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Alter Self

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Alter Self
  • Level: 2
  • School: Transmutation
  • Class: Sorcerer, Wizard
  • Casting Time: Action
  • Range: Self
  • Components: V, S
  • Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You alter your physical form. Choose one of the following options. Its effects last for the duration, during which you can take a Magic action to replace the option you chose with a different one.

Aquatic Adaptation. You sprout gills and grow webs between your fingers. You can breathe underwater and gain a Swim Speed equal to your Speed.

Change Appearance. You alter your appearance. You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, sound of your voice, hair length, coloration, and other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another species, though none of your statistics change. You can't appear as a creature of a different size, and your basic shape stays the same; if you're bipedal, you can't use this spell to become quadrupedal, for instance. For the duration, you can take a Magic action to change your appearance in this way again.

Natural Weapons. You grow claws (Slashing), fangs (Piercing), horns (Piercing), or hooves (Bludgeoning). When you use your Unarmed Strike to deal damage with that new growth, it deals 1d6 damage of the type in parentheses instead of dealing the normal damage for your Unarmed Strike, and you use your spellcasting ability modifier for the attack and damage rolls rather than using Strength.

Tactical Usage​

When to Choose Alter Self:

  • Essential for infiltration and social encounters
  • Excellent for adapting to environmental challenges
  • Strong choice when facing underwater or aquatic environments
  • Valuable for improving unarmed combat capabilities

Option Selection Strategy:

  • Aquatic Adaptation: Underwater exploration, naval encounters
  • Change Appearance: Social infiltration, escaping pursuers
  • Natural Weapons: Backup combat option, disarmed situations

Positioning Considerations:

  • Requires concentration, limiting other magical options
  • Can change between options as needed during duration
  • Self-targeting means no range limitations
  • 1-hour duration covers most short-term scenarios

Spell Combinations​

Synergistic Spells:

  • Disguise Self: Illusion backup if transmutation fails
  • Pass Without Trace: Enhanced stealth for infiltration
  • Charm Person: Social manipulation with appearance change
  • Water Breathing: Stack with aquatic adaptation for enhanced underwater ability

Multi-Round Strategies:

  • Begin with appearance change for infiltration
  • Switch to natural weapons if combat begins
  • Use aquatic adaptation for environmental challenges
  • Maintain concentration while using other non-concentration magic

Material Component Details​

No Material Components:

  • Advantage: Can be cast while restrained or with bound hands
  • Stealth Casting: Only verbal and somatic components required
  • Emergency Use: Accessible in most situations
  • Focus Integration: Works with any spellcasting focus

Roleplay Opportunities:

  • Describe the physical transformation process
  • Detail the sensations of growing gills, claws, or changing features
  • Use transformation as character development moments
  • Explore identity themes through appearance changes

Creator Notes​

Adjudication Guidance:

  • Statistics don't change except as explicitly stated
  • Appearance changes can include voice but not speech patterns or knowledge
  • Natural weapons use spellcasting modifier, not Strength
  • Can switch between options as Magic action during duration

Encounter Design Considerations:

  • Excellent tool for social encounters and investigation scenarios
  • NPCs can use this for dramatic reveals or deception
  • Creates opportunities for mistaken identity plotlines
  • Consider how appearance changes affect ongoing relationships

Balancing Notes:

  • Concentration requirement limits stacking with other magic
  • No statistical changes keep combat applications balanced
  • Natural weapons provide meaningful but not overpowered combat option
  • Duration appropriate for most short-term applications

Environmental Interactions​

Aquatic Adaptation:

  • Provides complete underwater breathing capability
  • Swim speed allows effective underwater movement
  • Gills and webbing may be visible to observant creatures
  • Works in any liquid environment, not just water

Appearance Changes:

  • Clothing and equipment don't change with appearance
  • Size category remains the same despite apparent size changes
  • Basic body plan (bipedal, etc.) cannot be altered
  • Voice changes don't include accents or speech patterns

Natural Weapons:

  • Weapons are clearly magical and may be detectable
  • Don't interfere with spellcasting or tool use
  • Can be used while grappling or in tight spaces
  • Considered magic weapons for resistance purposes

Common Rulings & Clarifications​

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I appear as a specific person? A: Yes, if you can visualize their appearance accurately enough.

Q: Do natural weapons count as magic weapons? A: Creator discretion, but they're created by magic so may bypass resistance.

Q: Can I use tools or weapons while having natural weapons? A: Yes, natural weapons don't prevent normal equipment use.

Q: Does changing appearance fool magical detection? A: No, spells like True Seeing or Detect Magic can see through the transformation.

Alternative Applications​

Non-Combat Uses:

  • Social Infiltration: Blend into different societies or organizations
  • Environmental Adaptation: Survive in aquatic or challenging environments
  • Performance Art: Theatrical transformations for entertainment
  • Investigation: Disguise identity while gathering information

Creative Problem-Solving:

  • Escape from prisons by changing appearance
  • Access restricted underwater areas
  • Provide backup combat capability when disarmed
  • Navigate social situations requiring specific appearances

Similar Transformation Magic:

  • Disguise Self: Illusion-based appearance change
  • Polymorph: Complete creature transformation
  • Shapechange: Ultimate transformation magic
  • Wild Shape: Druid creature transformation ability

Utility Alternatives:

  • Water Breathing: Aquatic adaptation without transformation
  • Spider Climb: Environmental adaptation for climbing
  • Enhance Ability: Boost physical capabilities
  • Invisibility: Concealment without appearance change

2nd-Level Alternatives:

  • Misty Step: Tactical positioning magic
  • Mirror Image: Defensive illusion magic
  • Suggestion: Social manipulation magic
  • Detect Thoughts: Information gathering magic

Scaling Analysis​

Level Progression:

  • Early Game (Levels 3-6): Excellent utility for diverse challenges
  • Mid Game (Levels 7-12): Remains useful for specific situations
  • Late Game (Levels 13+): Situational but still valuable for infiltration

Option Effectiveness:

  • Aquatic Adaptation: Always useful when water is involved
  • Change Appearance: Increasingly valuable as social complexity grows
  • Natural Weapons: Less useful as magical weapons become common
  • Flexibility: Option switching keeps spell relevant

Long-Term Viability:

  • Basic utility functions remain useful throughout progression
  • Concentration requirement becomes more costly at higher levels
  • Social applications become more important in complex campaigns
  • Environmental adaptations never lose value

Narrative Flavor​

Extended Description: As you focus your will and speak the words of transformation, your body begins to shift and flow like clay in an artist's hands. Bones lengthen or contract, skin changes color and texture, and features rearrange themselves with fluid grace. The sensation is neither painful nor pleasant—simply a profound awareness of your physical form becoming malleable, responsive to your magical will as you reshape yourself according to your needs and desires.

Sensory Details:

  • Physical: Tingling, stretching sensations throughout transformation
  • Visual: Gradual but obvious changes in appearance and form
  • Tactile: New sensory experiences from gills, claws, or altered features
  • Psychological: Temporary adjustment to altered physical presence

Cultural Context: Transformation magic often carries deep cultural significance. Some societies view it as a violation of natural order, while others celebrate it as the ultimate expression of personal freedom. Wizards might approach it as a technical exercise in biological manipulation, while sorcerers may experience it as an expression of their innate magical nature.