Broken up into the feats, base class, prestige classes and magic items sections, I have to say the weakest is the magic items. But all of it is very spiffy for those who like transmutation magic.

The base class changes the caster as well as whatever transumation spells he casts. The fury PrC is a mixture of transmuter and barbarian (and requires levels of barbarian and arcane caster). The morph mage PrC allows the caster to effectively wildshape into almost any creature type in exchange for spells. Even though it tramples the toes of the druid, I think the morph mage is the best part of this product.

The feats and magic items are typical. The former has a couple devoted to alchemy, a couple relating to components and a couple oods and ends. The latter, which includes alchemical items, are few and not that creative. They are useful, but kind of obvious when looking at the transmuter.

It easily earns its 5 stars.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

This book has a new version of the transmutor specialist wizard, 2 new prestige classes, new feats, some new magical items and mundane items.

The pages are shorter than normal pages ? each page fits in a computer screen. This is handy because you can see the whole page at a higher resolution without having to scroll up and down to see all the text. Included is a print-version, where the pages are the normal length and the border has been removed. I?d like to see more companies build their products like this. It solves a problem with columns where you have to scroll down and then up to continue reading the column.

One of my favorite roleplaying elements is polymorph and similar shape-changing abilities so my favorite part of this book is the strong emphasis on shapechanging, especially in the prestige classes. Like Enchanter, this book has a very strong border without overpowering the text. There isn?t a lot of art but that which there is fits the topic very well. I like the focus on material components. Transmutors get a lot of lee-way in terms of what they use for components, especially with the Improved Eschew Material Components feat.

The Fury prestige class is an interesting mix of barbarianism, magic and shapechanging. Requiring 4th level spells, rage and an alternate form, this sets the prestige class at a fairly high level, at least 10th but it looks like it is worth it.

I have some confusion about having an alternative form. This can be a difficult thing to get. I assume spells such as alterself or polymorph do not count ? they aren?t special abilities. The Druidic wildshape does not mention alternate form, and you have to invest 5 levels in druid to get it anyway. Lycanthropy seems like a way to go, but even the ?cheapest? lycanthrop costs 3 racial levels, unless you are using some Savage Species style rules in which case you can get it for 1 level. Vampirism also has an alternate form and so do some races but they all have a number of race levels required. Perhaps some examples are in order. How did you intend characters to gain their alternative form for this prestige class. (I want to try the class out!)

I really like the Morph Mage prestige class. I regret that polymorph does not last very long as of the 3.5 edition but it helps balance the game. I would like to see a feat or ability that increased the abilities the mage gets. Using polymorph you never get the supernatural or extraordinary abilities. As a dragon, this means you can not use breath attacks. <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: The book is a solid expansion of the Transmutor specialist. It offers a lot of options for someone wanting to play a character of this class. I play transmutors and having this material is handy for creating a new one. For the cost, there is no reason not to pick these up to enhance your Players Handbook material.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: I would like to be able to get the supernatural and extraordinary abilities, even in a limited capacity, as a Morph Mage. Another feat could fix that up. I would like some clarification on ?alternate form?.

I?m still very much waiting for evoker! <br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Excellent<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Very Satisfied<br>

The ?The Core Specialist Wizard? series is an interesting concept. It is meant to present specialist wizards as a core, 20 level class. They basically try to ?kick it up a notch? by making the specialists more distinctive than is possible with the core system. In this product, the author focuses on the specialist in the transmutation school of magic. This school of magic focuses on altering the properties of the target of the spell, usually a creature or an object.

Each of the main sections of ?The Transmuter: The Core Specialist Wizard? are discussed below.

The ?Specialist and Multi-classing? section simply states the rules for multi-classing any character that uses the proposed variant specialist wizard rules. As I?ve said in reviews of the previous products in this series, this section seems quite well thought out to ensure consistency with a particular campaign, though, as with most things of this nature, the final word will rest to the individual dungeon masters of the world that have a certain ?flavor? they are striving for.

The ?New Feats? section describes seven new feats in the typical format. Also included is a table listing the feat name and the prerequisites. Unfortunately, it does not include a short description of the feat?s purpose as can be found in the analogous ?core? table. With only seven new feats, this missing element is not as critical as if there were a few more feats. All seven of the feats are ?specialist? feats which have class restrictions of various levels. For example, a prerequisite of two levels in transmuter.

Generally, the seven feats correspond well with the transmutation school of magic. Two feats appear in other products of this series, one allows the caster to learn spells from a prohibited school of magic. The second feat that is repeated in other products affects the abilities of the caster?s familiar. This feat grants the familiar with an ability associated with the relevant school of magic in each product. Hence, in this product the ability associated with the transmutation school is presented. One of the other feats grants an improvement over the Eschew Materials feat, which is a prerequisite to obtaining the new feat. This is an interesting option to provide a means of expanding the group of spells that can be cast without reliance on expensive material components. Another feat enhances the character?s ability with respect to alchemical item creation. There is also a feat that gives the transmuter a ?favored enemy? with respect to being targeted with transmutation spells. Overall, the new feats provide an interesting array of options for developing a specialist spell caster.

?The Transmuter Core Class? section sets out the variant transmuter class in the traditional class format. This product includes two different sidebars that address some questions with the mechanics. These sidebars are likely to allow for a quicker assimilation of the mechanics as presented by most readers and should be commended. In addition, they can be used to discuss the ways the variant class compares to a core ?specialist?. The expansion of this concept to include a brief explanation of the process by which certain abilities were dropped, why certain abilities were changed, why the new content was adopted in the structure that appears would be quite useful.

The variant transmuter class presents well. It has a progression spread across most of the 20 levels. There are no specific transmuter skills that improve in the course of the progression. However, the progression allows for selection of special abilities so that not all transmuters will have the same class abilities. At first level the character gains an ability to substitute one spell component for another. At eleven levels the transmuter gains either a bonus spell or a bonus feat. At four levels, the transmuter can select from a list of class special abilities. This leaves four levels of the progression with no special ability.

There are seven special abilities available to transmuters to select from when they gain a special ability slot in the class progression. Six of the special abilities clearly carry the flavor of the transmutation school with modifications to everything from ability scores, to spells, to crafting. The seventh special ability allows the transmuter to select any feat.

The variant transmuter presented here is a strong addition to this series.

?The Fury PrC? section sets out this prestige class in the traditional format. The fury is a transmuter that requires a physical outlet for rage. Along with rage, this prestige class lists the special ability of shapechangers, ?alternate form?, as a requirement to gain entry. Central to this prestige class is the special ability that allows the character to partially transform into a weapon. This special ability improves twice during the 10 level progression. The fury also gains two special abilities that build on the rage ability that is a prerequisite to this prestige class. One of these special abilities allows the character to extend the length of the rage and the other allows the caster to use the rage special ability an additional time per day. The fury also gains five spell caster levels during the progression. Overall, the fury looks very interesting. This is a truly novel class concept among the core classes.

?The Morph Mage PrC? section sets out this prestige class in the traditional format. The morph mage is a transmuter that focuses on physically transforming into the form of another creature. The morph mage gains spell caster levels at five levels of the 10 level progression. In addition, there are ten different special abilities gained over the progression. Each of them expands the class of creatures that the morph mage can transform into. The morph mage, by becoming the creature, is a fairly interesting variant of the spell caster that summons creatures into battle.

?The Magic Items? section contains two entries which remain entirely true to the theme of transformation which, rightfully, runs throughout this product. The first magic item has the ability, for a limited time, to transform into any weapon type desired by the wielder. The second magic item transforms items placed within it into something else of equal or lesser value.

?The Alchemical Items? section contains five entries. The first is an object that causes anyone within range when the item is used to become dazzled. The second is a modification of a projectile which allows it to deal fire damage, as per alchemist?s fire, to the target of the attack. The third is an item that can be applied to surfaces and will glimmer when heated. The fourth is a liquid that, when imbibed, enhances the drinker?s movement speed. The last entry describes an item which is very similar to some modern fireworks. When used this item ?shoots? a small ball of light for a distance. Upon reaching the distance the ball ?explodes? and sheds light over a large area.

Overall, this product should prove to have some material attractive to most groups. The core class is a strong concept and should satisfy those interested in this school of magic. The list of special abilities which the variant transmuter can select from appears well prepared and is a highlight of this product. The prestige classes in this product provide a path for spell casters to move their abilities toward combat; one by focusing on physically becoming weaponry and the other by becoming a potentially lethal creature. ?The Transmuter? is a polished addition to this series of variant specialists.

To rousing gaming and ample rewards, I. Perez <br><br> <b>LIKED</b>:

1. An interesting exploration of the transmutation school of magic.
2. Thoughtful variant class.
3. Two sidebars discussing aspects of the two prestige classes. I suggest this feature be expanded in future products. <br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: <br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Very Good<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>

Transmuter: the Core Specialist Wizard is another in the sequence of converting each of the various specialist wizards into its own core class. As usual, the layout is clear and the art is functional.

It begins with seven feats, two of which apply to alchemy, and including Forbidden Lore (a necessary evil until all of these classes are collected) and the transmuter?s version of specialist familiar. The only feat which might cause concern is Retain Component which allows a transmuter to keep material components from being consumed by a spell with a successful skill check. At first blush it looks very powerful, but it should only cause problems in a money poor campaign.

The transmuter base class itself is interesting, adapting the specialist wizard as always. The transmuter loses the ability to cast an extra school spell, but gains 4 + Int skills, a different level distribution of bonus feats (but still receives five), and some very nice special abilities. Starting with component substitution which allows them to transmute spell components as needed from an item of a great value (with a monetary cap based on level). Need diamond dust for that stoneskin? Transmute that pearl necklace. Very nice and it plays to the theme well. My worry is that the special abilities that the transmuter gains, first at 10th level with additional abilities at 14th, 17th and 20th level. One or two of these are potentially unbalancing, especially the one that gives the ability to convert a transmutation spell known as an innate ability usable once a day. A DM will have to be careful with which of these special abilities allowed. I would place the transmuter base class slightly ahead of a transmuter specialist because of the more flexible bonus feats and the special abilities at higher levels.

There are two prestige classes: Fury, a barbarian/transmuter-hybrid, which focuses on literally changing the character into a living weapon. The class is interesting, but the abilities do not interlock as nicely as one might hope. Oddly, the Fury is a 10-level prestige class, yet it cannot be taken before 11th level, an alternate set of entry requirement to allow a character to take it at 7th or 8th level would be useful. The Morph Mage is a shapeshifting prestige class, trading spells for enhanced abilities to adopt new shapes. This is an interesting take on the shapeshifting wizard, but it not available before 10th level as it keys off of one of the transmuter classes? special abilities.

There are two new transmutation themed magic items, the Ever-Weapon, which can shift from weapon to weapon, and the Casket of Change, which transmutes items into . . . other items of equivalent value (a fence?s dream). Lastly, there are five new alchemical items, which seem good except the aftereffect of quickening juice is going to be a killer.<br><br> <b>LIKED</b>: Nice extrapolation of transmutation effects.<br><br><b>DISLIKED</b>: Possible balance issues at higher levels.<br><br><b>QUALITY</b>: Acceptable<br><br><b>VALUE</b>: Satisfied<br>