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First of all, there is the Druid who has her own innate ability to transform
Secondly, there is a 5th level spell shape for the wizard and sorcerer.
Thirdly there is the 9th level spell shape for both classes.

Now that that's out of the way, I'll proceed to my question. How are all these monster stats generated? And as a bonus question, does a specialization in Transmutation as a wizard affect these stats in any way?

(Edit: Don't read unless you're easily confused)
It seems to be a strange mix of stacking, ignoring the irrelevant (Charisma) and completely replacing stats, but I just can't figure it out for sure. My wizard has completely different build from the druid, but their 9th spell level shapeshift produced stats that were similar in strength, dex and constitution. Yet if I look at how the Druid's innate shapeshift works it seems to stack stats somehow? Each level, or based on wisdom? I'm not sure, either they have very weird templates or they stack, that's about all I can conclude. The wizard 5th level shapeshift is even stranger. For a moment it seemed as though it copied my int level to a maximum stat respective to the monster type I transform in. Meaning that with 23 int, I'd get 23 strength as an Ogre. Then later on they appeared to vary a little so it may have a coincidence. Or.. I don't know. I'm confused. 23 is a weird number for a stat that's 'replaced' from a template.

I thought about creating a character that specializes in shapeshifting. I think that would allow me to basically have two characters, one for combat and one for high charisma or other things. Stacking would be one reason not to do such a thing, as I would lose the opportunity to get even higher stats in my monster form. But I can't really figure out if I should try the wizard/sorcerer or the druid route. Druids can shapeshift often, wizard get a more powerful form, but later. I need coffee.

What's the deal here?

Another thing I forgot to mention..

With certain transformations I can see a decrease in a stat. It further complicates things: is a negative applier stacked, or is it simply a replaced stat (from some template) that happens to be lower than mine?

Ok, I'm drunk, and hence, too lazy to explain this when you can just read the game rules for the druid ability Wild Shape, and the two spells, Polymorph (which has been changed to something else I believe recently), and Shape Change. Read here for descriptions:

[url="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/druid.htm#wildShape"]Druids Wild Shape[/url]
[url="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/polymorph.htm"]Polymorph (4th level Wizard/Sorc spell)[/url]
[url="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/shapechange.htm"]Shapechange (9th level Wiz/Sorc spell)[/url]

I really need to bookmark that site.

Basically, each shape you choose has a specific number of stats. Physical stats (Str, Dex and Con) are altered based on the shape you chose. Mental stats (Int, Wis, Cha) stay the same. Technicalities and variations are in the material linked to above. Which may or may not have been altered due to incapatability between game mechanics and the game engine.

Excellent, thanks that really helped.

So these stats don't stack. In that case, I have an idea I need to bounce off someone. At first I was thinking of creating a charisma/wisdom druid shapeshifter, so I could get some of that Diplomacy too.

My idea: a wizard-sorcerer/palemaster/wizard-sorcerer. Why palemaster? They get the diplomacy class skill! And I should still be able to reach the highest spell level if I go palemaster at an odd-numbered level, right?

Palemaster should give me interesting immunities too, although I can't tell from the site if those disappear when you transform. I'll also need to figure out if a specializing in Transmutation benefits my monster form somehow.. and if I retain that specialisation after becoming a PM.

Palemaster must be an NWN-only prestige class. It's not on that site.

Tricky wrote:Palemaster must be an NWN-only prestige class. It's not on that site.

No, it's not. All of the prestige classes in the game are in DnD. However, the information on that site is under a special agreement with Wizards of the Coast which has been allowed to be free content. You would need to spend roughly $100 in order to get the books necessary to find all of those prestige classes and feats in the game that aren't NWN only.

Excellent, thanks that really helped.

Apparently I wasn't the only lazy person last night. Good to hear my spoon feeding was accepted better.

About the palemaster....if you take the class, realize that you only get more spells every OTHER level. Meaning, if you take the class at 10th level and take all 10 levels of PM, you will only have the spellcasting abilities of a 15th level wizard, not 20th. Which means, when you reach 20th level, you will have at max 8th level spells.

Hm, you're right.. I think I misunderstood how they gain casting levels. Well.. back to my filthy evil I guess.