Does alter self change your base race?

[kharmakazy]

If you have a feat or PrC that requires your race, does alter self change your race and make you ineligible?

You are effectively disguised as an average member of the new form’s race.

This line seems to indicate that your race does not change. In fact, it never mentions changing your race.   

[kharmakazy]

It seems the rules of the game article answers this question by example... listing both the before and after alter self stat block for their sorcerer.

Anlion (Normal Form): Male half-elf  sorcerer 4; CR 4; Medium humanoid; HD 4d4; hp 10; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11; Base Atk +2; Grp +1; Atk +1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff) or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff) or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); SQ half-elf traits, low-light vision; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 8, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16.

Anlion (Lizardfolk Form): Male half-elf sorcerer 4; CR 4; Medium humanoid (half-elf, reptilian); HD 4d4; hp 10; Init +2; Spd 30 ft.; AC 18, touch 12, flat-footed 16; Base Atk +2; Grp +1; Atk +1 melee (1d4-1, claw) or +1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff) or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); Full Atk +1 melee (1d4-1, 2 claws) and -4 melee (1d4-1 bite), or +1 melee (1d6-1, quarterstaff) and -4 melee (1d4-1 bite), or +5 ranged (1d8/19-20, masterwork light crossbow); SQ half-elf traits, hold breath, low-light vision; AL N; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +5; Str 8, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 10, Cha 16.

[Jackinthegreen]

As you've found out, Alter Self does not change the base race of the creature.  It does grant certain physical qualities of the new race's form though, as noted in the spell description.  Of note is the example you have lists "Medium humanoid (half-elf, reptilian)" which is in contradiction to the SRD version stating that the user keeps his type and subtype.  The SRD is the most updated version, barring any changes they make with the recent reprinting announcement.

For future questions you'll probably want to use the aptly-named Ask a Question forum.

[kharmakazy]

Thanks, I was honestly not aware that existed.

I asked because everywhere else I asked everyone seemed to think it was the other way around. The last thread went on for several pages with people telling me to ask my DM, or DUH of course your race changes... without any raw to support it.

 

[Jackinthegreen]

It's not uncommon for some people to overlook certain rules in D&D for a more favorable outcome.

It's also not uncommon for rules to have multiple "correct" interpretations because of poor wording or unforeseen combinations.  Bit of a pain really.

[Agita]

Kind of redundant now, but moving it anyway because eh, why not.

[kharmakazy]

People are still arguing in my other thread that the fact that you gain some racial features and lose some racial features means that you are changing race...

I don't even know what to say to that... you are keeping far more original racial features than you are gaining new ones... and far better ones at that.

It's like the dnd equivalent of the ship of theseus.

[Jackinthegreen]

Perhaps they should be pointed to Alternate Form and then make note that Wild Shape is based on that as well.  Right in the first sentence it says the creature retains its type and subtype which means it does not get any new ones.  The only time it gains a new subtype is if the alternate form has the aquatic subtype.

[nijineko]

perhaps some of your people are arguing what is encompassed by the term 'race'. in any case, i think what has already been presented is clear enough to answer your question.

[phaedrusxy]

People are still arguing in my other thread that the fact that you gain some racial features and lose some racial features means that you are changing race...

I don't even know what to say to that... you are keeping far more original racial features than you are gaining new ones... and far better ones at that.

It's like the dnd equivalent of the ship of theseus.

Out of curiosity... what board is your other thread on?