you don't.

Aberration Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with the form's natural weapons. If generally humanoid in form, proficient with all simple weapons and any weapon the form is described as using.

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) the form is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Aberrations not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Aberrations are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor.

-- Aberrations eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet. (You don't gain this because it's an extraordinary special quality.)

Air Subtype

You get the following:

-- Air creatures always have fly speeds and usually have perfect maneuverability. You gain the assumed form's fly speed (subject to the limits noted in Part Two) and maneuverability.

Angel Subtype

You get the following:

-- Immunity to acid, cold, and petrification. (Immunity is a natural ability.)

-- +4 racial bonus on saves against poison. (Another natural ability.)

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Resistance to electricity 10 and fire 10. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Protective Aura. (Supernatural ability.)

-- Tongues. (Supernatural ability.)

Animal Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with natural weapons. A noncombative herbivore uses its natural weapons as a secondary attack. Such attacks are made with a -5 penalty on the creature's attack rolls, and the animal receives only 1/2 its Strength modifier as a damage adjustment. (You become proficient with your natural weaponry. You don't forget what you know, but most animal forms don't allow you to wield weapons. You keep your own mind, but you don't keep your full attack capability when you assume the form of a noncombative herbivore because that's a natural limitation for the forms. Noncombative herbivores include creatures such as domestic cows and sheep.)

-- Proficient with no armor unless trained for war. (You don't forget what you know, but you don't pick up any armor proficiencies. In most cases, any armor you wear will meld into your assumed form.)

-- Animals eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Intelligence score of 1 or 2 (no creature with an Intelligence score of 3 or higher can be an animal). (You usually keep your Intelligence score when changing forms; the baleful polymorph spell can be an exception.)

-- Low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Alignment: Always neutral. (You usually keep your alignment when changing forms; the baleful polymorph spell can be an exception.)

-- Treasure: None. (You keep your stuff, though chances are most things you hold or wear would meld into your form if you changed into an animal.)

Aquatic Subtype

You get the following:

-- Water creatures always have swim speeds and thus can move in water without making Swim checks. You gain the assumed form's swim speed (subject to the limits noted in Part Two).

-- An aquatic creature can breathe underwater. It cannot also breathe air unless it has the amphibious special quality.

Archon Subtype

You get the following:

-- Immunity to electricity and petrification. (Natural ability.)

-- +4 racial bonus on saves against poison. (Natural ability.)

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Aura of Menace (Su): A righteous aura surrounds archons that fight or get angry. (Supernatural ability.)

-- Magic Circle against Evil (Su): A magic circle against evil effect always surrounds an archon. (Supernatural ability.)

-- Teleport (Su): Archons can use greater teleport at will. (Supernatural ability.)

-- Tongues (Su): All archons can speak with any creature that has a language. (Supernatural ability.)

Chaotic Subtype

You get the following:

-- Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has a chaotic alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment (a natural ability).

-- A creature with the chaotic subtype overcomes damage reduction as if its natural weapons and any weapons it wields were chaotic-aligned. (Another natural ability.)

Cold Subtype

You get the following:

-- A creature with the cold subtype has immunity to cold. It has vulnerability to fire, which means it takes half again as much (+50%) damage as normal from fire, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed, or if the save is a success or failure. (A natural ability.)

Construct Type

Constructs are not alive, so you usually can't assume a construct form (but see Part Four).

Dragon Type

You get the following:

-- Immunity to magic sleep effects and paralysis effects. (Natural ability.)

-- Proficient with its natural weapons only unless humanoid in form (or capable of assuming humanoid form), in which case proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to dragon form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget any armor proficiencies you know, but most armor you wear will meld into the assumed form.)

-- Dragons eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

Earth Subtype

You get the following:

-- Earth creatures usually have burrow speeds, and most earth creatures can burrow through solid rock. (You get the assumed form's speed, subject to the limits noted in Part Two.)

Elemental Type

You get the following:

-- Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, and stunning. (Natural ability.)

-- Not subject to critical hits or flanking. (Another natural ability.)

-- Proficient with natural weapons only, unless generally humanoid in form, in which case proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to elemental form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) that it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Elementals not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Elementals are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to elemental form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Elementals do not eat, sleep, or breathe. (A natural ability.)

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Unlike most other living creatures, an elemental does not have a dual nature -- its soul and body form one unit. When an elemental is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don't work on an elemental. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection, to restore it to life. (If you had a soul before changing, you still have one after changing.)

Evil Subtype

You get the following:

-- Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has an evil alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment. (A natural ability.)

-- A creature with the evil subtype overcomes damage reduction as if its natural weapons and any weapons it wields were evil-aligned (Another natural ability.)

Extraplanar Subtype

You gain this subtype when changing form only when the form you assume would have it. The subtype has no traits, but certain spells and other magical effects work in special ways against extraplanar creatures.

Fey Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with all simple weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to fey form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) that it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Fey not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Fey are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to fey form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Fey eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

Fire Subtype

You get the following:

-- A creature with the fire subtype has immunity to fire. It has vulnerability to cold, which means it takes half again as much (+50%) damage as normal from cold, regardless of whether a saving throw is allowed, or if the save is a success or failure. (A natural ability.)

Giant Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with all simple and martial weapons, as well as any natural weapons. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to giant form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Giants not described as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Giants are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to giant form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Giants eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

Goblinoid Subtype

You get the following:

-- All goblinoids speak Goblin. (You don't suddenly speak Goblin just by changing form.)

Good Subtype

You get the following:

-- Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has a good alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment. (Natural ability.)

-- A creature with the good subtype overcomes damage reduction as if its natural weapons and any weapons it wields were good-aligned. (Another natural ability.)

Humanoid Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with all simple weapons, or by character class. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to humanoid form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, or by character class. If a humanoid does not have a class and wears armor, it is proficient with that type of armor and all lighter types. Humanoids not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Humanoids are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to humanoid form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Humanoids breathe, eat, and sleep.

Lawful Type

You get the following:

-- Any effect that depends on alignment affects a creature with this subtype as if the creature has a lawful alignment, no matter what its alignment actually is. The creature also suffers effects according to its actual alignment. (A natural ability.)

-- A creature with the lawful subtype overcomes damage reduction as if its natural weapons and any weapons it wields were lawful-aligned (Another natural ability.)

Magical Beast Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with its natural weapons only. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to magical beast form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to magical beast form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Magical beasts eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. (Extraordinary special qualities.)

Monstrous Humanoid Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with its natural weapons only. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to monstrous humanoid form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to monstrous humanoid form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Magical beasts eat, sleep, and breathe.

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet. (Extraordinary special quality.)

Native Subtype

You get the following:

-- These creatures have mortal ancestors or a strong connection to the Material Plane and can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be. Creatures with this subtype are native to the Material Plane (hence the subtype's name). (Natural ability, not that you're likely to need it.)

-- Unlike true outsiders, native outsiders need to eat and sleep. (Natural ability.)

Ooze Type

You get the following:

-- Blind, with immunity to gaze attacks, visual effects, illusions, and other attack forms that rely on sight. (Natural ability.)

-- Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning. (Natural ability.)

-- Not subject to critical hits or flanking. (Natural ability.)

-- Proficient with its natural weapons only. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to ooze form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to ooze form doesn't get you any armor proficiency. Most armor you wear melds into your assumed form.)

-- Oozes eat and breathe, but do not sleep.

You don't get the following:

-- Mindless: No Intelligence score, and immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). (You usually keep your Intelligence score when changing forms; the baleful polymorph spell can be an exception.)

-- Blindsight (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Some oozes have the ability to deal acid damage to objects. In such a case, the amount of damage is equal to 10 + 1/2 ooze's HD + ooze's Constitution modifier per full round of contact.

Outsider Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with all simple and martial weapons and any weapons mentioned in its entry. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to outsider form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with whatever type of armor (light, medium, or heavy) it is described as wearing, as well as all lighter types. Outsiders not indicated as wearing armor are not proficient with armor. Outsiders are proficient with shields if they are proficient with any form of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to outsider form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Outsiders breathe, but do not need to eat or sleep (although they can do so if they wish). Native outsiders breathe, eat, and sleep. (Natural ability.)

You don't get the following:

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet. (Extraordinary special quality.)

-- Unlike most other living creatures, an outsider does not have a dual nature -- its soul and body form one unit. When an outsider is slain, no soul is set loose. Spells that restore souls to their bodies, such as raise dead, reincarnate, and resurrection, don't work on an outsider. It takes a different magical effect, such as limited wish, wish, miracle, or true resurrection to restore it to life. An outsider with the native subtype can be raised, reincarnated, or resurrected just as other living creatures can be. (If you had a soul before changing, you still have one after changing.)

Plant Type

You get the following:

-- Immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). (Natural ability.)

-- Immunity to poison, sleep effects, paralysis, polymorph, and stunning. (Another natural ability.)

-- Not subject to critical hits. (Another natural ability.)

-- Proficient with its natural weapons only. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to plant form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to plant form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Plants breathe and eat, but do not sleep. (A natural ability.)

You don't get the following:

-- Low-light vision. (Extraordinary special quality.)

Reptilian Subtype

This subtype has no traits; it merely designates certain kinds of humanoids.

Shapechanger Subtype

You get the following:

-- Proficient with the natural weapons, with simple weapons, and with any weapons mentioned in the creature's description. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to shapechanger form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with any armor mentioned in the creature's description, as well as all lighter forms. If no form of armor is mentioned, the shapechanger is not proficient with armor. A shapechanger is proficient with shields if it is proficient with any type of armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to shapechanger form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

Swarm Subtype

You can't become a swarm by changing form.

Undead Type

Undead creatures are not alive, so you usually can't assume an undead form (but see Part Four).

Vermin Type

You get the following:

-- Proficient with their natural weapons only. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to vermin form doesn't get you any weapon proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Proficient with no armor. (You don't forget what you know, but a change to vermin form doesn't get you any armor proficiency that's not listed here.)

-- Vermin breathe, eat, and sleep.

You don't get the following:

-- Mindless: No Intelligence score and immunity to all mind-affecting effects (charms, compulsions, phantasms, patterns, and morale effects). (You usually keep your Intelligence score when changing forms; the baleful polymorph spell can be an exception.)

-- Darkvision out to 60 feet. (A natural ability.)

Water Subtype

You get the following:

-- Creatures with the water subtype always have swim speeds and can move in water without making Swim checks. A water creature can breathe underwater and usually can breathe air as well. You gain the assumed form's swim speed (subject to the limits noted in Part Two).

• Upon changing, the subject regains lost hit points as if it had rested for a night.

The subject regains 1 hit point per character level. Character level includes racial Hit Dice and all class levels. The subject does not heal any temporary ability damage or get any other benefits of resting. Changing back does not heal the subject further. If slain, the subject reverts to its original form, though it remains dead.

• The subject gains the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of the new form but retains its own Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores.

The subject retains its own mind, but its body is transformed into a semblance of the assumed form. Unlike previous versions of the D&D game, the subject's hit points change according to his new Constitution score. The subject's Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores revert to normal when resuming its normal form, which may prompt another change in hit points.

A change in ability scores might render some of the subject's feats unusable. If a feat has an ability score prerequisite that the subject no longer meets, the subject still has the feat, but cannot use it so long as the prerequisite is not met. If the subject has a prestige class that depends on an unusable feat, the subject cannot use any features of the class but retains any Hit Dice, base attack, and base save bonuses from the class and also retains weapon and armor proficiencies from the class.

• The subject's class and level, alignment, base attack bonus, and base save bonuses remain unchanged in the assumed form.

As noted in Part Two, the subject also retains all class features, as well as all skill ranks and feats derived from class levels.

• The subject retains the supernatural and spell-like special attacks and qualities of its normal form, except for those requiring a body part that the new form does not have.

As noted in Part One, the subject loses breath weapons if the assumed form doesn't have a mouth and loses gaze attacks if the assumed form doesn't have eyes.

• The subject retains all extraordinary special attacks and qualities derived from class levels.

As noted in Part One, extraordinary special attacks or qualities from class levels are primarily a function of the mind.

• The subject loses extraordinary special attacks and qualities not derived from class levels.

Also as noted in Part One, extraordinary special attacks and qualities are assumed to be largely a function of the body.

• The subject retains its ability to speak if the assumed form has that ability, as noted in Part Two.
  
  
• The subject gains all extraordinary attacks of the assumed form, but no supernatural or spell-like attacks. The subject gains no special qualities of the assumed form at all.

As noted in Part One, extraordinary special attacks derive largely from the physical body, while extraordinary special qualities prove more subtle.

• The subject retains spellcasting abilities, if any, just as noted in Part Two.
  
  
• The subject has the physical qualities of the assumed form as noted in Part Two.

Physical qualities include modes of breathing as well as modes of movement. If the assumed form has gills but no lungs it can breathe underwater but it cannot breathe out of the water and will begin to suffocate if stranded on dry land.

• The subject cannot take the form of any creature with a template, just as with the alter self spell.
  
  
• You can freely designate the assumed form's minor physical qualities (such as hair color, hair texture, and skin color) within the normal ranges for a creature of that kind, just as with the alter self spell.
  
  
• The subject is effectively disguised as an average member of the assumed form's race, as noted in Part Two.
  
  
• When the change occurs, the subject's equipment, if any, either remains worn or held by the new form (if it is capable of wearing or holding the item), or melds into the new form and becomes nonfunctional.

For purposes of most polymorph effects, one can divide creatures into types that have basically humanoid shapes and those that do not, as follows:

In general, a change from one form that has a humanoid shape to another form that has a humanoid shape leaves all equipment in place and functioning. The subject's equipment changes to match the assumed form. It becomes the appropriate size for the assumed form and it fits the assumed form. The spellcaster can change minor details in your equipment, such as color, surface texture, and decoration.

When a subject changes from a form with a humanoid shape to a form with a nonhumanoid shape (or vice versa) most of his equipment is subsumed into the new form and becomes nonfunctional. Items the subject could conceivably wear in an assumed form remain functional. For example, most items worn on the body, such as armor, cloaks, boots, and most other items of clothing made for a humanoid body won't fit on a nonhumanoid body. Some items can fit on just about any kind of body. For example, a ring fits just about any form that has digits of some kind (the limit of two rings applies no matter how many hands or similar appendages a creature has). Likewise, a necklace fits on just about any form that has a neck.

A Polymorph Example

Our friend Anlion (from Part Two) is now an 8th-level sorcerer. Let's see what happens when he uses a polymorph spell to assume the forms of a lizardfolk and a troll.

Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Concentration +9, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +5, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Listen +1, Search +2, Spellcraft +11, Spot +1; Dodge, Empower Spell, Extend Spell.

Half-Elf Traits: Anlion is immune to magic sleep spells and effects, and he has elven blood (for all effects related to race, he is considered an elf). Anlion also has a +2 racial bonus on saves against enchantment spells or effects, a +1 racial bonus on Listen, Spot, and Search checks, and a +2 racial bonus on Diplomacy and Gather Information checks (already figured into the statistics given above).

Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/6/3; save DC 13 + spell level): 0 -- arcane mark, daze, detect magic, flare, light, mage hand, prestidigitation, resistance; 1st -- burning hands, color spray, magic missile, shield, true strike; 2nd -- alter self, scorching ray, see invisibility; 3rd -- fly, lightning bolt; 4th -- polymorph.

Possessions:Bracers of armor +1, ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +2, quarterstaff, masterwork light crossbow, 10 bolts, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of invisibility, 2 scrolls of eagle's splendor, wand of magic missile (3rd-level caster, 48 charges).

In lizardfolk form, Anlion's statistics change significantly. He gains the lizardfolk's natural armor, natural weaponry, and racial skill bonuses; he also gains the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of a typical lizardfolk (as noted in the Monster Manual). The ability score changes give him a few more hit points and improve his melee combat abilities, but his reduced Dexterity score makes his Dodge feat unusable. He loses his low-light vision (an extraordinary special quality). He retains his half-elf racial skill bonuses. He gains the lizardfolk's racial skill bonuses to Balance, Jump, and Swim checks, and the lizardfolk's natural ability to hold its breath. He loses his half-elf subtype and gains the reptilian subtype. His equipment keeps functioning in his assumed form (because it's another humanoid form).

Anlion (Lizardfolk Form): Male half-elf sorcerer 8; CR 8; Medium humanoid (reptilian); HD 8d4+8; hp 28; Init +0; Spd 30 ft.; AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 17; Base Atk +4; Grp +5; Atk +5 melee (1d4+1, claw) or +5 melee (1d6+1, quarterstaff) or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +5 melee (1d4+1, 2 claws) and +0 melee (1d4, bite) or +5 melee (1d6+1, quarterstaff) and +0 melee (1d4, bite) or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); SQ hold breath; AL N; SV Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +8; Str 13, Dex 10, Con 13, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 17.

Skills and Feats: Balance +4, Bluff +11, Concentration +10, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +5, Intimidate +5, Jump +5, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Listen +1, Search +2, Spellcraft +11, Spot +1, Swim +5; Dodge (unavailable due to reduction in Dexterity score), Empower Spell, Extend Spell.

Hold Breath: Anlion can hold his breath for 52 rounds before he risks drowning. (This is a natural ability for a lizardfolk.)

Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/6/3; save DC 13 + spell level): 0 -- arcane mark, daze, detect magic, flare, light, mage hand, prestidigitation, resistance; 1st -- burning hands, color spray, magic missile, shield, true strike; 2nd -- alter self, scorching ray, see invisibility; 3rd -- fly, lightning bolt; 4th -- polymorph.

Possessions:Bracers of armor +1, ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +2, quarterstaff, masterwork light crossbow, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of invisibility, 2 scrolls of eagle's splendor, wand of magic missile (3rd-level caster, 48 charges).

In troll form, Anlion's statistics change dramatically. He gains the troll's natural armor, natural weaponry, and the troll's deadly rend attack; he also gains the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of a typical troll (as noted in the Monster Manual). The ability score changes give him many more hit points and improve his melee combat abilities. He loses his low-light vision (an extraordinary special quality). He retains his half-elf racial skill bonuses. He does not gain the troll's darkvision or regeneration abilities (also extraordinary special qualities). He gains the giant type, loses his half-elf subtype, and gains the augmented humanoid subtype. His equipment keeps functioning in his assumed form because a giant has a basically humanoid body. He gains the troll's Large size, which increases his space and reach and affects his combat abilities -- particularly his grapple bonus. Because his equipment remains functional, it changes size along with him.

Anlion (Troll Form): Male half-elf sorcerer 8; CR 8; Large giant (augmented humanoid); HD 8d4+48; hp 68; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +4; Grp +14; Atk +9 melee (1d6+6, claw) or +9 melee (1d8+9, quarterstaff) or +6 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +9 melee (1d6+6, 2 claws) and +4 melee (1d6+3, bite) or +9 melee (1d8+9, quarterstaff) and +4 melee (1d6+3, bite) or +6 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Space/Reach 10 ft./10 ft.; SA rend 2d6+9; AL N; SV Fort +10, Ref +6, Will +8; Str 23, Dex 14, Con 23, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 17.

Skills and Feats: Bluff +11, Concentration +15, Diplomacy +7, Gather Information +5, Hide -2, Intimidate +5, Knowledge (arcana) +9, Listen +1, Search +2, Spellcraft +11, Spot +1; Dodge, Empower Spell, Extend Spell.

Rend (Ex): If Anlion hits with both claw attacks, he latches onto the opponent's body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an additional 2d6+9 points of damage.

Sorcerer Spells Known (6/7/7/6/3; save DC 13 + spell level): 0 -- arcane mark, daze, detect magic, flare, light, mage hand, prestidigitation, resistance; 1st -- burning hands, color spray, magic missile, shield, true strike; 2nd -- alter self, scorching ray, see invisibility; 3rd -- fly, lightning bolt; 4th -- polymorph.

Possessions:Bracers of armor +1, ring of protection +1, cloak of resistance +2, quarterstaff, masterwork light crossbow, potion of cure moderate wounds, potion of invisibility, 2 scrolls of eagle's splendor, wand of magic missile (3rd-level caster, 48 charges).

About the Author

Skip Williams keeps busy with freelance projects for several different game companies and has been the Sage of Dragon Magazine since 1986. Skip is a co-designer of the D&D 3rd Edition game and the chief architect of the Monster Manual. When not devising swift and cruel deaths for player characters, Skip putters in his kitchen or garden (his borscht gets rave reviews).