Slayer Form

The Slayer Form allows Gorion's Ward to transform into a unique, monstrous entity called the Slayer, which is derived from the divine avatar once possessed by Bhaal himself.
The special ability is acquired in of the Shadows of Amn campaign and possessed by default when starting Throne of Bhaal. It replaces all dream abilities gained from the Baldur’s Gate campaign.
== Acquisition ==
After Gorion's Ward and party have entered Spellhold, Irenicus reveals himself and through the use of magic, strips and traps the Ward's soul, while the Ward begins the fourth dream. When this dream is over, all Bhaalspawn abilities previously gained from the dreams that took place during the Baldur's Gate campaign are lost, while giving the essence of Bhaal within the chance to grow stronger. When the party nears the exit point to level three of Bodhi's Hunt, an attack by Bodhi and two fellow Vampires triggers a transformation in which Gorion's Ward becomes the Slayer and attacks Bodhi - and then turns on the party when she flees, only to revert to normal after a minute or two.
The first time the party rests after this first transformation, the Ward will wake spontaneously and transform again, attacking the party before reverting to normal.
Resting after this will cause Gorion's Ward to experience a final dream. When the dream has ended, the Ward will possess the power to transform into the Slayer at will, with a 3-turn cool-down.
== Description ==
== Gameplay ==
Once Gorion's Ward has gained the Slayer transformation ability, an icon button is now present on the character's record under the "Special Abilities" button (F12 on keyboard game platforms) - an icon button is titled "Slayer Change", see the icon on the InfoBox for a depiction.
Should the Ward decide to transform, simply activate the button with the cursor, and the ward's sprite will quickly have a 3D graphic effect render over it lasting a few seconds (Holy light pillar), as well as a sound effect.
The caster has not yet changed into the Slayer. A moment later a dialogue box generates and displays the Wards's portrait, reading:
:In the depths of your being stirs a familiar evil, reaching out of the darkness. It offers power... for a price. Do you accept and sacrifice part of yourself?
Select from the following choices:
* 1: No. It will not have me. I will not give in.
* 2: I accept, despite the risks.
If the "No" choice is selected, the transformation won't occur, and the Slayer Change icon is now gone from the Special Abilities menu temporarily (about three turns before it reappears).
If the "I accept" answer is selected, the transformation occurs, a flaming 3D graphic renders over the caster's sprite and a sound effect audibles, as well as a text display, reading, "The Party's Reputation Has Decreased: 2".
A moment later, another 3D graphic and sound effect occurs, and the Ward assumes the Slayer form.
On the Special Abilities menu is a new button with a blue humanoid icon, titled "End Slayer Change" - select this button with the cursor or designated Keyboard "F" key, and revert to original form when desired. Doing that shows another flaming 3D graphic and a sound effect. The Slayer Change icon is now gone and won't return for 3 turns.
== Effects of the Slayer change ==
Once the slayer form is active, the Ward may now begin any actions desired, subject to the limitations imposed by the Slayer change.
After 20 seconds has passed the Ward is subjected to 5 magical damage, and a text display reads "You feel your control slipping...". 
After another round has transpired, the Ward is damaged again, this time for 10 damage and a similar message. This process continues every round, with increasing damage until the fifth time the damage climbs to 1,500, which will be game over for the bhaalspawn, unless protected by some suitable form of magic damage mitigation that must be very close to 100%.
Unless this action is taken, then the best policy to avoid death is to revert the Slayer Change to normal form no later than the fourth damage application.
However, if the Ward is sufficiently protected from magical damage, then the bhaalspawn can continue as the slayer as long as desired. Slayer Form is not affected by Dispel Magic.
If the Slayer form transitions to a different area map, the ward will involuntarily revert to normal form.
=== Advantages ===
*Set HP: 100 (NOT a +100 HP bonus as stated in the Slayer Change description)
*Set base THAC0: 0
*Set Strength and Dexterity: 25
**Meaning:
**+14 damage bonus
**7-point THAC0 bonus
**6-point AC bonus
*Set APR: 4 (plus bonus from Fighter levels)
*Set Saving throw values: 2
*Magic Resistance: +40% (cumulative with other bonuses, e.g. from Monk levels)
*All stats above are modified with spell, item and class bonuses.
* Magical weapon +5, 
=== Disadvantages ===
*Reputation reduced by 2.
*Spellcasting is disabled (but not innate abilities).
*Loses temporary shapeshifting abilities granted by spells like Polymorph Self or Shapechange.
*Can't shapeshift unless it's back to real form. Wild Surge: Spirit Wolf will however work.
*Can't rest or save game.
*Takes 5, 10, 20, 40, finally 1500 Magical damage each round after 20 seconds of remaining in Slayer form. Magical damage can be negated by magical damage resistance from items and spells. Ideally, Protection From Magic Energy is best suited to prevent death here, however Protection From Energy plus some other equipment item like the Tunic of Blindeye or Belt of Inertial Barrier can suffice. Remember it's 1,500 damage and being only protected against 75% of that is still probably going to be fatal.
*Receives +4 Fatigue when shifting back to original form.
*Unlike other innate abilities, Wish resting cannot restore the Slayer change ability to return any sooner. 
=== Notes ===
It is still possible to use items, thieving skills, including backstabbing and all other class abilities, as well as any spell sequencers in effect, from the special abilities menu.
Retains bonuses from single-weapon style. 
The "Armor" slot on the character's Inventory screen value is superseded by the set Armor Class value of the Slayer change, but magical bonuses from other equipment (e.g. helmets) apply.
Despite the Enhanced Edition description of the ability, the Slayer form sets current and max hit points to 100, and does not quite provide immunity to missile weapons, but immunity to a limited set of projectiles.
When transforming back to original form, the Bhaalspawn is not healed.
Slayer transformation can also be used to escape form a hostile or unwanted polymorph effect (e.g. Polymorph Other), as it overwrites and cancels all previous shapechanges.
If Tenser's Transformation is active before the shapechange, it will double the Slayer's HP to 200, or it will be higher if the Ward's original HP was greater than 100, for instance if the Ward had 115 HP, and cast Tenser's it is raised to 230, but then with slayer change it is 215.
As with most shape-changes, many buffs/effects that are active on the Ward at the time of transformation, will be active on the Slayer as well, for example Stoneskin, Blade Barrier, Globe of Invulnerability, or Mirror Image etc.
== Gallery ==
MSLYG100015.PNG|Slayer Form
SH1SLAYERPREMONITION.png|Gorion's Ward experiences the very first premonition and symptoms of the Slayer Form within. Occurs on Bodhi's Hunt Level 1
FirstSlayerChange.png|The Bhaalspawn undergoes first uncontrollable Slayer Form transformation in the presence of an attacking Bodhi on Bodhi's Hunt Level 3 
SH3SlayerFormAttacks.png|The Slayer form attacks Bodhi with unfettered ferocity and rage 
SlayerFormEnd.png|Bodhi and vampires flee while the Bhaalspawn reverts from Slayer to normal form. Self-control has returned, for now.
OG Slayer Change 1.png|The Ward activates the Slayer Change button on the Special Abilities menu - "Holy pillar" graphic shown.
OG Slayer Change 2.png|The Ward must now make a choice from the displayed dialogue box. To change or not to change into the Slayer.
==Mod content==
===Mods:===
The Ascension mod, by Throne of Bhaal's design director David Gaider and updated for the Enhanced Edition by the author of Sword Coast Stratagems David W., includes an option to improve the Slayer Form, causing it to grow more powerful as the player increases their total XP exceed 2 million, 4 million and 6 million, plus the potential to eventually let the Ward transform into the Ravager, a more powerful form of the Slayer, while maintaining the choice to transfer into either.
==Achievements==
===Time to Slay===
Took the form of the Slayer.
Category:Bhaalspawn abilities
Category:Crushing damage
Category:Cold damage
Category:Shapechanging spells