Is sludge elf still the best transmuter species?

[Jeremiah]

So, I was just thinking about how SETm is a commonly recommended combination and started wondering if with recent (and not so recent) changes sludge elf is still the best choice for a transmuter.

The changes I am referring to are mainly:

1. New racial/fighting HP calculations in 0.9. This nerfed sludge elves somewhat as they have below average HP, and even with good Fighting aptitude have significantly lower maximum HP than they used to. This is partly compensated by the new skill training system making it easier to raise Fighting when you want to, but they still have lower HP overall.

2. Removal of Fulsome/Evaporate from the starting book. Even without these spells, transmuters still get a very powerful starting spell set, but it does mean they can't confuse/poison crowds of enemies and have to rely more on unarmed combat.

So - my guess would be that merfolk is now probably the best species for transmuters as they still have very good aptitude for the important skills, and have more HP. Naga is also probably very strong, especially as Spider Form lets them avoid one of their largest disadvantages.

[greepish]

Demigods aren't tood bad, it's the one class where they get use of all their insane atts.

[pratamawirya]

Troll + Statue Form = Terminator.

[defen]

Draconians have to be among the best options. They certainly seem more survivable than nagas, and the apts are all better except stealth/poison.

[Un67]

I would say Minotaur in 0.10. In the early game, they are practically just as good as Trolls in melee due to the retaliation headbutt, but it's easier for them to pick up spells in the midgame due to having slightly less atrocious apts and INT. In the lategame they will be much more defensively capable then Trolls because they actually have decent defensive skill apts and have full slots. They may not do as much direct damage, but they will be much more likely to survive to dish out the damage in the first place.

[KoboldLord]

Sludge elves are still fine for transmuters. That hit point malus is only a few hit points early on, and by the mid-game their high aptitudes across the board very effectively let them diversify their abilities. One of the most important upgrades to any melee character is the ability to fight at range when melee is unsafe, and sludge elves can at least work with nearly any source of ranged power that happens to turn up.