I'm playing an Ork magician with Shapechange. Haven't used the spell at all (mostly because 6 Body=12 Ballistic/Impact armor!)

but

I borrowed the GMs copy of Running Wild and was disturbed to find that no Critters that fly have a Body score of 4-8 (the Critter's Body must be within two of the caster's).

Now granted, I can turn into a rather bitchin' Tiger or Dolphin after the hits add to my base Phy attributes, but I was sad to learn even reg eagles/condors/etc. don't have a high enough base Body score for me to turn into it.

Is anyone aware of a canon flying creature possibly statted out in a module that would suit my soaring needs?

I thought of an optional rule to pitch to my GM that X number of hits could be used to lower the caster's Body attribute just for the purposes of qualifying for a particular creature...

Or should I just be happy and live with my Ork being able to turn into a Great Cat (SR4a) with a 10 Reaction after Spellcasting hits...

Incorrect. As written, the critter's Body must be 2 higher or lower than the casters. Not "up to". Not "within". Exactly 2 points higher or lower.

That is hilarious.

DEPLOY THE HOUSE RULES!

Well, by RAW that spell can be quite a pain, I discussed it with my group as well. However, SOME restriction on it is needed, as otherwise magicians could spellcast as very tiny animals (fleas, ants, mice etc) too easily.
I suggested the following house rule/workaround to my group: we created a spell variant for (critter) form without the body restriction (but with GM approval - sorry no greater rocs folks) but in return, they would not be allowed to cast spells while transformed by that spell. To my surprise, my players were very enthusiastic about it and we've not have had any problems with it ever since.

Casting spells while transformed can indeed be debased...

I once played a Body 3 dwarf wujen and we had a Body 2 adept in the party. For a run, I first shapeshifted him into a rat, then myself into a bird. He was able to enter the building through the sewers; once he was in the place we wanted him I stopped sustaining. Then when he was done I took a look at him through the window I was able to re-shapeshift him back into a rat, and he escaped.

The GM quit shortly thereafter, frustrated because it was so hard to lure us into combat

I think that this is one of those cases where the rule's intent was clear, though. Rules lawyering isn't fun for anyone.

That was the idea behind my X modifier...if my mage had to sacrifice 3 (for ex.) hits on a Spellcasting check to treat his Body as 5 instead of 6, and therefore allow shapechange to 3 to 7, might be workable. Not to mention flat out disallowing shapechanging down to Body 0.

I like that option... very workable in my opinion... I will have to bring that to my GM's approval...

Keep the Faith

That damn shapechange spell is a plight. It's a damn racist spell.

I am still for changing that damn thing around completely. Just delete it and design similar spells without that weird restrictions. I say make yourself a body like you want to, no artificial restriction. The power of the spell should be a multipliyer/divider for MASS, not body. And the successes should "build" your body. Of course we should limit the attributes to your new form.

Changing an 250 kg troll into a mouse SHOULD be hard but possible, same as a 7 kg pixie into a rhino. You just need to overcast the crap out of it and edge the roll.

For example make it:
Possible massratio: Power² (seems a bit to high... allows for a 30.000 kg troll, or a fleelike pixie.) But shouldn't be that much off. a Lvl 10 spell should make massive bodies.
Every hit on the test give 2 Physical attribute points. The mage can spend those points like he wants, but is limited to unaugmented maximums of likely bodies. (No more than body 1 for tiny animals, or no more than 4 agility for massive animals) Paranormal creatures are A-OK (You do not become the real animal, you just look like it) You don't get any senses, skill, magical abilities etc..

Same drain.

That is an interesting take on the situation... Might be something to look into...

Keep the Faith

Think of the fun with a glitch...

"Jeb?"

"Yup."

"You just see what I seen?"

"Yup."

"Ain't never heard of no 2 feet tall rhino..."

"Yup."

Must it be a living species? Maybe a Pterosaur?



You could simply sustain a Decrease Body spell targeted at yourself.

Well, it seems nonparanormal Critters are Critters...hmmm...unaffected by the Awakening? So just being extinct shouldn't disqualify....hmmm

Shapechange effects are always horribly broken and endlessly confusing. It's a law of RPGs. Sigh.

I don't know, I like the rules for Shapechange in the Black Company... They are not confusing at all, and actually work out very well indeed... the least of which is that it is not at all an easy thing to do... which keeps everyone from doing it at a whim...

Keep the Faith

exactly! or Increase Body if you need an elephant..