Transform into an animal, insect, magical beast or monster
Transmutation
Action: Standard (2 ticks)
Components: V,S,M
Duration: See text
Spell Lists: Alchemy, Arcane
Levels: 3,5,7,9,10
Polymorph allows a caster to transform into a creature they have studied, gaining its physical abilities and traits while retaining their own mind. This transformation includes the creature's strengths and weaknesses; for example, a sorcerer transformed into a wolf gains its keen senses but may provoke fear in villagers.
While transformed, the caster cannot use their magical equipment or spells. Instead of adopting new ability scores, the caster uses a creature template to generate a new set of combat statistics. The form's total Hit Points and Attack Damage are calculated based on the caster's level, while its defensive saves and the Difficulty Class of any special abilities are based on the caster's own Spell DC. For instance, if a snake form’s poison DC is ‘Spell DC + 2’ and the caster’s Spell DC is 20, the poison’s DC becomes 22. The new form has its own HP pool, and when the spell ends, the caster reverts to the exact HP they had before transforming.
To gain the protection of the Ephemeral Aegis, the caster must choose a short duration measured in rounds per level. With the Aegis active, if the transformed body is reduced to 0 hit points, the caster safely reverts to their original form. If the spell is cast for a longer duration of hours or days, this safeguard is lost, and the form's destruction results in the caster's death. At level 9 and above, this risk is eliminated, and the caster always reverts safely if their form is defeated, regardless of duration.
Higher-level casters can shift between multiple forms within a single casting, and the spell's maximum duration and other capabilities improve with mastery as detailed in the table. Sorcerers can learn new forms by studying creatures. Advanced versions can also target others; willing allies are transformed but cannot shift forms, while unwilling targets must fail a Will save with a 25% penalty. Polymorph is exceptionally resilient, imposing a 25% difficulty increase on Dispel Magic and a 25% penalty on Detect Magic rolls.
| Characteristic | Level 3 | Level 5 | Level 7 | Level 9 | Level 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum duration | hours/level | hours/level | days/level | days/level | Permanent |
| Number of transformations | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 8 |
| Return to initial form | 4 turns | 2 turns | 1 turn | 1 tick | 1 tick |
| Transformation change speed | 3 ticks | 3 ticks | 3 ticks | 2 ticks | 1 tick |
| Communication | Natural organs of the creature | Oral with original voice | Oral or Psychic (30 ft) | Oral or Psychic (200 ft) | Oral or Psychic (∞ allies, 1000 ft enemies) |
| Max. size of creatures | Medium | Large | Huge | Gargantuan | Colossal |
| Target | Self | Self, Ally | Self, Ally, Enemy | Self, Ally, Enemy | Self, Ally, Enemy |
| Level | Example Creatures |
|---|---|
| 3 | Human (without magical powers), Black Wolf of Cerberus, Dog, Cat, Standard animals of medium size or less (duck, owl, fly) |
| 5 | Human, Elf, Drow, Dwarf, White Wolf of Brazzant, Ogre, Giant of Cerberus (Small), Hill Troll, Griffin, Owlbear of Cerberus, Horse of Cerberus, Large creatures |
| 7 | Huge Giant of Cerberus, Mountain Troll, Small-sized Dragon, Dark Young, Huge creatures |
| 9 | Dragon Wyrm, Minotaur, Basilisk, Colossal Worm, Gargantuan creatures |
| 10 | Colossal+ Giant, Beholder, Great Wyrm Dragon, Sand Troll, Aboleth, Colossal creatures |