Topic: Living Change Spell List

[kenbert]

I am correct in assuming that all of the "change" spells on this list do not confer any physical abilities such as movement modes, AT, etc.?  I assume that this is the case based on the information for adjudicating change spells on page 84 of SL.

[David Johansen]

Yeah, and it's easier to teleport 100' than telekines 5lbs.

My own patch is that what you lack is the skills to use the form's abilities and these must be purchased when you level.  Since I run RMSS I just slap Small, Medium, Large, and Huge claw skills into Special Attacks and Flight into Athletic Endurance.

For telekinesis I allow speed to be swapped for weight.  Allowing larger objects to be moved very slowly.

[Marc R]

Compare to the Plant and Animal form spells on P114.

The 25th level version vs the 15th level version.

Those are clear.

It's a bit more iffy with Living change, in that it specifies physical form is gained, but not special abilities like darkvision. .

"Special Abilities" no "Physical Form" yes is marginal. . .

I'd likely not make the dwarf version of a human caster gain dwarf stat bonuses for instance. . .

I'd likely allow 11th level living change to allow similar to the 15th level animal form. . .if you're a fish you can swim, if you're a turtle you have a shell, etc. If you're a bird you can fly.

But if you're an octopus, you can't see in near dark or change color.

[David Johansen]

For me it always seems like a cop-out.  Though hardly one that only Rolemaster is guilty of.  Why on earth would you bother changing shape if you didn't get anything out of it?

Really, from a game balance perspective, how is shape changing any more powerful than summoning?

[Marc R]

Duration, and the fact the limitations are mass, not power level. . .if you could living change into something with a gaze or radius attack usable at will with no per day limit the list would rapidly get way out of hand.

[dutch206]

IMHO, Shapechanging is the ultimate version of Hide in Plain Sight.  If the person you are chasing suddenly vanishes in a forest, when would you ever suspect that he changed shape into a tree?