Good Humanoid forms?

[Flickerdart]

Many Outsiders such as Succubi and Rakshasa have the Change Shape ability, limited to humanoid types. Are there any good forms that are actually worth assuming while playing such a race, or will the natural abilities of a powerful Outsider like that (even part-way through its racial progression) outweigh the abilities of any Humanoid form? Are there some forms that may be circumstantial, but still have something of use? Can a creature use Change Shape to become a templated humanoid, such as a Werewolf or a Vampire?

[Evard]

Well if you went up against a group of enemies and was able to hide and take one or two out then you could change to their shape and sneak around without having to fight everyone.

[jmbrown]

Change shape isn't used to give the outsider an advantage, it's used to blend in with society. Succubi steal men's souls and rakshasa eat them. It's pretty hard to do this when you stick out like a sore thumb in your natural form.

Change shape only lets you assume type, not subtype. You could assume the form of a hybrid werewolf but you have none of the abilities of a lycanthrope or shapechanger. You couldn't become a vampire because they're undead despite being humanoid. You could probably disguise yourself as a vampire but there's no universal appearance inherent to vampires so you'll basically look like a normal humanoid except maybe with pasty skin.

Well if you went up against a group of enemies and was able to hide and take one or two out then you could change to their shape and sneak around without having to fight everyone.

Which would call for a disguise or bluff check. Probably both in different circumstances.

[clockworkmonk]

The real benefit is stealth. The creatures you described are often quite charming. But it would be for naught if they are seen as what they are, as they have a reputation for being evil. But that nice looking lad in the guard who fights well and is loved by the rest? He has influence.

[Eldariel]

You can't acquire templates anyways, so Lycanthropes and such are right out. Some of the best Humanoids have abilities Outsiders already have beat. Troglodyte, Avariel, etc. are common Humanoid-options for Alter Self, but the Natural Armor, Natural Weapons and Wings are all pretty useless to an Outsider whose own natural traits have those beat already.

No, the primary use is, as said, deception. Not only blending into society, but becoming a different person once an alias becomes useless/someone comes close to figuring you out. It's a great tool to pretend you're your own victim if attacked in your hideout and you're beat and manage to avoid detection for just a little while. The ability's usefulness is more akin to that of an Illusion than form-changing magic.

[Doomboy911]

I say feytouched they're immune to mind control and get points in charisma.

[Flickerdart]

Feytouched are, unfortunately, a template and thus not eligible.