Spell idea...

[Prime32]

I thought it would be cool to have a spell/feat/PrC that turns a creature into a sword (or any weapon, really) which can be wielded by a larger character. For instance, a halfling could turn into a greatsword for a human, or a longsword for an ogre.

How could this be made decent without being overpowered, or making the sword-man's normal abilities meaningless (a la Wild Shape), or encouraging PCs to turn a bunch of low-level NPCs into an armoury? I was thinking of something like a more limited version of the fusion power - maybe someone wielding a sword-man with Weapon Focus (sword) gains Weapon Focus (sword-man) as a bonus feat? Maybe one character's strength modifier is added as a bonus to the other character's Str score?

[bkdubs123]

Weaponshape
Transmutation (Polymorph)
Level: Wizard/Sorc 5, Duskblade 4
Components: V, S, F
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Close
Target: 1 creature
Duration: 1 minute
Saving Throw: Will negates
Spell Resistance: Yes
Focus: A Masterwork weapon you are proficient with.

You transform the target into a magical version of the focus component for this spell. This works as the Greater Magic Weapon spell, but the resulting weapon also gains a number of weapon properties whose total enhancement does not exceed +1/5HD the target creature possesses (to a maximum of +5). Further, the resulting weapon is an Intelligent Item, with the Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores it normally possesses. If the target's combined Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores are at least 34 the weapon gains Communication, Capabilities, and Senses as outlined by Table 7-30 on pg 269 of the DMG. For every two points the target's combined scores are higher than that it gains more and more powerful Communications, Capabilities, and Senses (as if for higher rolls). You may use this spell on a willing target, and if you do, it need not make a saving throw, and may free itself from the effect of this spell as a free action. You may attempt to stop this by succeeding a Will save against the weapon's Ego score. The weapon may act on its own to activate it's capabilities using it's own set of actions (1 swift and 1 standard action per round), which you can again prevent by succeeding on a Will save against the weapon's Ego. If you cast this spell on a target that is already effected, the target must save against the spell a second time, and if it fails the effect becomes permanent. A Break Enchantment effect can return the creature to normal.

(am I missing anything?)

[Prime32]

(am I missing anything?)

Yes.

Weaponshape
Transmutation (Polymorph)
[...]
The weapon may act on its own to activate it's capabilities using it's own set of actions (1 swift and 1 standard action per round)

Since spells with the polymorph descriptor cause you to lose your class features unless specified otherwise, there's not much it can do.


What about a variant that turns someone into a staff?

[bkdubs123]

Since spells with the polymorph descriptor cause you to lose your class features unless specified otherwise, there's not much it can do.

I'm pretty sure spell-like abilities granted through becoming an Intelligent Item don't qualify as class features. Just my assumption, but it's also true.

[Prime32]

Since spells with the polymorph descriptor cause you to lose your class features unless specified otherwise, there's not much it can do.

I'm pretty sure spell-like abilities granted through becoming an Intelligent Item don't qualify as class features. Just my assumption, but it's also true.

However, you do not state that a transformed character gains any such abilities, or how many they get.

[VennDygrem]

I think the main question is what real benefit does the character becoming the weapon get, other than not being able to use its own class abilities that it's spent as much time gaining as the weapon-wielder? What is going to motivate a rogue to give up its sneak attack, or a wizard to give up their spells? Usually it's going to be more beneficial to just have an extra character in the party.

Unless this is for a very specific game or purpose that was not mentioned?

[bkdubs123]

Since spells with the polymorph descriptor cause you to lose your class features unless specified otherwise, there's not much it can do.

I'm pretty sure spell-like abilities granted through becoming an Intelligent Item don't qualify as class features. Just my assumption, but it's also true.

However, you do not state that a transformed character gains any such abilities, or how many they get.

I tried to, but perhaps it didn't work. Maybe if I just add, "refer to Table 7-30 on DMG pg 269...?" The idea is that since they keep their Int/Wis/Cha the weapon gains abilities as an Intelligent item with corresponding ability scores... ah, but I see the problem now. Yep, I'll fix it here soon.

@Venn: The real use of the spell is NOT to use it on your party mates. You could, and yes you're right, most of the time it wouldn't be a very good use of that character's time, but you can also use it on bystanders or even your foes.

[veekie]

I expect to at least, gain temporary access to the target's class features with this, possibly allowing the transformed guy to share maneuvers and feats with you, and casting spells/using boosts/manifesting powers with their own actions.

[bkdubs123]

I expect to at least, gain temporary access to the target's class features with this, possibly allowing the transformed guy to share maneuvers and feats with you, and casting spells/using boosts/manifesting powers with their own actions.

It would probably need to be a higher level spell for that, and it would make it more powerful to use with allied spellcasters/manifesters than with any other characters.

Edited the spell, I think it works correctly now.

[veekie]

Well, my basis, for an effect of similar 'cost'(the temporary loss of a character), it should have a comparable effect.

[bkdubs123]

Well, my basis, for an effect of similar 'cost'(the temporary loss of a character), it should have a comparable effect.

Well, do you want the spell only to be usable on willing targets, because if not, again, you can use it on your foes to deny them actions and gain a more powerful weapon.

[veekie]

True, it could be, at that. The closest existing power to it is Fusion anyway.

[VennDygrem]

Hmm, using such a spell on your foes would indeed be a pretty good use, though you'd get the most out of it by casting Charm/Dominate on an enemy with a high int/cha score, and give said weapon to the party brute. The problem there is that the ones that would get you SLAs and such would be harder to overcome as far as Will saves and Ego scores if you do get the casting right on them.

I could actually see this working as a PrC focused on capturing enemies to fuel a magical weapon class-ability.

Maybe capture enemies into the sword/weapon a number of rounds equal to PrC level + Cha modifier rounds, gain a flat enhancement modifier plus special ability based on the highest ability score of the enemy contained in the weapon. You can hold a number of enemies in the weapon equal to 1/2 class level (minimum 1), etc. etc.

I don't know, maybe something along those lines.

[bkdubs123]

Hmm, using such a spell on your foes would indeed be a pretty good use, though you'd get the most out of it by casting Charm/Dominate on an enemy with a high int/cha score, and give said weapon to the party brute. The problem there is that the ones that would get you SLAs and such would be harder to overcome as far as Will saves and Ego scores if you do get the casting right on them.

Yes, true, but I thought it was a good balancing factor and something to keep the spell interesting.

I could actually see this working as a PrC focused on capturing enemies to fuel a magical weapon class-ability.

Maybe capture enemies into the sword/weapon a number of rounds equal to PrC level + Cha modifier rounds, gain a flat enhancement modifier plus special ability based on the highest ability score of the enemy contained in the weapon. You can hold a number of enemies in the weapon equal to 1/2 class level (minimum 1), etc. etc.

I don't know, maybe something along those lines.

Now this does sound interesting. Might even be able to be a base class... some strange form of "Binder."

[VennDygrem]

Once the oscars are over, I may have to try writing something up for it.
------------Edit---------------

Ok, so I've written up a base class based on these principles. I'll finish formatting and posting it when I get home from work tonight.