Can changelings change shape to look identical to a specific person?

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Could a changeling (from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron) become a copy of a specific person, or can they only change to be a generic member of that race?



A player asked if they could play a changeling in my campaign and I want to know if it's going to take all the challenge out of every noncombat situation I give them.










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    favorite
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    Could a changeling (from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron) become a copy of a specific person, or can they only change to be a generic member of that race?



    A player asked if they could play a changeling in my campaign and I want to know if it's going to take all the challenge out of every noncombat situation I give them.










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
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      up vote
      7
      down vote

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      1





      Could a changeling (from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron) become a copy of a specific person, or can they only change to be a generic member of that race?



      A player asked if they could play a changeling in my campaign and I want to know if it's going to take all the challenge out of every noncombat situation I give them.










      share|improve this question















      Could a changeling (from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron) become a copy of a specific person, or can they only change to be a generic member of that race?



      A player asked if they could play a changeling in my campaign and I want to know if it's going to take all the challenge out of every noncombat situation I give them.







      dnd-5e races racial-traits eberron shapeshifter






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      edited Sep 25 at 2:45









      SevenSidedDie♦

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      asked Sep 24 at 23:04









      user40146

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          The Changeling's Change Appearance ability states:




          You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



          You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.




          So it's all spelled out in the ability's description. As long as you've seen the person you want to look like then you can most certainly change your appearance to that of that specific person, as long as that person isn't a different size to you has the same basic shape as you.






          share|improve this answer






















          • From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
            – Hobbamok
            Sep 25 at 11:10










          • Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
            – Exal
            Sep 25 at 18:11


















          up vote
          5
          down vote













          The changeling from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron can duplicate someone else's appearance (and voice), quite accurately



          The version of the changeling published in the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (the current version of which also appears in Unearthed Arcana: Eberron Races) has the Change Appearance trait:




          As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



          You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.



          Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.




          There are some limitations to the ability: you can't change size (so you can't imitate Small or Large/Huge creatures), you can't change your number of limbs or overall shape, and your equipment doesn't change. And you can't turn into something you've never seen before, so you wouldn't be able to turn into a drow if you've never seen one before, or turn into the mayor of the town whom you've heard of but never actually seen. (A DM could reasonably interpret seeing a detailed image/depiction of one as "seeing" it as well.)



          Otherwise, though, you are able to totally customize your appearance. The last paragraph suggests that you can look "realistic" fairly accurately; though it doesn't talk precisely about mimicking a specific individual, it can be assumed that that is what you are shapechanging into (rather than "an average example of that creature", as the shapechange spell specifies). If someone suspects that something is up, you have advantage on a Deception check made to avoid detection.



          And, of course, the trait doesn't grant any ability to imitate that person other than the Change Appearance trait. You still may need to match their clothing/equipment to successfully pull off a disguise; matching someone's appearance is worth much less if your clothing clearly gives away that you're not who you claim.



          Note: The Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron is a "living document", and is planned to be updated following playtesting and feedback. This trait and others may change in the future.






          share|improve this answer






















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            2 Answers
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            2 Answers
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            up vote
            11
            down vote













            The Changeling's Change Appearance ability states:




            You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



            You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.




            So it's all spelled out in the ability's description. As long as you've seen the person you want to look like then you can most certainly change your appearance to that of that specific person, as long as that person isn't a different size to you has the same basic shape as you.






            share|improve this answer






















            • From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
              – Hobbamok
              Sep 25 at 11:10










            • Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
              – Exal
              Sep 25 at 18:11















            up vote
            11
            down vote













            The Changeling's Change Appearance ability states:




            You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



            You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.




            So it's all spelled out in the ability's description. As long as you've seen the person you want to look like then you can most certainly change your appearance to that of that specific person, as long as that person isn't a different size to you has the same basic shape as you.






            share|improve this answer






















            • From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
              – Hobbamok
              Sep 25 at 11:10










            • Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
              – Exal
              Sep 25 at 18:11













            up vote
            11
            down vote










            up vote
            11
            down vote









            The Changeling's Change Appearance ability states:




            You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



            You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.




            So it's all spelled out in the ability's description. As long as you've seen the person you want to look like then you can most certainly change your appearance to that of that specific person, as long as that person isn't a different size to you has the same basic shape as you.






            share|improve this answer














            The Changeling's Change Appearance ability states:




            You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



            You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.




            So it's all spelled out in the ability's description. As long as you've seen the person you want to look like then you can most certainly change your appearance to that of that specific person, as long as that person isn't a different size to you has the same basic shape as you.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Sep 25 at 2:19

























            answered Sep 25 at 1:53









            Purple Monkey

            35.5k7140219




            35.5k7140219











            • From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
              – Hobbamok
              Sep 25 at 11:10










            • Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
              – Exal
              Sep 25 at 18:11

















            • From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
              – Hobbamok
              Sep 25 at 11:10










            • Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
              – Exal
              Sep 25 at 18:11
















            From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
            – Hobbamok
            Sep 25 at 11:10




            From the sound of it you can also look like a person (whose race you've seen) who has only been described to you. Meaning that you can fool someone who has also never seen that person.
            – Hobbamok
            Sep 25 at 11:10












            Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
            – Exal
            Sep 25 at 18:11





            Y'could try, but I, for one, would give some advantageous modifiers to the check of the person you're trying to fool.
            – Exal
            Sep 25 at 18:11













            up vote
            5
            down vote













            The changeling from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron can duplicate someone else's appearance (and voice), quite accurately



            The version of the changeling published in the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (the current version of which also appears in Unearthed Arcana: Eberron Races) has the Change Appearance trait:




            As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



            You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.



            Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.




            There are some limitations to the ability: you can't change size (so you can't imitate Small or Large/Huge creatures), you can't change your number of limbs or overall shape, and your equipment doesn't change. And you can't turn into something you've never seen before, so you wouldn't be able to turn into a drow if you've never seen one before, or turn into the mayor of the town whom you've heard of but never actually seen. (A DM could reasonably interpret seeing a detailed image/depiction of one as "seeing" it as well.)



            Otherwise, though, you are able to totally customize your appearance. The last paragraph suggests that you can look "realistic" fairly accurately; though it doesn't talk precisely about mimicking a specific individual, it can be assumed that that is what you are shapechanging into (rather than "an average example of that creature", as the shapechange spell specifies). If someone suspects that something is up, you have advantage on a Deception check made to avoid detection.



            And, of course, the trait doesn't grant any ability to imitate that person other than the Change Appearance trait. You still may need to match their clothing/equipment to successfully pull off a disguise; matching someone's appearance is worth much less if your clothing clearly gives away that you're not who you claim.



            Note: The Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron is a "living document", and is planned to be updated following playtesting and feedback. This trait and others may change in the future.






            share|improve this answer


























              up vote
              5
              down vote













              The changeling from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron can duplicate someone else's appearance (and voice), quite accurately



              The version of the changeling published in the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (the current version of which also appears in Unearthed Arcana: Eberron Races) has the Change Appearance trait:




              As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



              You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.



              Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.




              There are some limitations to the ability: you can't change size (so you can't imitate Small or Large/Huge creatures), you can't change your number of limbs or overall shape, and your equipment doesn't change. And you can't turn into something you've never seen before, so you wouldn't be able to turn into a drow if you've never seen one before, or turn into the mayor of the town whom you've heard of but never actually seen. (A DM could reasonably interpret seeing a detailed image/depiction of one as "seeing" it as well.)



              Otherwise, though, you are able to totally customize your appearance. The last paragraph suggests that you can look "realistic" fairly accurately; though it doesn't talk precisely about mimicking a specific individual, it can be assumed that that is what you are shapechanging into (rather than "an average example of that creature", as the shapechange spell specifies). If someone suspects that something is up, you have advantage on a Deception check made to avoid detection.



              And, of course, the trait doesn't grant any ability to imitate that person other than the Change Appearance trait. You still may need to match their clothing/equipment to successfully pull off a disguise; matching someone's appearance is worth much less if your clothing clearly gives away that you're not who you claim.



              Note: The Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron is a "living document", and is planned to be updated following playtesting and feedback. This trait and others may change in the future.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                5
                down vote










                up vote
                5
                down vote









                The changeling from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron can duplicate someone else's appearance (and voice), quite accurately



                The version of the changeling published in the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (the current version of which also appears in Unearthed Arcana: Eberron Races) has the Change Appearance trait:




                As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



                You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.



                Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.




                There are some limitations to the ability: you can't change size (so you can't imitate Small or Large/Huge creatures), you can't change your number of limbs or overall shape, and your equipment doesn't change. And you can't turn into something you've never seen before, so you wouldn't be able to turn into a drow if you've never seen one before, or turn into the mayor of the town whom you've heard of but never actually seen. (A DM could reasonably interpret seeing a detailed image/depiction of one as "seeing" it as well.)



                Otherwise, though, you are able to totally customize your appearance. The last paragraph suggests that you can look "realistic" fairly accurately; though it doesn't talk precisely about mimicking a specific individual, it can be assumed that that is what you are shapechanging into (rather than "an average example of that creature", as the shapechange spell specifies). If someone suspects that something is up, you have advantage on a Deception check made to avoid detection.



                And, of course, the trait doesn't grant any ability to imitate that person other than the Change Appearance trait. You still may need to match their clothing/equipment to successfully pull off a disguise; matching someone's appearance is worth much less if your clothing clearly gives away that you're not who you claim.



                Note: The Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron is a "living document", and is planned to be updated following playtesting and feedback. This trait and others may change in the future.






                share|improve this answer














                The changeling from the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron can duplicate someone else's appearance (and voice), quite accurately



                The version of the changeling published in the Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (the current version of which also appears in Unearthed Arcana: Eberron Races) has the Change Appearance trait:




                As an action, you can transform your appearance or revert to your natural form. You can’t duplicate the appearance of a creature you’ve never seen, and you revert to your natural form if you die.



                You decide what you look like, including your height, weight, facial features, the sound of your voice, coloration, hair length, sex, and any other distinguishing characteristics. You can make yourself appear as a member of another race, though none of your game statistics change. You also can’t appear as a creature of a different size than you, and your basic shape stays the same; if you’re bipedal, you can’t use this trait to become quadrupedal, for instance. Your clothing and other equipment don’t change in appearance, size, or shape to match your new form, requiring you to keep a few extra outfits on hand to make the most compelling disguise possible.



                Even to the most astute observers, your ruse is usually indiscernible. If you rouse suspicion, or if a wary creature suspects something is amiss, you have advantage on any Charisma (Deception) check you make to avoid detection.




                There are some limitations to the ability: you can't change size (so you can't imitate Small or Large/Huge creatures), you can't change your number of limbs or overall shape, and your equipment doesn't change. And you can't turn into something you've never seen before, so you wouldn't be able to turn into a drow if you've never seen one before, or turn into the mayor of the town whom you've heard of but never actually seen. (A DM could reasonably interpret seeing a detailed image/depiction of one as "seeing" it as well.)



                Otherwise, though, you are able to totally customize your appearance. The last paragraph suggests that you can look "realistic" fairly accurately; though it doesn't talk precisely about mimicking a specific individual, it can be assumed that that is what you are shapechanging into (rather than "an average example of that creature", as the shapechange spell specifies). If someone suspects that something is up, you have advantage on a Deception check made to avoid detection.



                And, of course, the trait doesn't grant any ability to imitate that person other than the Change Appearance trait. You still may need to match their clothing/equipment to successfully pull off a disguise; matching someone's appearance is worth much less if your clothing clearly gives away that you're not who you claim.



                Note: The Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron is a "living document", and is planned to be updated following playtesting and feedback. This trait and others may change in the future.







                share|improve this answer














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                edited Sep 25 at 4:26









                Rubiksmoose

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                39.3k5192300










                answered Sep 25 at 2:01









                V2Blast

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