The Campaign Builder's Guild

With the big polymorph fix at wizards, i thought it might be funt o see everyone's opinions on this controversial spell.

Do you think WoTC did the right thing in trying to remove it?  Do you think the spell is overpowered?  How have you altered it?  If you use someone else's fix, put a link or post it so we can all see...

I think removing the spell was a mistake, even if it is overpowered.  The only real-way to fix it is houseruling each case as it happens, IMO.  I personally intend to use Rich Burlew's fix if and when I ever get a game going.It can be found here...

http://www.giantitp.com/Func0012.html

and here...

http://www.giantitp.com/Func0021.html

comments anyone?

i think it needs to be rebuilt like summon monster i-x, where you only have 5-6 possible polymorph choices. and maybe you can add to or switch out the choices at the dms discretion or with an 'i can polymorph into additional monsters!' feat. and like, maybe you have 5-6 choices but can make them look however you want--the '4 legged small mammal' choice could look like a dog or mountain lion or goat, but it'd always have the same stats.

the problem with the spell as it stands is that adding monsters to the game makes those 3 or 4 wizard spells more powerful. so like, if you're campaign world has only orcs and humans, alter self is crap. if you have flying elves in your campaign, alter self can let you fly. that's crazy.

Do you have a link to the fix.
I haven't been visiting the WOTC site much lately.

It's buried in the new errata somewhere, but i'm pretty sure there is a thread on their forums that discusses it.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/dd/20060216a

Not the errata itself, but it links to the errata and discusses the problem.

I can see the restriction as being feasible.
It certainly gives druids the edge on changing shape.  And we all know the druid needs every advantage it can get. ;)

I'd like to see a "build by numbers" style Polymorph "fix". What I mean is that instead of taking the form of any creature based on type and HD, you choose from a list of atributes. You would gain a number of points to use on the form equal to twice your caster level (or twice the MP/PP/SP/whateverP spent), and a list of atributes would be provided with appropriate costs.

The list would include ability score bonuses, speed increases, becoming quadraped, changing sizes, gaining new movement rates (and in the case of flight, better manuverabilities); similarly, I would design Alter Self to utilize the same mechanic but only grant 1 point per caster level and only grant access to a much smaller selection of attributes (because you have to remain "in type"). This way, balancing the spells would have nothing to do with new published monsters, and it would allow the caster to be creative.

I have taken the Mark of Heroes copout with Altvogge until I get my fix done.

My take at the moment is a single spell/power with each creature/race type costing X resource points, and a more limiting duration.

Here's my polymorph fix:

Sizes from a wren to a hippo are possible (I'd say that's about Tiny to Huge).

Polymorph confers only size, shape, natural movement modes, and breathing type (if you turn into a fish, you can breathe water and only water).

That means no modalities of attack or defense are included.  This also means hit points are left alone (other than maybe a day's worth of natural healing) and there are no changes to ability scores.



Shapechange is a little better:
The size restriciton is lifted.

In additon to size, shape, natural movement modes, and breathing type natural weapons are included.  Natural AC too.

No other abilities are ever included.  Shapechanging into a Red Dragon offers a change in size, flight as a movement mode and a claw/claw/bite attack routine.  That's nice, but it does not include a breath weapon or fire resistance.

Usually in my campaigns no one ever plays a wizard or any spellcaster because it was difficult to understand.  
On the flip side everything in my campaigns are overpowered, so it didn't bother me at all when one PC turned at least one enemy a day into meatloaf.  Of course he couldn't stay like that long, but the PC would get someone to eat the meatloaf.  Polymorph does need fixing.
Just a question:  could 3.5 turn things into objects?  We only played 3.0 cause it was cheaper.

What exactly are we talking about?  What's the "big fix" that started the conversation?

Polymorph was always too powerful back in the day.

Solution?  Make Polymorph Self an 8th level spell.  Make Polymorph Other a 9th level spell.

Get rid of **WISH**.

One of my old gaming friends (who has since moved away) used to have a polymorph type spell except that it was an illusion. People had to make the save to see if they disbelieved that the vampire lord or the dragon or etc etc was real and see that it was really just a caster.

Quote from: Kapn XeviatI'd like to see a "build by numbers" style Polymorph "fix".

[...]

So something like astral construct, targeted on yourself?  I could get behind that.

(Doing some serious threadcromancy today, folks! :))

Quote from: Pair o' Dice Lost

Quote from: Kapn XeviatI'd like to see a "build by numbers" style Polymorph "fix".

[...]

So something like astral construct, targeted on yourself?  I could get behind that.

If you want balance that looks like a good direction to go.