Polymorph (D&D spell)

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Unofficial rules compendium

Transmutation (Shapechange) (Special)
Level: Bard 5, Cleric 6, Druid 5, Sor/Wiz 4
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Touch
Target: Willing, living, non-elemental creature touched
Duration: 10 min./level (D)
Saving Throw: None
Spell Resistance: No

This spell functions like alter self, except that you change the willing subject into another form of living creature. Swarms, incorporeal, or gaseous creatures are immune to being polymorphed, and a creature with the shapechanger subtype can revert to its natural form as a standard action.

If polymorph is used to transform into a creature with an elemental or alignment subtype, it is a spell of that type. For example, using it to transfer into a cloud giant is an (Air) spell.

The assumed form must abide by the following limitations:

• The same type as the subject or any of the following types: aberration, animal, dragon, fey, giant, humanoid, magical beast, monstrous humanoid, ooze, plant, or vermin.
• No more Hit Dice than your caster level (or the subject’s HD, whichever is lower), to a maximum of 15 HD at 15th level.
• No physical ability score (Strength, Dexterity, Constitution) can be greater than the the subjects original ability score + your caster level.
• Natural armor bonus cannot be greater than your caster level.
• Cannot be smaller than Fine.
• Cannot have the Swarm subtype.
• Cannot be incorporeal or gaseous.
• The creature is a normal example of the type of creature as given in its description. The creature can be an advanced form, as long as it is advanced by hit dice, not level.
• You must be familiar with the kind of creature chosen. The details of what constitutes "familiarity" are left up to the DM, though encountering the creature of that kind in the flesh certainly qualifies.

The subject’s creature type remains the same, but subtype (if any) change to match the new form. You are free to designate the cosmetic appearance of the assumed shape, choosing the hair color, hair texture, eye color, height, and weight, within the normal range for creatures of that kind.

Ability scores: The subject gains the Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution scores of the new form but retains its own Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma scores.

Hit Points: Hit points are recalculated using the creature's new Constitution score. Any damage taken remains.

Abilities: The target loses all racial abilities (of any type) of its own and gains all of the extraordinary abilities possessed by the new form except as noted below. It does not gain any supernatural or spell-like abilities. It gains the senses of the assumed shape.

The following are abilities that do not change as a result of this spell:

• Class abilities.
• Feats.
• Damage reduction, magic immunity, regeneration, spell resistance.
• Any ability to overcome damage resistance granted by type, subtype, or damage reduction.
• Any ability that involves changing shape, reproduction, or growth
• Any ability that requires a particular state of mind on the part of the assumed shape

Skills: The base creature loses any racial skill bonuses to any Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution-based skills, as well as the Listen, Search, and Spot skills. The creature gains any such racial skill bonus possessed by the assumed shape. The creature is considered to be disguised as a member of the assumed shape, and gains a +10 circumstance bonus to Disguise skill checks to act as such.

Equipment: When the spell takes effect, the equipment worn or held by the target is affected depending on its nature:

• If the equipment is the proper size and can be used by the new form "as-is", the equipment is unaffected.
• If the equipment is not the proper size, but could otherwise be used, then it grows or shrinks to a usable size. No other aspects of the equipment is altered; the clothing does not change color or texture to make it any more appropriate to the assumed form, for example. When the spell ends, the equipment reverts to its original size, as it does if the creature drops or removes the equipment.
• If the equipment cannot be used by the new form, regardless of size, then it melds into the assumed shape and is nonfunctional. For example, if the assumed shape does not have hands or limbs capable of manipulation, any handheld weapons meld into the body. When the Polymorphed template is lost, any melded equipment reappears, in the same location on your body and unharmed.

Material Component: An empty cocoon.

Natural Shape

Transmutation (Shapechange) (Special)
Level: Druid 5

This is the same as the polymorph spell except as noted, and in that the assumed form can be of the animal, fey, magical beast, ooze, plant, or vermin type.

Immortal Shape

Transmutation (Shapechange) (Special)
Level: Cleric 6, Sorcerer/Wizard 6

This is the same as the polymorph spell except as noted, and in that the assumed form can be of the deathless, outsider, or undead type. If the assumed form is undead, this is an (Evil) spell. If the assumed form is deathless, this is a (Good) spell.

Legendary Shape

Transmutation (Shapechange) (Special)
Level: Bard 5

This is the same as the polymorph spell except as noted, and in that the assumed form can be of the fey, humanoid, or monstrous humanoid type.