Weaker Forms of Shapeshift

[David Bofinger]

Shapeshift is a powerful spell with a high IQ requirement. Would it be good to also have some weaker forms of it, available at lower IQ? Such as:

• Limited duration: e.g. a minute, or an hour.
• Only one form: e.g. Allows you to transform into an owl, or a human of the opposite sex.
• Lower attributes: e.g. The new form has a ST+DX total 5 points lower than when untransformed.
• Less control of attributes: the new ST and DX are proportional to the form's usual characteristics. e.g. If a figure is human (standard ST 10, DX 10) but relatively agile and slender for a human (ST 11, DX 15), and it is transformed into a giant spider (standard ST 16, DX 10) then the new figure will be a relatively agile and slender web-slinger with ST 14, DX 12. OK, this is way too complex, but a simpler version.
• Lower intelligence: e.g. The new form has animal intelligence. Hopefully you will have some method of transforming back, and your friends will find you if you wander off.
• Limited control: e.g. The character must spend at least four waking hours of each day in a form or it becomes harder to enter that form.
• Each form has a specified downside. e.g. If you transform into a unicorn you'll become obsessed with following virgins about.

I'm not saying all of these, but would any be interesting?

[hcobb]

Originally Posted by David Bofinger

[*]Only one form: e.g. Allows you to transform into an owl, or a human of the opposite sex.

Already exists as a $10k magic item.

[Jack O'All Trades]

I've never loved the RAW for shapeshifting - they are elegant but they don't seem to do what people want from magical shapeshifting in my experience.

I think a house-ruled "become the average of X species" but with some modification of starting stats and some other limitations (maximum size?) and downsides would make a good spell.