Shapechange - Evil? Consequences?

[gbuster24]

I have a wizard nearing 9th circle spells and was hoping to use shapechange when other players aren't available/around for adventuring. I have seen other servers have more neutral forms for Shapechange but I haven't heard tale of it done here.

My question, up for discussion; is Shapechange an evil spell with potential alignment changes? The forms are all debatably evil except for maybe iron golem which has never been implemented properly on any server I've ever seen. I've seen the spell used before but I don't know if doing so gives consent for other players to attack you. It is not listed as evil in the Players Handbook but there were more options for transformation there.

[Tsidkenu]

While polymorphed/wildshaped, you are ICly assumed to be the form you've chosen. So while the spell itself is not innately evil, nor does it shift alignment towards evil, if you become a Horned Devil or Nightwalker and wander around the wilderness you are effectively Kill on Sight to any goodly-aligned PC (but the PvP encounter must still be RPed, even if its as simple as "It's a devil! Kill it!")

[The Whistler]

Shapechange is, of course, not an evil spell as it doesn't have the evil descriptor. Nor is the act of Shapechanging into an evil creature, inherently evil. I'm not sure about any special pvp rules concerning Shapechange, but if your character doesn't give any indication that he is not in fact the creature he appears to be, you are fair game in my eyes.

[kkrazlite]

Who saw you in the form and would they see you as a threat or some kind of waundering abomination? There are some people and characters on this server that treat people who are in these forms and auto-hostile shapes (these people can also range from many alignments and classes so don't think your off the hook just because you walked by a strolling necromancer )But of course why wouldn't they your a MONSTER! The only saving grace would be if that person pecieving you had true sight and could see through your polymorph.

Polymorphing is nay as evil as a druid shapechaning into giant dragons and elementals. As long as your character is transformed into ANYTHING in the monster manual you could be precived as evil.

Is it so evil that it requires alignment shifts? No I think not... it's a both defensive and offensive spell that has many different uses in combat... and just like druid polymorph there are some people who center their rp around being polymorphic.

I don't think that Neatural wizard turning into a devil to escape death by taking to the air is an evil act...

Really just depends on the rp.

[gbuster24]

I probably wouldn't use the spell very often, but there would be clues that a monster may not be what is seems as a Gondsman and CELESTIAL Dire Bear might be following it. I didn't know if the form was auto-consent.

[Lockonnow]

wish we could remove thr Golem and add Dragonform Shapechange

[V'rass]

Using such powers is considered evil by many IC. You wont gain any negative effects from using it though except for possible pvp or becoming a wanted criminal. Best thing to do is use such powers when nobody is around or with groups who don't mind such powers. If you are careful you can make use of these powers and nobody will be the wiser. My main Exordius does this all the time and so far has gotten away with it everytime.

[gbuster24]

Right. I want to use it when I don't have anyone around to adventure with.

[Flasmix]

Well, let's be realistic here. I'll present two scenarios, you can tell me which one seems plausible.

Scenario One: A group of adventurers are off killing stuff. The Wizard Shapechanges into a Nightwalker.
Paladin: "BY THE GODS! A BEING OF EVIL, HERE IN OUR MIDST?!"
The Paladin proceeds to attack the Wizard.

Scenario Two: A group of adventurers are off killing stuff. The Wizard Shapechanges into a Nightwalker.
Paladin: "I know you're the Wizard, I know it's not your true form."
The group slays the evil monster and is rewarded with an Ale Stein.

Really, it should only be an issue if someone walks up onto you while you're Shapeshifted without seeing you cast the spell.

In my opinion, anybody who attacks you after seeing you Shapechange is just mongering for PvP.

[metaquad4]

You are free to use it. Generally, it is accepted that it specifies that it leaves mental stats intact. This means mental stats (and the mind) are not altered.

Also, unlike other spells that can be either evil or good in PnP, Shapeshange and Polymorph have no such descriptors. Thus, it isn't evil, good, lawful, or chaotic. Simple as that.

[Zanniej]

Well, let's be realistic here. I'll present two scenarios, you can tell me which one seems plausible.

Scenario One: A group of adventurers are off killing stuff. The Wizard Shapechanges into a Nightwalker.
Paladin: "BY THE GODS! A BEING OF EVIL, HERE IN OUR MIDST?!"
The Paladin proceeds to attack the Wizard.

Scenario Two: A group of adventurers are off killing stuff. The Wizard Shapechanges into a Nightwalker.
Paladin: "I know you're the Wizard, I know it's not your true form."
The group slays the evil monster and is rewarded with an Ale Stein.

Really, it should only be an issue if someone walks up onto you while you're Shapeshifted without seeing you cast the spell.

In my opinion, anybody who attacks you after seeing you Shapechange is just mongering for PvP.

Besides, with rewards like that, who'd even bother PVPing the mage that helped you retrieve said reward!?

[Nachti]

The paladin does not know what creature a nightwalker is. "Play your sheet rule" means that he cant cast detect evil.

A wizard that shifts into a horned devil only assumes the form of the devil. He still has the same soul and thus radiates the same aura he has in his orginal form. He also retains his alignment. (Mortals = dual nature of body and soul, outsiders = essence, body and soul are one)

Of course players might know the appearance of creatures from previous encounters. But I say its 90% the players meta knowledge that leads to hostile actions.

[Hawke]

Big + horns + sharp teeth + bad breath = Must be evil, right?