Polymorph

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• Level: 4
• School: Transmutation
• Class: Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
• Casting Time: Action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S, M (a caterpillar cocoon)
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You attempt to transform a creature that you can see within range into a Beast. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or shape-shift into a Beast form for the duration. That form can be any Beast you choose that has a Challenge Rating equal to or less than the target's (or the target's level if it doesn't have a Challenge Rating). The target's game statistics are replaced by the stat block of the chosen Beast, but the target retains its alignment, personality, creature type, Hit Points, and Hit Point Dice. See the "Animals" section of "Monsters" for a sample of Beast stat blocks.

The target gains a number of Temporary Hit Points equal to the Hit Points of the Beast form. These Temporary Hit Points vanish if any remain when the spell ends. The spell ends early on the target if it has no Temporary Hit Points left.

The target is limited in the actions it can perform by the anatomy of its new form, and it can't speak or cast spells.

The target's gear melds into the new form. The creature can't use or otherwise benefit from any of that equipment.

Tactical Usage

Ultimate Transformation Control. Polymorph provides unparalleled tactical flexibility by completely replacing target statistics with chosen beast forms, enabling dramatic capability shifts for both allies and enemies.

Temporary Hit Point Advantage. The spell grants temporary hit points equal to the beast form's hit points, effectively providing healing while maintaining the target's original hit points underneath.

Incapacitation Through Limitation. Transforming enemies into harmless beasts eliminates their spellcasting, special abilities, and equipment usage, creating powerful crowd control effects.

Spell Combinations

Form Selection Strategy. Research spells like Identify or knowledge-based checks help identify optimal beast forms for specific situations, maximizing the tactical benefits of transformation choices.

Protection During Vulnerability. Combining with defensive spells during the concentration period helps maintain the effect, while area denial spells protect transformed allies in vulnerable beast forms.

Communication Solutions. Speak with Animals allows communication with polymorphed allies, while telepathic abilities maintain coordination despite the inability to speak normally.

Material Component Details

Symbolic Component. The caterpillar cocoon represents transformation and metamorphosis, symbolically connecting to the spell's fundamental alteration of creature form and capabilities.

Component Accessibility. Cocoons can be gathered during appropriate seasons from natural environments, though dried or preserved specimens work equally well for spellcasting purposes.

Preparation Considerations. Maintaining a supply of cocoons requires minimal investment but benefits from advance planning during wilderness travel or seasonal gathering opportunities.

Creator Notes

Powerful Game-Changer. Polymorph represents one of the most dramatically impactful 4th-level spells, capable of completely altering encounter dynamics through strategic transformation choices.

Beast Form Database. Creators benefit from maintaining lists of appropriate beast stat blocks organized by challenge rating to facilitate quick transformation resolution during play.

Concentration Vulnerability. The spell's dependence on concentration creates tactical decisions about caster positioning and protection that add strategic depth to combat encounters.

Environmental Interactions

Form-Appropriate Environments. Different beast forms provide advantages in specific environments - aquatic forms for water encounters, flying forms for aerial situations, burrowing forms for underground exploration.

Size and Space Considerations. Transformation into larger or smaller forms requires appropriate space, while environmental constraints might limit viable beast form options.

Equipment Integration. All gear melds into the new form, eliminating equipment benefits but preventing item loss and maintaining the transformation's integrity.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Hit Point Mechanics. Targets retain their original hit points while gaining temporary hit points equal to the beast form's total, creating effectively doubled hit point pools.

Challenge Rating Limits. Beast forms must have challenge ratings equal to or less than the target's level or existing challenge rating, preventing low-level abuse of powerful forms.

Ability Limitations. Transformed creatures cannot speak, cast spells, or use abilities requiring original form anatomy, though beast abilities remain fully functional.

Equipment Status. All worn or carried equipment melds into the new form and cannot be accessed until the transformation ends.

Alternative Applications

Transportation Solutions. Transforming into flying, swimming, or fast-moving beasts provides enhanced mobility options for exploration, travel, or escape scenarios.

Infiltration Support. Small or innocuous beast forms enable stealth missions, reconnaissance, or accessing areas where humanoid presence would be suspicious or impossible.

Problem-Solving Tools. Specific beast abilities like flight, keen senses, or natural weapons provide solutions to environmental challenges or puzzle scenarios.

Related Spells

Transformation Magic. Wild Shape provides similar beast transformation for druids, while True Polymorph offers permanent transformation options with broader creature type selections.

Enhancement Alternatives. Enhance Ability or other buff spells provide temporary improvements without the dramatic form changes and associated limitations of complete transformation.

Control Magic. Hold Person and similar spells provide alternative crowd control methods that maintain target identity while restricting actions.

Scaling Analysis

Consistent Utility. Polymorph maintains effectiveness throughout character progression as beast challenge rating limits scale with character level, keeping transformation options relevant.

Strategic Complexity. Higher-level play increases available beast options and tactical sophistication, making form selection and timing increasingly important for optimal effectiveness.

Resource Efficiency. The spell provides substantial value for a 4th-level slot, offering both healing through temporary hit points and powerful control or enhancement effects.

Narrative Flavor

Transformation Drama. The spell should emphasize the complete physical alteration involved, with detailed descriptions of form changes that highlight both the wonder and disorientation of transformation.

Personality Retention. Despite physical changes, the target's personality and mental characteristics remain intact, creating opportunities for roleplay and character expression within beast limitations.

Magical Metamorphosis. The transformation process itself offers cinematic opportunities, with magical energy reshaping flesh and bone in visually spectacular ways that reinforce the spell's transmutation nature.