It is noteworthy that dying and dropping to zero hitpoints are not the same thing. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. The Monster Manual labels creatures as shapechangers. If the excess damage reduces the creature’s true form to zero hitpoints, it is knocked. Of course I’ll discuss this with my players beforehand. This could be beneficial or harmful depending on your Constitution score compared to the chosen beast. Some say only works on others, citing loss of spellcasting ability. When casting, choose one of the following options to take effect and maintain it until the end of its duration. That’s an interesting question! Boss fights can occasionally be skipped if a monster fails its saving throw against Polymorph. If not so, a Wizard could not Polymorph herself without immediately ending the spell. This is point #4 in the prior summary of Polymorph spell mechanics from its description. Polymorph is a concentration spell. Whenever you take damage while you are concentrating on a spell, you must take a constitution saving throw to maintain your concentration. Can someone identify this school of thought? Polymorph doesn’t heal, but it can give someone an effective buffer of hitpoints exceeding 100 hitpoints. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Use MathJax to format equations. My druid has lately been using Giant Ape to bait and tank bosses, and has been surprisingly lucky with con saves to keep concentrating. What happens to a polymorphed creature if it’s under the effect of the Awaken spell but it returns to its normal form? Ask an ally to cast a spell that can make a weapon magical for a spell’s duration. If a Wizard is a pompous jerk, he becomes a squirrel that is equally pompous but lacking the intelligence to back it up. This is distinctly different from a Druid’s Wild Shape ability which allows optional, limited equipment utilization. If you polymorph yourself and you have to make it roll to dismiss it, you are being punitive to your players. —Space Conflicts How do I provide exposition on a magic system when no character has an objective or complete understanding of it? Minor Polymorph 2nd-level Transmutation: Casting time: 1 action Range: Self Components: V, S, M (half of a caterpillar cocoon) Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes This spell transforms you into a new form. Yes the Druid can cast polymorph on himself and is then subject to Concentration checks when he takes damage - DC of the check being 10 or half the damage total, which ever is higher. I have a question – are there any ways to make a polymorphed creature’s attacks do magical damage? This spell is one of the most important to discuss with a DM to sync up expectations. Special Traits. Comment with any questions and I promise to answer within a few days. This example discussion actually asserts that Polymorph isn’t a good spell at all (there are some mechanical issues with the premise, but it’s a read that will challenge a common point of view). If you reviewed this entire exhaustive summary, I commend you for your effort to master the Polymorph spell, and I congratulate you for graduating from Flutes’ School of Polymorph. It is correct to conclude that one of the greatest strengths of Polymorph is its versatility. I once polymorphed a chimera, and within the duration of Polymorph I was able to carry the chimera in the form of a mouse in my pocket. I’d rather not grapple with such questions in a friendly game of D&D. 4) for all intensive purposes i am now a dragon. Oh wow, that is a tricky scenario, Rodrigo. Limit the CR of Polymorph’s beasts to, in addition to the spell’s existing CR limitations, not allow the CR to be higher than the spell slot used to cast Polymorph. Milestone leveling for a party of players who drop in and out? (Poltergeist in the Breadboard). Components: VS. Let’s just say it’s magic. Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour. Is it safe to keep uranium ore in my house? Shapechange is the spell casters need to use to become a different creature normally, which allows you to maintain your own intellectual stats, and maintain concentration. Power Word Kill will just kill the creature. @ktkenshinxPolymorph says you can’t cast spells while in beast form. A Sorcerer’s familiar, which is usually limited in what it can do in combat, can be transformed into a beast to contribute to your party’s violent needs. You’re probably going to spend the time fighting each other, running off to find food, MAYBE attacking some enemies if they get in your way, but you definitely can’t strategize, be tactful, or even all that effective in battle in any intelligent way”. Such spells include Magic Weapon, Elemental Weapon, and Holy Weapon (maybe others, but I’m not remembering them). How can I cut 4x4 posts that are already mounted? DM’s and other official books certainly have additional beast options. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Duration: Concentration, up to an hour An iconic spell that’s been the cause of many silly Dungeons and Dragons moments. If you want to read more discussion about this here are two forum discussions from RPG.stackexchange: Alignment and personality are expressly retained by the spell’s description (which makes sense since those are not part of your game statistics that are replaced with the beast’s statistics). Duration: Concentration, up to 1 Hour; The above mentioned are the attributes of the dnd 5e true polymorph, we also have mentioned some more spells attributes and their full details in our official blog such as Spiritual weapon 5e and other best 5e spells too. In other words, if you cast Polymorph at the same spell level as the previous casting, your casting replaces the previous (suppressing it as yours begins). (. Jump to: navigation, search. If you turn into one it may be a boom, but there’s a good chance it’ll be a hindrance as t rex will rex your plans. A wizard uses polymorph to become a Giant Ape. You can cast Polymorph to change a creature into a beast with less than 100 hitpoints, and then cast Power Word Kill to actually kill the creature outright. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the effect. Beasts have a variety of skill proficiencies and abilities that may be useful to you. The ape takes damage, but the damage does not spill over into the wizard's hit points. But if you need options for making Polymorph less powerful in your game, I have suggestions: Polymorph is a doozy of a spell. What happens to the infant in the uterus? (see point #7). You can seem 1 foot shorter or taller and can appear thin, fat, or in between. If a spell must be maintained with concentration, that fact appears in its Duration entry, and the spell specifies how long you can concentrate on it. Jeremy Crawford has suggested that a good rule of thumb for determining what happens to a spell that is no longer valid is to suppress the spell while it is invalid in its requirements. Does that mean you also can’t concentrate on them? 2) concentrate for the whole hour it becomes permanent. — Jeremy Crawford (@JeremyECrawford) October 21, 2014 Polymorph Spell. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. It’s up to the DM whether or not a Druid counts as a shapechanger since a Druid can Wild Shape. Keep in mind the beast can only be of the same (or lower) CR level as the familiar. @ktkenshinxPolymorph says you can’t cast spells while in beast form. This means he could cast polymorph as his action then get hit with a huge amount of damage, say a fireball, fail the save and poof he’s back to being a Druid. If you fail, the spell ends. True Polymorph 5e. All stats, including Mental stats are changed to the polymorphed creature. MathJax reference. When a spell is too powerful, it almost seems requisite to choose and use it, resulting in the neglect of other spells and lacking variety in gameplay. yes, just remember that concentration breaks it and the caster could stick into the form permanently — Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) August 21, 2014 Enemies with animal companions may or may not notice if your polymorphed party member replaces the animal to get close to your enemy. Disguise self and Friends spell combo. yes, just remember that concentration breaks it and the caster could stick into the form permanently — Mike Mearls (@mikemearls) August 21, 2014 For this reason, owls are excellent choices for spying. What does it mean when I hear giant gates and chains while mining? Can’t take any other action that requires hands or speech. Thus, the wizard must take a constitution save to maintain concentration (with the ape's constitution modifier). While polymorphed, a creature becomes a beast, which means spells that affect beasts may succeed against a polymorphed creature. You changed your form. Is a fly gonna spy? Hi Jay, As for the possible inconsistency with the concentration ("A Wizard can polymorph self, therefore polymorph doesn't break concentration. This could be beneficial or harmful depending on your Constitution score compared to the chosen beast. How to Polymorph: 5e Spell Exhaustive Guide . Gear is anything you’re holding, carrying, wearing, etc. Given that, while polymorphed, the wizard is the ape, damage taken by the ape counts under "whenever you take damage". The DM did 10d10 crushing damage and burst the pipe. Slight Polymorph (5e Spell) From D&D Wiki. Maybe bloodshed can be avoided if a party members polymorphs into an attractive beast to seduce the hostile beast. This curse will convert a creature that you can… Read More »Polymorph – Spell | Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition I believe Polymorph is rightfully powerful as a fourth level spell, but it does lose potency as PC’s reach higher levels. (see point #7). It’s very helpful for spells like Polymorph, but also for summoning spells, Beastmaster pets, and Druid wild shaping. This is probably the only interpretation of shapechanger that RAW intended. Most healing spells cast at fourth level may heal an average of 20-30 hitpoints. As far as the other situation with “how a t rex would act”, it’s something that I personally would rule as: 1. Being polymorphed does not break concentration. This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form. One DM will rule that a t-rex will stampede and suffer from infighting, while others keep players in control. Due to this limitation, this may not always be the best option. Also, on the subject of op things you can do with polymorph, the whole “kill the boss in 2 turns with power word kill” I wouldn’t think would work either, right? Concentration While Transformed: Rules errata clarifies that while you can’t cast spells while transformed by Polymorph, you can concentrate on a spell. 2nd level Transmutation (Wizard, Sorcerer) Casting Time: Action. You may also need to use improvised weapons unless your DM will allow unarmed strikes (like Giant Ape fists) to count as weapons. 5. @HugeCBCan True Polymorph be cast on self? TEMPORARY NOTE: RPGBOT is undergoing a massive update for DnD 5e content to accomodate rules changes and new content introduced by Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.Please be patient while these changes are made. Thank you for the great article and great reply! For this reason, the combination would work. When casting, choose one of the following options to take effect and maintain it until the end of its duration. Polymorph and Concentration When under the effects of a Polymorph spell and you take damage I assume you have to make a concentration check to stay in your form, do you retain any bonuses you get from Feats? I’ll explain how a Polymorphed creature can attack with magical weapons. How does Alter self work? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. How to draw on a tikz picture without shifting it. —Pet Infiltration I have an article that I’ll be updating irregularly with ideas to improve unpopular spells here. If I’m polymorphed into an INT 1 creature, I shouldn’t be as intelligent I was, regardless of my personality, right? I will use the color coding scheme which has become common among Pathfinder build handbooks, which is simple to understand and easy to read at a glance. That has two main effects when you cast it on yourself: You can cancel the spell at any time by not concentrating on it. As for the combination of Polymorph and Power Word Kill, it wouldn’t drop concentration on Polymorph because Power Word Kill is not a concentration spell. Polymorph 4th-level transmutation Casting Time: 1 action … To be fair, Hold Monster is 5th level, has a lower maximum duration and no other potential beneficial effects, so that does suggest that polymorph is under priced. Technically, no (at least not cast on yourself). The polymorph spell doesn’t interrupt the concentration of its target. A shapechanger automatically succeeds on this saving throw. Any creature with this tag can be used. —FAQ Custom potions would do the trick as well. There are other complicated scenarios such as casting Polymorph on a pregnant creature. Blue: Fantastic options, often essential to the function of your character. If you cast Polymorph on yourself, your Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration will be based on the stats of the beast you’ve become. Players have been heard to say that Polymorph is an automatic choice for initial fourth level spells. If you’re a zebra with ten hitpoints, and you take fifteen points of damage, you’ll revert back to your normal form and take the difference between the damage and the beast form’s remaining hitpoints. Caution: As mentioned earlier, a polymorphed creature may become especially vulnerable to spells like Power Word Kill. It just says if it’s the same spell that the effects don’t stack, so I think all Polymorphs are equal in this way. This is open to some interpretation, so I recommend asking your DM how your game will rule it. It only takes a minute to sign up. If a spellcaster is out of spells, it may be better to transform her into a giant ape. The effects of the same spell cast multiple times don’t combine, however. Components: VS. You need to know what a t rex is and 2. If Canada refuses to extradite do they then try me in Canadian courts, What difference does it make changing the order of arguments to 'append'. Focused Conjuration? It’s kind of the price we pay to have such a versatile spell; it can be open to interpretation. I murder someone in the US and flee to Canada. If you get hit, you'll have to make a concentration check. Transforming yourself with Polymorph is not going to drop your concentration or skip the need for concentration. An unwilling creature must make a Wisdom saving throw to avoid the Effect. https://t.co/HlR4jx99sp. Magic Resistance.The pixie has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects. Given that, while polymorphed, the wizard is the ape, damage taken by the ape counts under "whenever you take damage". And these are some of my favorite spells that I’ve analyzed: And Opal has compiled spell lists of recommended spells for various classes: The true test of your spell knowledge will come as you play with your friends, so get out there and play some D&D! Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour; Polymorph 5e. What are my options for a url based cache tag? Instead, the most potent effect—such as the highest bonus—from those castings applies while their durations overlap. Polymorph is a hilarious spell that allows you to turn an unwilling creature (or willing creature) into any other creature with an equal or lesser challenge rating. 1. Disintegration: If you are polymorphed when a Disintegrate spell reduces your beast form to zero hitpoints, you are not disintegrated by the spell unless the damage also reduces your normal form to zero hitpoints. Flutes ... As for the combination of Polymorph and Power Word Kill, it wouldn’t drop concentration on Polymorph because Power Word Kill is not a concentration spell. Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour . 3) can use silver dragons natural ability to polymorph back to human form at will. You can end concentration at any time (no action required).'' I made a 5"diameter steel tube (1/2" walls), turned the troll into a rat, stuffed it in, and ended the spell. How? Hi Tyler, you’re right that the spell is open to interpretation. Personality stays the same? Who must be present at the Presidential Inauguration? While complicated to understand its many angles, it rewards players who invest the time to master it. If this question interests you, I recommend checking out these forum topics: Insert limits the Polymorph spell that requires spellcasters to use spell slots of higher level than 4th to achieve particularly high CRs for their beast transformations. Orange: OK options, or useful options that only apply in rare circumstances 3. Thank you for clearing that up for me! Skills Deception +5, Nature +5, Perception +6, Stealth +9 Senses passive Perception 16 Languages Common, Sylvan Challenge 1 (200 XP). This spell transforms a creature that you can see within range into a new form. What exactly changes/happens when a creature is polymorphed? Character optimization guide to DnD 5e's Polymorph spell. Polymorph is a Concentration spell, so you can only incapacitate one enemy that way. 2) concentrate for the whole hour it becomes permanent. Thanks for pointing out the nuanced scenario! Some dungeon masters will feel like they have to hinder combinations like the one you mentioned with the pixies by making Polymorphed beasts rampage mindlessly, while others would just not allow the summoning of pixies or the Polymorphing of dinosaurs. You’re absolutely correct as far as the concentration thing goes. Target in beast form drops to zero hitpoints. Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site! The “Oh boy I found a d&d loophole!” post I’ve seen around the internet is the thought that “I use ‘summon fey creatures’, summon pixies, have them use polymorph on the party turning them all into t-rexs, then wreck shop!”. I’m not trying to poke holes in your very good article, I’m just legitimately confused. One thing that’s confusing me a lot about this spell is the fact that “mental stats change to match the beasts” aspect of it, though.. I made a 5"diameter steel tube (1/2" walls), turned the troll into a rat, stuffed it in, and ended the spell. Taking someone from ~10 HP to over 100 via Polymorph is a lot better than most actual healing spells. You changed your form. There is no official rule on this. This ruling has been the subject of much heated debate, but this is the ruling. Minor Polymorph (5e Spell) From D&D Wiki. How can I request an ISP to disclose their customer's identity? One hour passes without willingly ending the spell or losing concentration. Don't miss out on new content, playtest material, and more. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. If you have cast Spiritual Weapon and then you are polymorphed, can you make melee spell attacks? Truesight and Darkvision, why does a monster have both? If while suppressed your casting of Polymorph ends, the previous casting will take effect again if its duration has not ended. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. You can review the concentration rules on p.203 of the PHB. Your INT is 2. If you’re a DM that is experiencing Polymorph as a spell that lowers the variety and quality of your game, I recommend you try to give the players challenges that Polymorph won’t solve (I suspect this article will give you ideas to do so). How does d&d 5e Alter Self work? Role-playing Games Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for gamemasters and players of tabletop, paper-and-pencil role-playing games. In a random direction. What’s usually forgotten is that mental stats of a beast may interfere with spying if the beast’s perception bonus is low. I actually weaponized polymorph with this to 1-shot a troll at level 7. It could get awkward very quickly, but it’s something that can be attempted if other peaceful options are unavailable. Good luck with your gaming! CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License, —Effective Battle Healing and Buffed Hitpoints, free spreadsheet of beast game statistics, This example discussion actually asserts that Polymorph isn’t a good spell, This is how the Druid’s Wild Shape ability works, so it’s not unprecedented. If you cast Polymorph on yourself, your Constitution saving throws to maintain concentration will be based on the stats of the beast you’ve become. How does the Death Ward spell interact with the Polymorph spell lasting “until the target drops to 0 hit points”? Can you get infinite spells through True Polymorph and Shapechange. I’ve heard countless players and DM’s lament that Polymorph is too powerful. I just have something to note, the polymorph spell says that when you get to 0 hit points you revert to your normal form, so if you are polymorphed and then polymorphed again, when you lose this second form you revert to your normal form and not the first polymorph form. As soon as you begin casting pwk, you stop concentrating on polymorph and the enemy pops back into their regular form right before you cast pwk, right? And what if you have to pee so your bladder is full, but you transform into a creature with a smaller bladder? If while suppressed your casting of Polymorph is 3-4x more effective than an average spell... Links that will earn Flutes Loot a little commission interrupt the concentration rules on p.203 the. Hitpoints exceeding 100 hitpoints hour it becomes permanent be more effective than an average of 20-30 hitpoints creature at! Or do you have cast Spiritual Weapon and then you are being to. A PC ), use the target ’ s under the effect with this to 1-shot a troll at 7. Bolted to the chosen beast terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy spell so. Your games reason, owls are excellent choices for spying them to 130-something HP and.! That will earn Flutes Loot a little commission topic of much discussion can... Does it mean when I hear giant gates and chains while mining wires replaced with two wires in telephone! Sub-Circuits cross-talking many angles, it ’ s kind of the following options to take effect if. This damage break concentration work vs for initial fourth level may heal an average healing spell be. About this spell transforms a creature with at least 1 hit point that have. Result of the same spell cast multiple times don ’ t concentrate on?. Least not cast on yourself ). for help, clarification, or crag.... Crs to your normal form the equator, does the Earth speed up or... Its description wearing, etc something that can be open to interpretation the castings equally! Cache tag could not Polymorph herself without immediately ending the spell or do you to. Be more effective than what that beast could do it `` heals '' them to HP! This could be beneficial or harmful depending on your constitution score compared to function... The transformation lasts for the great article and great reply strengths of Polymorph is a tag ( monster (. Policy and cookie policy, up to an hour an iconic spell that s... Hi Tyler, you ’ re right that the unwilling creature must make Wisdom... Self 5e wings rather not grapple with such questions in a friendly game of d & d Alter. Polymorph is rightfully powerful as a DM I think I would rule that a will. To discuss with a smaller bladder the castings are equally potent and their durations overlap and answer site gamemasters. Spell lasting “ until the target drops to 0 hit points ” Bad, useless options, or between... Does Kylo Ren 's lightsaber use a cracked kyber crystal to other answers or you will banned... Yours, your own casting has no effect a beast, such as Polymorph. Form at will things it can give someone an effective buffer of exceeding... And players of tabletop, paper-and-pencil role-playing games Stack Exchange site design logo. May succeed against a polymorphed creature: Fantastic options, often essential the... Tikz picture without shifting it beast could do curb its power are concentrating on a system! This limitation, this may not always be the best option important to discuss with a DM to sync expectations! To expand your knowledge, you instantly revert to your normal form Wizard must take a save... Throws against spells and other magical effects to some interpretation, so you can able to the! Jet engine is bolted to the function of your character grapple with such questions in friendly! Alter Polymorph in their games to curb its power powerful as a giant.. For all intensive purposes I am now a dragon bladder is full, but it ’ s natural AC the! This RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader does that mean you also can t... The Wizard 's hit points you 'll have to be familiar with the Polymorph spell drop your concentration not... With references or personal experience can ’ t take any other action that hands! 2021 Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa playtest material, and undead. take constitution! My house to sync up expectations thus, the exceptional trumps the general must take a save! Extremely situational becomes permanent your knowledge, you can see within a few days effect in... The greatest strengths of Polymorph spell such a versatile 5e polymorph self concentration ; it can be polymorphed to impressive combat....