Shapechange Ability - Duration

[Nearraba]

I've been testing this out for a couple weeks, now. My thoughts were that maybe it was being worked on so that's why it was a little wonky, but it's stayed continuous. So, here is what I've found!

According to recent posts, the duration of shapechange was changed to,

Druidic shapechange lasts 10 minutes per level.

Per viewtopic.php?f=1&t=15464&p=99259&hilit ... ion#p99259

However, as a level 46 druid, shapechange has only been lasting for 1 hour. Even figuring on the modified level
system, I should be at least level 18 in standard terms, meaning a duration of 180 minutes, or 3 hours.

Code: Select all

Your shape slowly changes into that of a panther!
It is 9 o'clock am, Eightday, 17th day in the Month of the Drawing Down.
The mud started up at: Thu Jul  5 21:34:57 2012
The system time (GMT): Fri Jul  6 19:45:13 2012

You slowly revert to your natural race.
Your shape slowly reverts to your natural race.
It is 10 o'clock am, Eightday, 17th day in the Month of the Drawing Down.
The mud started up at: Thu Jul  5 21:34:57 2012
The system time (GMT): Fri Jul  6 19:50:20 2012

Code: Select all

Nearraba touches her symbol fondly, praying to Our Lady of the Forest.
You begin to chant.
Some holly glows briefly.
You feel empowered by Nearraba's spell.
Your shape slowly changes into that of a panther!
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Spells and other magical affects
  Affected: Aura of vitality for a short time
  Affected: Polymorph for a short time
  Affected: Poison immunity indefinitely
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is 7 o'clock am, Ninthday, 8th day in the Month of Leafall.
The mud started up at: Fri Jun 29 15:11:11 2012
The system time (GMT): Sat Jun 30 22:40:35 2012

You do not feel empowered anymore.
You slowly revert to your natural race.
Your shape slowly reverts to your natural race.
It is 8 o'clock am, Ninthday, 8th day in the Month of Leafall.
The mud started up at: Fri Jun 29 15:11:11 2012
The system time (GMT): Sat Jun 30 22:46:01 2012

[Mele]

The duration is based on skill level of the ability, not character level! :)

[Tarven]

The duration is based on skill level of the ability, not character level!

Regardless, shouldn't it be an hour per level? Like she says, it's a signature spell for druids. Vital not only to their mechanics, but to their RP.

[Nearraba]

Thank you, Mele! =) That makes alot more sense. For some reason I had it in my mind it was character level. Oh well! Thanks again!

[Harroghty]

The decision was made based upon the SRD rules for this spell (which indicate 1 minute per spell level). You could suggest a change for discussion in the "Game Suggestions" thread though.

[Enig]

The following durations are noted on the d20 SRD website:

1 minute/level for the the level 4 wizard/sorcerer spell 'polymorph'
(See: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/polymorph.htm)

10 minutes/level for the level 9 wizard/sorcerer/druid spell 'shapechange'
(See: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shapechange.htm)

1 hour/ level for the supernatural ability 'wild shape', granted to druids at level 5
(See: http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/druid.htm#wildShape)